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Origins of Buddhism

Explore the beginnings of the Buddhist philosophy and way of life, its connections to Hinduism, and the development of Buddhism through the life of Siddhartha Guatama, the teachings of the Buddha, and the spread of Buddhism across different regions.

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Origins of Buddhism

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  1. Origins of Buddhism The Beginnings of the Philosophy

  2. A Way of Life

  3. Connections to Hinduism • Religious upheaval and turmoil rampant in 6th century BCE • Stemmed as another interpretation • Rejected caste and Vedas • Retained reincarnation • Retained atman, yoga, karma and dharma

  4. The Buddha; The Enlightened One • Life of Siddhartha Guatama; member of Guatama clan • 560-480 BCE • Guatama was the son of a Kshatriya; Suddhodana and Maya • Prediction their child would become a great king, rule the entire world, or a great Buddha (enlightened one) • Mother died shortly after birth, maternal aunt became father’s wife • Story of Siddhartha; if he ever saw the sights of human misery he would grow up to be a religious teacher

  5. Development of Buddhism • Sangha • The first step Buddha took after his enlightenment • Banaras to locate his 5 ascetic friends • Initial skepticism, but listened • The Middle Way: Extreme indulgence and extreme asceticism were neither acceptable ways of life • Seek to live life the middle way • After accepting his teachings, they became the Sangha • Monastic order • Shaved their heads • Wore coarse, yellow robes • Bowl to beg for food became only possession

  6. The Middle Way

  7. Development of Buddhism • He sent the sangha out to teach the dhamma • Dhamma: essence of Buddhism; Buddha’s teachings • Teachings of the Buddha became a basis for an organization that took on many components of a religion. • His teachings became codified laws in various forms of scripture • PEOPLE MUST FIND THEIR OWN ENLIGHTENMENT

  8. New Teachings of the Buddha • Nothing that indicated Buddha intended to found a new religion • Opposed to Brahmin form of animal sacrifice • Rejected authority of the Vedas • Considered Hindu gods mortal beings • People to find their own enlightenment rather than seeking it from gods • Soul is combined with five mental or physical aggregates • Physical body, feelings, understanding, will and consciousness. • This combination makes up the human personality and is bound up in endless cycle of transmigration • Four Noble Truths • Eightfold Path

  9. Scattering • Missionary imperative: Indians enamored by this new religion sent missionaries to neighboring countries • Combined with new philosophies, it was a success and developed in… • China • Japan • Korea • SE Asia • Pushed aside in India after Muslim conquest of India; decline • Today: East and SE Asia and Tibetan refugees who now live in India

  10. The Spread of Buddhism • Asoka • Indian king • Huge military campaign • After seeing loss of life, became a Buddhist • Inscriptions on rocks and pillars throughout empire • Taught the dharma • Attitude and social responsibility • After his death, brahmins reasserted their influence • Buddhists were persecuted in India

  11. Asoka

  12. Two Divisions • Two divisions • As Buddha’s teachings have been expanded, two primary sects of Buddhism have developed • Theravada • “Way of the elders” • Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos • Close to original teachings • Mahayana • “Greater Vehicle” • Nepal, Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam

  13. Agreement in Division • General Agreements between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism • Four Noble Truths • Eightfold Path • Karma • Nirvana

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