Siddhartha Gautama: The Enlightened One
Announcement Test moved to Monday, Oct. 28
Will cover this week’s material too
New review sheet will be given on Thursday
Do Now U2D16October 22
Please answer the question on your index card
How does one live a good life?
HW: Pg. 85: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7
Two major religions develop in India: Hinduism and Buddhism
Early Life Siddhartha Gautama (566
BCE)Foothills of the HimalayasEarly life is buried in legend
◦According to tradition: his mother dreamed a radiant white elephant descended to her from heaven, which symbolized a child that would be a wandering prophet
◦To prevent this, Gautama’s father kept him in the palace, surrounded by luxury
The SearchOne day, Gautama rode past the
palace walls◦Saw a dead body; became aware of suffering
◦Left his family (wife and child) ◦To discover “the realm of life where there is neither suffering nor death”
◦Wandered for years and asked Hindu scholars for answers
The Enlightened OneOne day he sat under a giant tree,
determined to stay there until he understood the mystery of life
For 48 days, evil spirits tempted himAfter the days, he believed he
understood the cause and cure of suffering and sorrow
When he arose, he no longer was Gautama, but Buddha, “the enlightened one”
Why does Buddha have a halo around his head?
Buddha developed Four Noble Truths1. All life is full of suffering, pain,
and sorrow2. The cause of suffering is the
desire for things that are really illusions, such as riches, power, and long life
3. The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire
4. The way to overcome desire is to follow the Eightfold Path
Eightfold PathRight viewsRight aspirationsRight speechRight conductRight livelihoodRight effortRight mindfulnessRight contemplation
Ultimate Goal of Buddhism Achieve Nirvana
◦Union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth
The Buddha saw the Eightfold Path as the Middle Way between a life devoted to pleasure and one based on harsh self-denial
Buddhism Sacred Texts
The Tripitaka
