The Beginnings of The Beginnings of Buddhism Buddhism

The Life of the Buddha The Life of the Buddha

Early years of the Buddha Early years of the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama)(Siddhartha Gautama)

He would follow his father’s footsteps, He would follow his father’s footsteps, inheriting the position and becoming a great inheriting the position and becoming a great king, a “king, a “world rulerworld ruler”; or,”; or,

if he were exposed to the sight of suffering, he if he were exposed to the sight of suffering, he would become a great spiritual leader, a would become a great spiritual leader, a ““world teacherworld teacher.”.”

Four passing sights:Four passing sights:

A.A. an old man, crooked and toothless an old man, crooked and toothless (everyone ages)(everyone ages)

B. a sick man, wasted by disease (everyone gets B. a sick man, wasted by disease (everyone gets sick)sick)

C. C. a corpse being taken for cremation a corpse being taken for cremation (everyone dies)(everyone dies)

D.D. a wandering holy man (a renunciate) who a wandering holy man (a renunciate) who had no possessions but seemed to be at peace. had no possessions but seemed to be at peace. (only solution to the suffering of humanity)(only solution to the suffering of humanity)

Siddhartha decided to escape (29yrs Siddhartha decided to escape (29yrs old) old)

Great Going Forth :he abandoned his wife Great Going Forth :he abandoned his wife and newborn childand newborn child

Siddhartha finds enlightenmentSiddhartha finds enlightenment

Various traditions give different detailsVarious traditions give different details sat for a weeksat for a week remained there forty-nine daysremained there forty-nine days all say he struggled with hunger, thirst, doubt and all say he struggled with hunger, thirst, doubt and

weaknessweakness legend says he saw his past lives, fathomed the laws legend says he saw his past lives, fathomed the laws

of karma that govern everyone, and finally achieved of karma that govern everyone, and finally achieved insight into release from suffering and rebirth.insight into release from suffering and rebirth.

The Buddha’s deathThe Buddha’s death

““You must be your own lamps, be your own refuges.You must be your own lamps, be your own refuges. Take refuge in nothing outside of yourselves.Take refuge in nothing outside of yourselves. Hold firm to the truth as a lamp and a refuge, and do not Hold firm to the truth as a lamp and a refuge, and do not

look for refuge to anything besides yourselves.”look for refuge to anything besides yourselves.”

Basic Teachings of Basic Teachings of Buddhism Buddhism

Monks in the Buddha’s order Monks in the Buddha’s order practiced ten precepts practiced ten precepts

1. Not taking life1. Not taking life 6. Eat moderately and 6. Eat moderately and not after noonnot after noon

2. Not stealing2. Not stealing 7. Avoiding 7. Avoiding spectacles such as spectacles such as singing or drumssinging or drums

3. Being chaste3. Being chaste 8. Not using flowers, 8. Not using flowers, perfumes, or jewelryperfumes, or jewelry

4. Not lying4. Not lying 9. Using simple beds9. Using simple beds 5. Not drinking intoxicants5. Not drinking intoxicants 10. Accepting no 10. Accepting no

gold gold or silveror silver

The two most important questions The two most important questions about existence:about existence:

How can we minimize suffering: our own and How can we minimize suffering: our own and that of others?that of others?

How can we attain inner peace?How can we attain inner peace?

The Three Marks of RealityThe Three Marks of Reality

Constant changeConstant change Lack of permanent identityLack of permanent identity The existence of sufferingThe existence of suffering

The Four Noble TruthsThe Four Noble Truths

To Live Is To Suffer (suffering = dukkha [duk-kah])To Live Is To Suffer (suffering = dukkha [duk-kah])

Suffering Comes From Desire (craving = tanha [tan-Suffering Comes From Desire (craving = tanha [tan-ha]ha]

To End Suffering, End Desire To End Suffering, End Desire

Release From Suffering Is Possible and Can Be Release From Suffering Is Possible and Can Be Attained by Following the Noble Eightfold Path Attained by Following the Noble Eightfold Path

The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to Inner Peaceto Inner Peace

Right understandingRight understanding Right intentionRight intention Right speechRight speech Right actionRight action Right workRight work Right effortRight effort Right meditationRight meditation Right contemplationRight contemplation

Three Jewels.Three Jewels.

BuddhaBuddha DharmaDharma SanghaSangha