Buddhism in the World

Buddhism in the World

Religions by percentageReligions by percentage

The Beginning of Buddhism

• Siddhartha Guatama

Siddhartha Gautaman (563-483 BCE)

Siddhartha Gautaman (563-483 BCE) Born in India Born in India

(Nepal).(Nepal). Raised in great luxuryRaised in great luxury

to be a king.to be a king. At 29 he rejectedAt 29 he rejected

his luxurious life tohis luxurious life toseek enlightenmentseek enlightenmentand the meaning of life.and the meaning of life.

Lived a strict,Lived a strict,ascetic life for 6 yrs.ascetic life for 6 yrs.

Rejecting all desires, he sat in Rejecting all desires, he sat in meditation until he found meditation until he found nirvananirvana..

Became “The Enlightened One,” at Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.35.

The essence of Buddhism

The essence of Buddhism

The term Buddha means The term Buddha means “the awakened or “the awakened or enlightened one.”enlightened one.”

Buddhism is based on Buddhism is based on four basic principles four basic principles known as the Four known as the Four Noble TruthsNoble Truths

What is the fundamental cause

of all suffering?

What is the fundamental cause

of all suffering?

Desire!Desire! Therefore, extinguish the Therefore, extinguish the

self, don’t obsess about your self, don’t obsess about your wants or personal desires.wants or personal desires.

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths1.1. There is suffering in There is suffering in

the world. To live is to the world. To live is to suffer.suffer. ( (DukkhaDukkha) ) The Buddha found The Buddha found

this out when he was this out when he was young and young and experienced experienced suffering and death suffering and death in others.in others.

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths

2.2. The cause of The cause of suffering is self-suffering is self-centered desire centered desire and attachments.and attachments. ((TanhaTanha))

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths

3.3. The solution is to The solution is to eliminate desire eliminate desire and attachments. and attachments. ((Nirvana = Nirvana = “extinction”“extinction”))

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths4.4. To reach To reach nirvananirvana, one , one

must follow the must follow the Eightfold Path. Eightfold Path.

Eightfold PathEightfold Path

NirvanaNirvana The union with the The union with the ultimate ultimate spiritual reality. spiritual reality.

Escape from the cycle of Escape from the cycle of rebirth. rebirth.