Buddhism

BUDDHISM
Table of Contents
01 Definition of Buddhism 06 Four Noble Truths
Buddhism Beliefs and

02 Practices 07 Eightfold Path
03 Founder of Buddhism
08 Buddhist Holy Book
04 Types of Buddhism
09 Dalai Lama
05 Dharma
10 Buddhist Holidays
BUDDHISM
Is a faith that was founded by Siddhartha
Gautama—also known as “the Buddha”—
more than 2,500 years ago in India. With an
estimated 500 million to one billion followers,
scholars consider Buddhism one of the major
world religions. As a non-theistic faith with no
god or deity to worship, some scholars
describe Buddhism as a philosophy or a moral
code rather than an organized religion.
FOUNDER OF BUDDHISM
•Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism
who later became known as “the Buddha,” lived
during the 5th century B.C.
•Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a
prince in present-day Nepal. Although he had an
easy life, Gautama was moved by suffering in the
world.
•He promoted the idea of the “Middle Way,”
which means existing between two extremes.
•After six years of searching, Buddhists believe
Gautama found enlightenment while meditating
under a Bodhi tree.
Buddhism Beliefs and Practices
• Followers of Buddhism don’t acknowledge a
supreme god or deity. They instead focus on achieving
enlightenment—a state of inner peace and wisdom.
• The religion’s founder, Buddha, is considered an
extraordinary being, but not a god. The word Buddha means
“enlightened.”
• The path to enlightenment is attained by utilizing
morality, meditation and wisdom.
• There are many philosophies and interpretations
within Buddhism, making it a tolerant and evolving religion.
• Some scholars don’t recognize Buddhism as an
organized religion, but rather, a “way of life” or a “spiritual
tradition.”
• Buddhism encourages its people to avoid self-
indulgence but also self-denial.
• Buddha’s most important teachings, known as The
Four Noble Truths, are essential to understanding the
religion
• Buddhists embrace the concepts of karma (the law
of cause and effect) and reincarnation (the continuous cycle
of rebirth).
• Followers of Buddhism can worship in temples or
in their own homes.
• Buddhist monks, or bhikkhus, follow a strict code
of conduct, which includes celibacy.
• There is no single Buddhist symbol, but a number
of images have evolved that represent Buddhist beliefs,
including the lotus flower, the eight-spoked dharma wheel,
the Bodhi tree and the swastika (an ancient symbol whose
name means “well-being” or “good fortune” in Sanskrit).
Types of Buddhism
 Theravada Buddhism: Prevalent in Thailand, Sri Lanka,
Cambodia, Laos and Burma
 Mahayana Buddhism: Prevalent in China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea,
Singapore and Vietnam
 Tibetan Buddhism: Prevalent in Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Bhutan,
and parts of Russia and northern India
 Zen Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that’s practiced
in many of the same areas. It emphasizes simplicity and meditation
—the word “zen” means meditation—in lieu of religious scripture,
ceremonies or doctrines.
 Nirvana Buddhism is closely related to Theravada Buddhism, but
the concept of nirvana is also central to many paths of Buddhism.
The term nirvana means “blowing out,” as a candle is blown out,
thus ending all attachment and desire to achieve a state of pure
enlightenment.
Dharma
Buddha’s teachings are known as “dharma.” He taught
that wisdom, kindness, patience, generosity and
compassion were important virtues.
Five moral precepts:
1.Killing living things

2.Taking what is not given
3.Sexual misconduct
4.Lying
5.Using drugs or alcohol

Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths, which Buddha taught, are:
1.The truth of suffering (dukkha)

2.The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya)
3.The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha)
4.The truth of the path that frees us from
suffering (magga)
Eightfold Path
1.Right understanding (Samma ditthi)
2.Right thought (Samma sankappa)
3.Right speech (Samma vaca)
4.Right action (Samma kammanta)
5.Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)
6.Right effort (Samma vayama)
7.Right mindfulness (Samma sati)
8.Right concentration (Samma samadhi)
Buddhist Holy Book
Buddhists revere many sacred texts and scriptures. Some of the

most important are:
 Tipitaka: These texts, known as the “three baskets,” are

thought to be the earliest collection of Buddhist writings.
 Sutras: There are more than 2,000 sutras, which are sacred
teachings embraced mainly by Mahayana Buddhists.
 The Book of the Dead: This Tibetan text describes the stages
of death in detail.
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is the leading monk in Tibetan Buddhism.
Followers of the religion believe the Dalai Lama is a
reincarnation of a past lama that has agreed to be born again to
help humanity. There have been 14 Dalai Lamas throughout
history.
The Dalai Lama also governed Tibet until the Chinese took
control in 1959. The current Dalai Lama, Lhamo Thondup, was
born in 1935.
Buddhist Holiday
 Every year, Buddhists celebrate Vesak, a festival that
commemorates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death.
 During each quarter of the moon, followers of Buddhism

participate in a ceremony called Uposatha. This observance
allows Buddhists to renew their commitment to their
teachings.
 They also celebrate the Buddhist New Year and participate

in several other yearly festivals.
Thank You!

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BUDDHISM

Buddhism Beliefs and

Five moral precepts:

1.Killing living things

1.The truth of suffering (dukkha)

Buddhists revere many sacred texts and scriptures. Some of the

 Tipitaka: These texts, known as the “three baskets,” are

 During each quarter of the moon, followers of Buddhism

 They also celebrate the Buddhist New Year and participate

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