FROM SIDDHARTHA TO THE BUDDHA After coming to

FROM SIDDHARTHA TO THE BUDDHA § After coming to the conclusion that everything was better in moderation, Siddhartha continued a healthy life and returned to meditation. § Sitting under a tree, he was able to achieve a higher consciousness, or a “psychic state”. § He saw the death and rebirth of all kinds of Earth’s beings as well as all of his previous lives. § This allowed him to realize that good deeds brought better lives, and that bad deeds brought a life of unpleasantness. § He realized that desire was the root of all suffering, and was able to get rid of any craving he might have had. § In this state of nirvana, he was able to reach enlightenment: he was at absolute peace.

WHAT IS NIRVANA? Nirvana is difficult to understand, and Buddha suggested it had to be experienced in order to be understood. Nirvana has been observed as: § A state of total liberation § Permanent truth and realization § Serenity, tranquility, peace, calm § A goal of liberation from suffering Siddhartha stayed in a state of nirvana for 7 days; he then decided to publicize his teachings and ideas.

BUDDHISM’S ROOTS IN HINDUISM Think about what you know about Hinduism, and your introduction to Buddhism so far. Which of the following concepts do you think were rejected or retained by the Buddha? • Gods • Rituals • Karma • Caste System • Reincarnation • Samsara • Questioning of Existence/Eternity • Language and Sacred Text

CONCEPT: GODS WHY? BUDDHIST? NO Siddhartha's revelation had nothing to do with any god. Remember that Buddhism emphasizes things to DO rather than things to BELIEVE.

CONCEPT: RITUALS WHY? BUDDHIST? NO The Buddha saw Hindu rituals such as gods, chants, and sacrifices as “insignificant activities that dominated the religion”. He was determined that Buddhism would be free of meaningless rituals.

CONCEPT: KARMA WHY? BUDDHIST? YES When Siddhartha achieved nirvana, he was able to see many lives of the past and realized the connection between good/bad deeds and a person’s life.

CONCEPT: CASTE SYSTEM WHY? BUDDHIST? NO Buddhism believes that all individuals are equal. Buddha disagrees with the notion that only after thousands of lives and achieving the Brahmin caste can one reach nirvana; rather he taught that with personal effort, enlightenment could be achieved by anybody, regardless of their position in society.

CONCEPT: REINCARNATON WHY? BUDDHIST? YES Buddha’s understanding of karma is directly related to his understanding of reincarnation, the transferring of one’s consciousness into a new body after death.

CONCEPT: SAMSARA WHY? BUDDHIST? YES All Buddhist teachings reference samsara, the endless cycle of uncontrolled rebirths. The goal is to achieve nirvana and escape this cycle.

CONCEPT: QUESTION OF EXISTENCE WHY? BUDDHIST? NO The Buddha thought it was pointless to question theories of creation and eternity as it was impossible to ever know. Buddhism is considered to be practical and free of mythical obsessions.

CONCEPT: LANGUAGE/TEXT WHY? BUDDHIST? NO The Buddha disapproved of the Hindu Vedas being written in Sanskrit, as so few people actually spoke this language. He gave his sermons in the common tongue of the people.

TASK: VENN DIAGRAM Using the Venn Diagram provided, outline the similarities and differences between Buddhism and Hinduism.

BUDDHIST “BELIEFS”: READ P. 168 Recall that Buddhism is more about things to DO rather than things to BELIEVE, outlined in the following Buddhist concepts: • 3 Characteristics of Existence • 5 Precepts • 4 Noble Truths • Noble 8 Fold Path • 3 Refuges • 6 Perfections

THE THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF EXISTENCE (P. 170) IMPERMEANCE SUFFERING NO-SELF This means that everything is always changing. The world is in constant flux, and nothing can ever stay the same for long. All humans and all animals experience suffering. There is no such thing as continuous happiness, since all feelings are constantly changing. It is impossible to point to any one thing and say “that is self”. Is it an eye? A mind? A heart? No – a combination!

THINK: HOW MANY OF THE FOLLOWING RULES DO YOU FOLLOW?

1. DO NOT KILL OR HARM LIVING BEINGS. 2. DO NOT STEAL. 3. ABSTAIN FROM IMPROPER SEXUAL CONDUCT. 4. ABSTAIN FROM TELLING LIES, BEING MEAN, OR SPREADING RUMORS. 5. ABSTAIN FROM DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.

THE FIVE PRECEPTS (P. 170 -171) The Five Precepts are rules that Buddhist’s follow in order to avoid anything that might cause suffering (outlined on previous slide). There also another 5 precepts that Buddhist monks and nuns take on, but these are not followed by the average Buddhist… ADDITIONAL PRECEPTS 6) No eating after noon. 7) No looking at dancing, singing, drama. 8) Abstain from perfumes/beauty products. 9) No comfortable beds. 10) Accept no gifts of gold or silver.

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS (P. 171 -172) What would you do if you were sick? You would go to a doctor to find the cause and how to treat it, right? Buddha knew that a problem of all humans, at some point, was unhappiness. Just as a doctor looks for the root of the problem and how to fix it, Buddha looked at the cause of unhappiness, and how to treat it. He came up with the Four Noble Truths, an essential part of Buddhism.

THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH (P. 172173) The 4 th Noble Truth is that there is a path to eliminate suffering. That path is “The Noble Eightfold Path”. Buddhists do not see the path as steps to be taken one after the other, but rather to be used together to help a person live a life of self-understanding, happiness, and peace.

THE THREE REFUGES (P. 173) REFUGE = PLACE OF SAFETY FROM DANGER In order to make it easier to follow his teachings, Buddha came up with the Three Refuges, or the Triple Jewel. The Three Refuges are a symbol for Buddhists that help them on their journey and represent: 1. The Buddha (the guide) 2. The Dharma (the path) 3. The Sangha (companions and teachers)

THE SIX PERFECTIONS (P. 174) When a Buddhist reaches nirvana, they are called a Bodhisattva. Sometimes these people choose to remain in samsara to help others on their path. These people practice the 6 perfections: 1. Giving 2. Morality 3. Patience 4. Vigour 5. Meditation 6. Wisdom: An indication of full awareness.

ASSIGNMENT: “ACHIEVING ENLIGHTENMENT IN BUDDHISM” • Create a poster or a handout based on one of the Buddhist concepts covered in class. • 3 people maximum • 2 classes to work • Concepts will be drawn at random • Posters must be visually appealing, organized, and an informative classroom resource • Handouts will be photocopied and distributed to the class and must be visually appealing, organized, and informative