1. BUDDHISM

2. How it Began -Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) was born around the 6 th Century (566) B.C.E. -Buddha did not want to follow his fathers footsteps and become a wealthy local leader -He renounced his wealth and became a monk -Instead he sought a state of enlightenment (or nirvana), or no longer fearing death or suffering -Traveling through India, he gained enlightenment -Buddha was not seen as a god but rather as a spiritual teacher (Buddhists do not worship any gods)

3. What is Buddhism? -Buddhists believe in the Four Noble Truths 1.Existence involves suffering 2.The origin of suffering lies in desire & ignorance 3.By eliminating D.&I., suffering can be destroyed 4.Release from suffering can be achieved by following the eightfold path -right understanding, thought, speech, behavior, occupation, effort, contemplation and concentration -Buddhist also believe in karma and reincarnation

4. Who/What do Buddhists Look To? -Buddhist look to Buddha as an example of how to live life, they do not look to him as a god -They also look to Buddhist monks and nuns as spiritual guides and examples of discipline -Buddhists are to spend a great deal of time meditating, trying to achieve nirvana -nirvana is the final stage of Buddhism, it is a state of inner purity and enlightenment, all Buddhists attempt to reach it -Nirvana is the end of reincarnation for that person

5. Buddhist Life -Buddhist try to take the “Middle Way”, which is avoiding all extremes -Buddhist festival are very restrained and quiet -Buddhist monks live a life of self-inflicted poverty -Buddhism is practiced in (but not exclusive to) China, Tibet, Japan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Thailand -Any person practicing Buddhism is also allowed to practice another religion. Buddhists are not restricted to one religion