Download Buddhism[1]. - Mr. Fellens` World History Honors

Buddhism
BACKGROUND HISTORY
A. It developed in the 500s BC
In Northern India near the
Himalayas. (Today Nepal)
B. Siddhartha Gautama
Born a Hindu prince in Northern India,
today Nepal. He left home at the age
of 29 to search for the “Meaning of Life”
and “Religious Truth”.
C. What Happened To Him?
While on his search, he meditated under
a tree for 49 days. During which he reached
“Enlightenment” & would become known as
Buddha or “Enlightened One”
Key Concepts
A. Believes in Reincarnation & Karma
B. Doesn’t follow the Caste System
C. Doesn’t worship a God or Gods,
Buddha is viewed as a “Teacher”
D. Nirvana
The concept of the soul reaching a
perfect state of being and becoming
Enlightened. It is the release of all
Selfishness and Pain. It ends the cycle
of Reincarnation.
This is just like the Hindu
idea of “moksha”.
E. BUDDHIST VIEW OF NIRVANA
IT MAY TAKE MANY LIFETIMES TO
REACH NIRVANA, BUT IT CAN BE
DONE IN JUST A SINGLE LIFETIME!
BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS
A. THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS1- LIFE IS SUFFERING
2- SUFFERING IS CAUSED BY DESIRE
3- END SUFFERING BY ENDING DESIRES
4- THE WAY TO ATTAIN ENLIGHTENMENT
IS TO FOLLOW THE “EIGHTFOLD PATH”
B. The Eightfold Path
Was Buddha’s guide to behavior in
order to reach Nirvana. For most it
would take many lifetimes to follow,
but could be done in a single lifetime.
Includes codes for Wisdom, Ethical
Conduct and Mental Development.
C. Important Tool
Buddhists use MEDITATION to
follow Buddha’s teachings.
Buddhism’s Influence
A. In India it fades out but it did
spread to other areas in Asia like
China & Tibet, Japan, Sri Lanka,
Vietnam, and others.
B. Cultural Diffusion
“The spreading of ideas from one
place to another.”
Example: Buddhist Missionaries take
Buddhism from India to Japan
C. World Ranking
There are around 400 million Buddhists
in the world today.
Buddhism ranks #4 in the world today.
BUDDHA’S LOOK