1. What “big questions” does Buddhism try to answer?
FOCUS QUESTION:
What “big questions” does Buddhism try to answer?

2. Religions of South Asia
…and popular in the rest of Asia today!
But originates in India!

3. Buddhism in the Subcontinent
Tibet
Bhutan
Sri Lanka

4. The essence of Buddhism
*Philosophy = way of life
“Middle Way of wisdom and compassion”
Based on the teachings of the Buddha
Three jewels of Buddhism:
Buddha, the teacher
Dharma, the teachings
Sangha, the community

5. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)
born in NE India (Nepal)
raised in great luxury to be a king
at 29 he rejected his luxurious life to seek enlightenment and the source of suffering
he sat in meditation, and found nirvana and became “the Enlightened One, or BUDDHA” at 35

7. What is the fundamental cause of all suffering?
“stuff” =
material things =
BAD
Desire!
Therefore, “extinguish the self”: don’t obsess over yourself and STUFF.

8. Four Noble Truths
There is suffering in the world. To live is to suffer. (Dukkha)
The Buddha found this out when he was young and experienced suffering and death in others.

9. Four Noble Truths
The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments. (Tanha)

10. Four Noble Truths
The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments. (Nirvana = “extinction”)

11. meditation = empty/clear the mind and focus
Four Noble Truths
To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path.
WISDOM
MORALITY
MEDITATION
meditation = empty/clear the mind and focus

12. “one with the universe…”
Eightfold Path
Nirvana
Union with the ultimate spiritual reality.
Escape from the cycle of rebirth - Buddhists also believe in reincarnation.
“one with the universe…”

13. Buddha – 19c Thailand

14. Buddha’s head :
2c Pakistan

15. Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

16. Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

17. Buddhist Altar

18. Laughing Buddha

19. denominations in Buddhism
Therevada Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Zen Buddhism

20. Theravada Buddhism oldest school of Buddhism
“Way of the Elders” or the “Small Vehicle”
found in southern Asia
believe monastic life is the best way to achieve nirvana
focus on wisdom and meditation
goal is to become a “Buddha,” or “Enlightened One”
over 100,000,000 followers today

21. Theravada Buddhism

22. Mahayana Buddhism “Great Vehicle”
began in northern Asia (China, Japan)
Buddhism “for the masses”
seek guidance from Boddhisatvas = wise beings
Goal: not just individual escape from the cycle of reincarnation, but helping all humans escape the cycle through the self-sacrifice of the enlightened few

23. Mahayana Buddhism

24. Seated Boddhisatva – 16c Bhutan

25. Tibetan Buddhism “Diamond Vehicle” began in Tibet in the 7th c. C.E.
mix of Theravada and Mahayana
Boddhisatvas include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama
the Tibetan Book of the Dead [Bardo Thodol]

26. Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso
The Dalai Lama
Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso

27. zen Buddhism the “Meditation School”
seek sudden enlightenment through meditation, arriving at emptiness
use of meditation masters [Roshi]
popular in Japan
focus on beauty and art:
Gardens
Archery
Tea ceremony
Calligraphy

28. Relieve Stress & Meditate: Get a Mantra !
mantra = saying you meditate with
Ohm...mani...padme...hung...
Hail to the jewel in the lotus!

29. Philosophy or Religion?
philosophy = way or life
religion? no god… spiritual…

30. What “big questions” does Buddhism try to answer?
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EXIT SLIP:
What “big questions” does Buddhism try to answer?

31. Mindfulness