Download Buddhism Notes

BUDDHISM
How it Began
-Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) was born around the
6th Century (566) B.C.E.
-Buddha did not want to follow his fathers footsteps
and become a wealthy local leader
-He renounced his wealth and became a monk
-Instead he sought a state of enlightenment (or
nirvana), or no longer fearing death or suffering
-Traveling through India, he gained enlightenment
-Buddha was not seen as a god but rather as a spiritual
teacher (Buddhists do not worship any gods)
What is Buddhism?
-Buddhists believe in the Four Noble Truths
1.Existence involves suffering
2.The origin of suffering lies in desire & ignorance
3.By eliminating D.&I., suffering can be destroyed
4.Release from suffering can be achieved by following
the eightfold path
-right understanding, thought, speech, behavior,
occupation, effort, contemplation and concentration
-Buddhist also believe in karma and reincarnation
Who/What do Buddhists Look To?
-Buddhist look to Buddha as an example of how to
live life, they do not look to him as a god
-They also look to Buddhist monks and nuns as
spiritual guides and examples of discipline
-Buddhists are to spend a great deal of time
meditating, trying to achieve nirvana
-nirvana is the final stage of Buddhism, it is a state of
inner purity and enlightenment, all Buddhists attempt
to reach it
-Nirvana is the end of reincarnation for that person
Buddhist Life
-Buddhist try to take the “Middle Way”, which is
avoiding all extremes
-Buddhist festival are very restrained and quiet
-Buddhist monks live a life of self-inflicted poverty
-Buddhism is practiced in (but not exclusive to) China,
Tibet, Japan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Thailand
-Any person practicing Buddhism is also allowed to
practice another religion. Buddhists are not restricted
to one religion