Buddhism

1
Unit 1
Buddhism
RMPS Higher/Intermediate 2
2
Who was the Buddha
3
The Buddhas Early Life
Little Buddha (6_12) Movie CLIP - Gates to the
Kingdom (1993) HD.wmv Little Buddha (7_12) Movie
CLIP - Show Me Death (1993) HD.wmv

• Summary of his life.
• He was born a prince (Siddartha Guatama)
• He was kept in his palace to protect him.
• He escaped one day and saw sick and dying
  people.
• He decided to leave to the place to search for
  answers.
• He sat under a tree and achieved
  enlightenment.

4
There is more that we need to know to fully
understand how Siddartha Gautama became
enlightened (Buddha).
It was not an easy process to become enlightened
and took many years. Siddartha found a teacher
(guru) who would help him to find the answers.
Siddartha was particularly concerned to find the
answers to the following questions

1. Why do people grow old
2. Why do people get sick
3. Why do people die

5
He tried a few different teachers. He then joined
a group of ascetics. Ascetics are people who
deprive themselves of things such as food and
shelter and who also use pain as a way of gaining
enlightenment. However, the result of all this
was unsuccessful and he felt no closer to
answering his questions.
This is Siddartha walking away from the ascetics
It was after being an Ascetic that Siddartha
realised that starving and pain are not the way
to truth and happiness. This was the basis for
the Middle Way idea of the eightfold path
6
How to understand Enlightenment
The Buddha wanted to understand how life worked
and The answer to the three questions
below. Ever been in school and tried to work
something out For ages and not get
anywhere? But suddenly, out of nowhere you just
know it! That nice feeling you get? That
understanding? Thats Enlightenment!!

1. Why do people grow old
2. Why do people get sick
3. Why do people die

7
It was at this point that he decided that he
would meditate and contemplate these important
questions. He found a tree and sat under it for
many, many days on end.
8
Temptations of Mara
The night before the Buddha attained
enlightenment, Mara, an evil devil type of
creature tried to tempt him. Mara did this by
sending his three daughters, Tanha (desire), Raga
(lust), and Arati (aversion), to seduce him and
break his concentration. Buddha was too strong
and managed to maintain his concentration.
9
Is Mara Real?
The Buddha never spoke about God, devils or
demons. Therefore it is not generally part of the
Buddhist religion to believe in such things.
However, some Buddhists think of the temptations
of Mara as literal event. They see Mara as a
devil-like creature who tries to tempt us away
from enlightenment.
Others think of the story as symbolic, with Mara
representing that part of our human nature
(condition) which is weak and gives in to
temptation.
Either way, Buddhists believe that the Buddha had
to resist Mara, in order to become the Buddha.
10
BREAK!!!!!!
11
Activity One

• Read Buddhism by Denise Cush
• pages 11 26
• Produce a Mind Map highlighting the most
  important aspects of the Buddhas life.

12
Question One

• I travelled through the round of countless
  births
• What is this quote from the Dhammapada referring
  to?
• 1 mark KU

13
Question Two

• Summarise the main events in the Buddhas life
  from the start of his ministry (teaching) to has
  death.
• 4 marks KU

14
Question 3
The story of the temptations of Mara and the
Buddhas enlightenment are obviously false. They
didnt happen so the story is unimportant for
Buddhists.
Do you agree with the above statement? 4 Marks
A/E
15
Peer Assessment

• When you are done, swap your answers with your
  neighbour.
• Read carefully. Is there anything which could be
  added to make their answers even better?
• Your teacher will go over the answers too!

16
Homework

• Please complete Homework One for Monday.
• This is a summary of the work we have done today.
• Have a nice weekend!!!!