BUDDHISM

The Middle Path

Religions of South Asia

Religions of South Asia

Buddhism in the SubcontinentBuddhism in the Subcontinent

The Essence of Buddhism

The Essence of Buddhism The “middle way of The “middle way of

wisdom and wisdom and compassion.”compassion.”

2,500 year old 2,500 year old tradition.tradition.

The 3 jewels of The 3 jewels of Buddhism:Buddhism:

BuddhaBuddha, the teacher., the teacher. DharmaDharma, the , the

teachings.teachings. SanghaSangha, the , the

community.community.

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)

Born in NE India Born in NE India (Nepal).(Nepal).

Raised in great luxuryRaised in great luxuryto be a king.to be a king.

At 29 he rejectedAt 29 he rejectedhis luxurious life tohis luxurious life toseek enlightenmentseek enlightenmentand the source ofand the source ofsuffering.suffering.

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

Rejecting this extreme, sat in Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found meditation, and found nirvananirvana..

Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.

Who was

The Buddha?

His father was a ruler of a kingdom in modern day

Nepal

OLD MAN

SICKNESS

DEATH

The Path To

Enlightenment

Asceticism

Siddhartha –

The Ascetic Years

The Four Noble Truths:1.Life is suffering (pain)

2.Suffering comes from desire

3.To end pain – end desire

4.To end desire – Eightfold Path

Four Noble Truths

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

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

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

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 self, don’t obsess about oneself.oneself.

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.

Eightfold PathRight Views

Right Intention

Right Speech

Right Action

Right Livelihood

Right Effort

Right Mindfulness

Right Concentration

Sermon at

Deer Park•Went back to Varanasi to preach his

first sermon•His former 5 friends became his first

disciples.•Creation of the Sangha.

•Caste not an issue.

Doctrinal Developments

•Borrowed many Hindu terms• Is there a god?

What is the Self ?

Buddha – 19c ThailandBuddha – 19c Thailand

Buddha’s head :

2c Pakistan

Buddha’s head :

2c Pakistan

Buddhist AltarBuddhist Altar

Types of BuddhismTypes of

Buddhism Therevada Therevada BuddhismBuddhism

Mahayana Mahayana BuddhismBuddhism

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

Therevada Therevada BuddhismBuddhism

Mahayana Mahayana BuddhismBuddhism

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism The oldest school of Buddhism.The oldest school of Buddhism.

The “Way of the Elders” or the The “Way of the Elders” or the ““SmallSmall Vehicle.” Vehicle.”

Found in southern Asia.Found in southern Asia. The The monasticmonastic life is the best way life is the best way

to achieve to achieve nirvananirvana.. Focus on wisdom and meditation.Focus on wisdom and meditation. Goal is to become a “Goal is to become a “BuddhaBuddha,” or ,” or

“Enlightened One.”“Enlightened One.” Over 100,000,000 followers today.Over 100,000,000 followers today.

The oldest school of Buddhism.The oldest school of Buddhism. The “Way of the Elders” or the The “Way of the Elders” or the

““SmallSmall Vehicle.” Vehicle.” Found in southern Asia.Found in southern Asia. The The monasticmonastic life is the best way life is the best way

to achieve to achieve nirvananirvana.. Focus on wisdom and meditation.Focus on wisdom and meditation. Goal is to become a “Goal is to become a “BuddhaBuddha,” or ,” or

“Enlightened One.”“Enlightened One.” Over 100,000,000 followers today.Over 100,000,000 followers today.

Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism

model their practice and lifestyle on that of the Buddha and his first generation of disciples by living

close to nature in forest, mountains and caves.

Monastic Life

Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism The “The “GreatGreat Vehicle.” Vehicle.”

Founded in northern Asia Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan).(China, Japan).

Buddhism “for the masses.”Buddhism “for the masses.” Seek guidance from Seek guidance from

BoddhisatvasBoddhisatvas, wise beings. , wise beings. GoalGoal: Not just individual : Not just individual

escape from the wheel, but escape from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity the salvation of all humanity through through self-sacrificeself-sacrifice of those of those enlightened few.enlightened few.

Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan

Buddhism The “Diamond Vehicle.” The “Diamond Vehicle.” [[VajrayanaVajrayana]]

Developed in Tibet in the Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE.7c CE.

A mix of Theravada and A mix of Theravada and Mahayana.Mahayana.

BoddhisatvasBoddhisatvas include include Lamas, like the Lamas, like the Dalai LamaDalai Lama..

The The Tibetan Book Tibetan Book of the Deadof the Dead[[Bardo ThodolBardo Thodol].].

The DalaiLam

a

The DalaiLam

a

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism The “Meditation School.”The “Meditation School.” Seeks sudden enlightenment Seeks sudden enlightenment

[[satorisatori] through meditation, ] through meditation, arriving at emptiness arriving at emptiness [[sunyatasunyata].].

Use of meditation masters Use of meditation masters [[RoshiRoshi].].

Beauty, art, and aesthetics:Beauty, art, and aesthetics: Gardens.Gardens. Archery.Archery. Tea ceremony.Tea ceremony. Calligraphy.Calligraphy.

The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya 60 Foot

tall Buddha Statue at

Bodh Gaya

The Bodhi Tree where Siddhartha found

enlightenment.

“I have given up extremes of either luxury or asceticism. I have discovered the Middle Way"

Sanchi stupa, Madhya Pradesh, built

by the Emperor Ashoka (273-236BC).

Monks making an early morning alms

round, Myanmar.

Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarova lies in the region

of Burang. They are symbolized as the "Sacred Mountain and Holy Lake" of

Buddhism, Hinduism and the indigenous religions.

Relieve Stress & Meditate:

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Relieve Stress & Meditate:

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Ohm...mani...padme...hOhm...mani...padme...hung...ung...Hail to the jewel in the lotus!Hail to the jewel in the lotus!