1. Buddhism

2. The Start of Buddhism Buddhism was started in India by Siddhartha Gautama around 530 B.C. Buddhism was started in India by Siddhartha Gautama around 530 B.C. He was a prince whose father tried to shelter him from the world. He was a prince whose father tried to shelter him from the world. He meditated under a tree for 49 days and he was enlightened. He meditated under a tree for 49 days and he was enlightened. He later became called ‘Buddha’, which means “enlightened one”. He later became called ‘Buddha’, which means “enlightened one”.

3. China Gets Buddhism Around 200 A.D. Buddhist monks traveled to China along the Silk Road. Around 200 A.D. Buddhist monks traveled to China along the Silk Road. Buddhism’s popularity in India declined, but it grew rapidly in China. Buddhism’s popularity in India declined, but it grew rapidly in China.

4. Buddhism Today There are about 350 million Buddhist today. There are about 350 million Buddhist today. –This means it is the fourth largest religion in the world.

5. The Four Noble Truths The basic teaching of Buddhism. The basic teaching of Buddhism. They say: They say: –Life contains suffering. –Suffering comes from desire. –To end pain, you must end desire. –To end desire, follow Buddhism.

6. Main Beliefs Reincarnation: Buddhist believe in reincarnation. Reincarnation: Buddhist believe in reincarnation. –You can return as a human, animal or a spirit Nirvana: Bliss or perfection. If you can reach nirvana, when you die you do not reincarnate into an earthly form. Nirvana: Bliss or perfection. If you can reach nirvana, when you die you do not reincarnate into an earthly form.

7. Why do some not consider Buddhism a religion? –Because it does not talk about a belief in a supreme being –Buddha did not claim to be divine. He was just a man.

8. Holy Books Buddhist have several holy books, but the main one is called: Buddhist have several holy books, but the main one is called: –The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path

9. Other Facts A Buddhist place of worship is called a temple. A Buddhist place of worship is called a temple.

10. Dalai Lama Tibetan Buddhist believe that he is the embodiment of ‘compassion’. Tibetan Buddhist believe that he is the embodiment of ‘compassion’. When he dies, he is immediately reborn into as a new person. When he dies, he is immediately reborn into as a new person. Unlike other Buddhists the Dalai Lama gets to control into what body he is reborn. Unlike other Buddhists the Dalai Lama gets to control into what body he is reborn.