From the life of the Buddha to Zen Buddhism

2. Buddhism
REJECTED THE CASTE SYSTEM – as unfair,
unjust!
“Not by birth does one become an
outcast, not by birth does one become a
Brahmin. By DEEDS one becomes an
outcast, by DEEDS one becomes a
Brahmin” – Buddha

3. The essence of Buddhism
 The “middle way of wisdom”
 The 3 jewels of Buddhism:
 Buddha, the teacher.
 Dharma, the teachings.
 Sangha, the community.

4. Buddhism
• Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)
better known as Buddha (Enlightened
One).

5. Buddhism
• The handsome Siddhartha had a rich
ruling family.

7. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)
 He saw poor and
suffereing people
everywhere.
 At 29 he gave up all
his money and social
position.
 He tried to find the
source of
suffering.

8. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)
 At first he tried a
strict, Janist
life for 6 yrs.
 The believed in
fasting to find
truth.
 He rejected Janism,
and found a middle
way between
Hinduism and
Janism.

9. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)
 Through
meditation, he
fought an army of
demons and
incarnate of Shiva.

10. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)
 He became a god, proving that one could
reach Moksha without reincarnation. You
could go from man to God in one lifetime,
called “The Enlightened One,” at 35.

11. What is the fundamental
cause of all suffering?
Desire!

12. Four Noble Truths
1. There is suffering in the
world. To live is to
suffer. (Dukkha)

13. Four Noble Truths
2. The cause of
suffering is self-
centered desire.
(Tanha)

14. Four Noble Truths
3. The solution is to
eliminate desire and
attachments.
(Nirvana = “extinction”)

15. Four Noble Truths
4. To reach nirvana, one
must follow the Eightfold
Path.

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

17. Buddha – 7c India

18. Buddha’s
head :
2c
Pakistan

19. Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

20. Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

21. Buddhist Altar

22. Types of Buddhism
 Therevada Buddhism
 Mahayana Buddhism
 Tibetan Buddhism
 Zen Buddhism

23. Theravada Buddhism
 The oldest school of Buddhism.
 The “Way of the Elders” or the
“Small Vehicle.”
 Consider Buddhism a philosophy.
 The monastic life is the best way
to achieve nirvana.
 Focus on wisdom and meditation.
 Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or
“Enlightened One.”
 Over 100,000,000 followers today.

24. Theravada Buddhism

25. Kaza Valley India

29. Mahayana Buddhism
 The “Great Vehicle.”
 Founded in northern Asia (China,
Korea, Mongolia).
 Buddhism “for everyone.”
 Seek guidance from Boddhisatvas,
wise beings.
 Goal: Not just individual escape
from the wheel, but the salvation
of all humanity through self-
sacrifice of those enlightened few.

30. Mahayana Buddhism

31. Seated Boddhisatva – 16c
Bhutan

32. boddhisatva

33. Tibetan Buddhism
 The “Diamond Vehicle.” [Vajrayana]
 Developed in Tibet in the
7c CE.
 A mix of Theravada and Mahayana.
 Boddhisatvas include
Lamas
 The Tibetan Book
of the Dead
[Bardo Thodol].

34. zen Buddhism
 The “Meditation School.”
 Seeks sudden enlightenment [satori]
through meditation, arriving at
emptiness [sunyata].
 Use of meditation masters [Roshi].
 Beauty, art, and aesthetics:
 Gardens.
 Archery.
 Tea ceremony.
 Calligraphy.

39. Buddhism in the Subcontinent

40. Religions of South Asia

41. Buddhism in America

42. Home work
• Pg 79 1-5

43. Distribution of Buddhism
Centers in the US, 2001

44. 10th Annual western buddhist
monastic conference
California, 2004

45. Relieve Stress & Meditate:
Get a Mantra !
Ohm...mani...padme...hung...
Hail to the jewel in the lotus!