Buddhism A Path to Enlightenment What is Buddhism

Buddhism A Path to Enlightenment

What is Buddhism? • Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of the Buddha, or the “Awakened One. ” • The Buddha was a man who lived between 563 to 483 B. C. E. • This man was a young prince called Siddhartha Gautama.

Buddhism Vs. Hinduism? • Buddhism is not based on complicated rituals and the belief in many gods. • Buddhism embraced people of all the castes. • Buddhism teaches that enlightenment or happiness comes from the knowledge of deep truth. • Once a person reaches nirvana, that they would not be reborn again and again.

• Siddhartha was born around 563 B. C. E. to a powerful king and his queen. • Prior to his birth, his mother had a vision, that was interpreted by the Brahmins to mean that her son will be a great man. Siddhartha Gautama

Early Life • Siddhartha lived a very sheltered life. • His father protected him from the horrors of the world and allowed him to live in a world of beauty and health. • He married when he was 16 and had became a father when he was 29.

Siddhartha discovers suffering • After the birth of his son, Siddhartha is allowed more freedom to travel outside of the palace. • On his trips out of the palace, Siddhartha discovers sickness, aging, and death. • These discoveries trouble him.

He becomes an Ascetic • Troubled by what he has discovered, Siddhartha meets a man who is a glow with inner peace and calm. • This man was an Ascetic. • An ascetic is a person who has given up all worldly possessions, such as shelter and money.

• Siddhartha finds his life at the palace too empty and unfulfilling. • He leaves the palace, cuts his hair, puts on a simple robe, and heads out with only a bowl from which to receive alms. • Alms are goods given to the poor.

• Siddhartha follows the ways of self denial, the ascetics did. • He becomes very thin due to lack of food and still has not found enlightenment.

• Siddhartha found that the harsh ways of the ascetics did not bring enlightenment. • Instead, he decides to seek a “middle way” to achieve enlightenment.

• On his 35 th birthday, Siddhartha meditated under the Bodhi (means enlightenment) tree. • A wicked god named Mara tries to scare him and tempt him during his meditation.

• After meditating through the night, Siddhartha, reaches the state of Nirvana, or true happiness and peace and becomes Buddha. • During this meditation he also discovers what would become the basis of Buddhism. ENLIGHTENMENT

The Foundations • THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS: 1. Suffering is present in all things and nothing lasts forever. 2. Suffering is caused by cravings (desires and wants). 3. The way to end suffering is to give up all cravings. 4. The way to give up all cravings is to live life according to the eightfold path.

The Eightfold Path • Represented by a wheel. • The eightfold path is the way to achieve true enlightenment. • The eight parts of the path are not to be understood as a sequence of single steps. • Instead they are principles that have to be seen in relationship with each other.

The Path • Wisdom: – 1. Right view – 2. Right intention • Ethical conduct: – 3. Right speech – 4. Right action – 5. Right livelihood • Mental discipline: – 6. Right effort – 7. Right mindfulness – 8. Right concentration

BUDDHISM • Buddhists, do not believe in the concept of a soul or a creator God. • Karma is what continues lifetime after lifetime. • Life is continual change and that a person should see themselves as part of the flow, part of the changes, and interconnected to everything else. • Once a person can give up all desires and overcome ignorance, they will reach the goal of enlightenment.