Buddhism

Monks, teachings

Myths

Creation Stories

Rituals

ideologies

Symbolism

Non-human world

Four Noble Truths

Suffering

Origin

Cessation

Path

Life is suffering

Living life naturally leads to suffering

Desire, hate, and greed all lead to suffering

humanity cannot naturally remove desire

In order to remove desire, need to follow new path

achieve nirvana

Path is eight fold, different steps of commitment

Path to nirvana, enlightenment

Removing oneself from desire

Powerful clergy and institutions

Monks serve many different roles spiritually

Strong principles of morality

Teacher

Spiritual Guide

Caretakers

Sets vision for Buddhists

Sets examples

Right/Wrong

Karma

stemming from death of Buddha

After monks sat down and created texts, gained power*

*not inherently bad

Monks adopt Buddhist teachings, rituals, and leadership

Buddhist canon has many texts

common variations

verbal recitations

Two "main" complete versions

Different languages

Impossible to know how true to source

Dependent on sect of Buddhism (three main sects)

Major focus on philosophy

Meaning of life

Meaning of humanity

Purpose

Tripitaka

"The Three Baskets"

Earliest set of scriptures

Contains texts closely associated with Buddha

Except the third basket, which was probably added after his death

Different students gathered, recited knowledge and learnings

Most famous is Tripitaka

Depending on variations, can include Gods, or barely mention them

One part believes that Gods exist in a different dimension, no role in humanity

Others believe Gods play major role, similar to Western religions

Popular myths, legends

Death of Buddha

Deities

Transcendence

About achieving enlightenment

Ending of attachments

Nirvana

Spiritual happiness

Purpose

Release from cycle of rebirth

Samsara

Philosophical religion

Focus inward

Focus on self

Focus on PERSONAL impact

Nirvana

Enlightenment

Buddha

State Buddha achieved

State of Mind

Deities (depending on branches)

Other realms, with Gods

Current realm, with Gods

No role in humanity

Death/Life

Not the end of LIFE

Leads to rebirth

Karma

Karmic balance

Good/Evil put into world

Scripture

Read as one dies

On deathbed

Goal is to die with no regrets

Supposed to be the last thing a Buddhist hears

Relics

Buddha's Death

Buddha died from food poisoning, presumably

Legend that it was intentional

Body believed to be sacred

sacred power

Remains became enshrined

Stupas

Stupas became relics, symbolic power

Different sects treat symbols differently

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