SLMS/08

By about 600 BCE, many people in India had become dissatis- fied with Brahmin power and privilege. Many began to ques- tion the rigid caste system of Hinduism, and began looking for other options — options that would offer more people greater hope and a greater sense of equality.

Siddhartha Gautama ——— The Buddha

•Siddhartha Gautama was born in 563 BCE, a Basic Beliefs prince in the warrior (Kshatriyas) caste. His fa- •Like Hindus, Buddhists believe in ther ruled a kingdom in Nepal, and he grew up in reincarnation , or the of the a life of wealth and privilege. soul. •At the age of 29, Siddhartha ventured outside •They also believe in karma — the idea the palace and discovered human suffering. He that the soul carries the effects of became upset and wondered about the point of past deeds (good or bad). life. He left his life in the palace to live the life of •They do believe in something called a religious ascetic (one who renounces all , but for Buddhists, dharma worldly things and lives a meager existence). represents the teachings of the •One day, as Gautama sat under a Buddha, not the duties of your jati. Bodhi tree meditating, he achieved •Buddhists do not embrace the notion enlightenment. The enlightenment of the caste system. They believe he received has become the people to be equal and able to achieve principal teachings of Buddhism. enlightenment — a concept they call •Gautama was given the name . “Buddha”, or “enlightened one”.

Teachings of the Buddha The Three Trainings or Practices

•Buddhist teachings are found in the holy book, •The Buddha also taught the the Tripitaka (three baskets of wisdom) or the Eightfold Path , which is divided into . In these books the Buddha issued The three mindful practices. : 1. Virtue (good conduct, morality) 1. Dukkha — All life is suffering. 2. Concentration (meditation, 2. Samudaya — There is a cause mental development) Developing for suffering. one’s mind is the path to wisdom. 3. Nirodha — There is an end to 3. Wisdom (discern- suffering. ment, enlightenment) 4. Magga — In order to end suffer Wisdom will emerge if ing you must follow the eightfold your mind is clear and path. pure. The Eightfold Path The 5 Precepts

•The Eightfold Path is the path to enlightenment, and the way to •DoDo not kill. (It is end suffering. It is sometimes called the Middle Path between sometimes translated desire and self-denial. It incorporates the three practices. as ‘not harming’.) -Wisdom •DoDo not steal. (Avoid •Right understanding (of the 4 Noble Truths) fraud/economic •Right thinking (following the right path in life) exploitation.) -Virtue •DoDo not lie. •Right speech (no lying, criticism, gossip, harsh language) •DoDo not misuse sex. •Right conduct (by following the 5 precepts) (Monks & nuns must •Right livelihood (support yourself without harming others) abstain, no adultury -Concentration for married couples.) •Right effort (good thoughts, conquer evil thoughts) •DoDo not consume •Right (be aware of body, mind, feelings) alcohol or drugs. •Right concentration (meditate to achieve higher (Nothing to cloud the consciousness) mind.)

Impact of Buddhism Sects of Buddhism

•Can be seen in Asian •Therevada — dominates Southeast Asia. The ultimate goal architecture of the is to reach nirvana through intense study and meditation. , a style drawn The practice of meditation was originally restricted to directly from the Buddhist monks, thus only monks had the hope of achieving (a place for relics). nirvana. Common people were urged to live good lives in •Many Buddhists, like Hindus, hopes of a better rebirth. It is sometimes referred to as the are vegetarian. “lesser vehicle” because few people can achieve nirvana. •Also like Hindus, Buddhists • — dominates northern Asia (China, Japan, worship in temples, but Korea). The goal is to make sure everyone reaches nirvana. usually have shirnes in their In fact, one should desire to be reincarnated in order to homes. Often small help more people reach nirvana. Nirvana is attained shrines can be seen through a normal life without undue focus on study and along roadways in meditation. It is sometimes referred to as the “greater Buddhist nations. vehicle” because it offers hope for enlightenment to many. •In Japan, the influence of • — found primarily in Japan. The entire focus in Zen is Zen can be seen on meditation as a way to gain self-knowledge and in the arts. enlightenment. Bonsai, tea •Tibetan — common in areas of the Himalayas such as Tibet ceremonies, & Nepal. is similar to Mahayana in that flower arranging, zen gardens it focuses on others. are teachers in the as well as the martial arts of Tibetan tradition that are exempt from the wheel karate & judo all derive from of life, death & rebirth. They have come as the meditation found in zen. teachers to help others attain enlightenment. Global History Name ______Buddhism 1. Why were people dissatisfied with Hindu- 5. What are the three mindful practices? ism?

2. How did Siddhartha Gautama become the 6. Why is the eightfold path sometimes Buddha? (Give background information.) called the Middle Path?

7. What are the practices of the eightfold path? 3. How do Buddhist beliefs differ from Hindu? a. Dharma—

8. Explain the 5 precepts. a. b. Caste—

b.

4. What are the Four Noble Truths?

a. c.

b.

d. c.

d. e. 9. What do the 5 precepts remind you of? d. Tibetan—

11. Describe at least 4 ways Buddhism influ- 10. Explain the different sects of Buddhism. ences the lives of believers. a. Therevada—

b. Manayana—

c. Zen—

Analysis:

12. Why do you think there are certain similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism? (What are some similarities?)

Global History Name ______Buddhism Key 1. Why were people dissatisfied with Hindu- 5. What are the three mindful practices? ism? Virtue (good conduct, morality), Many people in India had become dissatis- Concentration (meditation, mental fied with Brahmin power and privilege, and development), and Wisdom (discernment, began to question the rigid caste system of enlightenment). Hinduism, and began looking for other op- tions. 6. Why is the eightfold path sometimes called the Middle Path? 2. How did Siddhartha Gautama become the It is sometimes called the Middle Path Buddha? (Give background information.) between desire and self-denial. The correct He grew up a wealthy prince, but left the path is not one of indulgence nor one of palace to seek understanding and enlighten- complete asceticism. ment, which he found while meditating be- neath a Bodhi tree. 7. What are the practices of the eightfold path? 3. How do Buddhist beliefs differ from Wisdom focuses on right thinking & under- Hindu? standing, Virtue focuses on right speech, a. Dharma— dharma represents the conduct & livelihood, and Concentration fo- teachings of the Buddha, not the duties of cuses on right effort, concentration and your jati (caste) mindfulness.

b. Caste— Buddhists do not embrace the 8. Explain the 5 precepts. notion of the caste system. They believe people to be equal and able to achieve a. Do not kill. (It is sometimes translated enlightenment. as ‘not harming’.)

4. What are the Four Noble Truths? b. Do not steal. (Avoid fraud/economic

a. Dukkha — All life is suffering. exploitation.)

b. Samudaya — There is a cause for suffer- c. Do not lie. ing. d. Do not misuse sex. (Monks & nuns must c. Nirodha — There is an end to suffering. abstain, no adultury for married couples.)

d. Magga — In order to end suffering you e. Do not consume alcohol or drugs. must follow the eightfold path. (Nothing to cloud the mind.)

9. What do the 5 precepts remind you of? c. Zen— The entire focus in Zen is on Answers may vary, but parallels should be meditation as a way to gain self-knowledge drawn to the 10 commandments. and enlightenment.

10. Explain the different sects of Buddhism. d. Tibetan— similar to Mahayana in that it a. Therevada— The ultimate goal is to reach focuses on others. Lamas are teachers in the nirvana through intense study and Tibetan tradition that are exempt from the meditation. The practice of meditation was wheel of life, death & rebirth. They have originally restricted to monks, thus only come as teachers to help others attain monks had the hope of achieving nirvana. enlightenment. Common people were urged to live good lives in hopes of a better rebirth. It is 11. Describe at least 4 ways Buddhism influ- sometimes referred to as the “lesser vehicle” ences the lives of believers. because few people can achieve nirvana. The impact can be seen in the architecture of the pagoda, and in roadway and house- b. Manayana— The goal is to make sure hold shrines. Buddhists are often vegetari- everyone reaches nirvana. In fact, one should ans. And in Japan, the influence of Zen can desire to be reincarnated in order to help be seen in the arts. Bonsai, tea ceremonies, more people reach nirvana. Nirvana is flower arranging, zen gardens as well as the attained through a normal life without martial arts of karate & judo all derive from undue focus on study and meditation. It is the meditation found in zen. sometimes referred to as the “greater vehicle” because it offers hope for enlightenment to many.

Analysis:

12. Why do you think there are certain similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism? (What are some similarities?) The similarities may exist because Siddhartha Gautama himself was originally a Hindu… or Buddhism may be seen as a form of Hinduism that incorporated a greater degree of hope and equality.

Both believe in reincarnation, the concept of karma, and enlightenment. Both also embrace dharma, although they differ on the definition of dharma. Legal Disclaimers

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