1. Buddhist History Origination: – 6 th and 5 th Centuries B.C.E. – India – One of dozens of religions practiced in the region during the time period Founding Figure: – Sakya Prince, Siddhartha Gautama Sooth-Sayer Predicted him to become “A Great Conqueror” or “The Holy One” Sooth-Sayer Predicted him to become “A Great Conqueror” or “The Holy One” Left life of luxury to find “Enlightenment” Left life of luxury to find “Enlightenment” Dedicated his life to ending suffering of the outside world Dedicated his life to ending suffering of the outside world Known by followers as “The Buddha” Known by followers as “The Buddha”

2. Original Teachings of The Buddha were passed orally (500 years) Original Teachings of The Buddha were passed orally (500 years) Written eventually in two languages Written eventually in two languages – Pali & Sanskrit – Created two sects or versions of Buddhism Theravada (Pali) & Mahayana (Sanskrit) Theravada (Pali) & Mahayana (Sanskrit) Teachings of the Buddha are contained in written texts known as Sutras Teachings of the Buddha are contained in written texts known as Sutras Texts accepted as teachings of The Buddha are known as Buddhavacana Texts accepted as teachings of The Buddha are known as Buddhavacana Buddhist Texts

3. Theravada “The Lesser Vehicle” Mahayana “The Greater Vehicle” Claims to remain faithful to original/traditional teachings “Means of salvation available to a great number of people” Emphasizes the importance of monks and nuns retaining their monastic lifestyle. Followers refer to Theravada followers as “Hinaya” or “means of salvation restricted to fewer in number” Prevalent in the southern countries of Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia. Lay people can participate in meditation and worship and can seek enlightenment Most common in the northern countries of Asia: China, Korea, and Japan Forms of Buddhism

4. The Four Noble Truths: 1.Dukkha (Suffering) 2.Tanha (Desire/Craving) 3.To end suffering, craving/desire must end 4.The way to end the selfish desires that cause suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path of Buddha. *Goal of a Buddhist is to reach Enlightenment (to be awakened) and achieve Nirvana, which literally means “stop” or to “extinguish” Major Tenets of Buddhism

5. *Sets forth a middle path, between the extremes of asceticism and sensual indulgence The Eightfold Path: 1.Correct view, an accurate understanding of the nature of things, specifically the Four Noble Truths 2.Correct intention, avoiding thoughts of attachment, hatred, and harmful intent 3.Correct speech, refraining from verbal misdeeds such as lying, divisive speech, harsh speech, and senseless speech 4.Correct action, refraining from physical misdeeds such as killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct Major Tenets of Buddhism

6. 5. Correct livelihood, avoiding trades that directly or indirectly harm others, such as selling slaves, weapons, animals for slaughter, intoxicants, or poisons 6. Correct effort, abandoning negative states of mind that have already arisen, preventing negative states that have yet to arise, and sustaining positive states that have already arisen 7. Correct mindfulness, awareness of body, feelings, thought, and phenomena 8. Correct concentration, single-mindedness

7. * Things to which a Buddhist looks for guidance or can “take refuge” in. The Three Jewels 1.Buddha: the ideal or highest spiritual potential that exists within all beings 2.Dharma: the teachings of The Buddha 3.Sangha: The community of those who have attained enlightenment, who may help a practicing Buddhist reach enlightenment Major Tenets of Buddhism Triratna: “Three Jewels”

8. *Symbolizes balance of life, which is a representation of the path to enlightenment Wheel of Dharma

9. Samsara – Often described as rebirth or reincarnation – Reaching Enlightenment ends the cycles of rebirth for a Buddhist – Rebirth could include many forms and many different realms of existence Karma – According to Buddhists Karma is “action” or “doing” according to intentions – One’s karma affects their rebirth Major Tenets of Buddhism

10. Meditation One of the keys to attaining Enlightenment One of the keys to attaining Enlightenment Requires training to perfect Requires training to perfect Techniques are used to help follow the Eightfold Path through meditation Techniques are used to help follow the Eightfold Path through meditation – Explicitly Right Mindfulness Right Mindfulness Right Concentration Right Concentration Right View Right View Meditation is a tool/skill to help stop suffering and desire, the main impediments to Enlightenment Meditation is a tool/skill to help stop suffering and desire, the main impediments to Enlightenment Buddhist Practices