Siddhartha Gautama: The Enlightened One

Announcement Test moved to Monday, Oct. 28

Will cover this week’s material too

New review sheet will be given on Thursday

Do Now U2D16October 22

Please answer the question on your index card

How does one live a good life?

HW: Pg. 85: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7

Two major religions develop in India: Hinduism and Buddhism

Early Life Siddhartha Gautama (566

BCE)Foothills of the HimalayasEarly life is buried in legend

◦According to tradition: his mother dreamed a radiant white elephant descended to her from heaven, which symbolized a child that would be a wandering prophet

◦To prevent this, Gautama’s father kept him in the palace, surrounded by luxury

The SearchOne day, Gautama rode past the

palace walls◦Saw a dead body; became aware of suffering

◦Left his family (wife and child) ◦To discover “the realm of life where there is neither suffering nor death”

◦Wandered for years and asked Hindu scholars for answers

The Enlightened OneOne day he sat under a giant tree,

determined to stay there until he understood the mystery of life

For 48 days, evil spirits tempted himAfter the days, he believed he

understood the cause and cure of suffering and sorrow

When he arose, he no longer was Gautama, but Buddha, “the enlightened one”

Why does Buddha have a halo around his head?

Buddha developed Four Noble Truths1. All life is full of suffering, pain,

and sorrow2. The cause of suffering is the

desire for things that are really illusions, such as riches, power, and long life

3. The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire

4. The way to overcome desire is to follow the Eightfold Path

Eightfold PathRight viewsRight aspirationsRight speechRight conductRight livelihoodRight effortRight mindfulnessRight contemplation

Ultimate Goal of Buddhism Achieve Nirvana

◦Union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth

The Buddha saw the Eightfold Path as the Middle Way between a life devoted to pleasure and one based on harsh self-denial

Buddhism Sacred Texts

The Tripitaka