Buddhism Basics Founding Sometime between 500 400 BC

Buddhism Basics

Founding • Sometime between 500 -400 BC • Modern day Nepal/Tibet • Prince named Siddhartha Gautama

Buddha • Title given to Siddhartha • Means “Awakened” or “Enlightened One” • Some Buddhists believe there have been and will be many Buddhas

Relationship to Hinduism • Share many beliefs: Reincarnation, Karma • Rejects others: Caste System, gods • Some Hindus see Siddhartha as an incarnation of Vishnu • Popular alternative for lower Caste Hindus

Basic Beliefs • Four Noble Truths 1. All life is suffering 2. Desire is the cause of suffering 3. To end your suffering you must destroy desire 4. To destroy desire you must follow the Middle Way

Basic Beliefs • Middle Way: – Avoid the two extremes of self-mortification (harming yourself) and self-indulgence (passions) • Eightfold Path: 1. Right Views (Understanding): seeing life as it is 2. Right Aspirations (thoughts): purity of thoughts 3. Right Speech: tolerances, truth, no gossip or loudness

Basic Beliefs • Eightfold Path 4. Right Conduct of Action: behavior and abstinence 5. Right Livelihood: avoid businesses/activities that compromise your Conduct of Action 6. Right Effort: try to have noble qualities 7. Right Mindfulness: intellectual awareness 8. Right Meditation: concentration on tranquility

Basic Beliefs • The Five Precepts • Buddhists must refrain from 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. harming living things taking what is not given sexual misconduct lying or gossip taking intoxicating substances

Basic Beliefs • Nirvana – Means “to extinguish” – Extinguish or conquer your desires: perfect bliss – Goal is antaman: no self – Ends your reincarnation cycle – "Nirvana is the ultimate happiness“ – NOT a release into Brahman

Literature • Dhammapada: collections of Buddha's oral teachings, written by his followers (monks & nuns) • Tripitaka: “Three Baskets”, other teachings and philosophies