1. Origins of Buddhism in India
The Founder of Buddhism is Siddhartha Gautama – He was born an upper caste Hindu Prince who wanted to find an answer to the question: Why do people suffer? He believed that understanding this question would lead to “enlightenment.”

2. Origins of Buddhism in India
Through meditation, Siddhartha reached enlightenment, or wisdom
He theorized that suffering in life was caused by attachment (selfish desires)

3. Origins of Buddhism in India
These ideas were part of the “Four Noble Truths”
When Siddhartha reached enlightenment, he came to the following conclusion:
Life is suffering
Suffering is caused by selfish desire (attachment)
Attachment can be overcome
There is a path for achieving this.
These ideas are called
“The Four Noble Truths”

4. Origins of Buddhism in India
A person can overcome selfish desires by following the Eightfold path which were Siddhartha’s rules for living.
The symbol of Buddhism

5. Origins of Buddhism in India
By understanding the Four Noble Truths, and following the Eightfold path, one could reach an ultimate state of enlightenment called Nirvana, which is a release from the cycle of reincarnation, similar to the Hindu idea of Moksha

6. NO…… #1

7. #2

8. No… #3

9. #4

10. Aspire to free yourself from… #5

11. #6

12. #7

13. Overcome… #8

14. reject the caste system – promotes desire
Hinduism
Buddhism
Place of Origin
India (South Asia)
Founder
No Single Founder (result of cultural diffusion)
Caste System
supported by Hindu ideas of karma, and samsara
Ahimsa
believe in non-violence unless a warrior
Karma
the collection of good and bad deeds
India (South Asia)
Siddhartha Gautama
reject the caste system – promotes desire
extreme devotion to non-violence – pacifists (don’t fight in wars)
The collection of good and bad deeds

15. Belief in reincarnation
Hinduism
Buddhism
Dharma
your caste duties
Samsara
Belief in reincarnation (live through several lifetimes)
Goal
To achieve Moksha (release from reincarnation)
Holy Books
Vedas, Upanishad, Ramayana, Bagavad Gita
God/Gods
Polytheistic (sort of)
duty to understanding the Four Noble Truths
Belief in reincarnation
Goal is to achieve Nirvana (release from reincarnation)
Varies by region/sect
Atheistic but some sects worship Siddhartha as a god

16. Buddhism in India Today

17. Other Buddhism Facts
Buddhism spread to China and Japan

18. Other Buddhism Facts
It is a very peaceful religion which doesn’t believe in violence (devotion to ahimsa)

19. Other Buddhism Facts
Meet the Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual and political leader of the people of Tibet. The Dalai Lama is believed to be the current incarnation of a long line of Buddhist masters who have been released from the cycle of death and rebirth and have chosen on their own free will to return to earth to teach humanity.