Buddhism

I.  How do we know?

A.  Mythhistory

-- writings (2nd century C.E.)

B.  Tripitaka (Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma)

II.  What do we know?

A.  Siddartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.E.)

1. prince & prophecy

2. story of the Four Signs

=  old age, sickness, death, poverty

3.  a wandering ascetic

4.  meditation under a tree

--  "Enlightened One" (Buddha)

B.  Teachings

1.  Four Noble Truths

a) Life is sorrow

b) Sorrow is the result of selfish desire

c) Selfish desire can be destroyed

d) It's destroyed by following the Eightfold Path

2.  The Eightfold Path (or "Middle Path")

-- right views

-- right aspirations

-- right speech

-- right conduct

-- right livelihood

-- right effort

-- right mindfulness

-- right meditation

3.  Goal = nirvana

C.  What attracted people?

1.  open to all -- equality

2.  individual journey with practical advice

3.  attraction to the Chinese

III.  Division:  Two Branches (~200 B.C.E.)

A.  Theravada (or Hinayana)

1.  Lessor Vehicle = conservative & monastic

2.  Southeast Asia & Sri Lanka

B.  Mahayana

1.  Greater Vehicle = many ways to nirvana

-- bodhisattva

2.  China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam