Buddhism

How old is Buddhism

2,509 years old

Countries that follow Buddhism

China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, etc…

How many followers

535 million

Siddhartha Origins

Born in Nepal in 563 B.C.E, raised in luxurious palace

Right Concentration

practice meditation; raise your mind to higher state by concentrating on one thing at a time

Right Mindfulness

control your thoughts; develop an accurate and precise awareness of present moment

The Middle Way

• Buddha rejected the extremes of sensual indulgence of palace life and extreme asceticism

• A way of thinking that avoids extremes and promotes moderation in rituals, lifestyles, and spiritual practice

Anatta/ “No self”

the self is also impermanent - there is no eternal, unchanging self (no atman)

Anicca/ “Impermanance”

• everything in this world changes or is impermanent

Dukkha/ “Suffering”

life in this world is filled with challenges

Lumínica Gardens

Birth of Siddhartha

Bodh Gaya

bodhi tree where Buddha achieved enlightenment

Sarnath

deer park where Buddha gave first sermon

Kusinara

traditional death place of Buddha

Theravada Buddhism

• The oldest school of Buddhism

• The “Way of the Elders” or the “Small Vehicle”

• Found in Southern Asia

• The monastic life is the best way to achieve nirvana

• Focus on wisdom and meditation

• Goal is to become a “Buddha”, or “Enlightened One”

• Over 100 million followers today

Mahayana Buddhism

• The “Great Vehicle”

• Found in northern Asia

  • China, Japan, Korea

• Buddhism “for the masses”

• Seek guidance from bodhisattvas, wise beings and Buddhas in the making

• Focus on the Buddha himself

• Offers salvation through the infinite grace of the Buddha

• Over 500 million followers today

Tibetan Buddhism

• The “Diamond Vehicle”

• Developed in Tibet in 7 CE

• Mix of Theravada and Mahayana

• Bodhisattvas include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama

• Read the Tibetan Book of the Dead

• Tibetan Buddhists have experienced persecution by China

• Many live in exile in India

• One of the practices to achieve Nirvana is a Mandala created out of crushed marble

What Buddha discourages to do

• Destroying life

• Stealing

• Sexual misconduct

• Untrue, deceitful speech

• Using intoxicants

Morality

moral actions bring about meditation

Meditation

brings about wisdom

Wisdom

gives rise to moral action

3 main practices

moral action, meditation, and wisdom

Root Chakra (Red)

safety, security, connection to the earth

Sacral Chakra (orange)

sexuality, creativity

Solar Plexus Chakra (yellow)

ego, sense of self, self-esteem

Heart (green)

love for oneself and others

Throat (blue)

communication + self-expression

Third Eye (purple)

intuition

Crown (White)

connection to God