BUDDHISM The Middle Path
BUDDHISM
The Middle Path
Religions of South Asia
Religions of South Asia
Buddhism in the SubcontinentBuddhism in the Subcontinent
The Essence of Buddhism
The Essence of Buddhism The “middle way of The “middle way of
wisdom and wisdom and compassion.”compassion.”
2,500 year old 2,500 year old tradition.tradition.
The 3 jewels of The 3 jewels of Buddhism:Buddhism:
BuddhaBuddha, the teacher., the teacher. DharmaDharma, the , the
teachings.teachings. SanghaSangha, the , the
community.community.
Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)
Born in NE India Born in NE India (Nepal).(Nepal).
Raised in great luxuryRaised in great luxuryto be a king.to be a king.
At 29 he rejectedAt 29 he rejectedhis luxurious life tohis luxurious life toseek enlightenmentseek enlightenmentand the source ofand the source ofsuffering.suffering.
Lived a strict,Lived a strict,ascetic life for 6 yrs.ascetic life for 6 yrs.
Rejecting this extreme, sat in Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found meditation, and found nirvananirvana..
Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.
Who was
The Buddha?
His father was a ruler of a kingdom in modern day
Nepal
OLD MAN
SICKNESS
DEATH
The Path To
Enlightenment
Asceticism
Siddhartha –
The Ascetic Years
The Four Noble Truths:1.Life is suffering (pain)
2.Suffering comes from desire
3.To end pain – end desire
4.To end desire – Eightfold Path
Four Noble Truths
Four Noble Truths1.1. There is suffering in the There is suffering in the
world. To live is to world. To live is to suffer.suffer. ( (DukkhaDukkha) ) The Buddha found this The Buddha found this
out when he was out when he was young and young and experienced suffering experienced suffering and death in others.and death in others.
What is the fundamental cause
of all suffering?
What is the fundamental cause
of all suffering?
Desire!Desire! Therefore, extinguish the Therefore, extinguish the
self, don’t obsess about self, don’t obsess about oneself.oneself.
Four Noble Truths
Four Noble Truths
2.2. The cause of The cause of suffering is self-suffering is self-centered desire centered desire and attachments.and attachments. ((TanhaTanha))
Four Noble Truths
Four Noble Truths
3.3. The solution is to The solution is to eliminate desire eliminate desire and attachments. and attachments. ((Nirvana = Nirvana = “extinction”“extinction”))
Four Noble Truths
Four Noble Truths4.4. To reach To reach nirvananirvana, one , one
must follow the must follow the Eightfold Path. Eightfold Path.
Eightfold PathEightfold Path
NirvanaNirvana The union with the The union with the ultimate ultimate spiritual reality. spiritual reality.
Escape from the cycle of Escape from the cycle of rebirth. rebirth.
Eightfold PathRight Views
Right Intention
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
Sermon at
Deer Park•Went back to Varanasi to preach his
first sermon•His former 5 friends became his first
disciples.•Creation of the Sangha.
•Caste not an issue.
Doctrinal Developments
•Borrowed many Hindu terms• Is there a god?
What is the Self ?
Buddha – 19c ThailandBuddha – 19c Thailand
Buddha’s head :
2c Pakistan
Buddha’s head :
2c Pakistan
Buddhist AltarBuddhist Altar
Types of BuddhismTypes of
Buddhism Therevada Therevada BuddhismBuddhism
Mahayana Mahayana BuddhismBuddhism
Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism
Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism
Therevada Therevada BuddhismBuddhism
Mahayana Mahayana BuddhismBuddhism
Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism
Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism
Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism The oldest school of Buddhism.The oldest school of Buddhism.
The “Way of the Elders” or the The “Way of the Elders” or the ““SmallSmall Vehicle.” Vehicle.”
Found in southern Asia.Found in southern Asia. The The monasticmonastic life is the best way life is the best way
to achieve to achieve nirvananirvana.. Focus on wisdom and meditation.Focus on wisdom and meditation. Goal is to become a “Goal is to become a “BuddhaBuddha,” or ,” or
“Enlightened One.”“Enlightened One.” Over 100,000,000 followers today.Over 100,000,000 followers today.
The oldest school of Buddhism.The oldest school of Buddhism. The “Way of the Elders” or the The “Way of the Elders” or the
““SmallSmall Vehicle.” Vehicle.” Found in southern Asia.Found in southern Asia. The The monasticmonastic life is the best way life is the best way
to achieve to achieve nirvananirvana.. Focus on wisdom and meditation.Focus on wisdom and meditation. Goal is to become a “Goal is to become a “BuddhaBuddha,” or ,” or
“Enlightened One.”“Enlightened One.” Over 100,000,000 followers today.Over 100,000,000 followers today.
Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism
model their practice and lifestyle on that of the Buddha and his first generation of disciples by living
close to nature in forest, mountains and caves.
Monastic Life
Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism The “The “GreatGreat Vehicle.” Vehicle.”
Founded in northern Asia Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan).(China, Japan).
Buddhism “for the masses.”Buddhism “for the masses.” Seek guidance from Seek guidance from
BoddhisatvasBoddhisatvas, wise beings. , wise beings. GoalGoal: Not just individual : Not just individual
escape from the wheel, but escape from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity the salvation of all humanity through through self-sacrificeself-sacrifice of those of those enlightened few.enlightened few.
Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism
Tibetan BuddhismTibetan
Buddhism The “Diamond Vehicle.” The “Diamond Vehicle.” [[VajrayanaVajrayana]]
Developed in Tibet in the Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE.7c CE.
A mix of Theravada and A mix of Theravada and Mahayana.Mahayana.
BoddhisatvasBoddhisatvas include include Lamas, like the Lamas, like the Dalai LamaDalai Lama..
The The Tibetan Book Tibetan Book of the Deadof the Dead[[Bardo ThodolBardo Thodol].].
The DalaiLam
a
The DalaiLam
a
Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism The “Meditation School.”The “Meditation School.” Seeks sudden enlightenment Seeks sudden enlightenment
[[satorisatori] through meditation, ] through meditation, arriving at emptiness arriving at 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.
The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya 60 Foot
tall Buddha Statue at
Bodh Gaya
The Bodhi Tree where Siddhartha found
enlightenment.
“I have given up extremes of either luxury or asceticism. I have discovered the Middle Way"
Sanchi stupa, Madhya Pradesh, built
by the Emperor Ashoka (273-236BC).
Monks making an early morning alms
round, Myanmar.
Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarova lies in the region
of Burang. They are symbolized as the "Sacred Mountain and Holy Lake" of
Buddhism, Hinduism and the indigenous religions.
Relieve Stress & Meditate:
Get a Mantra !
Relieve Stress & Meditate:
Get a Mantra !
Ohm...mani...padme...hOhm...mani...padme...hung...ung...Hail to the jewel in the lotus!Hail to the jewel in the lotus!