Download Buddhism: a religion founded in India based on the

Topic: Teachings of the
Buddha
Unit: Ancient India
EQ: WHAT DID THE
BUDDHA TEACH?
Buddhism: a religion founded in India based
on the teachings of Buddha which teaches that
the most important thing in life is to reach
peace by ending suffering.
The lotus is a symbol of Buddha. It represents
purity.
Four Noble
Truths: the
principles
that rule life
and promise
an end to
suffering.
Teachings of the Buddha
The Buddha gave his first sermon in the
deer park where he taught the four main
ideas of his teachings.
Four Noble Truths
1. All life is full of suffering.
2. We suffer because we desire things
that are illusions. We want material
possessions.
3. The way to not suffer is to overcome
our desire.
4. To do that one must follow the
Eightfold path, or Middle Way.
Middle Way:
A way of life
neither too
strict nor too
easy that
results from
following the
Eightfold
Path
. . . .
Team: Elbow partner
Time: 2 Minutes
Talk: Why did Siddhartha see
the “middle way” as a path to
enlightenment?
Task: Write down a one
sentence answer that best
explains an answer to this
question.
Eightfold Path: The basic rules of behavior
and belief leading to an end of suffering
Reincarnation: The
Buddha taught the belief
of Samsara, or
Reincarnation. As long
as one is tied to material
possessions of this earth
and does not achieve
enlightenment, then one
will have suffering.
Nirvana: a state of
perfect peace. The
ultimate goal of
Buddhism is to be
released from the cycle
of death and rebirth.
Challenging Hindu Ideas
Ancient Ways
• The Buddha
taught that
following the
Vedic texts
were
unnecessary.
• Challenged the
authority of
the brahmins
Changing
Society
• A more
individualistic
approach to
enlightenment
• Rebirth as a
means to
evolve
Caste System
• Opposed caste
systemBuddhism
appeals to all
castes
• The Eightfold
Path could lead
any individual
to nirvana.
Buddha believed that the
most important thing in
life was to reach peace by
ending suffering.
Buddhism began in India and then
became a major religion.
Buddhism branches out
• Asoka, one of the most powerful kings in India, became a Buddhist
in the 200’s BCE and spread Buddhism in India and foreign lands.
• Buddhist missionaries traveled the world to teach enlightenment.
Buddhism splits
• Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada and
Mahayana.
• Members of the Theravada followed the Buddha’s teachings
exactly.
• Members of the Mahayana believed that individual
interpretation was important.
Monk: A
man who
devotes his
life to a
religious
group, often
giving up all
he owns.
Monastery: A community
in which monks lead lives
devoted to religion.
The Dalai Lama