INTRO TO

A PRESENTATION IN WORLD
RELIGION
INSTRUCTOR: MR. JOSEPH COTO
BUDDHISM
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO
KNOW IN TERMS OF:

Origin

Founder

Practices and Beliefs

Do's and Don't

WHERE DOES
BUDDHISM
STARTED?
 Buddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th
century and the early 4th century BCE, a period of great social change
and intense religious activity.
At this time in India, there was much discontent with Brahmanic (Hindu high-caste)
sacrifice and ritual. In northwestern India, there were ascetics who tried to create a
more personal and spiritual religious experience than that found in the Vedas (Hindu
sacred scriptures). In the literature that grew out of this movement, the Upanishads,
a new emphasis on renunciation and transcendental knowledge can be found.
Northeastern India, which was less influenced by Vedic tradition, became the
breeding ground of many new sects. Society in this area was troubled by the
breakdown of tribal unity and the expansion of several petty kingdoms. Religiously,
this was a time of doubt, turmoil, and experimentation.
WHO IS
THE FOUNDER
OF BUDDHISM?
Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism who later became known as “the Buddha,” lived during
the 5th century B.C. Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present-day Nepal.
Although he had an easy life, Gautama was moved by suffering in the world.
 He decided to give up his lavish lifestyle and
endure poverty. When this didn’t fulfill him, he
promoted the idea of the “Middle Way,” which
means existing between two extremes. Thus, he
sought a life without social indulgences but also
without deprivation.
After six years of searching, Buddhists believe
Gautama found enlightenment while meditating
under a Bodhi tree. He spent the rest of his life
teaching others about how to achieve this spiritual
state.
WHAT ARE THE
PRACTICES OF
BUDDHISM?
PUJA

Puja is the name for ceremonies that involve offerings, or gifts. During these ceremonies,
there will also be meditation and prayer. This is known as devotional practice and its purpose
is to enable Buddhists to express how grateful they are to the Buddha for what he taught.
This allows them to show respect for his teachings.
Puja can help Buddhists to overcome suffering. One of The Three Refuges (or Three Jewels) is
“to the Buddha for refuge I go”. Puja brings Buddhists to the Buddha, helping them to find
answers to overcome suffering. Puja is important as it is carried out both at home and in the
temple. Buddhists may use a string of beads to help them focus during worship or what they
called Mala.
MANTRAS

Buddhists may chant repetitively, as this is a form of

mediation. Buddhists may sing the scriptures.
MEDITATION

Buddhists may use meditation to open themselves to

a higher state of awareness. Meditation is central to
Buddhism.
OFFERINGS

Buddhists may leave gifts as a mark of respect and reverence to the Buddha. These
gifts may include flowers, which are beautiful but fade and serve as a reminder of
the impermanence of things. They may also include candles, which are a mark of
light and wisdom.
PILGRIMAGE

The purpose of pilgrimage is to foster a spiritual discipline, fulfill a vow, or simply

travel. It is an important Buddhist practice.
Pilgrimage also helps to express feelings of devotion and creates a relationship
with the historical figures associated with the pilgrimage site.
WHAT ARE THE
BELIEFS OF
BUDDHISM?
KARMA

In the traditional texts, the presentations of karma primarily focus on

four topics: cause and effect, the urge borne of habits of mind
(karma itself), actions which are propelled by such an urge, and the
effects/results of those actions.
REBIRTH

Buddhists believe that when someone dies, they will be reborn again
as something else. What they are reborn as depends on their actions
in their previous life (kamma). The cycle of rebirth is called samsara
and it is an ongoing cycle of life, death and rebirth.
 Humans go through an unknown number of cycles of rebirth over many lifetimes.
Skillful actions lead to a good rebirth and unskillful actions lead to a bad rebirth.
Through doing skillful actions in their life, a person can be reborn into one of the six
realms:
• the realm of the gods
• the realm of the angry gods
• the realm of the animals
• the realm of the tormented beings
• the realm of the hungry ghosts
• the realm of humans
Buddhists believe that the human realm is the best one to be in if they want to reach
enlightenment. If they gain good Kamma and follow the teachings of the Buddha, they
will be reborn into a more preferable realm.
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTH

The Four Noble Truths include the essence of Buddha's teachings, though they leave
much left unexplained. They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering,
the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of
suffering. More simply put, suffering exists; it has a cause; it has an end; and it has a
cause to bring about its end. 
The First Truth identifies the presence of suffering. The Second Truth,
on the other hand, seeks to determine the cause of suffering. In
Buddhism, desire and ignorance lie at the root of suffering. By desire,
Buddhists refer to craving pleasure, material goods, and immortality,
all of which are wants that can never be satisfied. As a result, desiring
them can only bring suffering. Ignorance, in comparison, relates to
not seeing the world as it actually is. Without the capacity for mental
concentration and insight, Buddhism explains, one's mind is left
undeveloped, unable to grasp the true nature of things. Vices, such as
greed, envy, hatred, and anger, derive from this ignorance. 
The Third Noble Truth, the truth of the end of suffering, has a dual
meaning, suggesting either the end of suffering in this life, on earth,
or in the spiritual life, through achieving Nirvana. When one has
achieved Nirvana, which is a transcendent state free from suffering
and our worldly cycle of birth and rebirth, spiritual enlightenment has
been reached. The Fourth Noble truth charts the method for attaining
the end of suffering, known to Buddhists as the Noble Eightfold Path. 
The steps of the Noble Eightfold Path are Right
Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right
Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right
Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. Moreover,
there are three themes into which the Path is divided:
good moral conduct (Understanding, Thought,
Speech); meditation and mental development (Action,
Livelihood, Effort), and wisdom or insight
(Mindfulness and Concentration).
WHAT ARE THE
DO’S AND DON’T
OF BUDDHISM?
ITEMS / ACTIVITIES DO DON’T
Please treat the Buddha Rupa carefully and Please don't place the Buddha rupa on the floor
with respect. Buddhists have great reverance or low down and when handling the Buddha
for the Buddha and treasure anything rupa, don't grasp it by the head or turn it upside
down (unless absolutely necessary). Don't handle
connected with or representative of him. the Buddha rupa unnecessarily or allow the
children to pass the Buddha rupa around.
When displaying a Buddha rupa keep it on a
The Buddha Image high place such as a shelf or table. It should
be at least eye-level with the children. It's better if KS1 children avoid touching the
Buddha rupa, and for older children to touch it
only when necessary, e.g. when moving the shrine.
When handling the Buddha rupa, use two
Buddha Rupa hands. Please don't confuse the popular
The Buddha rupa should ideally be displayed
'Laughing Buddha' statue with the
away from other things such as computers, Buddha. He is a Chinese character
books, other displays, etc. called 'Hotei' and is not the Buddha.

It's much better to use a Buddha rupa that

depicts the Buddha's whole body, as opposed
to just his head.
ITEMS /ACTIVITIES
religious objects are used in precise ways that 'Buddhist Artefact Boxes' that can be
Buddhist Items and Artifacts
(such as mala beads, prayer
wheels, singing bowls, etc.
DO
Please understand that many Buddhist
have great significance to Buddhist people.
Also, note that some objects are used only in
certain Buddhist traditions.
Do display the following Buddhist items:
meditation (mala) beads, prayer wheels,
prayer flags and singing bowls, but please
make sure the children know how they are
used. It's important that these things are not sitting mat
simply seen as exotic curiosities.
DON
Please note that some so-called
purchased may contain a number of
things that should not be used in the
classroom.
These include:
-Buddhist monk's robes
-Buddhist monk’s alms bowl
-Buddhist monk’s shoulder bag and

Do feel free to demonstrate to the children

how each of these things is used. Please don't allow children
to handle the items
unnecessarily.
Do make use of wall displays with
photos of Buddha rupas and Buddhist
imagery and texts.
ITEMS /ACTIVITIES DO
Buddhists are often sensitive about the
Buddha being portrayed in plays and films so
Play/Story-telling it's best to avoid it. However, portraying his
early life as a prince and his six-year search
for enlightenment is fine.
DON’T
As a matter of respect, please avoid using
the following items: Finger puppets,
puppets, and soft toys that are in the form
of the Buddha or Buddhist monks and
nuns. Be aware of the 'My First Buddha'
toy - it's not appropriate.