Buddhism originated from Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, who was born around 563 BCE and died around 486 BCE in India. As a young prince, he was deeply moved by seeing an old man, ill person, corpse, and ascetic, which led him to abandon his life of luxury to seek enlightenment. After years of meditation, he attained enlightenment under a bodhi tree and realized the Four Noble Truths about suffering and its cessation. He taught the Eightfold Path as a means to end suffering through right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and meditation.

1. Buddhism
World Religions Class
Lecture # 1
10.23.12

2. “Enlightened One”
(S)he who is
awake.

3. Particulars (Buddha)
Born c. 563 BCE
Died c. 486 BCE
(about 80 yrs of age)
Original Name:
Siddharta Gautama

4. 4 Passing Sights
Old man
Very ill
Corpse
Religious beggar

5. 2 Greats
Great Going-Forth
29 Years Old
Great Awakening

6. Tree of Enlightenment

7. Deer Park Sermon

8. Songha (society)

9. Be lamps unto
yourselves. Rely
on yourselves
and do not rely
on external help.

10. 4 Noble Truths
Possible to
be free
Suffering &
Desire
Desires
Suffering

11. Impermanent
“Trying to arrange, control and
manipulate conditions so as to
always get what we want, always
hear what we want to
hear, always see what we want to
see, so that we never have to
experience unhappiness or
despair, is a hopeless task.”
Ajahn Somedho

12. 8-Fold Path
1. Right Understanding

13. 8-Fold Path
1. Right Understanding
2. Right Thoughts/Motives

14. 8-Fold Path
1. Right Understanding
2. Right Thoughts/Motives
3. Right Speech

15. 8-Fold Path
1. Right Understanding
2. Right Thoughts/Motives
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action

16. 8-Fold Path
1. Right Understanding
2. Right Thoughts/Motives
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood (Work)

17. 8-Fold Path
1. Right Understanding
2. Right Thoughts/Motives
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood (Work)
6. Right Effort

18. 8-Fold Path
1. Right Understanding
2. Right Thoughts/Motives
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood (Work)
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness

19. 8-Fold Path
1. Right Understanding
2. Right Thoughts/Motives
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood (Work)
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Meditation

20. P. 70-79 Thursday