2. Hinduism vs Buddhism Born to Kshatriya caste
Believed to be incarnation of Vishnu (avatar)
Buddha rejected Hindu belief that human inequality was based on hereditary distinctions and that salvation can only be achieved by elite few
Same concepts: reincarnation, samsara, karma, dharma, nirvana, raja yoga (meditation which held the key to enlightenment and the salvation of nirvana)
Rejected concepts: caste system, Hindu rituals and offerings to gods, theories, language of Sanskrit (he used Pali), nirvana only if Brahmin caste, refusal to accept authority of Vedas and Upanishads
Buddhism view of Women: more equal in stance compared to Hinduism; women may endure more “suffering” (ie. childbirth). Buddha allowed either men or women from any caste to become monks or nuns and join the Sangha (brotherhood)

3. Buddhism 101 Founded: 6th century BCE Founder:
Number of Adherents:
approximately 200 million close adherents, although some estimates surpass the 600 million mark. Precision is impossible…
Distribution:
predominant faith in Burma, Ceylon, Thailand and Indo-China. It also has followers in China, Korea, Mongolia and Japan.
Buddhists in Canada:
upwards of 10, 000
Sects:
two principal schools are Mahayana and Theravadin (or Hinayana) Buddhism
Founded:
6th century BCE
Founder:
Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise known as the Buddha “Enlightened One”
Place of Origin:
India
Sacred Books:
oldest and most important scriptures are the Tripitaka, (The Three Baskets of Wisdom)
Number of Adherents: approximately 200 million close adherents, although some estimates surpass the 600 million mark. Precision is impossible because the exact impact of the Chinese Communist government’s anti-religion policy is unknown, and because many Buddhist profess to be Confucianists and/ or Taoists as well

5. Buddhism Basics Attempts to give answers to life’s questions
Emphasis on “things to do” rather than “things to believe”
Avoid speculative questions (creation, Supreme power, afterlife) since there was little possibility of definitive answers = instead spend time attempting to deal with the harsh realities presented by life here and now
Tolerant to any religion that allows a person to find “truth” of himself/ herself. Believe that setting an example which others may emulate.
ULTIMATE GOAL= end suffering and attain absolute peace and joy

6. FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

7. Four Noble Truths

8. Fundamental Ethics of Buddhism is the Eightfold Path
Fundamental Ethics of Buddhism is the Eightfold Path. Buddhist scriptures are filled with stories illustrating compassion,
Charity and non-violence

9. Hold firm to the truth as a lamp and a refuge, and do not look for refuge to anything besides yourself. A monk becomes his own lamp and refuge by continually looking on his body, feelings, perceptions, moods and ideas in such a manner that he conquers the cravings and depressions of ordinary men and is always strenuous, self possessed, and collected in the mind. Whoever among my monks does this, either now or when I am dead, if he is anxious to learn, will reach the summit.”
Number of Adherents: approximately 200 million close adherents, although some estimates surpass the 600 million mark. Precision is impossible because the exact impact of the Chinese Communist government’s anti-religion policy is unknown, and because many Buddhist profess to be Confucianists and/ or Taoists as well

10. Why Meditate
For the Buddhist, meditation leads to wisdom and helps clear the mind of bad thoughts caused by hatred and greed. It helps them to approach life in a calm way and to follow the precepts more closely. If they can do this very effectively they may be able to reach a place of extreme peace called Nirvana
Other people meditate because it quiets the mind and releases stress.
link

11. FIVE PRECEPTS Abstain from killing or harming living beings
Abstain from stealing
Abstain from improper sexual conduct
Abstain from false speech
Abstain from taking alcohol and harmful drugs

12. Additional Precepts –ordain monks and nuns who have taken vow of poverty and chastity
6. Abstain from eating after noon 7. Abstain from looking at dancing, singing, or drama 8. Abstain from using perfumes and things that tend to beautify and adorn a person 9. Abstain from using comfortable beds 10. Abstain from accepting gold or silver link

13. Sacred Writings Tripitaka (Three Baskets)
Buddhism is based on Buddha's teachings. At first these were passed down by word of mouth and later were compiled into scriptures written in Pali
Basket of Discipline rules for monks and more for nuns
Basket of Teaching – experiences of Buddha – like parables of Jesus
Basket of Further Teachings - an explanation on the teaching of Buddha

14. The Three Jewels or Three Refuges
Belief in Buddha
Belief in Dharma - The teaching of Buddha
Belief in The Sangha - monks and nuns whose purpose is to help others and by doing so to cease to become selfish and to move on the way towards enlightenment
link

15. Worship
Buddhist worship at home or at a temple. They always bow three times, usually in front of images of Buddha) to honour Three Refuges
Home
Buddhists will often have a home shrine. There will be a statue of Buddha, candles, and an incense burner. Sometimes offerings are made to Buddha, as thanks for his teachings.

16. Temple
Buddhist temples come in many shapes. Perhaps the best known are the pagodas of China and Japan. Another typical Buddhist building is the Stupa (upside down bowl shaped where relics of Buddha are thought to be kept.)
Buddhist will go to the temple for special occasions or to listen to the monks or nuns chant and read from the scriptures.

17. Spread of Buddhism
During Buddha’s lifetime, Buddhism gained a significant foothold in India
emergence of hundreds of monasteries further spread the message of Buddha
Expansion of Buddhism increased with the acceptance in 3rd century BCE by India’s emperor Ashoka
Spread towards Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
By 6th century BCE, spread to Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea
gained popularity as it was viewed as a simple, ritual free path to salvation, open to all believers, in a language the common people would understand

18. The 14th Dalai Lama
Tenzin Gyatso aka Teshe Norbu meaning “Kundun- The Presence”
Dalai Lama means “Ocean of Wisdom”
Manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara
Recognized at age 2
Assumed full political power at age 16
Resides in Northern India leading organization called the Tibetan Government in Exile
Established educational, cultural and religious institutions to preserve Tibetan identity and heritage
Reputation as a scholar and man of peace
Received Nobel Peace Prize in 1989

19. SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA
Siddhartha Gautama born 563 BCE into Kshatriya caste in present day Nepal
Kingdom of Gautama
Siddhartha had a legendary birth, life and death
Prophecy given to his father…
BUDDHA= ENLIGHTENED ONE
Prophecy: father was told by a sage that his son would be destined for greatness- as a powerful emperor or as a religious leader who would devise a path to salvation for all mankind. Preferring the first of these possibilities, the father resolved to isolate his son in the luxury of palaces, in order to prevent him from venturing forth into the outside world, where he might ”see how other half lived” and perhaps derive some special religious inspiration

20. Miracles, miracles, miracles…
Immaculate conception - Siddhartha descended from Heaven and entered mother’s (Queen Maya) womb in form of baby white elephant (purity)
Queen Maya carried Siddhartha for 10 months and could see him in the womb
Gave birth from her side with assistance from tree branches
Water poured from the sky
At birth Siddhartha took 7 steps and said “this is my last birth”

21. Four Sights
King wanted to shelter Siddhartha from unpleasantness of life
At 29, Siddhartha visited the city with Channa and saw four sights:
Old man
Sick man
Dead man
Ascetic monk
These signs moved the Prince to reflecting upon suffering and inevitable death which comes to all men, great and small, and upon deeper questions such as the meaning of life and the ultimate fate of man. He became increasingly dissatisfied with the shallow, dissolute life of the royal court.. At 29, despite having a wife and small son, he forsook everything to become a travelling holy man.

22. FOUR SIGHTS These sights compelled him to
reflect upon:
suffering
death
meaning of life
ultimate fate of man
and inspired him to find a spiritual solution to problems of human life

23. Studied Hindu scriptures but found them lacking
He left his palace and for 7 years search for the ultimate truth of life
Studied Hindu scriptures but found them lacking
Tried raja yoga (meditation) but sensed his sacrifices were not great enough
turned to asceticism and scourged and starved himself (1 grain of rice a day)= but no deep insight came
Determined best course was the MIDDLE WAY (path between both extremes; a lifestyle of moderation)
- MIDDLE WAY- path between acseticism and self indulgencce and continued the quest for truth strictly on his own, with no outside assistance

24. ENLIGHTENMENT OF BUDDHA
Under a Bodhi tree (tree of Wisdom) he meditated
Remembered all of his previous lives
Resisted the combats of Mara (Evil One), who tried many temptations
Removed craving and ignorance for himself
At dawn of his 35th birthday, his mind “pierced the bubble” of the universe, enabling him to realize the essential truth about life and the path to salvation
Achieved NIRVANA and was released from samsara
Stayed in this state for 7 days
NIRVANA = state of supreme realization and enlightenment =understand truth of life and freedom from ignorance =state of total liberation, truth, tranquility, peace

25. ENLIGHTENMENT > NEW RELIGION
After achieving enlightenment, Buddha wanted to share his experiences and insights with others and traveled to Benares and encountered five ascetics.
Deer Park Sermon: outlined his enlightened thoughts and converted five ascetics as his first disciples
Founded the SANGHA, the monastic brotherhood of Buddhism
Argued that no rituals, gods or any type of outside power could save man. The only salvation lies in the realization of the Four Noble Truths and the diligent pursuit of the Eight Fold Path
Within years, Buddhist monasteries were emerging throughout India, establishing Buddhism as a religion
The Buddha died in 486 BCE and achieved paranirvana (complete nirvana)

26. 3 Characteristics of Existence
Annica= impermanence (world in constant flux)
Dukkha= dissatisfaction (all humans and animals experience suffering)
Anatta= no self (no separate, eternal unchanging self)

27. More Numbers and Concepts…
Triple Jewel or Three Refuges: Buddha (guide), Dharma (path), Sangha (teachers)
Six Perfections: giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation and wisdom
Bodhisattva: person who has attained nirvana but chooses to be reborn within samsara in order to help others on path of enlightenment
Nirvana: escape from cycle of rebirth (based on karma, 8-fold path, enlightenment) to attain perfect freedom and bliss

28. Practices Meditation- lotus posture Bowing (three times)
Offerings & Chanting Mantras: “Om Mani Padme Hum” which means “Hail, the jewel in the lotus”
Karma
Puja
Dana (donations)
Mudras
Monastic Ideal
Lotus Posture: crossed legs and hands, hands are on the lap, soles of feet rest on top of thighs, back straight, tongue touches back of the upper front teeth, eyes downcast and partially closed

29. Symbols Wheel of Life Mandala Lotus Flower Stupa Temples Swastika
Buddhapada
Buddhapada- representations of Buddha’s footprints
Wheel of Life= complete visual repre of samsara Mandala- means circle- visual aid for concentration and device for meditation Stupa (towers or domes: contain relics of Buddha or his disciples)
Temples (by visiting stupa or temples, walking around them and presenting offerings (food and flowers) and meditating upon the teachings = accumulate good karma

30. Schools of Buddhism
Sects emerged due to disputes over translation and interpretation of Buddha’s teachings, but share common belief of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path
Theravada or Hinayana: conservative, key virtue is wisdom and Buddha is revered as a teacher / saint (Burma, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia)
Mahayana: liberal, ideal is the bodhisattva who follows example of Buddha and remains in world to serve his fellows (China, Vietnam, Korea)
Vajrayana: Trantric Buddhism- emphasis on rituals, mantras and visual mandalas; Dalai Lama (god-kings) living incarnations of previous holy beings (Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal)
Zen Buddhism: emphasis on meditation to achieve inspiration (satori) which brings enlightenment; less emphasis on scripture, rituals, worship (Japan)
Theravada
Southern school
Conservative; focus on teachings of Buddha and view Buddha as a human -claims to represent the original and true teachings of Buddha and emphasizes the idea that each individual must save himself. Believe that the arhat (holy man) who renounces the world, seeks Nirvana and through diligent meditation and adheres stricly to monasteric rules as well as to the established doctrines of his sect
Mahayana
Northern school
Liberal; considers Buddha as divine and pray to divinities and Bodhisattvas
Vajrayana- more tantric bc of emphasis on rituals, mantras and visualization in creations. Dalai Lama
Zen- meditation

31. Religion or Philosophy?
Attempts to examine the meaning of life and universe
Provides an ethical standard and an overall goal beyond this life
Despite Buddha’s wishes, he was defied after his death by some of his followers
Buddhism has taken on rituals, sacrifices, temple worship, elaborate scriptures and complex doctrines
Philosophy
No sacrifices, worship, prayers, rituals
Rejected the principle of authority in religious matters
No god personified father figure who created and presided over the universe
Buddha- not proclaimed as a god but stated that he was “awake” and could point the way for an individual towards salvation

32. Impact of Buddhism
Buddhism elevated the level of religious life and thought in most Asia
Forced Hinduism to remedy some of its abuses and revitalize its teachings
Major effect upon philosophy, education, literature and art of south Asia, India (Gupta period), China (T’ang Dynasty) and Japan (Zen Buddhism)
However, many argue Buddhism has discouraged social progress (since it accepts life as full of suffering and does not produce a great concern or solutions regarding poverty, illiteracy, illness, pollution etc.)
Spread of Communism (Communist takeover of China in 1949) led to nationalization of monasteries and all revenues) > government in exile in Tibet