Ms Susan

2. Religions of South Asia

3. Buddhismin the Subcontinent

4. The essence of
Buddhism The “middle way of wisdomThe “middle way of wisdom
and compassion.”and compassion.”
 2,500 year old tradition.2,500 year old tradition.
 The 3 jewels of Buddhism:The 3 jewels of Buddhism:
 BuddhaBuddha, the teacher., the teacher.
 DharmaDharma, the teachings., the teachings.
 SanghaSangha, the community., the community.

5. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483
BCE) Born in NE IndiaBorn in NE 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 to
seek enlightenmentseek enlightenment
and the source ofand the source of
suffering.suffering.
 Lived a strict,Lived a strict,
ascetic life for 6 yrs.ascetic life for 6 yrs.
 Rejecting this extreme, sat inRejecting this extreme, sat in
meditation, and foundmeditation, and found nirvananirvana..
 Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.

6. What is the fundamental
cause of all suffering?
Desire!
 Therefore, extinguish the self,Therefore, extinguish the self,
don’t obsess about oneself.don’t obsess about oneself.

7. FourNoble Truths
1.1. There is suffering in theThere is suffering in the
world. To live is toworld. To live is to
suffer.suffer. ((DukkhaDukkha))
 The Buddha found thisThe Buddha found this
out when he was youngout when he was young
and experiencedand experienced
suffering and death insuffering and death in
others.others.

8. FourNoble Truths
2.2. The cause ofThe cause of
suffering is self-suffering is self-
centered desire andcentered desire and
attachments.attachments. ((TanhaTanha))

9. FourNoble Truths
3.3. The solution is toThe solution is to
eliminate desire andeliminate desire and
attachments.attachments.
((Nirvana = “extinction”Nirvana = “extinction”))

10. FourNoble Truths
4.4. To reachTo reach nirvananirvana, one, one
must follow the Eightfoldmust follow the Eightfold
Path.Path.

11. Eightfold Path
Nirvana
 The union with the ultimateThe union with the ultimate
spiritual reality.spiritual reality.
 Escape from the cycle ofEscape from the cycle of
rebirth.rebirth.

12. Buddha – 19c
Thailand

13. Buddha’
s head :
2c
Pakistan

14. Mandala: Wheel of Life
Motif

15. Mandala: Wheel of Life
Motif

16. Buddhist Altar

17. Types of Buddhism
 Therevada BuddhismTherevada Buddhism
 Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism
 Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism
 Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

18. Theravada Buddhism
 The oldest school of Buddhism.The oldest school of Buddhism.
 The “Way of the Elders” or theThe “Way of the Elders” or the
“Small Vehicle.”“Small Vehicle.”
 Found in southern Asia.Found in southern Asia.
 The monastic life is the best wayThe monastic life is the best way
to achieveto achieve nirvananirvana..
 Focus on wisdom and meditation.Focus on wisdom and meditation.
 Goal is to become a “Buddha,” orGoal is to become a “Buddha,” or
“Enlightened One.”“Enlightened One.”
 Over 100,000,000 followers today.Over 100,000,000 followers today.

19. Theravada Buddhism

20. Mahayana Buddhism
 The “Great Vehicle.”The “Great Vehicle.”
 Founded in northern Asia (China,Founded in northern Asia (China,
Japan).Japan).
 Buddhism “for the masses.”Buddhism “for the masses.”
 Seek guidance fromSeek guidance from BoddhisatvasBoddhisatvas,,
wise beings.wise beings.
 GoalGoal: Not just individual escape: Not just individual escape
from the wheel, but the salvationfrom the wheel, but the salvation
of all humanity through self-of all humanity through self-
sacrifice of those enlightened few.sacrifice of those enlightened few.

21. Mahayana Buddhism

22. Seated Boddhisatva – 16c
Bhutan

23. boddhisatva

24. Tibetan Buddhism
 The “Diamond Vehicle.” [The “Diamond Vehicle.” [VajrayanaVajrayana]]
 Developed in Tibet in theDeveloped in Tibet in the
7c CE.7c CE.
 A mix of Theravada and Mahayana.A mix of Theravada and Mahayana.
 BoddhisatvasBoddhisatvas includeinclude
Lamas, like theLamas, like the
Dalai LamaDalai Lama..
 TheThe Tibetan BookTibetan Book
of the Deadof the Dead
[[Bardo ThodolBardo Thodol].].

25. The
Dalai
Lama

26. zen Buddhism
 The “Meditation School.”The “Meditation School.”
 Seeks sudden enlightenment [Seeks sudden enlightenment [satorisatori]]
through meditation, arriving atthrough meditation, arriving at
emptiness [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.

27. Buddhismin America
(1999)

28. Distribution of Buddhism
Centers in the US, 2001

29. 10th
Annual western buddhist
monastic conference
California, 2004California, 2004

30. Relieve Stress &
Meditate:
Get a Mantra!
Ohm...mani...padme...hunOhm...mani...padme...hun
g...g...Hail to the jewel in the lotus!Hail to the jewel in the lotus!