Origins of Buddhism

Lesson 3
 The Big Idea
Buddhism began in India
and became a major religion.

Main Ideas
• Siddhartha Gautama searched for wisdom in many ways.
• The teachings of Buddhism deal with finding peace.
• Buddhism spread far from where it began in India.

Origins of Buddhism
Siddhartha

Quest for Answers Enlightenment

• Siddhartha was born a • Found it under the Tree of

prince, but he questioned Wisdom while meditating
the meaning of life.
• Called the Buddha
• Determined to find (Enlightened One)
answers using:
• Spent the rest of his life
• Meditation traveling and teaching his
ideas
• Fasting
• Learning from
different teachers
Teachings of Buddhism

Four Noble Truths

Suffering and unhappiness are a part of human life. No one

1.
can escape sorrow.

Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material

2.
goods.

People can overcome desire and ignorance and reach

3.
nirvana, a state of perfect peace.

People can overcome ignorance and desire by following an

4. eightfold path that leads to wisdom, enlightenment, and
salvation.
The Eightfold Path
Challenging Hindu Ideas

Ancient Ways Changing Society Caste System

• The Buddha • A more • Opposed caste

taught that individualistic system
following the approach to
Vedic texts was enlightenment • The Eightfold
unnecessary. Path could lead
• Rebirth as a any individual to
• Challenged the means to evolve nirvana.
authority of
Hindu priests • The Buddha’s
teachings
reached all
classes.
Buddhism began in India and then became a
major religion.
Buddhism branches out
• Asoka, one of the most powerful kings in India, became a
Buddhist and spread Buddhism in India and foreign lands.
• Buddhist missionaries traveled the world to teach
enlightenment.

Buddhism splits
• Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada and Mahayana.
• Members of the Theravada followed the Buddha’s teachings
exactly.
• Members of the Mahayana believed that individual
interpretation was important.
Early Spread of Buddhism
 ISLAM
The religious practice of Islam, which literally
means "to submit to God", is based on
tenets that are known as the Five
Pillars, arkan, to which all members of the
Islamic community, Umma, should adhere.
 The Profession of Faith, the shahada, is the
most fundamental expression of Islamic beliefs.
It simply states that “There is no God but God
and Muhammad is his prophet.” It underscores
the monotheistic nature of Islam.

1. The Profession of Faith—

The Shahada
 Muslims are expected to pray five times a
day. This does not mean that they need to
attend a mosque to pray; rather,
the salat, or the daily prayer, should be
recited five times a day. Muslims can pray
anywhere; however, they are meant to
pray towards Mecca.

2. Daily Prayers—Salat
 Muslims believe that they are meant to
share their wealth with those
less fortunate in their community of
believers.

3. Alms-Giving—Zakat
 During the holy month of Ramadan, the
ninth month in the Islamic calendar,
Muslims are expected to fast from dawn
to dusk. While there are exceptions made
for the sick, elderly, and pregnant, all are
expected to refrain from eating and
drinking during daylight hours.

4. Fasting during Ramadan—Saum

 What is the Ka'ba?
The Ka'ba is the place of
worship which God
commanded Abraham and
Ishmael to build over four
thousand years ago. The
building was constructed of
stone on what many believe
was the original site of a
sanctuary established by
Adam. God commanded
Abraham to summon all
mankind to visit this place,
and when pilgrims go there
today they say 'At Thy
service, O Lord', in response
to Abraham's summons.
 All Muslims who are able are required to
make the pilgrimage to Mecca and the
surrounding holy sites at least once in
their lives. Pilgrimage focuses on visiting
the Kaaba and walking around it seven
times. Pilgrimage occurs in the 12th
month of the Islamic Calendar.

5. Pilgrimage to Mecca—Hajj
 What does 'Islam' mean?
The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission',
and is derived from a word meaning 'peace'.
In a religious context it means complete
submission to the will of God, Allah.

The other meaning of Islam is peace; peace with

the Creator, peace of mind and heart and peace
with other fellow human beings. Hence, real
happiness is achieved.

http://www.islamtoday.com/purpose.htm
What does submission to the Will of God (Allah)
mean?

Accepting the One True God, Allah, Who is the

Creator of all things seen and unseen; to obey His
commands and worship non-other than Him alone.
Types of submission:
Compulsory= No freedom of choice
Voluntary or conscious= Freedom of choice
“Hear O Israel Thy Lord our God is One Lord and
though shalt love thy Lord, thy God with all thy heart
and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with
all thy strength” (Mark 12: 29-30).
 Who is Muhammad?

Muhammad, was born in Makkah in the year 570 CE. Since

his father died before his birth, and his mother shortly
afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected
tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known for his
truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was sought
after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians
describe him as calm and meditative.

Muhammad was of a deeply religious nature, and had long

detested the decadence of his society. It became his habit to
meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit
of Jabal al-Nur, the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah.

http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/dawah/0001.htm
How did Muhammad become the messenger of
God?

At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat,

Muhammad received his first revelation from God
through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which
continued for twenty-three years, is known as the
Quran.

http://al-sunnah.com/muhammad.htm
What Does the Bible Say About Muhammad?

The Biblical prophecies on the advent of the Prophet

Muhammad are evidence of the truth of Islam for people
who believe in the Bible.

In Deuteronomy 18, Moses stated that God told him:

“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among
their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will
tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not
listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name,
I myself will call him to account.” (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).

Other evidences are: Genesis 21:13,18; Isaiah 42:1-13;

John 16:7-14; John 14:16

http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/dawah/0010.htm
 What Does the Bible Say About Muhammad
In the Gospel of John, the Jews were waiting for the
fulfillment of three distinct prophecies:

The first was the coming of Christ.

The second was the coming of Elijah.
The third was the coming of the Prophet.

This is obvious from the three questions that were posed to

John the Baptist: “
Now this was John’s testimony, when the Jews of Jerusalem
sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not
fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the
Christ.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you
Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He
answered, “No.” (John 1:19-21).
What Does the Bible Say About Muhammad (cont…)

If we look in a Bible with cross-references, we will find in

the marginal notes where the words “the Prophet” occur
in John 1:21, that these words refer to the prophecy of
Deuteronomy 18:15 and 18:18. We conclude from this
that Jesus Christ is not the prophet mentioned in
Deuteronomy 18:18.
 What is the Quran?

The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the
Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. It was memorized by
Muhammad and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by
scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one word of its
114 chapters, Suras, has been changed over the centuries, so that the
Quran is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which was
revealed to Muhammad fourteen centuries ago.

The Quran as the last revelation of God was mentioned in the Bible:
Zephaniah 3:9 “Pure language-one consent”; Isaiah 28:10-11”Another
language..”

The Quran is God's final message to man which was a reconfirmation

of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before.
It was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through Gabriel.
http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/dawah/0002.htm
 What is the Quran about?

The Quran, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime

source of every Muslim's faith and practice. Quran deals
with all subjects; wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but
its basic theme is the relationship between God and His
creatures. It provides guidelines for a just society, proper
human conduct and an equitable economic system.
 Are there any other sacred sources?

Yes, ‘Sunnah’, the sayings, actions and approvals of

the most ideal example, Prophet Muhammad, It’s the
second authority for Muslims. A Hadith is a reliably
transmitted report of what the Prophet said, did, or
approved. Belief in ‘Sunnah’ is part of the Islamic faith.