Monday, Feb. 25 - 2nd Midterm. Can use 3x5 card, both sides, for exam. Study Guide handout.

Siddhartha Gautama (Gotama)
-Historic Buddha
-The Buddha="Enlightened One"
-born 624 BC
-1000 years before Islam
-Prince of Kapilavatsu (northern India)
-lived lavish lifestyle
-became troubled, so lived as a wandering monk
-became enlightened through the 4 signs
-the 4 signs were a prophecy given to Siddhartha's father, who was very upset by them, and vowed to not let them happen.
-4 signs which Siddhartha would see, afterwhich Siddhartha would become a wandering monk:
1)old man
2)diseased man
3)dead man
4)wandering monk (renouncement-4th stage of Hinduism)
When Siddhartha saw the 4 signs, it became the time of his "Great Going Forth" where he shaves his head and beard, and goes to the forest in search of Enlightenment. There are 3 phases he goes through:
1)studies with Yogi's
2)tries extreme asceticism - decides this is counterproductive. Leads to the "middle Way," which is to satisfy needs and wants in moderation
3)tempted by Mara, God of Death
It is under a Bodhi tree - later named the "Immovable Spot" that Siddhartha becomes enlightened - called the "Great Awakening"
He comes up with 4 Noble Truths:
1)Life is suffering
2)Cause of suffering is desire, or cravings (Sanskrit word - Dukkha)
3)Suffering can be ended by ending desire
4)The way to end desire is by following the 8-Fold Path (pg. 103)

Suffering: Life is spent going around pursuing desires. Once you get what you want, you are happy, for a moment, then wanting something else, and won't be happy until you get it. All our wants and needs are unfulfilled, except for brief moments

8-Fold Path:
1)right understanding (understand 4 Noble Truths)
2)right intention (follow 8-Fold Path)
3)right speech (tell the truth, say helpful things)
4)right action (conduct)
5)right vocation (job - don't be a sleezy lawyer, drug dealer, etc.)
6)right effort (concentrate energies on enlightenment)
7)right mindfulness (appreciate the moment)
8)right meditation (meditate)

There was Hinduism first, then Buddhism took over, and then Hinduism came back strong - there is hardly any Buddhists left. Buddhism is a reaction to certain traditions ion Hinduism.