Roots of BuddhismRoots of BuddhismSiddhartha Gautama: founder of BuddhismSiddhartha Gautama: founder of Buddhism

The Life of SiddharthaThe Life of Siddhartha Born to noble family of kshatriya Born to noble family of kshatriya

(warrior) caste(warrior) caste– Never saw world outside of palaceNever saw world outside of palace– Finally left palace – saw old aging, Finally left palace – saw old aging,

sickness, poverty, death for 1sickness, poverty, death for 1stst time time

Wanted to put an end to Wanted to put an end to life’s sufferinglife’s suffering

The Search for The Search for Enlightenment Enlightenment on why we have suffering in on why we have suffering in

the worldthe world Decided he could not be happy going back Decided he could not be happy going back to the life he once lived to the life he once lived

Wandered in forests Wandered in forests Debated with other religious seekersDebated with other religious seekers FastedFasted

Meditated for 49 days under large fig Meditated for 49 days under large fig treetree

Achieved understanding of the cause Achieved understanding of the cause of suffering in the worldof suffering in the world

Became Buddha, “the enlightened Became Buddha, “the enlightened one”one”

The Four Noble TruthsThe Four Noble Truths1) life is filled with 1) life is filled with

suffering and sorrowsuffering and sorrow

2) the cause of all suffering 2) the cause of all suffering is people’s selfish desireis people’s selfish desire

3) Way to end suffering is 3) Way to end suffering is to end all desiresto end all desires

4) the way to overcome 4) the way to overcome such desires and attain such desires and attain enlightenment is to enlightenment is to follow the Eightfold Pathfollow the Eightfold Path

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions simply because they have Do not believe in traditions simply because they have been handed down for many generations. been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."and live up to it."

~Buddha~Buddha

a.k.a. the Middle Way – avoiding a.k.a. the Middle Way – avoiding extremesextremes

Goal was to reach “nirvana” - Goal was to reach “nirvana” - release from selfishness & release from selfishness &

painpain

Accepted cyclical Accepted cyclical view of history – world view of history – world is created & destroyed is created & destroyed again and againagain and again

Buddha also believed Buddha also believed in reincarnation & in reincarnation & karmakarma– Did not believe in caste Did not believe in caste

systemsystem– No worship of deities or No worship of deities or

godsgods

SanghaSangha – Buddhist religious order – Buddhist religious order– Includes monks, nuns, & entire Buddhist Includes monks, nuns, & entire Buddhist

communitycommunityDharmaDharma – Buddhist doctrine or teachings, – Buddhist doctrine or teachings,

universal law of natureuniversal law of nature““Three Jewels” of Buddhism = Three Jewels” of Buddhism = SanghaSangha, ,

Buddha, & Buddha, & dharma dharma

Many of Buddha’s early followers were Many of Buddha’s early followers were laborers and craftspeoplelaborers and craftspeople

He reluctantly admitted women to religious He reluctantly admitted women to religious orders – however, he feared that women’s orders – however, he feared that women’s presence would distract men from their presence would distract men from their religious dutiesreligious duties

Monks & nuns took vows of poverty, Monks & nuns took vows of poverty, nonviolence, and not to marrynonviolence, and not to marry

Teachings of Buddha were written Teachings of Buddha were written down after his death (1down after his death (1stst century BC) century BC)

Buddhist sacred literature includes Buddhist sacred literature includes commentaries, rules of monastic life, commentaries, rules of monastic life, manuals on meditation, and legends manuals on meditation, and legends about Buddha’s previous reincarnationsabout Buddha’s previous reincarnations

India is important place of pilgrimages India is important place of pilgrimages for Buddhistsfor Buddhists

Visit spots associated with Buddha’s Visit spots associated with Buddha’s life – birthplace, the fig tree, site of life – birthplace, the fig tree, site of first sermon, & the sacred mounds first sermon, & the sacred mounds (said to contain his relics)(said to contain his relics)

Spread and Development of Spread and Development of BuddhismBuddhism

Trade spreads Buddhism to China, Trade spreads Buddhism to China, Korea, JapanKorea, Japan– SILK ROADS!!!SILK ROADS!!!– Did not become strong in IndiaDid not become strong in India– MissionariesMissionaries

Was a unifying Was a unifying force in Japanforce in Japan

Related to the Related to the religion of Jainismreligion of Jainism

Branches of BuddhismBranches of Buddhism

Theraveda BuddhismTheraveda Buddhism Mayahana BuddhismMayahana Buddhism Vajrayana BuddhismVajrayana Buddhism Buddhism in the West Buddhism in the West

– Zen Buddhism Zen Buddhism

Overview QuestionsOverview Questions

How did Siddhartha Gautama How did Siddhartha Gautama become known as Buddha?become known as Buddha?

How does one reach nirvana?How does one reach nirvana? How did Buddhism affect society?How did Buddhism affect society? How and where did Buddhism How and where did Buddhism

spread? spread?