Chapter 6 Section 3Origins of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama’sSearch for Wisdom

• In the late 500’s BC, a restless young man, dissatisfied with the teachings of Hinduism, began to ask questions about life and religious matters. In time, he found answers. These answers attracted many followers, and his ideas became the foundation of a major religion in India.

• Siddhartha was born 563 BC in northern India near the Himalayas. He was a prince who grew up surrounded in luxury.

• When he left his sheltered palace for the first time as a young man, he saw human suffering all around him.

• Before the age of 30, he left his home and family to search for the meaning of human life.

Siddhartha seesdeath for the

1st time

The Buddha Finds

Enlightenment

• Siddhartha wandered for many years searching for answers. He wanted to free his mind from daily concerns. For a while he didn’t wash himself. He also started fasting. He devoted much of his time to meditation.

• He spent six years wandering throughout India. He eventually came to a place near the town of Gaya, near the Ganges River. There he sat under a tree and meditated for seven weeks.

• He realized that human suffering comes from three things:

• Wanting what we like but do not have.

• Wanting to keep what we like and already have.

• Not wanting what we dislike but have.

• Siddhartha spent seven more weeks meditating under the “Tree of Wisdom”. He was about 35 years old when he found “enlightenment”.

• He then would be called Buddha, or the “Enlightened One”.

• He spent the rest of his life traveling across India teaching people his ideas. He was around 80 years old when he died.

Mahabodhi Treewhere Siddhartha

found enlightenment

What is Buddhism?• Buddha was raised a Hindu so many of his teachings reflect Hindu ideas. He believed that people should act morally and treat each others well.

• *At the heart of the Buddha’s teachings are four guiding principals, “The Four Noble Truths”.*

The Four Noble Truths

• To free your soul from suffering and achieve Nirvana you will need to follow the “Eightfold Path”. Buddha believed that this path is the “middle way” between wanting everything and doing completely without… everything in moderation.

What is Nirvana?(look in your book)

An artist’s interpretation

of Nirvana

Hint:Follow the

path from thebottom, right

corner.Notice the change

in color of theelephant, the

size of the fire, and

the diminishingblack creature.

To reach Nirvana you

must free yoursoul from

suffering. Ifyou do thisyou will befree from

furtherreincarnation.

Write two paragraphsdescribing whatyou think this

picture means inrelationship to

the teachings ofBuddha.

What does “the Middle Way” mean??

• Buddha believed that people should overcome their desire for material goods. However, they should be reasonable.

• Example: Girls… you would keep some of your dresses but give some of them away.

• Boys… you would keep some of your XBOX games but give some of them away.

ImportantConcept!!!

True or False?????*Buddha says, “Contentment comes from gaining what you

want.”*

• Buddha was opposed to the caste system.

• Because of this belief, many people in the lower classes supported Buddha’s teachings.

ImportantConcept!!!

Spread of Buddhism*What are missionaries?* (book)

MotherTeresa,nun and

missionary

Buddhistmonkand

missionary,Dali

Lama

MissionaryIn

India

MissionaryPriest in

Early Americas

The Spread of Buddhism

Summary

• Buddhism, one of India’s major religions, grew more popular once it was adopted by rulers of India’s great empires.

On a smallpiece of paper,

describethis picture

with oneword.

Collect andread

to class.