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Buddhism

Buddhism. Alan D. DeSantis . Introduction. Buddhism was started by a man named Siddhārtha Gautama (563-483 B.C.) in India He was a Hindu Siddhartha was a social reformer Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion. Buddha’s Life.

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Buddhism

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  1. Buddhism Alan D. DeSantis

  2. Introduction • Buddhism was started by a man named Siddhārtha Gautama (563-483 B.C.) in India • He was a Hindu • Siddhartha was a social reformer • Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion

  3. Buddha’s Life • Siddhārtha's father was the ruler of the city of Patliputra. • Under strict instruction of his father, Siddhārtha was never exposed to suffering or pain • At the age of 29, he came across what has become known as the Four Passing Sights: • An old crippled man, a sick man, a decaying corpse, and finally a wandering holy man. • He decided to abandon his worldly life, leaving behind his privileges, rank, caste, and his wife and child

  4. Buddha’s Life • He decided that if he continued on his path of poverty, he would die without reaching any understanding • After six years, Siddhārtha (now 35), sitting under a pipal tree, attained enlightenment (understood the key to life) and became a Buddha • For the remaining 45 years of his life, Buddha traveled northeastern India

  5. The Four Noble Truths • The Buddha taught that life was inherently suffering, that it is caused by craving, but that this condition was curable • 1) Suffering:Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not getting what one wants is suffering. • 2) The origin of suffering:We always want something. Sex, materialism, food, good times, health, immortality, youth • 3) The end of suffering:Transcend your cravings. Stop wanting. This will lead you to Nirvana • 4) The way leading to the cessation of suffering:The Noble Eightfold Path

  6. The Spread of Buddhism in USA

  7. Some Important Concepts • Karma and Reincarnation • No Caste • No Gods

  8. Addressing the “God” Question(from Bhûridatta Jataka) • If there is the creator of the world called God: • If there is the creator of the world called God: • If there is the creator of the world called God:  

  9. Some Important Concepts • A Finite Heaven and Hell • Nirvana • Hell: There are many levels of hell. Suffering is the only act of purification • “One day you might be walking through a forest, when all the leaves on a tree turn into razor blades and fall, cutting you into a million pieces.” Wrong Nirvana

  10. Some Important Concepts • Impermanence • Nothing is permanent and all things are in a state of continuous change • Anti-Dogmatic • Since Buddha wanted everyone to think critically, explore their own truth, and accept no God (thus, no perfect rules), this may be all wrong, all right, or a little bit of both

  11. Some Important Concepts • Meditation • Meditation helps one's mind become calm, tranquil, and luminous • We can gain insight into the ultimate nature of reality

  12. Buddhist Meditation in Three Parts • Part One: • Calm (or Samatha) Meditation • The purpose of this is to calm both body and mind • One method is to concentrate on one's breathing

  13. Buddhist Meditation in Three Parts • Part Two: • Insight (or vipassana) meditation • Next, we must realize that suffering and impermanence are inherent in all things • Part Three: • Loving-kindness (or metta) meditation • The aim of this is to remove feelings of ill-will and to foster a kindly and caring approach to others.

  14. Buddhist scriptures • The starting point into this wealth of Buddhist scripture is the Pali Canon • But other Buddhist scriptures/texts exist in great variety. Different schools of Buddhism place varying levels of value on them.

  15. Three Main Buddhism Schools • Today, Buddhism is divided primarily into three schools (or vadas): • Theravāda[ther-uh-vah-duh] • Mahāyāna [mah-huh-yah-nuh] • Vajrayāna [vaj-ruh-yah-nuh]

  16. The Theravada [ther-uh-vah-duh]school • Theravada school bases its practice and doctrine exclusively on the Pali Canon. • Theravada Buddhism are viewed as elitists and selfishness • A) • B)

  17. The Mahayana [mah-huh-yah-nuh] School • The biggest and most popular (with many off-shoots)56% of Buddhists • Mahayana can be characterized by • Universalism: • Compassion: • Zen Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism

  18. The Vajrayana School • Found primarily in Tibet • Like Mahayana Buddhism, but with additional practices: • These profound states are used as a path to Buddhahood

  19. The End . . .

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