Siddharthas BirthIn 563 BCE, Prince Siddhartha was born in northern India.

When her son was born the queen had a dream that she asked the Brahmins (Hindu priests) to interpret. They said that Siddhartha would be a great man with a future of two paths as prince, he could rule the universe or if he left royal life and saw suffering in the world, he would become a Buddha, one who is enlightened. Royal LifeThe king wanted Prince Siddhartha to be a powerful ruler and he worried about the Brahmins predictions. So he protected his son in a world of perfect wealth and beauty with the finest gardens, houses, education and food. Servants took care of his every need. Yet, Siddhartha always felt curious and wondered about the outside the palace walls. At 29, he had his own son with his noble wife. 1. Becoming BuddhaSiddhartha went to the woods, removed his royal attire, cut off his hair, wore a simple robe, and kept a small bowl for alms, or gifts of food. Siddhartha and the other as ascetics believed they could reach enlightenment (finding deep truth and being free of suffering) through meditation, sitting quietly and focused their minds on spiritual questions. Ascetics even denied their bodies sleep, shelter, and food as a way to enlightenment. Eventually, Siddhartha became unhappy with the extreme life. He decided on a balanced, middle path. At 35 years old, Siddhartha walked until he reached what would be known as the Bodhi (Enlightenment) Tree and he vowed to meditate until he reached enlightenment. Through the temptations of the wicked god Mara, he meditated about the nature of reality and how to reach nirvana, or true peace. He saw his past lives, the cycle of rebirth, the importance of karma and eventually how to gain freedom from the cycle and how to end suffering. He had become the Buddha, the Awakened One and had reach enlightenment. Discovery of SufferingAfter the birth of his own son, Siddharthas father allowed him more freedom to travel outside the palace walls. He discovered that everyones body weakens as it ages. He discovered that illness can affect anyone. He discovered that death comes to everyone. On another trip, he met an ascetic, a person who gives up worldly pleasures such as possessions, fine clothes, money, and even shelter. The ascetic told Siddhartha To be free of suffering, one must give up the desires, pleasures, and comforts of the world. I find peace by helping others find peace.

The truths that Buddha discovered under the Bodhi tree are the basis of Buddhism. They are

often called the Four Nobel Truths. The Buddha would spend the rest of his life sharing these truths with the people of India and those teachings would eventually spread around the world. Behind the Four Noble Truths is the idea that all things change. The Buddha saw that even when one finds pleasure, it does not last forever, and one suffers when it is lost. To end suffering, he taught, people should travel the Eightfold Path, which shows the middle way. FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS 1. Suffering is present in all things, and nothing lasts forever. 2. Suffering is caused by cravings (desires and wants) 3. The way to end suffering is to give up all cravings. 4. The way to give up all cravings is to live life according to the Eightfold Path. THE EIGHTFOLD PATH Right Understanding Right Purpose Right Speech Right Action Right Way to Earn a Living Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration Develop a deep understanding of the Four Noble Truths. Live a life of selflessness (not selfishness), love, and nonviolence. Be careful and truthful in what you say. Do not lie or gossip. Do not kill, steal, or lie. Be honest. Do not work a job that causes harm to people or living creatures. Promote good actions and prevent evil actions. Be aware of, but not attached to, your emotions, thoughts, and feelings. Focus your mind with practices such as meditation.

Use the previous pages and to complete the following. Write complete sentences with specific details from the texts. DO NOT PLAGARIZE. PARAPHRASE USING YOUR OWN VOCABULARY. Be thorough in your answers. Input Charts are the primary source for Unit Exams (30% HISTORY category), use as study guide. PROMPT 1.) Describe the Brahmins predictions when Siddhartha was born. 2.) Evaluate how the king treated Siddhartha as he grew up. 3.) Identify the three types of suffering Siddhartha witnessed as he traveled outside the palace. 4.) What is an ascetic? 5.) What is enlightenment? 6.) How did the ascetic believe they could reach enlightenment? 7.) What happened and what did Siddhartha learn at the Bodhi Tree? 8.) What is nirvana? 9.) EXTEND What does Awakened One mean? 10.) What is the idea behind the Four Noble Truths? 11.) In the Four Noble Truths, what are the main ideas about suffering? YOUR ANSWER The Brahmins predicted that Siddhartha would either be a great king and ruler of the universe, or Buddha. The king made it so that Siddharthas life was amazing and perfect in every way, so Siddhartha wouldnt know suffering and become Buddha instead of the new king. Siddhartha saw that illness effects everyone, bodies weaken with age, and that everyone dies. An Ascetic is a person that forgoes all earthly pleasers such as clothing, food, and shelter. Enlightenment is when you become free of suffering and discover the deep truth of life. The ascetics believed that they could reach enlightenment by meditating and not eating or sleeping. Siddhartha did not enjoy the harsh life of the ascetics, so he walked until he found the Bodhi tree, where he meditated until he found enlightenment. Nirvana is true peace. Buddha is the Awakened One because he awoke from the suffering of life and into the peace of nirvana. The idea of the Four Noble Truths is that all things change. Suffering is in everything, nothing lasts forever, suffering is caused by wanting something, the only way to end suffering to stop wanting stuff, and the eightfold path tells you how to give up wanting stuff. The Four Noble Truths say that you must follow the Eightfold path to release yourself from suffering, and the Eightfold path states you must understand the Four Noble Truths. Living with Right Purpose allows you to be

12.) What is the relationship between the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path? 13.) EXTEND In the Eightfold Path, why does it

matter to be a person with Right Purpose. 14.) EXTEND In the Eightfold Path, why does it matter to be a person with Right Way to Earn a Living. 15.) EXTEND In the Eightfold Path, why does it matter to be a person with Right Mindfulness.

selfless, and give away all wants and needs to remove yourself from suffering. Living with the Right Way to Earn a Living is important because causing harm to people or creatures is violent, and violence is suffering. Living with Right Mindfulness is important because if you know you have emotions such as want and greed, but you do not succumb to them, you will be without suffering.