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BUDDHISM
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Describe what you think the
Buddha looks like
THE ORIGINS OF BUDDHISM
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The story of
Buddhism began in
the mountains of
northern India in the
year 563 BCE.
A baby was born into
a royal family. His
name was Siddhartha
Gautama.
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Siddhartha was a much
loved and pampered child.
His father sheltered him,
and even into adulthood
Siddhartha knew nothing
of pain, misery death or
famine. He married, had a
child, and never left the
palace grounds.
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One day, Siddhartha decided to venture
beyond the walls of the palace. His father
begged and pleaded for Siddhartha to stay,
but he insisted.
When Siddhartha encountered the world
outside of the palace grounds, he was
amazed by the poverty and suffering he
encountered.
 He resolved to find the key to human
happiness.
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He left his family,
leaving behind his
parents, wife and
child, to sit at the feet
of religious teachers to
find the remedy for
human suffering.
After six years of study and meditation, he
arrived at an understanding of human
misery and discontent.
 From that time on, he was called the
Buddha, or Enlightened One.
Enlightenment is a state of total
awareness and understanding.
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For the next 45 years until his death, the
Buddha traveled all over India teaching
others what he had discovered.
 Buddha is not a name, but a title -- meaning
the Enlightened One.
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The Teachings of the Buddha
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The Buddha set forth a series of truths in his
first sermon. These ideas are known as the
Four Noble Truths:
All life is suffering.
The way to end suffering
is to end desires.
Desire is the cause
of all suffering.
The way to obtain
enlightenment
is to follow the
Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path
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In order to achieve Enlightenment, the
Buddha encouraged his followers to follow
the Eightfold Path. The Path is a series of
steps, and after all the steps are followed, a
believer could achieve Nirvana, or release
for all of life’s selfishness and pain.
The Eightfold Path
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The Giant Buddha, Kamakura, Japan
Right Concentration
Right Views
Right Mindfulness
Right Resolve
Right Effort
Right Livelihood
Right Speech
Right Conduct
Reincarnation

As in Hinduism,
Buddhism also follows
the doctrine of
reincarnation.
Enlightenment, or
Nirvana, may take
many, many lifetimes
to achieve.
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Prayer Flags, Lhasa, Tibet
Religious figures in Buddhism

Different branches of
Buddhism have a
variety of religious
leaders, but the most
common in Buddhism
is the monk. Many
monks begin their
religious journey in
childhood.

Young monk with prayer wheels, Lhasa. Tibet.
The appeal of Buddhism
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Buddhism held appeal
for the people of India
because it rejected the
caste system. Many of
the first followers
were crafts people and
laborers.
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Monks in Jokhang Monastery, Lhasa, Tibet
The Role of Women

The Buddha
reluctantly accepted
women into the
religious order as
nuns. He was
concerned that the
presence of women
would distract the
monks from their
duties. . .

Buddhist nuns in Myanmar.
Women shave their heads upon
entering the order.
Common Misunderstandings
about Buddhism
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1. Was the Buddha a god?
No, he was not. He never claimed he was a
god, or even a messenger of God. He was a
human who perfected himself and tried to
set an example.
2. Do people worship the
Buddha?
 For the most part, Buddhists do not believe
that he will hear and answer their prayers.
The best way to explain the devotion of his
followers is to say that they are expressing
the greatest of respect.
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3. Do Buddhists worship idols?
Since the Buddha is not a god, a statue
statue of the Buddha is not an idol. Many
Buddhists use it as an object of respect
and devotion, but do not worship
it as a god.
4. Is Buddhism really a religion?
 Buddhism is not a religion, but a philosophy
that encourages people to live their life with
love, kindness, and compassion.
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Buddhism spreads throughout
Asia
The philosophy of
Buddhism spread
throughout Asia
through cultural
diffusion and trade.
This is why the
Buddha is represented
in many different
ways.
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Reclining Buddha, Cambodia
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Thailand
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Korea
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Giant Buddha, Kamakura, Japan
Why does the Buddha have large
earlobes?
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Elongated earlobes: these
stretched earlobes are a
result of wearing heavy
golden earrings. Upon
Enlightenment, the
earrings were removed,
but the symbol remains to
remind others to renounce
attachment to worldly
possessions.
What holidays do Buddhists
celebrate?
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There are many festivals, but almost every country celebrates
Buddha’s Birthday. IN JAPAN IT IS CELEBRATED WITH A
FESTIVAL on April 8.
The streets are decorated with white lanterns that have black and red
writing on them, and streamers made to look like cherry-blossoms.
There is a parade in the streets which has floats that are sometimes
carried by several men, other floats are on large, wooden, golden
wheels that are pulled instead of carried. One of them is always a huge
white elephant bearing a small image of Buddha.
The small statue of Buddha is found inside.
The children come up to the statue and bow and pour sweet tea
(hydrangea leaf tea) on the head of the infant. Some believe that it
rained tea on the day that Buddha was born.
Children pouring sweet tea over
the statue of the infant Buddha.
Buddhists in the World Today
Buddhists make up about six percent of the
world’s population or approximately
250 - 300 million followers.
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Create the following Venn diagram on
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Buddhism
Hinduism
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Create a poem to describe the Buddha using the
following format:
– Line 1: First and last name
– Line 2: Four adjectives describing the person
– Line 3: Relative of . . .(son, daughter, wife,
husband, etc . . .)
– Line 4: Resident of . . . (city and/or country)
– Line 5: Who lived . . . (when? year to year)
– Line 6: Who searched for . . .
– Line 7: Who taught . . .
– Line 8: Who is remembered for . . .
– Line 9: First and last name