1. Buddhism

2. Siddhartha Gautama Founder of Buddhism
Was a prince, raised in luxury who’d never seen poverty, sickness, or suffering
One day his charioteer drove him around the city and for the 1st time he saw old age, sickness & death
Shocked, he wanted to find out why people suffered and how it could be ended
He left his wife & newborn son and wandered throughout India – Great Renunciation
Lived as a hermit seeking truth through fasting & self-denial
Saw a flash of light that gave him insight (had an epiphany)
Because of this “enlightenment”, he was named Buddha, or “Enlightened One” 2

3. He rejected the Varna, or caste system
He determined that desire didn’t necessarily cause suffering
- One could be rich, as long as the wealth was gained lawfully and was used well (shared with others)
Buddha gathered disciples teaching the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold path
- After Buddha’s death, traveling monks carried on the religion beyond India and around the world 3

4. Four Noble Truths Life is suffering – dukkha - Birth trauma - Illness
- Old age
- Fear of approaching death
- Separation from what one loves
- Stuck with what one hates
2. The cause of suffering is desire – tanha
3. The cure for suffering is to remove desire
4. To remove desire, follow the eightfold path 4

5. Eightfold Path 1. Right Knowledge – Understand the Four Noble Truths
2. Right Thinking – Decide to set a life on the correct path
3. Right Speech – Don’t lie; Don’t criticize others unjustly; Don’t use harsh language; Don’t gossip
4. Right Conduct – Follow the Five Precepts
5. Right Livelihood – Earn a living that does not harm living things
6. Right Effort – Conquer all evil thoughts; Strive to maintain good thoughts
7. Right Mindfulness – Become intensely aware of all the states in body, feeling and mind
8. Right Concentration – Deep meditation to lead to a higher state of consciousness (enlightenment) 5

6. Five Precepts Do not kill 2. Do not steal 3. Do not lie
4. Do not be unchaste
5. Do not take drugs or drink intoxicants 6