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Title: Buddhism The Life of the Buddha In addition to Hinduism, another of the world’s major religions developed in ancient India. That religion was Buddhism. Early Life • Much of what is known about life of the Buddha from accounts in Buddhist literature • Gautama born 500s BC • Prince of small kingdom in what is now Nepal – Led sheltered life – Unaware of hardship – Life changed when learned people got old, sick, died Buddha’s Enlightenment • Gautama resolved to find way to overcome age, sickness, keep people from suffering • Gave up possessions, left palace • Sought enlightenment, spiritual understanding for six years • Studied with gurus, monks but decided they could not teach way to enlightenment The Life of the Buddha Gautama was determined to find way to end human suffering • Sat under tree, no teachers, no companions, determined not to arise until he found way – Stories say he meditated all night – Resolve tested by violent storms, earthly temptations – At daybreak, had been transformed, found enlightenment, became the Buddha, Enlightened One – Temple built where he meditated, Bodh Gaya, one of Buddhism’s most sacred places The Teachings of Buddhism Buddhist Beliefs • After enlightenment achieved, Buddha meditated at Bodh Gaya seven weeks • Set out to spread to others what he had learned • Lessons became basic teachings of Buddhism • Among ideas learned in meditation, central truths, called Four Noble Truths Four Noble Truths • Suffering part of human life • Suffering from people’s desires for pleasure, material goods • Overcoming desires during life eventually brings end to suffering • Desires can be overcome by following Eightfold Path Eightfold Path Series of Steps Leading to Enlightenment, Salvation • Right view, or accepting the reality of the Four Noble Truths • Right attitude, or striving for moderation in all things • Right speech, avoiding lies, boasts, and hurtful words • Right action, or treating others fairly • Right livelihood, avoiding jobs that could bring harm to others • Right effort, or constantly trying to improve oneself • Right mindfulness, or remaining aware of world around one • Right concentration, or ignoring temptation and discomfort while meditating Nirvana The Buddha taught that those who followed Eightfold Path could attain nirvana - State of perfect peace in which soul freed from suffering forever. • Those not attaining nirvana reborn to live through cycle of suffering again • Basic teachings of Eightfold Path, Middle Way—living in moderation, avoiding extremes of comfort, discomfort in search for nirvana Divisions of Buddhism After the Buddha’s death, differing opinions arose concerning the correct teachings and practices of Buddhism. Eventually three main Buddhist traditions formed— Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan. Theravada • “Way of the Elders” • Oldest tradition • Best way to attain nirvana: be monk, nun, meditate • Find one path to enlightenment; very much an individual religion Mahayana • Teaches people can help each other find enlightenment • Not necessary to be monk, nun • Bodhisattvas, enlightened people not yet passed to nirvana, help others Tibetan • Shares many Mahayana teachings • Also believes special techniques can harness spiritual energy, lead to nirvana in single lifetime The Spread of Buddhism Unlike Hinduism, which largely remained an Indian religion, Buddhism spread into other parts of the world. Today, more than 350 million people are Buddhists, most of them concentrated in Asia. Relatively few people in India are Buddhists today. Buddhism in India Ashoka • Buddhist community in India grew throughout Buddha’s life • 200s BC, Buddhism reached peak in India during reign of emperor Ashoka • Followers spread teachings after Buddha’s death • Ashoka became Buddhist, helped spread Buddhism into all parts of India • Teachings not written down until first century BC; helped preserve, spread teachings throughout India Ashoka also encouraged missionaries to carry the Buddha’s message to lands outside of India. Buddhism Beyond India • Ashoka sent missionaries to Sri Lanka, large island off India’s southern coast, and north to lands along Himalayas, east into lands of Southeast Asia • Buddhism took firm hold in kingdoms that eventually became Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, islands of Indonesia Traders • Trade also helped spread Buddhism beyond India • 200s BC, merchants traveling routes from India to Central Asia introduced Buddhist teachings • Traders from Central, Southeast Asia took Buddhist teachings into China, slowly spreading, blending with native Chinese philosophies Leading Asian Religion Korea and Japan • From China, Buddhism eventually diffused into Korea, Japan Change, Development • As Buddhism encountered other religious traditions outside India, it changed, developed • AD 300s, first introduced to Korea • Korean travelers took religion to Japan 200 years later • By this time, Buddhism had become leading religion in East, Southeast Asia • Blending caused smaller traditions within Theravada, Mahayana • Zen, branch of Mahayana, emphasized self-discipline, meditation • Today Buddhism very diverse