Download The ultimate goal of Buddhism

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Write down a few words about the images
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World Religions Comparative Chart
Religion
Place of Origin
Founder
Sacred Text
Ultimate Goal
Worship
Major Beliefs
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Siddhartha Gautama
The Buddha, began his life as a prince in India.
He was born into the wealthy warrior caste.
Childhood
His mother died shortly after his birth. His father lavished
him with wealth so he would never want to leave the palace.
He was completely sheltered from the outside world.
The Three Visions
Siddhartha grew up never knowing much about the outside
world. He married young and had a son.
When he was in his 20’s he went outside the palace and
experienced three visions which changed his life.
1. The saw someone in advanced old age.
2. He saw a very sick person
3. He saw a dead body.
Siddhartha had never before been aware of human suffering.
He felt his life was a lie and abandoned it to become an
ascetic, or a wandering holy man in an attempt to find a way
to end human suffering.
Enlightenment
Siddhartha decided that he
would meditate until he
discovered the way to end
human suffering.
Bodhi Tree: He sat under a
Bodhi tree and said that he
would not get up until he had
achieved enlightenment.
He mediated for 40 days amidst temptation, and at the
end said that he was “awake” – he had achieved, Nirvana,
or Enlightenment. This is when he became the Buddha,
or the ‘Enlightened One.’
Teachings of the Buddha
The Buddha taught that in order to reach
Nirvana (enlightenment), one must understand
the Four Noble Truths
Four Noble Truths
1. All life is full of suffering
2. We suffer because we desire things –
we want material possessions (aka
attachments)
3. The way to end suffering is to overcome
our desire
4. To do that one must follow the
Eightfold path, or Middle Way
The Eightfold Path (The Middle Way)
1. Right view
One must understand the four noble truths
2. Right intention
Know what you really want
3. Right speech
Speak truth and speak well of others
4. Right action
Do not kill, steal, lie, be unchaste, or take drugs or alcohol
5. Right livelihood
Don’t do a job that harms others
6. Right effort
Do your best, always
7. Right mindfulness
Keep control of yourself and your urges
8. Right concentration
One must meditate to understand the world
Laughing Buddha
The laughing Buddha reminds us that
to be happy we need to have a loving
heart. A big heart gives you tolerance.
It helps you to greet each day with joy
and all people with gladness.
Buddha says that the best way to solve a problem we might
have with someone else is to have a warm and loving
heart. By not being resentful, by not bearing grudges, only
then are we able to smile like the Buddha - only then can
we be truly happy.
Buddhism is…
• A philosophy, religion, and spiritual
practice followed by more than 300
million people
• Non-theistic: Buddha is not the
Buddhist God – he is just a revered
teacher
What do Buddhists believe?
• Rebirth (reincarnation) results from
attachment (karma)
• Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of
mind
• Achieving Nirvana means escape from
the cycle of rebirth
Buddhist Beliefs:
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: The ultimate
goal of Buddhism – to be
released from the cycle
of death and rebirth.
Teachings
• Caste System: The Buddha rejected the caste
system. He said all people were capable of achieving
enlightenment in one lifetime. However, since not
everyone did, Buddhism does believe in reincarnation.
• Ahinsa: Taught non-violence, same as Hinduism.
• Meditation: Taught that one should meditate. Yoga
and Martial arts are seen as a form of mediation.
Spread of Buddhism
Convents and Monasteries: The Buddha had many followers,
both men and women. He did not discriminate based on gender.
Within two centuries after the
Buddha died, Buddhism began to
spread north and east into Asia.
By the 13th Century, Buddhism
had essentially disappeared
from India.
Scriptures: His teachings were collected in the Tripitika, or
three baskets of wisdom.
Stupa: A shrine that houses Buddhist relics
Pagodas, also associated with Buddhism evolved from Stupas.
They are usually Buddhist temples or shrines.
How does Buddhism differ from
Hinduism?
Buddhism rejects…
•
•
•
•
The authority of the Vedas
The caste system
The Hindu deities
The concept of Brahman
Independent Practice
• Read the Buddhism article
• Answer the question
• Ask for help when/if needed
Exit Slip
Identify:
1. One similarity between Hinduism and
Buddhism
2. One difference between Hinduism and
Buddhism
World Religions Comparative Chart
Religion
Place of Origin
Founder
Sacred Text
Ultimate Goal
Worship
Major Beliefs
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Religions Founded in India