2. Learning Objectives Learning Objectives
Explore the life journey of Siddhartha Gautama.
Explore the teachings of Buddha and Buddhism.
Identify the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to Enlightenment.
Key Terms to identify include: Nirvana, and Stupa.
Explore how the religion spread east.

3. “The Birth of Buddha” – courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.
Prince Siddhartha Gautama
Prince Siddhartha Gautama
Prince Siddhartha was born in India, in 563 BC.
He was the wealthy son of a rajah, or prince.
There were cosmic signs of greatness at his birth.
The court astrologer noticed unusual marks on the baby which showed that the young prince would either be a great spiritual leader or a great king.
“The Birth of Buddha” – courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

4. Prince Siddhartha Gautama Prince Siddhartha Gautama
Siddhartha lived a very privileged life.
Married at 16, and father to a young son a few years later.
His father insulated him from the problems of the outside world.

5. “Four Heavenly Messengers” Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.
Prince Siddhartha Gautama
Prince Siddhartha Gautama
When Siddhartha was about 29, he left the palace for the 1st time.
He was shocked to see the miseries of the world.
There were 4 things that caught his attention.
“Four Heavenly Messengers” Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

6. Prince Siddhartha Gautama Prince Siddhartha Gautama
1st – Siddhartha saw a man who old.
2nd – He saw a person who was sick and diseased.
3rd – Last, he saw a dead body.
Finally, Siddhartha met a monk who was at peace.

7. Prince Siddhartha Gautama Prince Siddhartha Gautama
Maha Bodhi Vihara
“This is the end which has been fixed for all, and yet the world forgets its fears and takes no notice!” –Siddhartha Gautama

8. Prince Siddhartha Gautama Prince Siddhartha Gautama
Siddhartha left the palace and began the life of a wandering monk.
His goal was find the cause of suffering and to become an enlightened man.
He wandered for 6 years.

9. Prince Siddhartha Gautama Prince Siddhartha Gautama
Siddhartha tried some extreme self-denial.
Fasting – but this nearly killed him.
After this, he believed in a “Middle Path,”and a balanced way of living.

10. Prince Siddhartha Gautama Prince Siddhartha Gautama
Siddhartha meditated for 49 days under a Bodhi tree .
At this time, he became the “Enlightened One,” or “Buddha.”
His teachings form the philosophy of Buddhism.
While meditating under the Bodhi or Bo tree, he learned the 4 Noble Truths and the 8fold Path En.

11. Check for Understanding Check for Understanding
What 3 things had Siddhartha never seen?
What did Siddhartha do in response to what he had seen?
What happened to Siddhartha when he sat under the bodhi tree?
What did Buddha mean when he called his path a “Middle Path?”

12. Prince Siddhartha Gautama Prince Siddhartha Gautama
While meditating under the Bodhi or Bo tree, he learned the 4 Noble Truths and the 8fold Path En.
Occupying a 20-hectare (50-acre) site next to the Royal Grand Palace, Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. It was built in 1688 during the reign of King Petraja of Ayutthaya and contains one of Thailand’s most spectacular sights, a 46-metre (150-ft) long and 15-metre (72-ft) high statue of a reclining Buddha. The statue itself, which is gold-plated and inlaid with mother-of-pearl on the soles of the feet, was not added until 1832 during the reign of King Rama III, and serves to illustrate the passing of Buddha into nirvana (the state of absolute blessedness). Visitors can wander amongst the peaceful rock gardens, chapels and stupas. King Rama III also established Wat Pho as an important centre for Thai medicine and massage and thus founded Thailand’s oldest seat of learning. It is still possible to have a massage or learn about the art of Thai massage and medicine at Wat Pho today.
A reclining Buddha
“Happy Buddha” statue

13. Photo – The Wat Po Temple in Thailand.
Stupas and Temples
Stupas and Temples
Stupa - A shrine in which relics of the Buddha are kept. The center is a raised temple which is usually surrounded by a series of terraces.
Photo – The Wat Po Temple in Thailand.

14. Teachings of Buddha Teachings of Buddha
Buddha’s main ideas are in his teachings:
The 4 Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to Enlightenment.
His teachings are considered a way of life, or philosophy, not a religion.

15. Teachings of Buddha Teachings of Buddha The Four Noble Truths
1st – All people experience suffering and pain.
2nd – All of our pain is caused by our desire for pleasure or material possessions.
This is also called the NobleTruth of Duhkha or suffering.

16. Teachings of Buddha Teachings of Buddha
3rd – The way to end all pain is to end the desire for material pleasures. Meditate, and achieve a perfect peace, or nirvana.
4th – Obtain enlightenment by following the Eightfold path.

17. Teachings of Buddha Teachings of Buddha The Five Precepts
Do not harm any living thing.
Do not steal. Take only what is given.
Avoid over-stimulation.

18. Teachings of Buddha Teachings of Buddha The Five Precepts
Do not say unkind things.
Do not take alcohol or drugs.
The Five Precepts are considered Buddhist laws.

19. Teachings of Buddha Teachings of Buddha Key term – Nirvana
Nirvana – when a person is released from all suffering, pain and desire.
His soul is released and he no longer experiences the cycle of reincarnation.

20. Teachings of Buddha Teachings of Buddha
The Eightfold Path to Enlightenment –
Right thought
Right understanding
Right speech
Right action
This is also called the Wheel of Law – 8 steps for eliminating dukkha (suffering). With this, you can bring an end to your own karma and end the cycle of rebirths.

21. Teachings of Buddha Teachings of Buddha
The Eightfold Path to Enlightenment – cont’d
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right concentration
Right contemplation

22. Check for Understanding Check for Understanding
What is a Buddhist temple called?
What does a fat Buddha represent?
Define nirvana.
Name one of the 4 Noble Truths.
List one of the “Rights” for the Eightfold Path.

23. “Siddhartha in Meditation”
Contrasting Views
Contrasting Views
The teachings of Buddha became very popular in India.
Buddha believed in meditation, dharma, karma and reincarnation, but he did not believe in the Hindu gods, and he rejected the Hindu caste system.
“Siddhartha in Meditation”

24. Contrasting Views Contrasting Views
The Hindu caste system was based on birth, not a person’s actions.
Buddha believed a person should be judged by their actions, not their birth.
Buddha died in 483, when he was 80 years old.
When Buddha left his family, this was referred to as the “Great Renunciation.”

25. The Spread of Buddhism The Spread of Buddhism
Hinduism incorporated Buddha’s teachings into their religion.
The dominant religion in India remains Hinduism. Yet Buddha’s teachings still influenced the region and moved east.

26. The Spread of Buddhism The Spread of Buddhism
Buddhism spread east to China and Japan. This is where the majority of people practiced his teachings.

27. Zen Gardens Zen Gardens
Zen gardens – made in China and Japan. Meditate in a garden, in the lotus position, and ask unanswerable questions.

28. Tibetan Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism
The Dalai Lama or spiritual leader of all Tibetan Buddhists.
Forced into exile when the communists took over China.

29. Check for Understanding Check for Understanding
Who is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists?
Where did the religion of Buddhism spread?
How did Hindus respond to Buddhist teachings?
Why would Buddha’s teachings appeal to the poor of India?