Ms. Susan M. PojerHorace Greeley Hs

Chappaqua, NY

Religions of South Asia

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

The essence of Buddhism

The “middle way of The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.”wisdom and compassion.”

2,500 year old tradition.2,500 year old tradition. The 3 jewels of Buddhism:The 3 jewels of Buddhism:

BuddhaBuddha, the teacher., the teacher. DharmaDharma, the teachings., the teachings. SanghaSangha, the community., the community.

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE) Born in NE India Born in NE India

(Nepal).(Nepal). Raised in great luxuryRaised in great luxury

to be a king.to be a king. At 29 he rejectedAt 29 he rejected

his luxurious life tohis luxurious life toseek enlightenmentseek enlightenmentand the source ofand the source ofsuffering.suffering.

Lived a strict,Lived a strict,ascetic life for 6 yrs.ascetic life for 6 yrs.

Rejecting this extreme, sat in Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found meditation, and found nirvananirvana..

Became “The Enlightened One,” at Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.35.

What is the fundamental cause

of all suffering?

Desire! Therefore, extinguish the self, Therefore, extinguish the self,

don’t obsess about oneself.don’t obsess about oneself.

Four Noble Truths1.1. There is suffering in There is suffering in

the world. To live is to the world. To live is to suffer.suffer. ( (DukkhaDukkha) ) The Buddha found The Buddha found

this out when he was this out when he was young and young and experienced suffering experienced suffering and death in others.and death in others.

Four Noble Truths

2.2. The cause of The cause of suffering is self-suffering is self-centered desire and centered desire and attachments.attachments. ( (TanhaTanha))

Four Noble Truths

3.3. The solution is to The solution is to eliminate desire eliminate desire and attachments. and attachments. ((Nirvana = Nirvana = “extinction”“extinction”))

Four Noble Truths4.4. To reach To reach nirvananirvana, one , one

must follow the must follow the Eightfold Path. Eightfold Path.

Eightfold Path

Nirvana The union with the The union with the ultimate ultimate spiritual reality. spiritual reality.

Escape from the cycle of Escape from the cycle of rebirth. rebirth.

Buddha – 19c Thailand

Buddha’s

head : 2c

Pakistan

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Buddhist Altar

Types of Buddhism Therevada Therevada

BuddhismBuddhism

Mahayana Mahayana BuddhismBuddhism

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism The oldest school of Buddhism.The oldest school of Buddhism.

The “Way of the Elders” or the The “Way of the Elders” or the “Small Vehicle.”“Small Vehicle.”

Found in southern Asia.Found in southern Asia. The monastic life is the best way The monastic life is the best way

to achieve to achieve nirvananirvana.. Focus on wisdom and meditation.Focus on wisdom and meditation. Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or

“Enlightened One.”“Enlightened One.” Over 100,000,000 followers today.Over 100,000,000 followers today.

Theravada Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism The “Great Vehicle.”The “Great Vehicle.”

Founded in northern Asia Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan).(China, Japan).

Buddhism “for the masses.”Buddhism “for the masses.” Seek guidance from Seek guidance from

BoddhisatvasBoddhisatvas, wise beings. , wise beings. GoalGoal: Not just individual escape : Not just individual escape

from the wheel, but the from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.enlightened few.

Mahayana Buddhism

Seated Boddhisatva – 16c

Bhutan

boddhisatva

Tibetan Buddhism The “Diamond Vehicle.” The “Diamond Vehicle.”

[[VajrayanaVajrayana]] Developed in Tibet in the Developed in Tibet in the

7c CE.7c CE. A mix of Theravada and A mix of Theravada and

Mahayana.Mahayana. BoddhisatvasBoddhisatvas include include

Lamas, like the Lamas, like the Dalai LamaDalai Lama..

The The Tibetan Book Tibetan Book of the Deadof the Dead[[Bardo ThodolBardo Thodol].].

The Dala

iLam

a

zen Buddhism The “Meditation School.”The “Meditation School.” Seeks sudden enlightenment Seeks sudden enlightenment

[[satorisatori] through meditation, ] through meditation, arriving at emptiness [arriving at emptiness [sunyatasunyata].].

Use of meditation masters Use of meditation masters [[RoshiRoshi].].

Beauty, art, and aesthetics:Beauty, art, and aesthetics: Gardens.Gardens. Archery.Archery. Tea ceremony.Tea ceremony. Calligraphy.Calligraphy.

Buddhism in America (1999)

Distribution of Buddhism Centers

in the US, 2001

10th Annual western buddhist monastic

conference

California, 2004California, 2004

Relieve Stress & Meditate:

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Ohm...mani...padmeOhm...mani...padme...hung......hung...Hail to the jewel in the lotus!Hail to the jewel in the lotus!