1. Buddhism
Introduction

2. The Buddha
Born as Siddhartha Gautama, in Nepal in around 2500 years ago
He was a prince in a Hindu kingdom in northern India and Nepal
His father tried to shield him from suffering, because he wanted his son to become a great king
The name “the Buddha” means “Enlightened One

3. Siddhartha’s Journey
While outside his palace, Siddhartha witnessed suffering for the first time
He saw 3 examples of suffering:
An old man, a sick man, and a dead man
Later, he came across a poor man who was a calm and peaceful holy man
Witnessing suffering and peace, Siddhartha left his wife and newborn son to become a religious ascetic, to look for answers

4. Enlightenment
Siddhartha travelled from teacher to teacher for 6 years, but failed to find the true answers to his questions
He developed a “middle way” between his old life of luxury and his new life of extreme self sacrifice
He decided to sit and meditate for 49 days, in which he had a spiritual struggle with the evil god Mara
Through Enlightenment, the Buddha learned how people can escape suffering, attain complete peace, and enter nirvana

5. The Birth of Buddhism
At the age of 35, the Buddha gave his first sermon, called the Dharmachakra, or the Wheel of Dharma
Teaching people about the nature of human existence and what people must do to free themselves from suffering
The teachings of the Buddha were written down by his followers, 400 years after his death

6. Bodhisattva
A person who is able to reach nirvana, but puts off full enlightenment in order to help others who suffer
The word means “enlightenment being”
The Buddha himself, after attaining enlightenment, decided to stay on earth to teach others

7. Buddhist Monks
Monks are responsible for preserving and sharing the teachings of the Buddha
The Buddha was the first Buddhist monk, but he learned the practice from older types of wandering ascetics

8. Mandalas Originates in Hinduism
A spiritual and ritual representation of he Universe
Used as a way to focus attention, meditate, or as a spiritual guidance tool to create a sacred space
In Buddhism, it is most often used as an aid in meditation

9. The Dalai Lama 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso Born in 1935 in Tibet
Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lamas are reincarnations of the Bodhisattva of Compassion
Dalai Lamas were the government leaders of Tibet until the Chinese invaded in the 1950s
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

10. Buddhist Temple The place of worship for Buddhists
Traditional temples are designed to inspire inner and outer peace

11. Mantras Buddhist prayers
Sequences of words or syllables that are chanted in repetition
Chanted to help towards enlightenment
The most common Buddhist mantra is “Om Mani Padme Hum” which is the mantra of the Buddha of Compassion

12. Prayer Wheel
Traditionally, the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” is written on the wheel
The belief is that spinning the wheel will have the same effect as orally reciting the prayers

13. Prayer Flags Used to bless the surrounding landscape
The five colours of the square flags represent the five elements: blue for sky and space, white for wind and air, red for fire, green for water, and yellow for earth
Decorated with mantras that are spread to everyone when the wind blows the flags