BUDDH

ISM

What is
Buddhism?
Buddhism is a religion to
about 300 million people
around the world. The word
comes from 'budhi', 'to

awaken'. It has its origins

about 2,500 years ago when
Siddhartha Gautama, known
as the Buddha, was himself
awakened (enlightened) at
the age of 35.

Siddhartha Gautama
(563-483 BCE)
Born in NE India (Nepal).

 Raised in great luxury to

be a king.
At 29, rejected his
luxurious life and seek
enlightenment and the
source of suffering.
Lived a strict, ascetic life
for 6 years.

 Sat in meditation and

found Nirvana.
Became The
Enlightened One, at 35.
The Enlightened One
Claiming a sense
of spiritual or
religious revelation
of truth.

 After
enlightenment, the
Buddha spent the
rest of his life
teaching the
principles of
Buddhism called
the Dharma, or
Truth until his
death at the age of
80.

Nirvana

 In the Buddhists, means

"to blow out".
Commonly been
interpreted as the
extinction of the "three
fires", or "three poisons",
passion, aversion, and
ignorance.
A state of mind that is
free from negative mental

states, peaceful, happy,

and non-reactive.

The 3 Jewels of
Buddhism
1.Buddha, the
teacher.

2.Dharma, the
teachings.
3.Sangha, the
community.

What is the
fundamental cause of
all suffering?

Desire!
Therefore,
extinguish the self,

dont obsess about

oneself.

Four noble
truths
1.There is suffering in
the world. To live is
to suffer. (Dukkha)

 The Buddha found

this out when he
was young and
experienced
suffering and death
in others.
2.The cause of
suffering is self-

centered desire and

attachments. (Tanha)
3.The solution is to
eliminate desire and
attachments.
Nirvana = extinction

4.To reach nirvana,

one must follow the
Eightfold Path.

What are the 5

precepts?
1. Do not harm any
life being
2. Do not steal
3. Respect each
other

4. Speak kindly to
others
5. Avoid
intoxication

What is
karma?

 Means Intentional
Action
Refers to the universal
law of cause and effect
Good action creates
Good Karma brings
happiness
Bad action creates Bad
Karma brings suffering

What is wisdom
and compassion?
Wisdom
insight in the true nature of
reality

Compassion
includes qualities of sharing,
readiness to give comfort,
sympathy, concern, caring

 we can really understand others,

when we can really understand
ourselves, through wisdom

Three Main
Schools of
Buddhism

Theravada or
Hinayana
Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma,
Cambodia
The oldest school of
Buddhism.

 The Way of the Elders or

the Small Vehicle.
The monastic life is the
best way to achieve
nirvana.
Focus on wisdom and
meditation.

 Goal is to become a
Buddha, or Enlightened
One.
Over 100,000,000 followers
today.

Mahayana

 China, Japan, Vietnam,

Korea
The Great Vehicle.
Buddhism for the masses.
Seek guidance from
Bodhisattvas, wise beings.
Goal: Not just individual
escape from the wheel, but

the salvation of all humanity

through self-sacrifice of those
enlightened few.

Vajrayana

 Tibet, Mongolia, Japan

The Diamond Vehicle.
A mix of Theravada and
Mahayana.
The Tibetan Book of the
Dead

Zen Buddhism

 The Meditation School.

Seeks sudden
enlightenment through
meditation, arriving at
emptiness.
Use of meditation masters.
Beauty, art, and aesthetics:

Gardens.

Archery.

Tea ceremony.

Calligraphy.

Four Sublime States a

Human Can Achieve

1. Arhat a Perfect
Person
2. Buddha The
Enlightened One
3. Bodhisattva anyone
who is enlightened

4.

Pratyekabuddha a
lone Buddha