Buddhism Page 96 in your textbook - PowerPoint Presentation

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Buddhism

Page 96 in your textbook

Tonight’s Homework: page 96-99 Questions 1-4Slide2

Origins of Buddhism

In the 6th century BC, a new religion called Buddhism appeared in northern India and soon became the

rival

of Hinduism.

The founder of Buddhism was

Siddhartha Gautama

, known as the Buddha, or “Enlightened One”. Slide3
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Siddhartha’s Youth

Siddhartha came from a small kingdom in the foothills of the Himalaya (southern Nepal). Born in 563 BC, he was the son of a high caste, ruling family.Arranged marriage at age 16. Slide5

Legend says that after his birth, Siddhartha’s mother dreamed that a radiant white elephant descended to her from heaven, a sign that the boy would someday become a wandering holy man. Slide6

To prevent this, Gautama’s father kept him in his palace surrounded by comfort and luxury.Slide7

The Search

One day as Siddhartha rode beyond palace gardens, he saw a sick person, an old person, and a dead

bodySlide8

The Search

For the first time he became aware of human suffering.

Disturbed, he gave up his royal cloths, shaved his head, abandoned his family, and set off to find the true meaning of life. Slide9

Gautama wandered for years, seeking answers from Hindu scholars and holy men.

He fasted and meditatedOne day, he sat under a giant tree, determined to stay there until he understood the mystery of life

The SearchSlide10

For 48 days, evil spirits tried to tempt him to give up meditationsSlide11

Enlightenment

Then he suddenly believed he understood the cause and cure for suffering and sorrowWhen he rose, he was Gautama no longer, but the “enlightened one” the BuddhaSlide12

Buddha spent rest of his life teaching others his findings

In his first sermon since enlightenment, he explained the Four Noble Truths that are the heart of

Buddhism.

Four Noble TruthsSlide13

The Four Noble Truths

1. Life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow2. The cause of suffering is the desire for things that are illusions, such as riches, power, long life3. The only cure for suffering

is

to overcome desire

4. The way to overcome desire is to follow the Eightfold path

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Growth of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama died around 483 BC at age 80 in what is today Nepal.After his death, his followers traveled throughout India spreading his teachings. Temples sprang up throughout the countryside.

During the next centuries, Buddhism and Hinduism began to compete for followers. Slide17

Buddhist Philosophy

The Buddha denied the reality of the material world. The pain, poverty, and suffering in the world is caused by attachment to material objects.

Once people let go of these attachments, pain and sorrow can be forgotten.

Achieving this wisdom leads one to the final goal,

nirvana

, or the union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth

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Theravada vs. Mahayana

There are many different forms of Buddhism practiced all over the world.

Theravada Buddhism

is the more

orthodox

of the two and believers follow a specific path of enlightenment.

In order to practice Theravada Buddhism in its pure form, a

monastic life

must be chosen. Children can join the monastic life from the age of seven.

Southern (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, parts of Southeast Asia)Slide20

Theravada vs. Mahayana

Mahayana Buddhism is a collection of many different styles of Buddhism.Although Meditation is practiced in many forms, Mahayana Buddhism is less traditional than its counter part.

Mahayana Buddhism contains many diverse rituals.

Northern

(Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, parts of Southeast Asia ) Slide21

Monastic Life

A Buddhist monk is provided with shelter, food, clothing and medical cares. His life is secure, though not luxurious. His time is spent on the following activities:

(1) study

(2) the performance of assigned tasks for the maintenance of the monastery;

(3) meditation

(4) participation in collective observances like the recitation of the disciplinary code on new moon and full moon days;

(5) and the performance of religious services for the community.Slide22
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Comparison with Hinduism

Siddhartha accepted the idea of reincarnation and karma. However, he rejected the Hindu division of human beings in to castes based on previous reincarnations.

He taught that all human beings could reach nirvana as a result of their behavior in THIS life.

This made

B

uddhism appealing to the the lower castes. Slide24

Comparing Buddhism with Hinduism

Gods and worship:

Although Hindus worship many gods as manifestations of the supreme reality, Buddhism has no gods.

Siddhārtha

also forbade worship of himself or his image. Slide25

Comparing Buddhism with Hinduism

Position of women:

In line with the social views of his time,

Siddhārtha

considered women inferior to men. Nonetheless, their position in Buddhist societies was generally better than elsewhere in India. Slide26

Comparing Buddhism with Hinduism

Spread of Religion

Hinduism remained primarily in India

After the death of the Buddha, his followers spread his message throughout India and, eventually, to South East Asia and other parts of the world.Slide27