Download Buddhism - and its belief that nothing is permanent, that change is

Buddhism - and its belief that nothing is permanent, that change is always
possible and that the path to Nirvana comes through the attainment of a
deep insight into the true nature of life
1. Fourth largest religion worldwide
2. The 3 major ideas Buddha taught his followers were not to be
ignorant, hate others, or get angry.
3. Four noble truths
a.
b.
c.
d.
Suffering exists
Suffering arises from attachment to desires
Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold
Path
4. Noble eightfold path
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Right View – Seeing the world and life as it is
Right Thought – Similar to emotional intelligence
Right Speech – Clear, truthful, compassionate, free from harm
Right Conduct – Not exploiting one’s self or others
Right Livelihood – Ethical occupation that does not harm or
exploit self or others
f. Right Effort – Directing one’s energies towards creative, good
ends
g. Right Mindfulness – Cultivating awareness and an ability to be
in the present moment
h. Right Meditational Attainment – Completeness. Unity of action
and intention. Focus.
5. Originally born a wealthy prince, he left it all behind to pursue the
path of truth when he saw the poverty, sickness, old age, and death
beyond his palace walls. This also led him to drop his birth name,
Siddhartha Gautama.
6. Buddha was not as chubby as many depictions of him would make it
appear– he was mainly portrayed this way because it was symbolic of
happiness in the east. He practiced moderation in all things, fasted
regularly, and spent most of his time walking hundreds of miles
spreading the philosophy of enlightenment.
7. A few days after his birth, it was predicted by a wise old man that
he would later become a great king or a saint that would change the
world.
8. At the time of Buddha’s quest for enlightenment, there were many
religious practices that called for either intense overindulgence in
the senses, or strict deprivation such as weeks of fasting. Realizing
that neither were truly beneficial, he devised what would later be
known as “The Middle Way” to enlightenment…a balanced approach
that emphasized inward rather than outward renunciation.
9. To achieve enlightenment, Young Siddhartha vowed to sit under a fig
tree and meditate until he transcended suffering. At the end of an
extremely long meditation and mental battle with Mara (the god of
desire), he became awakened and was then known as the Buddha.
10.Unlike other religions or spiritual beliefs, Buddha’s teachings were
spread by nonviolent methods such as word of mouth or carvings on
prominent stone buildings.
11. Practicing Buddhists view Buddha as a teacher and not a god or
avatar.
12.Buddha’s spot of enlightenment underneath the Bodhi tree is still
preserved to this day.
13.Buddha taught and traveled his entire life until the age of 80 when
he passed away. His final request of his followers was this: “All
component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting.
Work hard to gain your own salvation.”