“Christianity and World Religions” - Buddhism

What things or imagines come to mind when you think about Buddhism?

◦ Goal is to attain Nirvana √

◦ Nirvana is a punk rock band from Seattle X

◦ Founded by Gautama, a rich prince who thought there must be more to life √

◦ Buddha is a fat bald guy X

◦ Belief in reincarnation √

◦ Worship idols X

Lesson Goals

◦ Challenge your basic concept of religion

◦ Understand some of the most fundamental

characteristics of Buddhism

◦ Learn how Buddhism as a faith emerged from

one person’s quest for answers to life’s most

puzzling questions

◦ Compare and contrast the basic tenets of

classical Buddhism with those of Christianity

◦ Belief in God

◦ The nature of suffering

◦ Life after death

Buddhism “101"— Basics

Buddhism is a religion and practice that

encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and

spiritual practices largely based on teachings

attributed to the Buddha.



Buddhism originated in India sometime between

the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, from where it

spread through much of Asia.



Now the 4 th largest religion in the world with over

488 million followers.



The three major branches of Buddhism in the

modern world are Mahayana Buddhism,

Theravada Buddhism and Vajrayana (sometimes

described as Tibetan) Buddhism.

Regional Distribution of Buddhists

Population by region as of 2010

North America 3,860,000

Europe 1,330,000

Middle East-North Africa 500,000

Asia-Pacific 481,290,000

Latin America-Caribbean 410,000

Sub-Saharan Africa 150,000

Percentage of world Buddhist population in each region as of 2010

Asia-Pacific 98.7%

North America 0.8%

Europe 0.3%

Middle East-North Africa 0.1%

Latin America-Caribbean 0.1%

Sub-Saharan Africa < 0.1%

Buddhism Expression of Faith —

theTriple Refuge

A daily devotion:

1. “I take refuge in the Buddha” (the Awakened one)

2. “I take refuge in the Dharma” (his teachings)

3. “I take refuge in the Samgha” (the community of his disciples)

Buddha — the “Awakened One”

Dharma— (Teaching)

The Four Noble Truths:

1. The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha)

2. The Origin of Suffering (Tanha)

3. The Cessation of Suffering (Nirvana)

4. The Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering (Eightfold Path)

Life of the Buddha

Born into a royal family in the region that is

today southern Nepal ~563BCE/480BCE

Birthplace- Lumbini, Nepal

Given name was Siddhārtha Gautama

Shakyamuni Buddha – the sage of the Shakya tribe

Miraculous events surround his youth:

◦ Chakravartin – “turner of the wheel”

◦ Predictions he would be a King or a Sage

The Dharmachakra

Confronting Samsara (endless cycle)

◦ Reincarnation – fundamental ancient religious belief

◦ Shocking encounters outside the palace

◦ Ends his royal life and leaves the palace at age 29

to become a monk

 ◦ Adopts the Middle Path; avoiding extreme

self denial and the extreme of self indulgence

The “Awakening” - Nirvana

Sarnath Stupa – the burial place of the Buddha's remains

Parinirvana — “comp|ete Nirvana”

Dharma— (Teaching)

The Four Noble Truths:

1. The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha)

2. The Origin of Suffering (Tanha)

3. The Cessation of Suffering (Nirvana)

4. The Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering (Eightfold Path)

The Path to Nirvana

Right:

1. Understanding

2. Thought

3. Speech

4. Action

5. Livelihood

6. Effort

7. Mindfulness

8. Concentration

 Summary:

◦ Sila – Moral Conduct

◦ Samadhi – Mental Concentration

◦ Panna - Wisdom

If you'd like to know more...