II Buddhism A Origins and Beliefs 400 million

II. Buddhism

A. Origins and Beliefs • 400 million followers today • Started in India • Majority of Buddhist today live in China and Southwest Asia

• Siddhartha Gautama – Founder of Buddhism who became known as the Buddha • Born into a noble family and his dad wanted him to be a great world leader • Kept his son isolated within his palace

B. Buddhist Legend • At age 29, Gautama ventured outside of his palace for the 1 st time • 4 things that changed his life – – 1) Saw an old man 2) Saw a sick man 3) Saw a dead man 4) Saw a holy man

C. Result • Gautama decided to spend his life in search of religious truth and end suffering • Left his life of luxury and wandered around India for 6 years • While meditating under a fig tree he reached enlightenment and understood the cause of suffering

• Enlightenment – Complete wisdom • After he reached enlightenment Gautama became known as Buddha or “the enlightened one” • Started preaching his message

Buddha at Work

D. Four Noble Truths • 1) All life is suffering • 2) Suffering is caused by our own desires • 3) End suffering by ending desires • 4) Can be accomplished by following the Eightfold path

E. Buddhist Main Goal • Also believe in karma and reincarnation • There is no caste system in Buddhism • Nirvana – “A state of nothingness, ” where one is released from the endless cycle of pain and suffering • Takes at least 547 reincarnations to reach nirvana

• Thus, a Buddhist main goal in life is NOTHING • Buddhist believe that during this last stage they rejoin with Brahma

His Holiness the 14 th Dalai Lama