Transcript Buddhism
Buddhism Buddhism Basic Facts and History • Founded in India 2500 years ago. • Siddartha Gautama (the Buddha) created it. – He tried to find a way to avoid pain and suffering. • People can practice it how they want. • Buddhism does not focus on the presence of God – it focuses on man’s life on Earth. • Practiced all over the world, mostly in Asia • Around 500 million Buddhists in the world. Buddhism Basic Beliefs • Buddha taught Four Noble Truths. • These were key to understanding the world and finding happiness Buddhism Four Noble Truths First: • All things suffer and are reincarnated based on Karma. • Do you agree? • Do all things suffer? • Is this the cause of our pain in life? Buddhism Four Noble Truths Second • The cause of suffering is … – What do you think the cause of suffering is? Desire • Do you agree? • Does desire cause all suffering? Buddhism Four Noble Truths Third • You can escape suffering and reincarnation by eliminating desire. • Do this and you will reach Nirvana – heaven • Can you eliminate desires? Buddhism Four Noble Truths Fourth • The way to eliminate desire is to follow the eight-fold path • This combines faith, dedication and ethics Buddhism The Eightfold Path • Eight steps that can help you reach Nirvana • The eight steps get more difficult as you go along. • As you master each step you can move to the next. Buddhism The Eightfold Path 1. Right Viewpoint: have the right attitude toward life 2. Right Values: consideration and compassion 3. Right Speech: be truthful and kind with your words. 4. Right Actions: Live honestly and don’t harm living things – Many Buddhists are vegetarians – Ear piercings are not popular Buddhism The Eightfold Path 5. Right Livelihood: have a job that does no harm to people. 6. Right Effort: Keep good thoughts in your mind 7. Right Mindfulness: be able to calm the mind and avoid distractions. 8. Right Meditation: be able to achieve enlightenment through meditation. Buddhism Buddhist Practices • Buddhism emphasizes meditation, kindness and inner peace • Buddhist monks and nuns live in temples and spend time caring for others, reading Buddha’s teachings and meditating. • Buddhists who visit the temples will pray and bring food, clothing and flowers. • Buddhists should refrain from: – – – – – Destroying life Taking what is not given Impurity Lying Intoxicating substances Buddhism Buddhism Types of Buddhism • Zen: Japan – Puts a heavy emphasis on meditation – They use riddles, chants and rock gardens to inspire deep thought. Buddhism Types of Buddhism • Tibetan: Tibet (Southern China) – Use mandalas and prayer wheels to meditate and pray. – Believe that the Dalai Lama (their leader) is the reincarnation of an ancient Buddhist monk