Introduction to Introduction to BuddhismBuddhism

FounderFounder Buddhism was founded in the 6th century BCE Buddhism was founded in the 6th century BCE

by Siddhartha Gautama in India (present day by Siddhartha Gautama in India (present day Nepal)Nepal)

He was born a Hindu prince in 563 BCE He was born a Hindu prince in 563 BCE (Kshatriya caste) and had a miraculous birth(Kshatriya caste) and had a miraculous birth

He saw four instances of extreme human He saw four instances of extreme human suffering and vowed to find a way to end this for suffering and vowed to find a way to end this for humankindhumankind

For 7 years he tried various Hindu means to find For 7 years he tried various Hindu means to find Truth (raja yoga, asceticism) to no availTruth (raja yoga, asceticism) to no avail

He found a new method “The Middle Way” which He found a new method “The Middle Way” which led him to Enlightenmentled him to Enlightenment

Enlightenment of the Enlightenment of the BuddhaBuddha Siddhartha meditated under the Bodhi Tree Siddhartha meditated under the Bodhi Tree

where he remembered the events of all of his where he remembered the events of all of his past livespast lives

He was tempted by the evil demon Mara but He was tempted by the evil demon Mara but resisted and removed all cravings from his liferesisted and removed all cravings from his life

When he was 35 years old, he successfully When he was 35 years old, he successfully realized the Truth of Life and found the path to realized the Truth of Life and found the path to salvation (Nirvana) where he was released from salvation (Nirvana) where he was released from samsara and stayed in this state for 7 dayssamsara and stayed in this state for 7 days

When he returned from this enlightened state, he When he returned from this enlightened state, he shared his experiences with others and attracted shared his experiences with others and attracted a group of followersa group of followers

These followers became ordained as the These followers became ordained as the first Buddhist community known as the first Buddhist community known as the Sangha (Buddhist monks and nuns)Sangha (Buddhist monks and nuns)

Taught the importance of salvation Taught the importance of salvation through Buddhist Teachings through Buddhist Teachings

Teachings then spread and Buddhism Teachings then spread and Buddhism became a recognized religionbecame a recognized religion

After becoming ill, the Buddha attained After becoming ill, the Buddha attained parinirvana (complete nirvana) in 486 BCEparinirvana (complete nirvana) in 486 BCE

TeachingsTeachings Buddhism seeks to deal with the harsh realities Buddhism seeks to deal with the harsh realities

of life provides adherents an ultimate goal of of life provides adherents an ultimate goal of absolute peace and tranquility and the cessation absolute peace and tranquility and the cessation of sufferingof suffering

Buddhism is more focused on actions than Buddhism is more focused on actions than beliefs and avoids speculation about the nature beliefs and avoids speculation about the nature of things such as creation and a Supreme power of things such as creation and a Supreme power as there is little possibility of definitive answers as there is little possibility of definitive answers to such questionsto such questions

Main teachings include: The Four Noble Truths, Main teachings include: The Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, Three Levels of Existence, The Eightfold Path, Three Levels of Existence, Triple Jewels , Five Precepts etc., all attempt to Triple Jewels , Five Precepts etc., all attempt to find a solution to human suffering and offer a find a solution to human suffering and offer a correct path to salvation correct path to salvation

PracticesPractices

Meditation, offerings and chanting Meditation, offerings and chanting mantrasmantras

Karma/accumulation of good meritKarma/accumulation of good merit Puja and offeringsPuja and offerings DonationsDonations Monastic life is bestMonastic life is best

AdherentsAdherents

Today there are over 200,000 adherents Today there are over 200,000 adherents predominantly in South East Asian predominantly in South East Asian countries of Burma, Thailand, Indo-countries of Burma, Thailand, Indo-China, JapanChina, Japan

There are approximately 10,000 There are approximately 10,000 Buddhists in CanadaBuddhists in Canada

Religion or Philosophy?Religion or Philosophy? Although the Buddha stressed that rituals Although the Buddha stressed that rituals

were unnecessary to salvation, after his were unnecessary to salvation, after his death he was deified by some followers death he was deified by some followers and in some sects, Buddhism has taken and in some sects, Buddhism has taken on specific rituals, temple worship and on specific rituals, temple worship and scriptural doctrinesscriptural doctrines

Buddhism also attempts to finds the Buddhism also attempts to finds the meaning of life, provides followers with meaning of life, provides followers with ethical standards of living, keeping in mind ethical standards of living, keeping in mind the goal of salvationthe goal of salvation

Philosophically – Buddhism can be Philosophically – Buddhism can be practiced without worship, sacrifices or practiced without worship, sacrifices or rituals and especially rejected the rituals and especially rejected the principle of religious authority over principle of religious authority over matters of salvationmatters of salvation

No personified god figure who created or No personified god figure who created or presided over universepresided over universe

Enlightened state is an awake state – Enlightened state is an awake state – can direct others in their quest for can direct others in their quest for salvationsalvation