Basic Facts of Buddhism
Founder: Buddha
Date: 520 BCE the Enlightenment of Buddha and his first sermon
Location: Northern India
Sacred Texts:Tripitaka
Spiritual Leader: Monks
Place of Worship: Temple
Key Dates in Buddhism
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480 BCE: Birth of Buddha |
450 BCE: Buddha’s enlightenment and first sermon |
405 BCE: Death of Buddha; First Buddhist Council |
350 BCE: Second Buddhist Council |
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272 BCE: Emperor Asoka on throne |
350-650: Gupta Dynasty |
845: Buddhism is suppressed in China |
1253: Kublai Khan accepts Buddhism |
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14th-15th Buddhism enters Southeast Asia |
1949: Buddhism is suppressed in China |
1959: Dalai Lama goes into exile |
1976: Mao dies, Buddhism returns |
Symbols of Buddhism
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Victory Banner |
Parasol |
Wheel of Life |
Conch Shell |
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Buddha’s triumph over Mara (hindrances on the
path to spiritualization); |
function is to cast a shadow of protection |
1. Ignorance 2. Shaping destiny 3. Wandering mind
4. River of life 5. Senses 6. Contact with the world 7. Feelings 8.
Desire 9. Attachment 10. Existence 11. Rebirth 12. Death |
Announcing the truth of Buddha |
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Wheel |
Endless Knot |
Swastika |
Treasure Vase |
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represents the teachings of Buddha (spokes=Eightfold
Path, Rim=holds everything together, Hub=stabilizes the mind |
has no beginning or end, Buddha’s endless wisdom
and compassion |
prosperity and long life |
Storage of material desires |
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Golden Fishes |
Lotus |
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Two rivers of India, lunar and solar: happiness like
a fish complete freedom in water |
progress of life through the mud and darkness |
The Life of Buddha
A person that Buddha is compared to in the west is Jesus Christ. Buddha and Jesus Christ are not alike. Buddha never claimed to be a deity in any way. Christ is considered the son of God. What is unique about Buddha is that he did choose his time of birth, its location, and also the case he would join once born. Buddha chose to live a privileged life. Even when he was being carried inside his mother, the astrologers of the palace claimed their son was special and will achieve great things.
Life went on for Buddha and he became strong, wise, and well loved by one and all. His father was told that one day Buddha would renounce all that he had. This concerned his father greatly. Buddha's mother died shortly after the birth of Buddha. Soon the day that Buddha's father dreaded came. Buddha saw a man die on the side of the road through age and starvation. This effected Buddha greatly. He told his father that he was leaving. His father begged him to stay. Buddha's reply was he would if his father could promise him 4 things.
1. I should not die
2. No disease will come to me
3. Youth will never leave me
4. Prosperity will always be his companion
His father realized he could not do these things and wished his son well. Buddha wandered can attempted to find various ways to understand the world, enlightenment. He came to a stream and stayed with a group of monks. It was there that Buddha chose to severely starve himself believing that this will let him achieve enlightenment. He eventually realized that life in excess was not the answer to Enlightenment. It was then that he decided the way to achieve Enlightenment was to find a Middle Way. That means he wanted to balance both sides, excess withdrawal and extreme fulfillment would not let him find his answers.
It was under a tree that Enlightenment came to him, he transformed himself from Siddhattha Gautama to the Buddha. He roamed about India teaching and helping people learn his teachings. He was tempted by the god Mara, the manifestation of death and desire. Buddha was able to reject all temptations. According to Buddhism, Buddha ascended into the heavens to visit his mother and to teach the gods. He continued his teachings and eventually reached the city of Kushinagara where he died.
The Four Noble Truths
1. All Life is Suffering: It does not mean all is poor, but
rather general dissatisfaction. We have no soul at the center of everything
is no thing (nothing)
Our ego rules our lives
2. The Cause of Suffering is Desire: All desires are harmful because it pulls people away from Nirvana and distract us from life in the moment
3. Suffering Can End: Must end the suffering by ending desire. Must realize of no-self. Achieving Nirvana holds a person with no neuroses, no obsessions, no worries; Pure enjoyment and peace
4. The Middle Way, the Path
The Eightfold Path
1. Right Understanding: See things as they are, stay part of
the moment. See things as they are, stay part of the moment
2. Right Thought: Kindness, compassion, harmlessness; move away of ego
3. Right Speech: Avoid lies, slander, cursing, raising voice, harsh words,
speaking too much, gossip
4. Right Action: Harmonious to the environment, do not produce
ill-will
5. Right Livelihood: Live an honorable life, do not harm
6. Right Effort: Getting rid of improper attitude and thoughts, stay away
from the unproductive aspects of life
7. Right Mindfulness: Do not judge, observe; proper conduct
8. Right Concentration: Focus all thought on awareness