Buddhism. What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a major world religion, or in a better sense, philosophy. It is the 4 th largest “religion” of the world, and.

Presentation on theme: "Buddhism. What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a major world religion, or in a better sense, philosophy. It is the 4 th largest “religion” of the world, and."— Presentation transcript:

1 Buddhism

2 What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a major world religion, or in a better sense, philosophy. It is the 4 th largest “religion” of the world, and has about 300,000,000 people living by it. It also helps people by providing a way of life that will lead to true happiness.

3 The History of Buddhism Started by Siddhartha Gautama, who was a prince around 563-483 BCE. He was sheltered from leaving the palace, but once out he realized a great truth –A–All humans experience old age, sickness, and death, but only a virtuous life offers refuge from suffering He meditated for 49 days under the boddhi tree, until he reached enlightenment, and understood the cause of suffering, and how to escape it

4 What Did Buddha Teach? 4 Noble Truths –Everything is suffering –We suffer because of our desire for pleasures of the earth –End desire = end suffering –Must follow the middle way, between desire and self denial By following the middle way (basically living the 8 fold path), anyone could reach nirvana –Release from selfishness and pain

5 More Detailed Look at 4 Noble Truths Dukkha: Suffering exists: Suffering is real and almost universal. Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, the impermanence of pleasure. Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. It is the desire to have and control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the desire for fame, the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy. Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. Suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana. The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving. Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.

6 The Noble Eightfold Path It taught 8 simple rules: To have a right understanding To have right thoughts To use right speech To do right actions To deal with right livelihood To give a right effort To have a right mindfulness To use the right meditation

7 More 8 Fold The Eightfold Path Panna: Discernment,Discernment, wisdom: 1) Samma ditthi: Right Understanding of the Four Noble Truths. 2) Samma sankappa: Right thinking; following the right path in life. Silla: Virtue, morality, Discernment, wisdom: 3) Samma vaca: Right speech: no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language. 4) Samma kammanta: Right conduct by following the Five Precepts 5) Samma ajiva: Right livelihood; support yourself without harming others. Samadhi: Concentration, Meditation: 6) Samma vayama: Right Effort: promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts. 7) Samma sati: Right Mindfulness: Become aware of your body, mind and feelings. 8) Samma samadhi: Right Concentration: Meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness.

8 The 5 precepts Do not take the life of anything living Do not take anything not freely given Abstain from sensual overindulgence Refrain from untrue speech Avoid intoxication Do not lose mindfulness This is the moral code of the Buddhists

9 Detailed 5 Precepts Do not kill. This is sometimes translated as "not harming" or an absence of violence. Do not steal. This is generally interpreted as including the avoidance of fraud and economic exploitation. Do not lie. This is sometimes interpreted as including name calling, gossip, and other things. Do not misuse sex. For monks and nuns, this means any departure from complete celibacy. For the laity, adultery is forbidden, along with any harassment or exploitation, including that within marriage. Do not consume alcohol or other drugs. The main concern here is that intoxicants cloud the mind. Some have included as a drug other methods of divorcing ourselves from reality.