Buddhism

• Buddhism - means Enlightenment
• Buddha - the Enlightened one or the Awakened one
• First buddha - proper only to its founder Siddhartha Gautama
• Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present day Nepal
• His parents wanted him to be a powerful ruler for their kingdom & not as religious leader
• Suddenly, at age 29. On a rare outing from his luxurious palace, he was confronted with impermanence and suffering
• After 6 years of searching, Gautama found enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree
• Life is full of “Dukkha” or Suffering
• The cause of “Dukkha” is desire or craving
• Four Noble Truths

  1. Life is full of “Dukkha” or Suffering
  2. The cause of “Dukkha” or Suffering is desire or craving
  3. The cessation of dukkha comes with the cessation of craving
  4. There is is a path that leads to end dukkha
• The first is too much indulgence in one’s desire which would dampen spiritual interest
• Second, too much ascetism, which would destroy the body
• Middle way is the life of moderation which leads us to knowledge, liberation from suffering, peace, happiness, & enlightenment
• by fulfilling the eight-fold path, Man can achieve Nirvana or Happiness
• Eight-Fold Path

  1. Right Viewpoint or Samma-Ditthi
  2. Right Thought or Samma-Sankappa
  3. Right Speech or Samma-Vaca
  4. Right Action or Samma-Kammanto
  5. Right Livelihood or Samma-Ajivo
  6. Right Effort or Samma-Vayamo
  7. Right Mindfulness or Samma-Sati
  8. Right Concentration or Samma-Samadhi
• Siddharta Gautama - he who has found meaning (of existence)" or "he who has attained his goals".