BuddhismAnd the 8-Fold Path to

Enlightenment

Basics• Origin: India around 6-

4th century BCE

• Spread to Asia, now found worldwide.

• Evolved from Hinduism, based on teaching of Siddhartha Gautama.

The Buddha• Siddhartha Gautama was a

prince, born on the border of India and Nepal.

• Lived luxurious life

• One day, he saw an old man, sick man, dead man, and holy man (4 sights)

• Seeks enlightenment, Becomes the Buddha – teaches others.

The Four Noble Truths

1. All life is suffering.

1. Suffering is caused by attachment.

1. Suffering can be overcome.

1. There is an 8-fold path leading to the end of suffering.

The Eightfold Path1) Right View

• Understand the world is impermanent• Understand the 4 noble truths• Understand the concept of karma

2) Right Intention • Committing to self mental and ethical

self-improvement• “The Will to Improve”

WISDOM

The Eightfold Path3) Right Speech

• No False Speech (Don’t Lie)• No Slanderous Speech (Don’t Gossip)• No Harsh Speech (Don’t be a hater )• No Idle Chatter (Speak with Purpose)

4) Right Action• Don’t harm others• Don’t steal from Others• Avoid sexual misconduct

5) Right Livelihood• Earn your living in an ethically “Good”

way (Buddhist principals)

ETHICS

The Eightfold Path

6) Right Effort• Requires mental effort to keep

yourself wholesome and on the right path.

7) Right Mindfulness• To see things clearly and as they are.

8) Right Concentration• To be mentally focussed.• Wholesome thoughts and actions.• Often achieved through meditation.

MENTAL

DEVELOPMENT

Key WordsBuddha: the enlightened one

Stupa: a structure that holds the relics of the Buddha

Nirvana: the end of 8 fold path (goal of Buddhism)

Sangha: the Buddhist community

HOMEWORK

(250 words) Try to follow the 8 Fold Path. Explain which steps you achieved and how easy or difficult was it to follow on the path.