Overview

• 4th largest religion 350 mil.• Non-theistic– believing in gods could

distract you from your path• About personal journey• Many schools of Buddhism

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Buddhism in the SubcontinentBuddhism in the Subcontinent

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• Born in NE India (modern day Nepal) 583 BCE

• His mother had a dream that foretold greatness

• Groomed to be a Brahmin king

• At 29 he escaped the compound and was exposed to life, and saw :

• An old man

• A dying man

• A corpse

• An ascetic

and so…

• Siddhartha’s mind was blown

• He saw hope in the life of an ascetic to

• Rejected his life and privilege and lived as an ascetic

• Siddhartha had 5 companions during the 6 years he was an ascetic.

• Attempted to reach release through extreme self denial and self mortification

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• Buddha’s companions left him

• He sat under a Bodhi tree for 49 days

• Reached Enlightenment

• Was eventually convinced by new followers to spread his knowledge of how to attain Enlightenment

The Middle Way

The Four Noble Truths

• 1. There is suffering in the world• 2. The cause of suffering is desire• 3.Eliminate desire to attain

Enlightenment• 4.To reach Enlightenment, one must

follow the Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path

• Right View• Right Intention • Right Speech• Right Action• Right Livelihood• Right Effort• Right Mindfulness• Right Concentration

• The Three Jewels of Buddhism:

• Buddha– the teacher• Dharma—the teachings• Sangha—the community

Types of Buddhism

• Theravada• Mahayana• Tibetan• Zen

Theravada vs. MahayanaTheravada

• SE Asia• 1 million followers• Less variation of beliefs• Goal: Enlightenment/

becoming a buddha• Personality/ ego stands

in the way of Nirvana–Meditation is the main way to reach Nirvana

• Few rituals

Mahayana

• Northern and parts of SE Asia

• Encompasses a variety of believers

• Goal: Enlightenment for all!

• We are all one, and cannot be separated

• More players in the game (demons, spirits etc.)Many rituals

Mahayna

Zen Buddhism• Emerged in China• Meditation• Flexible

Tibetan Buddhism• Oral traditions• Devotion to guru

(lama)• Incarnation of lamas

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