Buddhism

Siddartha Gautama

“The Buddha”, Enlightened One

• Experienced Suffering In The World

• Mediated On Its Cause

The Four Noble Truths

1. All life is suffering

2. Suffering is caused by desire

3. One can be freed of this desire

4. One is free of desire by following the Eightfold Path

Eightfold Path

Outlines the principles and practices that a Buddhist must follow

Goal

To acheive Nirvana (enlightenment)

• May take several lifetimes

• Reincarnation

Spread of Buddhism

Spread from India

• Silk Roads & Other trade routes

• Monasteries with monks & nuns

• Developed into new sects due to differing interpretations

Mahayana Buddhism

• Worship of the Buddha as a god-like figure

• Bodhisattvas: enlightened individuals

  Persons who are able to reach Nirvana

• Not restricted to monkk, available to all

Theraveda Buddhism

Oldest Sect of Buddhism

Restricted to Monks

Tibeten Buddhism

Emphasized more mystical practices

Spread via Mongols

Dali Lama