1. Buddhism
Googleimages.com

2. A Way of Life
To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or 'way of life' The major tenets are … (1) to lead a moral life (2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions (3) to develop wisdom and understanding (“Introduction to Buddhism”)

3. Who was the Buddha? Born Siddhartha Gautama in 563 B.C.E.
He was of the noble caste in India
At the age of 29 he rejected the life of luxury
He sought enlightenment and the solution to suffering (“Introduction to Buddha”)
Googleimages.com

4. The Wandering Ascetic
He followed a strict ascetic lifestyle for six years
Then he realized even this was too extreme
He became Buddha, the “Awakened One”at the age of 35
He spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others how to achieve the peace of mind he had achieved
(“Introduction to Buddha”)

5. The Four Noble Truths: 1- To live is to suffer
2- The cause of suffering is self-centered desire & attachments
3- The solution is to eliminate desire and attachment, thus achieving Nirvana (“extinction”)
4- The way to Nirvana is through the “Eight-Fold Path”
(“Introduction to Buddhism”)

6. What is the Eight-Fold Path?
Wisdom:
Right understanding
Right motivation
Moral discipline:
Right speech
Right action
Right livelihood
Mental discipline:
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right meditation

7. Three Marks of Existence
Anicca (Sanskrit anitya) = impermanence
Dukkha (Sanskrit duhkha) = unsatisfactoriness
Anatta (Sanskrit anatman) = non-self
(“Three Marks of Existence”)

8. Buddhist Metaphysics
Dukkha: life in this world is filled with suffering
Anicca: everything in this world is impermanent
Anatta: the self/soul is also impermanent – there is no eternal, unchanging self (“no soul” – no atman)
(“Metaphysics”)

9. What do Buddhists believe?
Rebirth (reincarnation) results from attachments (karma)
Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of mind
Once Gautama Buddha died, after 80 years of life in this world, having achieved Nirvana and teaching multitudes his way of life, he ceased to exist as a distinct being
Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher

10. How are Buddhism and Hinduism Similar?
Buddhists and Hindus believe …
Karma is a cycle of cause and effect
“Similar actions will lead to similar results” (Santina)
Dharma is duty
Samsara is the cycle of rebirth
(“Major Differences”)

11. How are Buddhism and Hinduism Different?
Buddhism rejects…
Authority of the ancient Vedic texts
The Vedic caste system
The Vedic and Hindu deities
The efficacy of Vedic worship and ritual
The concept of Brahman
(“Major Differences”)

12. For Example … There are no supreme dieties in Buddhism
Buddha is not an Avatar, he is a holy man
Buddha is omniscient, not omnipotent
Moksha is happiness on earth while Nirvana is an escape from it entirely
(“Major Differences”)

13. Schools of Buddhism - Theravada
Oldest school of Buddhism
Found in southern Asia (Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, etc.)
Monasticism is the ideal life for achieving Nirvana
A “do-it-yourself” approach to enlightenment
Focus on wisdom and meditation
Goal is to become a Buddha
Pāli Canon = word of Buddha
(“Theravada Ideal”)
Buddhanet.net

14. Schools of Buddhism - Mahayana
Developed first century C.E.
Found in Northern Asia (China, Japan, etc.)
Buddhism “for the masses”
Group, not individual end to suffering
Believe Buddha’s can help lead to enlightenment
"Āgamas" as well as Pali Canon
Diverse schools and sects
(“Bodhisattva Ideal”)
Buddhanet.net

15. Schools of Buddhism - Tibetan
Developed 7th century C.E.
A mix of Theravada & Mahayana:
Rituals (Tantra):
Mantras (chanting)
Mandalas & Thankas (symbolic images)
Mudras (hand gestures)
Bodhisattvas, including living Lamas (Dalai Lama)
Scriptures
Between the 11th and 14th centuries, the Tibetans translated every available Buddhist text into Tibetan..
Tibetan Book of the Dead
Buddhanet.net

16. Schools of Buddhism –Zen
The “meditation” school:
Seeks sudden enlightenment (satori) through meditation, arriving at emptiness (sunyata) and the “Buddha Nature”
Use of meditation masters (Roshi)
Beauty, arts & aesthetics – gardens, archery, the tea ceremony, calligraphy, etc.

17. What are some Buddhist texts?
Tripitaka aka the “Three Baskets”:
Vinaya (“discipline”) – rules for monastic life
Sutta (“discourse”) – sermons of the Buddha
Abhidhamma (metaphysical “teachings”)
Dhammapada – collected sayings of the Buddha

18. The Spread of Buddhism
Within two centuries after the Buddha died, Buddhism began to spread north and east into Asia
By 13th century Buddhism had disappeared from India
Buddhanet.net

19. Buddhist Populations
Buddhanet.net

20. A quick note about the Citations
All of the information in this presentation comes from Buddhanet.net The citations reference the articles on the cite