Yesterday in class, we discussed the Aryan invasion of the Indus River valley and how the Aryans dominated the original inhabitants of India. We also discussed how these Indians create a social caste system based on race and class. The Hindu religion, we learned as found in the Vedas and the Upanishads supported the caste system. We also discussed some other core beliefs of Hinduism, the belief in reincarnation, karma, and the three most important Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
It is in this conservative Hindu cultural mix that around the year 500 BC in a small kingdom along the present day India-Nepal border a child was born the the King and Queen. You are going to notice many similarities with the story of the Buddha and that of Jesus. Both men were historical fugues that changed world history. Christianity will dominate European culture while the religion that Siddhartha Gautama developed will similarly effect Asian societies.
In class today we discussed
1. Siddhartha as a young child and the what the priest said about his future.
2. Siddhartha's parents attempts to keep him from knowledge of life's problems
3. How Sidhhartha eventually, by accident comes to realize what he will come to call the Four Noble Truths.
4.How he leaves his comfortable life and beings a life of self denial in the forests for 6 years
5. How he comes to a realization of the the Middle way and eventually reaching enlightenment and ultimately nirvana.
By the end of class you should be able to explain in your own words the story of Siddhartha's enlightenment according to Buddhism. As always we discuss religion the purpose is to expose you to others beliefs while respecting your own.
These 5 short clips will give you a deeper understanding of the Buddha, please watch them in descending order.
1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcD3yutwkWA
2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvaoBiirOtk&mode=related&search=
3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1QVQlBaYG8&mode=related&search=
4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eavgDUjTLFU&mode=related&search=
5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P80JJrf55Eo&mode=related&search=
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