Intro to Buddhism

10/09/25

Origins of Buddhism

• Originated in India, spread to south-east Asia

• The Buddha lived in north-east India (Nepal)

• He lived there for 80 years and after he died, Buddhism spread all around India

Whose teachings Buddhism is based on

• Teachings of the Buddha

• He was not a god, but a human being

• His name was not ‘Buddha’, this was a title given to him that means ‘enlightened one’

Common beliefs held by Buddhists

• Goal is to become enlightened

• People are attached to desires and this causes suffering

• If people free themselves from desires, they can attain nirvana

• All Buddhists follow basic teachings called Dhamma/Dharma that remain the same

What distinguishes Buddhism from other religions

• They don’t believe in or worship a god

The three main schools of Buddhism

• Theravada

• Mahayana

• Vajrayana

What does Theravada mean

The way of the elders

How recent is it

It is the oldest form of Buddhism

Where is it found

Sri Lanka, south-east Asian countries

What do they regard to be the best way to become enlightened

A monk or nun’s way of living (vinaya)

What does Mahayana mean

The great vehicle

What does it focus on

Compassion

How is this compassion shown

In the form of a Bodhisattva, an enlightened person who has put off reaching nirvana to help other people towards enlightenment

Where is it found

Vietnam, Korea, China, Japan

What does Vajrayana mean

The Diamond Way

What is it regarded as similar to

Many people think it is similar to Mahayana Buddhism

Where is it found

Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia

What else is it called and why

Tantric Buddhism because it was influenced by an ancient Indian tradition called Tantra (a set of practises to expand consciousness and achieve spiritual liberation)