 Buddhism also known as Buddha Dharma, and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian

religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the

Buddha. It originated in the eastern Gagnetic plain as a sramana-movement
in the 5th century BCE, and gradually spread throughout much of Asia via the
Silk Road.
 Buddhism is one of the world’s largest religions and originated 2,500 years
ago in India. Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and
that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways
to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana.
The Foundations of Buddhism
 Buddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century
and the early 4th century BCE, a period of great social change and intense
religious activity. There is disagreement among scholars about the dates of the
Buddha’s birth and death. Many modern scholars believe that the historical
Buddha lived from about 563 to about 483 BCE. Many others believe that he lived
about 100 years later (from about 448 to 368 BCE). At this time in India, there
was much discontent with Brahmanic (Hindu high-caste) sacrifice and ritual.
 Buddhism, like many of the sects that developed in northeastern India at the time,
was constituted by the presence of a charismatic teacher, by the teachings this
leader promulgated, and by a community of adherents that was often made up of
renunciant members and lay supporters. In the case of Buddhism, this pattern is
reflected in the Triratna—i.e., the “Three Jewels” of Buddha (the
teacher), dharma (the teaching), and sangha (the community).
What is the Main Idea of Buddhism?
 It is believed that suffering, in part, is due to the impermanence of
life. Even if one is happy to a given time, this happiness is not
permanent. Since it is believed that life is suffering, the ultimate goal
in Buddhism is to end the cycle of suffering, the cycle of repeated
death and rebirth.
What is Buddhism and it’s Philosophy?
 Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy now have a global
following. In epistemology, the Buddha seeks a middle way
between the extremes of dogmatism and skepticism,
emphasizing personal experience, a pragmatic attitude, and
the use of critical thinking toward all types of knowledge.
Buddhism – Creed
 End Suffering – it is very important, to remember that the primary goal of
Buddhism is to end suffering. This was the goal of the Buddha
 Personal Responsibility – the Buddha did not leave specific instructions on how to
reach Nirvana, but instead focused upon introspection. It is the personal
responsibility of each person to look into one’s self in order to reach salvation
 Samsara – like Hindus, Buddhist’s also believe in reincarnation and the endless
cycle of birth, death and rebirth
 Dharma – like Hindus , Buddhists are expected to follow the Dharma. However,
the key difference is that Dharma refers to the teachings of the Buddha, not
duty.
 Women in Buddhism – in Buddhism there is no distinction between male and
female. As such there is perfect equality. To a Buddhist the distinction between
male and female is an illusion because all humans have had past lives, both male
and female.
The Four Noble Truths
1. To Live is to Suffer (life is suffering)
 This is not meant to be a negative statement. To Buddhists we inevitably have to endure
physical suffering such as pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, and eventually
death. This is inevitable. In addition we will have to endure psychological suffering such
as sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment, and depression. This noble truth does not
negate the fact that life can also be filled with happiness – it just won’t last forever.
2. The Cause of Suffering is Desire (Tanha) and Attachment to Impermanent Things
 The origin of suffering is attachment to transient things and the ignorance thereof.
Transient things not only include the physical objects that surround us, but also ideas,
and in a greater sense, all objects of our perception.
 Ignorance is the lack of understanding of how our mind is attached to impermanent
things. The reasons for suffering are desire (Tanha), passion, pursuit of wealth and
prestige, striving for fame and popularity, or in short: craving and clinging. Because the
objects of our attachment are transient, their loss is inevitable, thus suffering will
necessarily follow.
3. Suffering Can Be Brought to an End
 The cessation of suffering can be attained through nirvana. Nirvana refers to the
unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. The third noble truth
expresses the idea that suffering can be ended by attaining dispassion. Nirvana
extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. This means that suffering can
be overcome through human activity, simply by removing the cause of suffering.
This means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and
ideas.
4. The Solution to Suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path
 There is a path to the end of suffering – a gradual path of self-improvement,
which is described in the Eightfold Path. It is the middle way between the two
extremes of excessive self-indulgence (hedonism) and excessive self-
mortification (ascetism); and it leads to the end of the cycle of rebirth. The path
to the end of suffering can extend over many lifetimes, throughout which every
individual rebirth is subject to karmic conditioning.
Nirvana
 All Buddhists look forward to experiencing nirvana like the
Buddha, however Buddhas are different from their followers
in that they are able to awaken on their own (without a
model or teacher).
 When the life of the Arhat ends, he or she enters the state of
nirvana – the life energy of the energy of the Arhat is blown
out.
 The Buddha refused to say if a person exists in nirvana he
simply said it is the total cassation of suffering and thus
absolute peace.
The Triple Gem
Buddhists seek refuge (assistance) in what are often referred to as
the Triple Gem, Three Jewels or Triple Jewel. These are:
The Buddha: Awakened one, enlightened one. The original nature
of the heart; the attainment of Nirvana.
The Dharma: The body of teachings expounded by the Buddha.
The nature of reality.
The Sangha: Community of monks and nuns who have become
enlightened. Also could be translated as awakened community.
It is impossible to escape one’s karma. The one, who is seeking to
become enlightened, commits by pursuing enlightenment and
following in the footsteps of the people who have followed the
path to enlightenment before.
Buddhist Values
 Self-determination
- Each person is responsible for following the 8-fold path on their own.
 Mindfulness
- Buddhists are to live in the present and not become distracted by the past or
future
 Compassion
- The ability to see and feel from another’s point of view must lead to action.
 Loving-Kindness
- Extending goodwill, caring and warmth to others without expecting reward.
 Detachment
- Looking at all events without bias or emotion.
Tibetan Prayer Flags
 Tibetan Buddhists string cloth flags in front of homes and from
mountaintop. The flag colours represent the five elements of the faith
and the flags have Buddhist prayers, mantras and symbols written on
them so that the wind will spread goodwill and compassion
everywhere.
• Yellow = Earth
• Red = Fire
• Green = Water
• Blue = Sky / Space
• White = Air / Cloud
Worship and Practices
Bowing
 This is performed on many occasions.
 A lay person bows before monks and nuns to show respect.
 Monks and nuns bow before any member of the sangha.
 Buddhists bow before sacred objects three times to honor the three figures.

Offerings
 Offerings are performed with appropriate chanting and can help a Buddhist get closer to
enlightenment, show respect for the three jewels or give material support so the monks can live.
 The most common offering is flowers because as they fade and wilt they demonstrate
impermanence (Anicca).
 Incense sticks burn in the home to symbolize the Buddha’s ‘odour of sancity’
 Another common offering (the light of a candle) represents the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Meditation
 Buddhists pray through meditation
 Meditation quiets the mind so that
one can enter more fully into the
spiritual world.
 Meditation brings insights into
compassion and humility and can
also improve confidence and lead
to better general mental and
physical health.
Chanting Mantras
 Mantras are symbolic phrases that are chanted to help
Buddhists keep in touch with their spiritual nature. They can
also serve to enhance meditation.
Ritual and Temples
Temple Life
 Lay people can choose to visit temples for instruction, meditation and
private devotions to Buddha – however most Buddhist devotions are
performed in the home.
 There are monthly holy days and other festivals that draw people to
the temple.
 Buddhism has very little common ritual.
Images of the Buddha
The Buddha in the Lotus Position
 This Buddha sits on the lotus which
represents purity. The Lotus position is a
position of meditation. His hands are in the
teaching position which again, is another
meditation technique.
 The Emmaciated Sidhartha Gautama
 This Buddha image represents the Buddha as
a starving ascetic. In this position the
Buddha can be seen as striving for
enlightenment.
Amida Buddha of Immeasurable Light / Life
 This image of the Buddha developed out of PURE
LAND Buddhism- a form of Mahayana. The Amida
Buddha was a previous incarnation of the Buddha
who refused to reach complete enlightenment.
He is sitting in a lotus.
Buddha, Standing Dressed as a Monk
 This Buddha is primarily found in Japanese
Buddhism. The standing position is another
popular position for the Buddha (along with
reclining and sitting)
Thank You for Listening!
God Bless Good People