2-20-02

Siddhartha Gautama (Gotama)
-historic Buddha, person who founded
Buddhism
-The Buddha ("Enlightened one")born
624bc
-He was the prince of Kapilavatsu in
Northern India

Four Signs-prophecy given to Buddha's dad
-Siddhartha will see these and become a
wandering monk
1. old man
2. diseased man
3. dead man
4. wandering monk (sanyasin, renouncer)
-His father wanted him to be king, not a
monk. Decided to shield him from these
things but he saw them anyway.
-Siddhartha wanted to find a solution
to human suffering
-Went to study with Hindu yogis
*tries meditation
*tries extreme asceticsm (denying
bodily wants/needs)
-Decided both are counter productive.
He finds the "middle way"
*satisfy needs and wants in
moderation
*over endulgence distracts from
enlightenment

Tempted by Mara, god of death

Human problem: suffering caused by desire

Becomes enlightened- four noble truths
1. Life is suffering
2. The cause of suffering is desire
3. Suffering can be ended by ending
desire.
4. The way to end desire is by
following the 8-fold path
-By freeing yourself from desire you can
have peace and be calm.

8-Fold Path (ways to end desire):
1. Right understanding
2. " " intention
3. " " speech
4. " " action
5. " " vocation/ job
6. " " effort
7. " " mindfulness
8. " " meditation