Beliefs |
Practices |
Founder |
- Siddhartha Gautama, (a prince around
540 BC)
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Reason religion was founded |
- His father wanted him to be a warrior and ruler, but he
was unhappy with his life of luxury. He turned to religion
and led a life of denial, with extreme fasting. This was
unfulfilling as well. So, he decided to take a middle
path, rejecting both luxury and denial.
|
Awakening |
Great Enlightenment
- While in a state of meditation, he became filled with
a deep understanding about the nature of suffering and
the way to overcome it.
The Buddha
- Siddhartha Gautama becomes the Buddha or “the
Enlightened One”
|
Ultimate goal |
Nirvana
- The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to let go of greed,
hatred, and ignorance. This leads to a state of eternal
bliss known as nirvana.
|
The cycle of rebirth |
Reincarnation
- The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. By achieving
good Karma, one can achieve a higher station in the next
life. Bad Karma dooms one to a lower station in the next
life. The ultimate goal is to break this cycle and achieve
enlightenment, or nirvana.
|
Four Noble Truths |
- Suffering is a normal part of life . Life is
suffering. Birth, aging, and dying are suffering.
- Suffering is caused by us, when we wish that what we
had would be different. Our desire for change is what
brings us our suffering.
- Acceptance of the reality of what is can bring an end
to suffering. Ending our desire for change leads to
nirvana.
- Following the Eight-Fold Path helps us accept what
we have and who we are .
|
The Eight-Fold Path |
- Understanding – Realizing that
our own desires bring us suffering; and realizing that
by letting go of this desire, we can achieve peace.
- Thought – Freeing your mind,
educating yourself, and meditating in order to let
go.
- Speech – Speaking to others using
words that are honest, kind, nurturing (uplifting),
and worthy (valuable).
- Action – Look deep in your heart
and you will know what is right. Do the right thing
at the right moment.
Golden rule of Buddhism: Do no harm.
- Lifestyle – Living life in such
a way as to end suffering and bring peace (and to help
others do the same).
- Full Effort – When we have realized
the truth of suffering, and are willing to seek freedom
from desire with the same effort as a drowning man
struggles for breath.
- Mindfulness (Awareness) – Pay
careful attention to your body, feelings, mind, and
mental state.
- Concentration – Using meditation,
focus on following the path to peace (the Eight-Fold
Path) in order to achieve nirvana.
|