Discovering the Buddha's Path to Enlightenment
Mr. Mitchell's Social Studies Class

Assignments to hand in:    The Buddha's Path to Enlightenment Handout

Step 1: Introduction - Look at the following picture and read the text below:

The religion called Buddhism is based on the teachings of the Buddha, a man who lived in India in the fifth century B.C.E. Originally named Siddhartha Guatama, he became known as the Buddha, or "the Awakened One," after an enlightenment experience at the age of 35. From the age of 29, Siddhartha then became awakened, or enlightened, as to the human suffering. Siddhartha spent six years seeking the answer to the problem of human suffering. Siddhartha then became awakened, or enlightened, as to the nature of reality and achieved the spiritual goal of nirvana, or liberation from suffering. For the remaining 45 years of his life, he was known as the Buddha and taught others the path to Awakening (Buddhahood).  While the Buddha is a historical figure, his life story is traditionally told in the form of a legend in which he is depicted as the ideal human.

The Buddha's teachings applied to all living creatures, and he rejected the priestly rituals and class - or caste - discrimination that was a part of Hinduism, the other central religion at that time. Today Buddhism is practiced by more than one-fourth of the world's population and has become increasingly popular in the West.

Step 2: Download and print The Buddha's Path to Enlightenment Handout & Guide to Transparencies.

Step 3: Complete each task listed below:

   a. Look at each picture below and read the corresponding description in the Guide to Transparencies.

    b. Complete each drawing on The Buddha's Path to Enlightenment Handout.

    c. Make notes of the important facts and ideas within the readings on the handout.

    d. Fill in the "Caption:" box with the answer to this question: How do you think this event in the Buddha's life might have contributed to his eventual enlightenment?

The Birth of Buddha      

Buddha's Princely Life

Buddha Discovers Aging, Sickness, and Death   

Buddha Leaves Family to Become an Aesthetic

Buddha Achieves Enlightenment and Becomes the Buddha

Step 4: Look at the picture below, read the text that follows, and take notes of the important parts of Buddha's teachings around the rays of light coming from the picture of "Buddha Achieves Enlightenment..." on your The Buddha's Path to Enlightenment Handout.

After Siddhartha became the Buddha, or the Awakened One, he was concerned that no one else would understand the great truths he had realized under the Bodhi tree. One of the many Gods begged him to teach his Dharma - or the way to right living - to all beings, Gods and humans alike. So the Buddha left the site of his Awakening and sought the five ascetics with whom he had practiced self-deprivation. When they saw him approaching, they decided to ignore him as a failure, but as he began to speak they were impressed in spite of themselves. They quickly recognized the great transformation he had experienced. The Buddha began to teach them what he had learned, and within a short time they too were enlightened. They became the Buddha's followers and soon hundreds of others joined them. Individually or in groups, the Buddha's followers wandered from town to town, "turning the wheel of the Buddha Dharma" to make his teachings available to everyone.

The principal teachings of the Buddha Dharma, or "Way of the Buddha," can be summarized, which says that suffering includes birth, death, aging, sickness, grief, pain, not being with loved ones, being with loved ones, and not getting what one wants. The second Noble Truth says that when people crave things, such as sensual pleasures (like food, which can be enjoyed with all five senses), suffering comes. The third Noble Truth states that a person's suffering ends only when that person gives up such cravings. The fourth Noble Truth details eight steps, called the Eightfold Path, that a person can follow to stop suffering: right opinion, right purpose, right speech, right action, right way to earn a living, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. These Four Noble Truths were spread by the Buddha's followers and continue to be the foundation of Buddhism today.

Helpful Video: Religions of the World - Buddhism

Helpful Website: BuddhaNet        Buddhism (Religious Tolerance.org)

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