1. Buddhism

2. Context
By the time Buddhism developed, Aryan invaders had been in India for years
The caste system was well established
Suffering, poverty, and inequality were widespread
This was justified by the Brahmins as the result of karma

3. Siddhartha Gautama Born 563 BC into the Kshatriya (warrior) caste
He lived in luxury and never saw suffering because he was isolated in a palace by his father
Gautama began to question his father and the teachings of the Brahmins

4. The Great Awakening
Gautama secretly left the palace grounds for a chariot ride
He saw what are now known as the “Four Signs”
A sick man
An old man
A dead man
A holy man
Gautama, stunned by the suffering in the world, renounced his old life and pursued wisdom
One day, he achieved enlightenment, and became known as Buddha, the enlightened one

5. Buddha’s Teachings
Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching followers
His teachings begin with the four noble truths
All existence is dukkha, unsatisfactory and filled with suffering
Dukkha arises from tanha, craving or clinging, the desire to find something permanent
Dukkha can cease totally-this is nirvana
Nirvana can be achieved by following the Eightfold Path

6. Achieving Nirvana
Buddhists believe in samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth
Unlike Hindus, they do not believe in a soul-only a rebirth of karma. There is nothing truly permanent to Buddhists.
This cycle of suffering can be escaped by following the Eightfold Path and achieving nirvana
The steps must be followed in order

7. The Eightfold Path

8. The Lotus Flower The Lotus is an important symbol in Buddhism
A lotus rising out of mud represents Buddha achieving a state of enlightenment, despite the pain and suffering in the world around him

9. The Three Cardinal Faults
Buddha taught that the three cardinal faults of humans are greed, hatred, and delusion
These are represented by the pig, the snake, and the rooster
“Consumed by craving, enraged by hatred, blinded by delusion, overwhelmed and despairing, man contemplates his own downfall, that of others, and both together.”-Buddha

10. Gods in Buddhism
Buddhists do not deny the existence of gods; however, while gods exist in a form above humans, they are not equal to the wisdom of Buddha
There are a number of demons, such as Yama and Mara, who tested the Buddha throughout his lifetime

11. Buddhist Worship In Buddhism, there are two groups
Bhikkhu, or monks
Sangha, or laypeople
There is a tradition of the laypeople offering support to the monks
Monks often reside in monasteries, where they contemplate Buddha’s dhamma, or teachings
The “Three Jewels of Buddhism” are Buddha, his teachings, and the monks

12. Forms of Buddhism
Buddhism has spread across Asia, and developed its own unique practices in Tibet, China, and Japan
The two main branches are Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism
Mahayana-Emphasizes compassion, many people can achieve nirvana through the teachings of bodhisattvas
Theravada-Emphasizes wisdom, relatively few can achieve nirvana