Transcript Buddhism
Buddhism • Main idea: A new religion, Buddhism, appealed to many people in India and other parts of the world. • Vocabulary: – Nirvana – theocracy Religions of South Asia Buddhism in the Subcontinent Who is the Buddha? • Prince Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism. • His lessons about life and the nature of suffering became known as Buddhism. • To his followers, he became known as the Buddha or “Enlightened One.” Jat0605.wav Jat0604.wav The essence of Buddhism The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.” 2,500 year old tradition. The 3 jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, the teacher. Dharma, the teachings. Sangha, the community. Siddhartha Gautama Born in NE India (563-483 BCE) (Nepal). Raised in great luxury to be a king. At 29 he rejected his luxurious life to seek enlightenment and the source of suffering. Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 yrs. Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found nirvana. Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35. What is the fundamental cause of all suffering? Desire! Therefore, extinguish the self, don’t obsess about oneself. Four Noble Truths 1. There is suffering in the world. To live is to suffer. (Dukkha) The Buddha found this out when he was young and experienced suffering and death in others. Four Noble Truths 2. The cause of suffering is selfcentered desire and attachments. (Tanha) Four Noble Truths 3. The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments. (Nirvana = “extinction”) Four Noble Truths 4. To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path. Eightfold Path Nirvana Nirvana is not a place but a state of wisdom. Escape from the cycle of rebirth. The Eightfold Path Right Understanding Right Thought Right Speech Right Action Right Work Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration Buddha – 19c Thailand Buddha’s head : 2c Pakistan Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif Buddhist Altar Spread of Buddhism • One reason Buddha’s ideas spread was that he did not accept the caste system. • He did believe in reincarnation, but with a difference. • If people wanted to stop the cycle, they would only have to follow the Eightfold Path. Types of Buddhism Therevada Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism Zen Buddhism Theravada Buddhism The oldest school of Buddhism. Means “teachings of the elders.” Found in southern Asia. Sees Buddha as a great teacher, not a god The monastic life is the best way to achieve nirvana. Focus on wisdom and meditation. Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or “Enlightened One.” Over 100,000,000 followers today. Theravada Buddhism Boy Monks • In many Buddhist countries, such as Thailand and Burma, young boys often spend several months in a monastery as part of their education. • The boys leave home dressed in fine silk clothes and riding on white horses to imitate Prince Siddartha before he became the Buddha. • When they reach the monastery, they have their heads shaved and put on simple orange robes. While there, they learn about Buddha and usual school subjects. Giving Alms to Buddhist Monk Mahayana Buddhism The “Great Vehicle.” Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan). Buddhism “for the masses.” Seek guidance from Boddhisatvas, wise beings. Goal: Not just individual escape from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through selfsacrifice of those enlightened few. Mahayana Buddhism • Mahayana Buddhism teaches that Buddha is a god who came to save people. • It is most common in Northern Asia. • They believe that following the Eightfold Path is too hard for most people, but by worshipping the Buddha they can reach nirvana. • Mahayana Buddhism has attracted more followers Mahayana Buddhism Seated Boddhisatva – 16c Bhutan boddhisatva Tibetan Buddhism The “Diamond Vehicle.” [Vajrayana] Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE. A mix of Theravada and Mahayana. Boddhisatvas include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Book of the Dead [Bardo Thodol]. The Dalai Lama Dali Lama • A special kind of Mahayana Buddhism has developed in the country of Tibet. • It is mixed with Tibet’s traditional religion and Hinduism. • The Buddhist leaders, called lamas, also led the government. • When religious leaders head a government this is called a theocracy. • The Dalai Lama was the lama that headed the government. • He is believed to be a reincarnation of Buddha. Buddhism in America (1999) Distribution of Buddhism Centers in the US, 2001 th 10 Annual western buddhist monastic conference California, 2004 Relieve Stress & Meditate: Get a Mantra ! Ohm...mani...padme...hung... Hail to the jewel in the lotus! Hinduism and Buddhism Why was Buddhism popular with people of lower castes? The Buddha taught that a person’s life depended on the person, not the caste into which the person was born. He believed that a person could stop being reborn by following the Eightfold Path. This gave lower caste people hope. Hinduism and Buddhism Explain What is the importance of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path? The Four Noble Truths explain why people suffer. The Eightfold Path describes behaviors that will end suffering.