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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. 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.

Carly Zech] April 29, 2013 2 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.

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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. YOUR ANSWER 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. The king wanted Prince Siddhartha to be a powerful ruler and he worried about the Brahmins predictions He discovered that everyones body weakens as it ages. He discovered that illness can affect anyone. He discovered that death comes to everyone. a person who gives up worldly pleasures such as possessions, fine clothes, money, and even shelter. the action or state of attaining or having attained spiritual knowledge or insight, in particular (in Buddhism) that awareness which frees a person from the cycle of rebirth. finding deep truth and being free of suffering) through meditation, sitting quietly and focused their minds on spiritual questions. 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. Nirvana is true peace. It means that someone has finally woken up and started to realize the true meaning of life. It is like laws that you have to obey to live how you would like. Nothing last forever and suffering is caused by something wanted. The relationship Is that they are both rules they both have rules on how you should live your life.

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? 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.

Carly Zech] April 29, 2013 2 Because if you dont know what the purpose of why you are on this earth you should choose or find the right purpose instead of the wrong purpose. Because that basically means that you need to be a nice and kind person to go far in life. Because you should always be open minded to all people and let everyone have a try at being your friend