Download Buddhism

Buddhism
• 4th largest religion in the world
• About 500 million people follow Buddhism
(half a billion)
• 7% of the world’s population
Buddhism
• Founded in 535 B.C. in India
• Started by Siddhartha Gautama
-He is known as the Buddha
-Buddha means “The Awakened One”
Siddhartha Guatama
• The Story of Buddha (Video)
The story of Siddhartha Gautama
• Born a prince, Siddhartha Gautama was
never allowed outside of his palace
– His father shielded him from suffering,
sickness, and death
• During a parade, he saw old and sick
people for the first time and learned the
3 truths of life:
1)Everyone gets old
2)Everyone gets sick
3)Everyone dies
Siddhartha becomes Buddha
• After seeing suffering, he
dedicated his life to ending it
• As he was meditating, he was
able to understand the whole
universe, the end of suffering,
and the way to inner peace
• At this moment he became the
Buddha, which means “The
Awakened One”
Buddhism- The Four Noble Truths
1) Suffering Exists
2) There is a cause for
suffering
3) There is an end to
suffering
4) To end suffering, one
must follow the
“Eightfold Path”
Buddhism- The Eightfold Path
“How to end suffering and find inner peace”
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
Right Understanding WISDOM
Right Thinking
Right Speech
ETHICAL CONDUCT
Right Conduct
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
MENTAL
DEVELOPMENT
Mindfulness
Right Concentration
Buddhist Principles
• Buddhism was based on several important
principles:
– Peace with others
– Harmony with nature
– Simple life (don’t need money or possessions)
• Buddhism did not require priests or gods
• Anyone could achieve enlightenment and
inner peace by following the Eightfold path
Spread of Buddhism
• The Buddha would go on to spread his religion
throughout Asia
– Buddhism began in India, but spread to the north and east
• Today, Buddhism is mostly practiced in Southeast
Asia:
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–
–
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China
Japan
Thailand
Cambodia
Vietnam
Your own researchUsing online sources, find the answers
to the questions below
11) Who is the leader of Buddhism today?
Where does he live and what is his life like?
12) What major holidays do Buddhists
celebrate?
Extra CreditYou have the opportunity to earn extra
points by doing extra research
Write your answers on an extra sheet of paper
and include them in your Religions Encyclopedia
when you turn it in.
You can earn up to 10 points of extra
credit on a formal assignment
Possible extra credit questions:
-Describe the life of a Buddhist monk. Where do
most Buddhist monks live?
-How many Buddhists live in the United States?
-What is the largest Buddhist temple in the U.S.?
-Do Buddhists believe in god(s)? Why or why not?
-Who are some famous Buddhist followers?
*You can come up with similar questions and
research your answers