Path to Enlightenment

First Step for Buddhists is to understand and accept the four Noble Truths
4 Noble Truths
1. Suffering exists
2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires
3. Suffering ceases when attachment is gone
4. Follow 8 Fold Path to end suffering

8 Fold Path (and quality perfected)
1. Right View (Wisdom)
2. Right Thought
3. Right Speech (Morality)
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort (Meditation)
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Contemplation

Factors and Hindrances of Enlightenment
Factors: 1. Mindfullness 2. Investigation 3. Energy 4.Rapture 5. Tranquility
6.Concentration 7. Equanimity

Hindrances: 1. Sensuous Lust 2. Aversion/Ill Will 3. Sloth
4. Restlessness and worry 5. Skeptical Doubt

Buddha Bio

Name: Shakyamuni Buddha (birth name: Guatama)
Born/Death: 563-483 B.C.E
Early Life:
- Son of the chief of the Shakya Clan
- Considered by a fortune teller to be a "Religious Leader"
- Father hoped to protect his son from all of the dangers and "unpleasant" sides of life
- Grew up in wealth and luxury

Pre-enlightenment:
- post marriage and birth of his first son, Guatama went out to explore the world
- he came across 3 very important human experiences that would shape the religion of
Buddhism
1. Crippled man
2. an Aged man
3. Funnery Corpse

After seeing these three occurrences he experienced something that affect him in a very profound way. He saw a monk trying to gain liberation. After witnessing this he grew tired of living in such luxury and left his family in the care of his father's estate. He then went on a 6 year journey to find enlightenment.

Religions Book Section Buddhism