India+-+Buddhism

Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama - A.k.a. ~ Buddha or "Enlightened One" - For 30 years he lived the life of luxury --- Never witnessed old age, sickness, or death - At age 30 left his palace and saw these for the 1st time - Traveled for 7 years to find the answers to human suffering

Buddha - Studied with Hindu philosophers --- Ideas of Hinduism did not satisfy him -Didn't agree that only priests could spread the religion - Tried to find understanding within his own mind --- Meditated for 49 days to find out why humans suffer --- Teaches to follow the Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path (Middle Way) - By following this path humans avoid extreme pleasure or extreme unhappiness - Selfish desires cause suffering - To overcome selfish desires Buddhists must learn to --- Be wise --- Behave correctly --- Develop their mind 1. Right Understanding - Having faith in the Buddhist view of the universe 2. Right Intention - Making a commitment to practice Buddhism 3. Right Speech - Avoiding lies & mean or abuse speech 4. Right Action - Not taking life, not stealing, and not hurting others 5. Right Livelihood - Rejecting jobs & occupations that conflict with Buddhist ideals 6. Right Effort - Avoiding bad attitudes & developing good ones 7. Right Mindfulness - Being aware of one's own body, feelings, and thoughts 8. Right Concentration - Thinking deeply to find answers to problems

Release from Reincarnation - By following the Middle Way, people's suffering will end - People will find __NIRVANA__ - lasting peace - When nirvana is reached, people will be released from the cycle of reincarnation

Buddhism - All people are equal regardless of his/her social class - Missionaries spread Buddhism over India & Asia even after Buddha's death - Because Hinduism made it more appealing to the lower class, Buddhism almost completely died on in India

Shared Beliefs - Buddhism & Hinduism both shared many beliefs including: --- It is wrong to harm living creatures --- Nonviolence --- Some Hindus believed that Buddha was reincarnation of the god Vishnu