Siddhartha Factoids

1. Siddhartha Factoids

2.  Although Hinduism is the older religion, Buddhism shares many of the same elements and seems to have branched off from Hinduism.  Similarities Buddhism and Hinduism both believe in life after death. They believe there�s a life cycle of constant death and rebirth. Both religions believe that doing good deeds will get you farther in life. Differences Buddhism believes in Nirvana (freedom from suffering) Hinduism has many gods and many temples for them. Buddhism doesn�t have specific gods, but puts the focus on themselves and separating themselves from the world.

3. The Origin of BuddhismBy: Haleema Abdi Intro: Buddhism began as an offspring of Hinduism in the country of India. The founder was Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha Gautama was born in approximately 560 B.C. in northern India and died at the age of 80. The religion of Buddhism began when Siddhartha�s father, Suddhodana (the ruler over a district near the Himalayas which is today the country of Nepal) sheltered him from the outside world. But one day, despite his father's efforts, Siddhartha left the palace walls and saw the outside life for the first time. He then saw four things that forever changed his life: an old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a beggar. Siddhartha then became deeply distressed by the suffering that he saw, and decided to leave the luxury of palace life and begin a quest to find the answer to the problem of pain and human suffering. He studied the teachings of Hinduism and Asceticism, and then turned to a life of meditation where he experienced the highest degree of God-consciousness called Nirvana. Siddhartha then became known as Buddha, which means the "enlightened one." And spread his religion throughout India, and three years later the the world.

4. Different Types of Buddhism There are many types of Buddhism such a Theravada, Zen, Pure Land, Yogacara and Vajrayana Buddhism. Buddhism evolved so that it can relate to the culture it belongs to. All these types of Buddhism may seem different but they all have the same central meaning of all of them is the four noble truths and the Eightfold Path. There are different sects of Buddhism and yet they are never divided and have never gone to war against each other.

5. Buddhism Contd. The first main type of Buddhism are Theravada (sometimes called South Buddhism) has been the dominant religion in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Burma. The second is Mahayana Buddhism which occurs mainly in China, Japan, Korea, Tibet, Vietnam and Mongolia. One of the concepts of Buddhism is Nirvana, �The blowing out� of existence. Unlike Christianity, Nirvana is not like heaven but is a state of being. Gautama never gave an exact description of nirvana, but his closest reply was this. �There is disciples, a condition, where there is neither earth nor water, neither air nor light, neither limitless space, nor limitless time, neither any kind of being, neither ideation nor non-ideation, neither this world not that world. There is neither arising nor passing-away, nor dying, neither cause nor effect, neither change nor standstill.� (http://www.blogiversity.org/Buddhist/)

6. Buddhism & Love Considered one of the four immeasurables (love, compassion, joy, and equanimity). Definition- The desire for others to be happy. Love in Buddhism is very different from what we consider love to be in modern times. In western beliefs, love is incorporated with things like infatuation, lust, sex, and self attachment. All being things that are fulfilling ones self-interest. A Buddhist�s idea of love is the unconditional care toward another persons welfare, without the attachment.

7. To be capable of loving, you must have lots of courage, and requires much acceptance. The opposite of Buddhist love is the desire for others to be unhappy or angry. If enlightenment is what one is seeking, one must make sure they stay away from attachment, which is what many will mistake for love. Attachment- (infatuation, blind love/lust) rather than loving someone because one would like what is best for them, one loves someone because of the effect it has on themselves, and the fact that they could not bear to part with them.

8. Chandogya-Upanishads of the Sama-Veda There are 8 Chandogya-Upanishad chapters/verses; they emphasize the importance of chanting the sacred Aum (Om). They recommend religious life in 3 parts: (1) sacrifice, study of the Vedas, and giving alms (2) austerity (3) study the sacred knowledge while living with your teacher. Reincarnation, explained as a consequence of your actions(karma), is implied.

9. Om-A Complete Expression of Brahman

10. *A t m a n* What is Atman? Atman is the Hindu/ Buddhist term for the eternal soul and self Atman is bound by the body it resides in and by the illusionary senses that come with it. �it is the microcosm, representing the macrocosm in each of us� Your Atman is what continues in the cycle of reincarnation, while all other earthly bodies �wither away� Atman is the �silent partner� in all our deeds and resides in all living things It is believed to physically abide between the eye brows and/or in the heart A definite location of atman is unknown It is thought that Atman alone is truly absolute and all else is an illusion of the senses.

11. Brahmin Highest caste in the Hindu class system Given to those who show a high level of knowledge of the Vedas Brahmin means �knower of god� Traditionally Brahmins were priests or scholars Place importance in purity of body and mind Protector of Religion Most Brahmins practice vegetarianism Connection to Novella, Siddhartha At first Siddhartha was a Brahmin He noticed that enlightenment cannot be taught by teachers such as Brahmins, but obtained within. Example: Connecting to the river

12. Gautama, Buddha Siddhartha Gautama�s mother, Queen Maha Maya had a dream of a six-tusked elephant entering her right side. Siddhartha was born ten months later on her right side. Siddhartha Gautama was born the prince and son of King Suddhodana in present day Nepal.

14. Monk�s life Wake up at 5 am Study Buddha�s teachings after breakfast Teach Dharma to people in the afternoon something Meditate in the evening

15. Training rule that have to be followed Defeat These will get you thrown out Formal meeting Disciplinary Confession What every they choose Expiation There are 92 way of doing this To be Confessed Patimonkkha Wrong doing Many ways of how not to break rules Wrong Speech Unprofitable speech Theravada code of monastic discipline Patimonikkha. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patimokkha. Online, World Wide Web, 4-3-07Theravada code of monastic discipline Patimonikkha. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patimokkha. Online, World Wide Web, 4-3-07

16. Samanas  *In ancient India, Samanas were wandering monks *A Samana is a member of an Indian monastic order *Samanas do not attain enlightenment though they try hard to *They practice renunciation and austerities. *Fast for weeks and live in extreme conditions and trying to stay calm throughout. *It is believed that the most advance Samana would be able to walk on water and other miraculous features. �

17. In the novella Siddhartha, Siddhartha left his wealthy life and joined the Samanas in the forest. Though he learned plenty from the Samanas but he realize he would not reach nirvana from learning the Samanas teaching. Not even the oldest Samana would reach enlightenment. After learning so much from the Samanas, Siddhartha left the group and traveled on his own. bibliographic: Samana Encyclopedia-http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Samana/id/560730 Samanas- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samana  

18. Ablutions Meaning: -washing of the body as a part of a religious ceremony. Facts: -Ablutions can be performed through any kind of water. -Not meant to create physical cleanness, but to remove ritual uncleanness or pollution. -Ritual acts performed to create order and end the disorder in social reality. -The Jewish religion and all of the Oriental religions used ablutions, but not in Judaism. -Ablutions were somewhat like baptism and a testimony to God.

19. Ablutions Connection To Siddhartha: -Siddhartha is involved with Brahmin rituals, such as ablutions. Bibliography: http://www.bookrags.com/research/ablutions-eorl-01/ http://www.bridgesforpeace.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2431

20. Samsara

23. The most common of several names that the Buddha gave to the goal of his religion Nirvana is not a heaven state Nirvana means "liberation�, refering to liberation from the realm of samsara. Word �Nirvana� means 'to blow out' and refers to the extinguishing of the fires of greed, hatred and delusion. Attained when these emotional and psychological defilements (16) are destroyed by wisdom. Attained through meditation (usu. done by removing oneself from the regular activities of life)

24. Nirvana Contd. Attaining nirvana is done by following the Eight-Fold Path. Nirvana is the ultimate goal of the Noble Eight-Fold Path Once nirvana is attained, at death one is no longer subject to rebirth. Attain nirvana can only be done by a human being No other state of being, including that of god, can. Nirvana is seen as the extingushing of desire and the elimination of suffering Some say: Nirvana takes so long to attain and so few can do it Buddha's view: Anyone can attain Nirvana if his instructions are followed sincerely and carefully

27. Daily Life in Ancient India - Epic Period 1000 B.C. to 500 B.C. The large period of time in which Buddha lived and the story Siddhartha takes place is in the Epics Period, from 1000 B.C. to 500 B.C. Although the book is written about the time period of 625 B.C. the lifestyle still applies. The people who lived during the Epic period were the Aryans, nomadic people who raised animals and farmed. The Aryans participated in lots of wars. The people were put into several clans with chiefs, the job of chief was passed through a family line. Tribes consisted of four main groups of jobs: the Brahmins or priests, much like Siddhartha, Kshatriya warriors, Vaishya traders business and farmer people, and the Shudra or labor force. Your job depended upon what your parents were. The Aryans were a war some people, who also loved games, like racing and gambling. The people told lots of stories, many were religious about their many gods. Houses previously had been constructed loosely of straw, but eventually were constructed using wood. After a long day of working the people would gather at Yagna, or a central fireplace where the people shared meals and socialized. Common foods were meat, milk, bread, and vegetables. Children went to school, with very strict discipline and obedience. Clothing started as just animal skins, but overtime, clothes were made out of cotton and silk, hence Siddhartha�s nice clothes from Kamala. �ancient India� http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Indialife.html#ARYAN. 3 May 2007 The Epic period in ancient India applies in the book, Siddhartha. Siddhartha�s father was a Brahmin, a very wise, good leader and spiritual man, which is what Siddhartha was supposed to be. Yet he left that lifestyle and eventually was in the group of Vaishya or the traders, businessmen and farmers. He worked with Kamaswami the merchant. Siddhartha lived very well, in a wooden house with plenty to eat. He had fancy clothes, shoes, and possessions. Unfortunately Siddhartha became involved in gambling, and became very unhappy. So he began on life�s journey once more to find his true happiness. Siddhartha�s actions in the book reflect what ancient India was like during the Epic Period.

28. The River In the book Siddhartha the river represents life and time. The river gives knowledge to Siddhartha. The fact that it constantly flows represents the passage of time. In representing life, it also represents Siddhartha�s path to enlightenment. Siddhartha receives understanding of life from the river. Though Siddhartha is taught by many people, including Buddha and the Ferryman, the river is Siddhartha�s final teacher.

29. Hermann Hesse Born on July 2, 1877 Died on August 9, 1962 Raised in Wurttemberg, Germany. He was raised by a Christian Missionary family. Occupation: Poet, Writer and Painter. Famous works: Steppenwolf, Siddhartha and The Glass Bead Game.

30. Dalai Lama Facts Is believed to be one of several incarnations Monks look for the incarnation of the Lama The current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso (1935-current) The head of Tibetan Buddhism Usually called �His Holiness� before his name