BUDDHISM

CONTEXT

By the time Buddhism developed, Aryan invaders had been in India for 500 years

The caste system was well established

Suffering, poverty, and inequality were widespread

This was justified by the Brahmins as the result of karma

SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA

Born 563 BC into the Kshatriya (warrior) caste

He lived in luxury and never saw suffering because he was isolated in a palace by his father

Gautama began to question his father and the teachings of the Brahmins

THE GREAT AWAKENING

Gautama secretly left the palace grounds for a chariot ride

He saw what are now known as the “Four Signs” A sick man An old man A dead man A holy man

Gautama, stunned by the suffering in the world, renounced his old life and pursued wisdom

One day, he achieved enlightenment, and became known as Buddha, the enlightened one

BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS

Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching followers

His teachings begin with the four noble truths All existence is dukkha, unsatisfactory and filled with suffering

Dukkha arises from tanha, craving or clinging, the desire to find something permanent

Dukkha can cease totally-this is nirvana

Nirvana can be achieved by following the Eightfold Path

ACHIEVING NIRVANA

Buddhists believe in samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth

Unlike Hindus, they do not believe in a soul-only a rebirth of karma. There is nothing truly permanent to Buddhists.

This cycle of suffering can be escaped by following the Eightfold Path and achieving nirvana

The steps must be followed in order

THE EIGHTFOLD PATH

THE LOTUS FLOWER

The Lotus is an important symbol in Buddhism

A lotus rising out of mud represents Buddha achieving a state of enlightenment, despite the pain and suffering in the world around him

THE THREE CARDINAL FAULTS Buddha taught that the three cardinal faults of humans are greed, hatred, and delusion

These are represented by the pig, the snake, and the rooster

“Consumed by craving, enraged by hatred, blinded by delusion, overwhelmed and despairing, man contemplates his own downfall, that of others, and both together.”-Buddha

GODS IN BUDDHISM

Buddhists do not deny the existence of gods; however, while gods exist in a form above humans, they are not equal to the wisdom of Buddha

There are a number of demons, such as Yama and Mara, who tested the Buddha throughout his lifetime

BUDDHIST WORSHIP

In Buddhism, there are two groups Bhikkhu, or monks Sangha, or laypeople

There is a tradition of the laypeople offering support to the monks

Monks often reside in monasteries, where they contemplate Buddha’s dhamma, or teachings

The “Three Jewels of Buddhism” are Buddha, his teachings, and the monks

FORMS OF BUDDHISM

Buddhism has spread across Asia, and developed its own unique practices in Tibet, China, and Japan

The two main branches are Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism

Mahayana-Emphasizes compassion, many people can achieve nirvana through the teachings of bodhisattvas

Theravada-Emphasizes wisdom, relatively few can achieve nirvana