Download Buddhism and the Wheel of Life

Buddhism and the Wheel of Life
E. Napp
Objective: To identify and explain significant beliefs of Buddhism
Do Now: Multiple-choice questions from previous lessons
1. The terms Brahma, dharma, and moksha 4. Which is a valid statement about the role
are most closely associated with which
of religion in modern India?
religion?
(1) Buddhism has replaced Hinduism as the
(1) Judaism
major religion.
(2) Islam
(2) Religion has lost most of its influence
(3) Hinduism
and importance.
(4) animism
(3) Religion and politics are rigidly
separated.
2. Which statement was true of the caste
(4) Religious beliefs and social structure are
system in traditional India?
closely related.
(1) Members of different castes often
intermarried.
5. Wanted: Brahmin girl for Sarswat
(2) Caste membership determined a
Brahim, aged 30 years, 175 cm.
person’s occupation.
 Engineer, having own factory
(3) The highest caste was composed of
 Father practicing doctor
untouchables.
 Brothers well-settled in U.S.A.
(4) The caste system had little effect on daily Which is a valid conclusion about the society
village life.
described in this advertisement?
(1) Rural areas have many unmarried
3. “Your words are wise, Arjuna, but your
people.
sorrow is for nothing. The truly wise mourn (2) Most of the people are Muslims.
neither for the living nor for the dead. There (3) Education is not valued.
never was a time when I did not exist, nor
(4) Traditional values continue to be
you, nor any of these kings. Nor is there any important.
future in which we shall cease to be....”
This passage best reflects a belief in
1. ancestor worship
2. the Eightfold Path
3. reincarnation
4. nirvana
Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism,
was born in the Indian subcontinent into the high
caste. Although he led a luxurious life, he was
troubled by the human misery that he saw around
him everyday. Upon reflection, he concluded that
desire was the cause of all suffering. This idea has
been recorded as the Four Noble Truths:
 Life is full of pain and suffering.
 Human desire causes this suffering.
 By putting an end to desire, humans can
end suffering.
 Humans can end desire by following the
Eightfold Path.
~regentsprep.org
Questions:
Who was Siddhartha Gautama?
______________________________
What troubled Siddhartha?
______________________________
What did Siddhartha believe was
the cause of suffering
______________________________
How can people end suffering,
according to Buddhist teachings
and specifically, the Four Noble
Truths of Buddhism?
______________________________
Cornell Notes Outline: Buddhism and the Wheel of Life (Add Key Words and Summaries)
The Key
The Notes:
Words:
I.
Siddhartha Gautama
A. Founder of Buddhism
1- Lived around 500 B.C.E.
B. Early life
1- Born to a life of luxury
2- A Hindu prince
3- Sheltered and protected
4- Finally visited the city
a. Saw four sights
a. Sick man
b. Old man
c. Corpse or dead man
d. Holy man
5- Gave up his wealth and position
a. Meditated until enlightenment
b. Became Buddha (The Enlightened One)
The
Summaries:
II.
Buddhist beliefs
A. The Four Noble Truths
1- Life has suffering
2- Desire causes suffering
3- Suffering can end
4- Follow the Noble Eightfold Path
a. Right speech, Right understanding, Right
thought, Right action, Right livelihood, Right
effort, Right mindfulness, Right contemplation
B. Accepted Hindu beliefs of karma and reincarnation
C. Nirvana
1- End of suffering
2- End of rebirth
III.
Additional facts
A. Sutras
1- Buddhist writings
B. Stupas
1- monuments honoring Buddha
Please read the passage below and answer the questions:
The Buddhist religion began in India around 500 B.C.E. Siddhartha Gautama, the
founder of Buddhism, was the son of a wealthy and powerful king. As a prince, Siddhartha
lived a life of comfort and luxury. But one day, Siddhartha left the palace and was shocked
by all the human suffering he saw. He decided to leave his family, wealth, and comfort in
search of truth. He joined a group of Hindu ascetics (people who practice self-denial for
spiritual purposes). After nearly starving to death, Siddhartha left the ascetics and
meditated under a tree. While meditating, Siddhartha became the Buddha or the
“Enlightened One”.
Questions:
1- Where and when did Buddhism originate?
________________________________________________________________________
2- Who was Siddhartha Gautama?
________________________________________________________________________
3- Why did Siddhartha leave the palace?
________________________________________________________________________
4- Why did Siddhartha leave the ascetics?
________________________________________________________________________
5- Who is a Buddha?
________________________________________________________________________
1. Which belief is most closely associated
with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama
(Buddha)?
(1) People are born into a specific caste.
(2) Believers must follow the Ten
Commandments.
(3) Followers must fast during Ramadan.
(4) People can overcome their desires by
following the Eight-Fold Path.
2. The Buddhist religion teaches that
salvation is earned by
(1) following the Ten Commandments
(2) worshiping Allah as the one true god
(3) learning to give up selfish desire
(4) being baptized and confirmed
3. Which belief system is most closely
associated with the terms Eightfold Path,
Four Noble Truths, and nirvana?
(1) Buddhism
(2) Christianity
(3) Judaism
(4) Shinto
4. According to Buddhist principles,
believers can end personal suffering by
1. doing good deeds
2. eliminating selfish desires
3. making pilgrimages to Mecca
4. relying on divine help
5. Which values are most closely associated
with the fundamental principles of
Buddhism?
(1) competition and financial success
(2) maintaining the caste system and
providing education for all people
(3) practicing nonviolence and giving up
worldly desires
(4) self-determination and democracy
Word Bank:
Nirvana
Cultural Diffusion
Buddha
Middle
Reincarnation
Siddhartha
Desire
Eight
Four
India
Hinduism
List three facts about Siddhartha:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Upon realizing enlightenment, Siddhartha became the Buddha and conceived of the Four
Noble Truths. Define each of the Four Noble Truths:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Define the following Buddhist terms:
Karma: ___________________________________________
Reincarnation: _______________________________________
Eightfold Path: ______________________________________