## Buddhism Basics

* Originated in India as an offshoot of Hinduism
* Believes that the human condition is sick and needs a cure
* Gautama Buddha “the enlightened one”
* Stories of Buddha’s life were recorded centuries after his death
  * Born around 560 BCE, died around 480 BCE
  * Warrior Class; Feudal Lord (very privileged)
  * Parents made sure he never encountered any suffering

## The Four Passing Sights

* Left home to see the world in his early 20’s
  * Parents got rid of slums etc. to ensure that Buddha didn’t see anything that would distress him; didn’t work


1. Elderly
2. Disease
3. Death
4. Ascetic

   
   1. Someone who draws away from worldly/physical pleasures to develop spiritually

* At age 29, Buddha left the castle and everything he knew
  * “The \[Great\] Going Forth”
  * left to solve old age/disease/death
* Attempts to solve old age and death
  * Solitude
  * Extreme fasting
  * Yoga
  * Comes up with the Middle Way

## The Middle Way

* Rejection both extremes of life (sensual indulgence and asceticism)
  * Don’t live excessively or completely ignore your own needs
* Spiritual health and physical health are united

## Enlightenment

* Sat in Lotus position under Bodhi Tree (Wisdom Tree)
* Battled Gods, Death, Discontent, Delight, Desire
  * Each of these tempts him off the path of Enlightenment, so he has to overcome them

Stages of Enlightenment

* 1: Can see past lives through meditation
* 2: See death/rebirth of all things
* 3: The Four Noble Truths are revealed

Temptation

* Buddha was tempted to pass into Nirvana but resists
  * **Nirvana**: The extinction/letting go of any desires and individual self-worth
  * Buddha was compassionate and teaching
  * Described self as “awake”

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## Buddhism in Practice

Buddha’s Followers

* 5 people followed him and became saints (arhats)
* Founded Sanga

3 Jewels of Buddhism

 ![](https://knowt-user-attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/afc86044ae6b41c3905abc92b2d4f27b.jpeg)


1. **Buddha**: Founded Buddhism
2. **Dharma**: Teachings of Buddha, how he lived his life

   
   1. The universe is eternally created and destroyed (Hinduism)

      
      1. Were many Buddhas before and many will follow
      2. **Samsara**: The continuous cycle of birth and death
   2. Rejects sacrificial system to the gods/goddesses
   3. Rejects caste system and segmentation of society; allows women to have status
   4. Rejects education (barrier to entry for religion; not accessible for everyone)

      
      1. Wrote in **Pali**: the ancient language of common Indians
   5. Center of Dharma wheel = spiritual balance achieved through teachings
3. **Sangha**: The community and life of person themself

## Destiny

* Discover inner realm of self to achieve Nirvana
  * Everything within and outside of self is changing
* Accept that not everything about self is real
* Three Marks of Existence
  * **Anatta**: There is no self
    * Opposite of the Hinduism
    * There is no Atman, Brahman, self, essence, ultimate reality
    * We don’t have souls, there is only the now
  * **Anicca**: Impermanence
    * Existence is constantly changing
    * Eg. nature of the river is flowing → you will never step in the same river twice
  * **Dukka**: Suffering
    * Result of other two marks
    * Suffering exists because people can’t let go/go with the flow → creates suffering for self
    * Must detach, see everything as loose and changing, don’t try to grasp
* Karma
  * Same in Buddhism and Hinduism
  * Basic Karma rules of Buddhism:
    * What is wrong is the intention (why) of a moral act, not the outcome

## Four Noble Truths

* To live life is to experience dukka
  * Discomfort, things are not as they should be
  * The more attachment you have, the more you will suffer
  * Circumstances in live (chance), stages of growth and development, sickness, old age, all will die, unfulfilled wishes
* Suffering is caused by **tanha**
  * **Tanha**: our personal thirsts and desires
  * Self desire, personal fulfillment — increases dukka and tanha
  * We are naturally selfish
* Suffering can stop
* Solution to suffering: the Eightfold Path
  * **The Eightfold Path**: The basic practices of Buddhism that can lead you to Nirvana

 ![](https://knowt-user-attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/5b0e109132ad4592b5225682961c887a.jpeg)

## Enlightenment and Nirvana

* Final Nirvana happens at bodily death
* **Arhat**: one who is enlightened/awakened
  * If you attain it, you see that there is no self, and you are free from tanha and dukka
* Buddhas do not need followers or models to attain Nirvana
* Nirvana is impossible to describe

### Three Ways of Buddhism

* **Theravada**: The Way of the Elders
  * There are no gods or goddesses to help you
  * Buddha is the first to experience enlightenment
  * The teachings of Buddha are the most important thing
  * Nirvana is attainable by your own effort
* Mahayana: The Great Vehicle
  * Largest sect of Buddhism
  * See Buddha as a divine savior
  * Primary teaching: foster compassion
  * Didn’t enter Nirvana immediately
  * Goal: become a bodhisatva
    * **Bodhisatva**: a Buddha in the making
    * Can enter Nirvana but stop short to help others
    * Extend beyond the earthly realm
    * Wait to enter Nirvana until the last blade of grass becomes enlightened
* Vajrayana
  * Diamond sector teaching of Buddhism - harness
  * Teachings are full of energy, strength, clarity
  * **Mandala**: a pattern of icons/images that visually excite to enhance meditation
  * **Mudras**: choreographed hand movements used in ritual
  * **Mantra**: a sacred utterance (syllable, word, or verse) that is considered to possess mystical or spiritual efficacy
  * Rituals are important
    * Talk with gods/goddesses to achieve union with them and nirvana
  * Dalai Lama
    * Spiritual leader of Vajrayana Buddhism
    * 14th reincarnation of bodhisattva

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World History

## Buddhism Basics

* Originated in India as an offshoot of Hinduism
* Believes that the human condition is sick and needs a cure
* Gautama Buddha “the enlightened one”
* Stories of Buddha’s life were recorded centuries after his death
  * Born around 560 BCE, died around 480 BCE
  * Warrior Class; 

Buddhism

View the note Buddhism: Buddhism BasicsOriginated in India as an offshoot of HinduismBelieves that the human condition is sick and needs a cureGautama Buddha “the enlightened one”Stories of Buddha’s life were recorded centuries after his deathBorn around 560 BCE, died around 480 BCEWarrior Class; Fe...