1. Buddhism is a major world religion 325 million Buddhists in the world.
2. The founder of Buddhism is a man known as Siddhartha Gautauma who lived in northern India about 563 years B.C.E.
3. He was a prince of the Sakya clan Renounced his title after he saw an, old man, a sick man, and a dead man Became a wandering ascetic -seeking the answers to life.
4. Became a Buddha or enlightened being.
Known as Sakyamuni Buddha -the "Awakened One'.
5 Taught 4 Noble Truths.
Suffering exists.
Sufferingchas a cause -ignorance, hatred, and greed.
We can eliminate these three poisons.
We do this by living a good life, by learning to control our mind, and by becoming wise.
- Enlightenrnent
We can seek an end to our own suffering by living a good life, training our mind to eliminate the three poisons, and by practising wisdom. This is the goal of Hinayana Buddhists.
Mahayana Buddhists understand that in order to become free of suffering, it is necessary to help others become free from suffering. All beings are respected as thought they are our mothers. We pray for the happiness of all sentient beings.
- The prayer ofa Bodhisattva (a person who has compassion for others)
As long as space endures
As long a sentient beings remain
May I, too, endure
To dispell the misery of the world. |
