Reading Focus

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Buddhism
Main Idea Buddhism, which teaches people that
they can escape the suffering of the world
through the Buddhas teachings, developed in
India and spread to other parts of Asia and the
world.

• Reading Focus
• How did the early life of the Buddha lead to the
  beginnings of Buddhism?
• What are the major teachings of Buddhism?
• What areas were affected by the spread of
  Buddhism?

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The Life of the Buddha
In addition to Hinduism, another of the worlds
major religions developed in ancient India. That
religion was Buddhism.
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The Life of the Buddha

• Gautama was determined to find way to end human
  suffering
• Sat under tree, no teachers, no companions,
  determined not to arise until he found way
• Stories say he meditated all night
• Resolve tested by violent storms, earthly
  temptations
• At daybreak, had been transformed, found
  enlightenment, became the Buddha, Enlightened One
• Temple built where he meditated, Bodh Gaya, one
  of Buddhisms most sacred places

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The Teachings of Buddhism
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Eightfold Path

• Series of Steps Leading to Enlightenment,
  Salvation
• Right view, or accepting the reality of the Four
  Noble Truths
• Right attitude, or striving for moderation in all
  things

• Right speech, avoiding lies, boasts, and hurtful
  words
• Right action, or treating others fairly
• Right livelihood, avoiding jobs that could bring
  harm to others

• Right effort, or constantly trying to improve
  oneself
• Right mindfulness, or remaining aware of world
  around one

• Right concentration, or ignoring temptation and
  discomfort while meditating

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Nirvana

• The Buddha taught that those who followed
  Eightfold Path could attain nirvana
• State of perfect peace in which soul freed from
  suffering forever
• Those not attaining nirvana reborn to live
  through cycle of suffering again
• Basic teachings of Eightfold Path, Middle
  Wayliving in moderation, avoiding extremes of
  comfort, discomfort in search for nirvana

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Divisions of Buddhism
After the Buddhas death, differing opinions
arose concerning the correct teachings and
practices of Buddhism. Eventually three main
Buddhist traditions formedTheravada, Mahayana,
and Tibetan.
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The Spread of Buddhism
Unlike Hinduism, which largely remained an Indian
religion, Buddhism spread into other parts of the
world. Today, more than 350 million people are
Buddhists, most of them concentrated in Asia.
Relatively few people in India are Buddhists
today.
Ashoka also encouraged missionaries to carry the
Buddhas message to lands outside of India.
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• Buddhism Beyond India
• Ashoka sent missionaries to Sri Lanka, large
  island off Indias southern coast, and north to
  lands along Himalayas, east into lands of
  Southeast Asia
• Buddhism took firm hold in kingdoms that
  eventually became Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam,
  islands of Indonesia

• Traders
• Trade also helped spread Buddhism beyond India
• 200s BC, merchants traveling routes from India to
  Central Asia introduced Buddhist teachings
• Traders from Central, Southeast Asia took
  Buddhist teachings into China, slowly spreading,
  blending with native Chinese philosophies

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Leading Asian Religion
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