2. Historical Background of Buddhism
Buddhism began in northeastern India and is based on the
teachings of Siddhartha Gautama.
The religion is 2,500 years old and is followed by 350 million
Buddhists worldwide.
3. Siddhārtha Gautama
The Buddhist tradition is founded on and inspired
by the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. He was
called the Buddha and lived in the 4th or 5th
century B.C. in India.
Siddhartha Gautama found the path to
Enlightenment. By doing so he was led from the
pain of suffering and rebirth towards the path of
Enlightenment and became known as the Buddha
or "awakened one".
4. There are two main divisions in
Buddhism:
Theravada
Buddhism
Mahayana
Buddhism
6. The sacred text of Theravada Buddhism.
- Is called Pali canon. This is a
collection of the oldest writings. Pali
canon was written in the Pali language
close to the one used by the Buddha
himself.
Pali canon is also called TRIPITAKA -
Literally means Three Baskets that
contains:
SUTTA
PITAKA - Sayings of the Buddha.
VINAYA PITAKA - Monastic rules of
conduct.
7. The middle way doctrines.
The expression “middle way” refers to the
Buddhist understanding of practical life, avoiding
the extremes of self-denial and self-indulgence, as
well as the view of reality that avoids the extreme
positions of eternalism and annihilationism
8. MAHAYANA BUDDHISM
The Mahayana Buddhism (literally
means Greater Vehicle) is a broad
spectrum of Buddhist teachings and
practicesthe sacred text of mahayana
Buddhism
1. Vinaya, or monastic rules
2. Sutras, or discourses, and
3. Sastras, or philosophical treatises.
9. Doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism
Three
Levels of Perfection
1. Moral discipline
2. Cultivation of virtue
3. Altruistic conduct
11. Place of Worship
■ Buddhist worship at home or at a temple.
Worshippers may sit on the floor barefoot
facing an image of Buddha and chanting. It
is very important that their feet face away
from the image of Buddha. They listen to
monks chanting from religious texts and
take part in prayers.
12. ■Buddhist worship is called puja.
■ When Buddhist worship alone they usually meditate and read from the
Buddhist holy books.
■Every month. most Buddhists have special religious days. These are
often days when there is a full moon. Many Buddhists go to temples to
worship on these special days.
How do Buddhists worship?
13. Doctrines & Beliefs
The Buddha used some Hindu ideas and
changed others.
Like Hindus, the Buddha believed that all
people went through cycles of birth, death,
and rebirth called reincarnation. He also
accepted the Hindu idea of Karma. Karma is
a force caused by a person's good and bad
acts. Karma is said to affect future lives.
14. Doctrines & Beliefs
Unlike Hindus, however, Buddha
did not search for the one
powerful force believed to
connect all of life
He believed that the most
important task in life was to
reach peace by ending suffering.
15. The Four Noble of Truths
3. Suffering can end if people stop wanting things.
2. Suffering is caused by people wanting more pleasure, more
power, or a longer life.
4. People must follow eight basic laws if they are to stop wanting
things.
The Buddha decided that life is ruled by Four Noble Truths.
1. Life is filled with suffering.
16. The Buddha explained the Four Noble
truths to his followers.
He called the way to end suffering the
Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path is a set of instructions on
the proper way to live.
These laws were neither too strict nor too
easy. They represent a Middle Way of living.
The Eightfold Path
19. These are rules to live by. The main five are:
Do not take the life of anything living. (Do not killl)
Do not take anything not freely given. (Do not steal)
Abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence.
Refrain from untrue speech, (Do not lie)
Do not consume alcohol or other drugs. The main concern here is that
intoxicants cloud the mind.
What are the 5 Precepts (morals)?
22. Buddhist festivals are joyful times. There are
many different Buddhist festivals around the
world. The most important ones celebrate
events in the Buddha's life.
All Buddhists celebrate Wesak, or Buddha
Day.
Festival
23. The main Buddhist festival
of the year is Buddha Day /
Wesak / Vaisakha, the
celebration of the Buddha's
birth, enlightenment and
death.
Buddha Day
