Do not dwell in the past,
do not dream of the
future, concentrate the
Buddhism mind on the present
moment.
-- Gautama Buddha
Buddhism began in India around 2,500 years ago. It remains the dominant
religion of Eastern Asia.
Its founder was an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama. When he was
young he had an luxurious, extravagant life. His father protected him from
the harsh realities of sickness, suffering, old age and death clearing the
roads of dead people, diseased people, the elderly and monks whenever they
went out. As a young man he was Hindu, but he was deeply dissatisfied with
some of the answers he found in Hinduism.
Siddhartha married a princess at the age of 16. They had a son together.
According to legend, when Siddhartha was about 29, he made several trips
outside of the royal palace. For the first time he encountered human
suffering. He saw an elderly, frail man. The next day he saw a sick man on
ground. On the third day he saw a corpse. Finally on the last day he saw a man
with a shaven, head who appeared to be serene and calm.
Not long after this Siddhartha cast off his wealthy clothing. He set out to
discover the causes of human suffering. He searched for some meaning and
wandered alone, fasting and listening to holy men. He lived a life of extreme
self-denial and discipline, but still he did not find the answers he needed. The
search took him six years, but Siddhartha found enlightenment while
meditating under a sacred fig tree. He realized the answers he sought about
life did not come with worldly goods and pleasures, nor did they come when he
followed the Hindu wise men and went without food or sleep. Instead, Truth
and Knowledge came to him when he did neither. By avoiding either extreme
and by rejecting both pleasure and pain he found the Middle Way.
Copyright © 2013 By Liesl at the Homeschool Den
.
Above is the Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya,
India. Two monks are meditating in front of it.
The tree under which the Buddha attained
enlightenment is on the left, behind the monks.
This temple is the number one pilgrimage site
of Buddhism in the world.
Buddha rejected speculation about matters
such as God, the nature of the universe, and
the afterlife, but instead had his followers
focus on the Four Noble Truths.
The Four Noble Truths:
While sitting under the sacred tree, Buddha discovered several truths:
1) Suffering and misery are universal
2) The cause of suffering is desire
3) The way to end suffering is to overcome desire
4) The ultimate goal of life is to escape pain and suffering by following the Middle
Way. (Have virtuous conduct, compassion for all living things, have right knowledge,
intentions, speech, conduct, livelihood and meditation).
Dhamekh Stupa:This is where Buddha gave the first sermon on the 4 Noble
Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Copyright © 2013 By Liesl at the Homeschool Den
Eightfold Path:
1. You should know that greed causes suffering.
2. You should have only high and worthy goals.
3. You should always be honest and truthful.
4. You should do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
5. You should never hurt any living thing.
6. You should always work to educate yourself.
7. You should always have an alert and active mind.
8. You should practice meditation.
Spread of Buddhism: Emperor Ashoka of India (Mauryan
Dynasty) strengthened Buddhism in the 3rd century B.C. He sent
missionaries abroad and Buddhism began to spread. Buddhism
spread to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C., Tibet in the 7th
century and southeast Asia during the first 5 centuries A.D.
Meanwhile, Buddhism declined in India as Hinduism regained
popularity (during the Gupta Dynasty). Later, India was invaded by
the Huns and by Muslims. Buddhism became virtually extinct in
India.
Holding on to anger is like grasping a
hot coal with the intent of throwing
it at someone else; you are the one
who gets burned.
-- Buddha
Copyright © 2013 By Liesl at the Homeschool Den
Buddhism Matching
1. Buddhism began born into a wealthy warrior-ruling class
family.
2. Buddha means
under a sacred fig tree.
3. Siddhartha married
about 2,500 years ago.
4. Siddhartha Gautama was
at the age of 16.
5. Siddhartha was protected Enlightened one.
6. Siddhartha found enlightenment from seeing suffering such as sickness,
old age and death.
Buddhism Questions:
Which country has the most Buddhists? _____________________
Where did Buddhism begin? ______________________________
How many people practice Buddhism in the world? ______________
Buddhists believe they can escape the cycle of life and death and
reach Nirvana by following the Middle Way through the
________ Noble Truths and the ____________ Path.
A Buddhist religious building is called a _____________________.
Copyright © 2013 By Liesl at the Homeschool Den
