Download Buddhism Notes

Buddhism
I. Origins
A. Siddartha Gautama= Hindu
holy man in Nepal (near India),
5th century BCE
B. Taught new interpretations of
Hinduism
C. Renamed “Buddha” which
means “enlightened one”
D. Buddhism spread from India
into China, SE Asia, Japan
II. Beliefs
A. Buddhism kept Hindu ideas of
karma & reincarnation
B. Goal of life: to reach perfect
peace, called NIRVANA—the
“state of not-wanting”
C. Four Noble Truths
1. All of life is suffering.
2. We suffer because we
desire
3. End suffering by ending
desire
4. End desire by following the
Eightfold Path
D. Eightfold Path
1. Right…….
…Views
…Intent
…Speech
…Action
…Concentration
…Livelihood
…Effort
…Mindfulness
2. Focus on the Eightfold Path
through meditation and
compassion
III. Sects
A. Theraveda
--most conservative
--follows the teachings of
Buddha literally/exactly
B. Mahayana
-- teaches that Buddha= divine
--largest number of Buddhists
-- called the “Large Vehicle”
C. Zen
--emphasizes sudden
enlightenment
--change the way your mind
thinks by pondering non-
linear/nonsensical stories called
koans
--koansmeditate on the
storyinsight experience Truth