Buddhism

1. Buddhism Crash Course Religions of the World: Buddhism

2. Buddhism • reforming of Hinduism • 4th largest religion • Asia contains the countries with the largest Buddhist population • –East Asia and Southeast Asia #11 • – China the most followers #11

3. The Middle Path or Noble Way • Avoid extremes– either an overt pursuit of passionate worldly desire or extreme asceticism • Live a moderate lifestyle characterized by quiet contemplation, thoughtful reflection, and disciplined self-control #2 • Reduces desire for material goods and other worldly attractions • Eventually results in detachment from the world itself

4. Siddhartha Gautama(563-483 BCE?) • Born in NE India (Nepal). • Raised in great luxuryto be a king. • At 29 he rejectedhis luxurious life toseek enlightenmentand the source ofsuffering. • Lived a strict,ascetic life for 6 yrs. • Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found nirvana. • Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.

5. The Life of Gautama • Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, was born into the warrior caste . His father ruled over a small region of northern India. • Siddhartha led a pampered life, but the Four Passing Sights ( an old man, a diseased man, a corpse, and a mendicant), caught his attention and disturbed him. • Siddhartha discovered the Middle Way, the central teaching of Buddhism. This way rejects both extremes of sensual indulgence and asceticism. • He and his followers formed the sangha, or Buddhist community.

6. SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA • the founder of Buddhism. • A reformer who tried to limit the Hindu priest’s power. • Set out to find the cause of human suffering • Became the Buddha

7. SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA • While meditating under a Bodhi Tree - he achieved enlightenment • Enlightenment • the state attained when Buddha realized the cause of suffering. • Enlightenment • understanding the true nature of things. • Reach the state of enlightenment by meditation. • Meditation • essential part of the Buddhist practice • aim to move closer to enlightenment; • Contemplation; focus your mind • Now known as the Buddha- “Enlightened One”

8. SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA Now known as the Buddha - “Enlightened One”

9. Mudra Website

10. Siddhartha Gautama • About 534 B. C., Gautama left his family to take up the existence of a holy man • Intense meditation and extreme asceticism did not enlighten him sufficiently • One day he resolved to sit under a large bodhi tree until he understood the problem of suffering • For 49 days he withstood various temptations and threats from demons and finally received enlightenment • Thus Gautama became the Buddha– “the enlightened one” The Buddha by Odilon Redon

11. The Mahabodhi Temple • "Great Awakening Temple“ • Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, India • the location where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment.

12. Buddha under Bodhi Tree, Sri Lanka

14. The essence of Buddhism • The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.” • 2,500 year old tradition. • The 3 Jewels of Buddhism: • Buddha, the teacher. • Dharma or Dhamma, the teachings. • Sangha, the community.

15. BASIC BELIEFS #2 • All life is sacred. • Reject extremes – The Middle Way • Try to end suffering • Suffering is universal - All is suffering • Karma • Reincarnation • Brahman

16. Dharma • Taken together, the teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path constitute dharma, the basic doctrine shared by all Buddhists 6th Century Buddha sitting on a lotus blossom which symbolizes purity and strength because it is able to thrive and grow even in murky water

17. FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS • FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS- The major principles of Buddhism that explain the nature of suffering and how to end it. • Suffering is universal. • The cause of suffering is desire (self-centered actions) #3. • To end suffering is to end desire. • If you give up desire, you achieve nirvana- the condition of wanting nothing, • the goal of Buddhist. Reaching nirvana ends the cycle of reincarnation. • To end desire- follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

18. What is the fundamental cause of all suffering? Desire! • Therefore, extinguish the self, don’t obsess about oneself.

19. Nirvana • Living this lifestyle will lead to personal salvation– escape from the cycle of incarnation and the attainment of nirvana • Nirvana is the state of perfect spiritual independence • Highest Happiness The Wheel of Dharma symbolizes samsara, the continuous cycle of birth, life, and death. One is liberated from this endless cycle of rebirth when nirvana is achieved.

20. NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH- • A practical guide to right conduct according to Buddhist teachings. • “What you Should Do.” • Understanding the cause of suffering. • Compassion = fundamental teaching • Kindness and truthfulness.

22. Eightfold Path Nirvana • Escape from the cycle of rebirth.

23. ASPECTS OF BUDDHISM • #9 • Buddhism rejected the caste system so it found many followers among the Sudras and untouchables. #9

24. Two main sects of Buddhism • #4 Theravada Buddhism- Views Buddha as a teacher, not a God. • The way of the elders. • Living like a monk. • Sangha • Orthodox Buddhism-oldest, very strict interpretation (to preserve the original message of Buddha). • Practiced in Southeast Asia. #11

25. Theravada Buddhism

26. Two main sects of Buddhism • #5 Mahayana Buddhism: • Means Large or Great Vehicle. • Can Worships Buddha and other enlightened one as Gods – limited impact on humans • More liberal Buddhism- Broader interpretation of Buddhism. • Contains several schools of Buddhism:

27. Mahayana Buddhism • Contains several schools of Buddhism: • Zen- closeness to nature, meditate on sayings, found in Japan and China. • Tibetan- combination of traditional nature worship and Buddhist magic. • DALAI LAMA- • Traditional political and religious leader of Tibet. • Highest priest of Tibetan Buddhism.

28. Mahayana Buddhism • The “Great Vehicle.” • Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan). • Buddhism “for the masses.” • Seek guidance from Boddhisatvas, wise beings. • Goal: Not just individual escape from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.

29. The celestial Buddha named Hotei or Pu-Tai is best known as the jolly Laughing Buddha. In China, he is known as the Loving or Friendly One. He is based on an eccentric Chinese Ch'an (Zen) monk who lived over 1,000 years ago and has become a significant part of Buddhist and Shinto culture. Because of this monk's benevolent nature, he came to be regarded as an incarnation of the bodhisattva who will be Maitreya (the Future Buddha). His large protruding stomach and jolly smile have given him the common designation "Laughing Buddha." Video

30. Mahayana Buddhism

31. Schools of Buddhism - Tibetan Vajrayana – the “Diamond Vehicle” • Developed 7th century C.E. • A mix of Theravada & Mahayana: • Rituals (Tantra): • Mantras (chanting) • Mandalas & Thankas (symbolic images) • Mudras (hand gestures) • Bodhisattvas, including living Lamas (Dalai Lama) • Meditation, monasticism, wisdom & compassion • Bardo Thodol -Tibetan Book of the Dead

32. The DalaiLama Tenzin Gyatso, shortened from Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso – 14th Dalai Lama

33. Choosing a Dalia Lama • Senior Buddhist monks and Tibetan government officials begin a search for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama after the death of the previous Lama. These searchers look for a boy who was born around the same time as the death of the previous Lama. According to the British Broadcasting Corp., the officials can decide where to look for the reincarnation in several ways: by way of a dream; by watching the direction the smoke drifts after the cremation of the previous Lama and then searching accordingly; or from some sign or vision from a holy lake in central Tibet. • Once found, the officials present the boy with possessions of the previous Dalai Lama to determine whether the boy is familiar with them. If the child chooses the artifacts that belonged to he previous Lama, than that, along with the other signs, is believed to prove he is a reincarnation.

34. Zen Buddhism • The “Meditation School.” • Seeks sudden enlightenment [satori] through meditation, arriving at emptiness [sunyata]. • Use of meditation masters [Roshi]. • Beauty, art, and aesthetics: • Gardens. • Archery. • Tea ceremony. • Calligraphy.

35. Schools of Buddhism – Zen The “meditation” school: • Lay and monastic • Seeks sudden enlightenment (satori) through meditation, arriving at emptiness (sunyata) and the “Buddha Nature” • Use of meditation masters (Roshi) • Koans (paradoxical riddles to confound reason) • Beauty, arts & aesthetics – gardens, archery, the tea ceremony, calligraphy, etc.

36. What do all sects of Buddhism share? #6 • All sects of Buddhism share a faith in Buddha and hope for nirvana.

37. The Spread of Buddhism • Within two centuries after the Buddha died, Buddhism began to spread north and east into Asia • By 13th century Buddhism had disappeared from India

38. Elements of Hindu thought that became part of Buddhism: #7 • Karma • Reincarnation • The idea of salvation- as an end of the cycle of reincarnation • Brahman • All life is sacred

39. Ways Hinduism and Buddhism are different:#8 Buddhism Hinduism has no founder believes in the caste system Seek moksha (salvation) with help of priests and deities • Siddhartha Gautama is the founder • rejects the caste system • seek nirvana (salvation) on their own without the help of priest or Gods

40. Cause of Decline in India #10 • Much was absorbed by Hinduism • Muslim Invaders • Today small population of Buddhists in India

42. OTHER RELIGIONS • Jainism • Comes from Buddhism. • Leader- Mahavira • Focuses on Ahimsa- strictly adheres to nonviolence. • Sikhism- is a religion that is a combination of Islam and Hinduism. • Monotheistic- One god, but all else like Hinduism. • This new religion emerged and is an example of cultural blending under the Mughals/Muslims

43. Jain • Religion from Ancient India • Similar beliefs to Hinduism & Buddhism • Nonviolent • Vegetarian For 3,000 years, the swastika meant life and good luck.

44. Religions of South Asia

45. Buddhism in the Subcontinent