Origins of Buddhism Buddhism was founded in India

Origins of Buddhism • Buddhism was founded in India (present-day Nepal) around 500 -450 BCE • The founder was known as Siddhartha Gautama but is better known today simply as the Buddha (awakened/enlightened one)

Origins of Buddhism • Gautama was born Hindu and was part of the Kshatriya caste (royalty) • Gautama was sheltered and confined the palace until he decided to flee • Upon fleeing he discovered the “Four Passing Sights”

Origins of Buddhism • Upon seeing the ascetic (monk) he determined never return to the palace and to forever seek enlightenment (spiritual awakening) • Gautama eventually obtained enlightenment and travelled across India to help others, until his died in his early 80’s

Beliefs of Buddhism • Buddhists are generally nontheistic (no god or deities) • The goal of Buddhism is to obtain enlightenment and to reach nirvana (place of eternal rest and escape from reincarnation)

Beliefs of Buddhism • To obtain enlightenment one must follow the Four Noble Truths: 1) Life is suffering 2) Suffering is caused by desire 3) To end suffering you must end desire 4) To end desire follow the Eightfold Path

Beliefs of Buddhism • The Eightfold Path are guidelines for how to live a life free of desires 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration

Beliefs of Buddhism • Once one obtains enlightenment they may chose the path of nirvana or they may become a bodhisattva (one who forgoes nirvana to continue teaching others)

How did Buddhism spread? • Buddhism originated in India but is primarily practiced in Southeast and Eastern Asia as a result of Emperor Asoka’s missionaries • The Mauryan Empire Asoka sent missionaries from India to China to spread the teachings and writings of Buddhism

-Karma -Vedas and Upanishads -Emperor Asoka -Originated in India - Enlightenment Word Bank: - Four Noble Truths - Eightfold Path - Spread by trading - No founder - Nirvana Hinduism - Reincarnation - Belief in many forms of one god - Siddhartha Gautama - Spread by Missionaries - The Caste System Buddhism

-Karma -Vedas and Upanishads -Emperor Asoka -Originated in India - Enlightenment Word Bank: - Four Noble Truths - Eightfold Path - Spread by trading - No founder - Nirvana Hinduism - Vedas and Upanishads - Belief in many forms of one god - Spread by trading - No founder - The Caste System - Reincarnation - Belief in many forms of one god - Siddhartha Gautama - Spread by Missionaries - The Caste System Buddhism - Four Noble Truths - Karma - Eightfold Path - Reincarnation - Emperor Asoka - Originated in India - Siddhartha Gautama - Spread by missionaries - Enlightenment - Nirvana