Buddhism through Its Scriptures

Film Focus: This video frames Buddhism as a religion with both deep roots and wide branches; that is, it is a historically ancient religion and has spread its teachings out over all the world. The video proceeds to discuss the foundations of Buddhism in the life of Siddhartha Gautama and concludes with an explanation of the expansion of Buddhism in the modern age.

Text Focus: Pages 312–317, 320–326, 328–334

Discussion Questions:

1. What is meant by the saying that Buddhism has “deep roots” and “wide branches”?
2. When and where was Buddhism first practiced? How did it come to spread around the world?
3. What issue caused Siddhartha Gautama to go out and seek answers? Do other religions you have studied attempt to answer this issue? Elaborate on your response.
4. What is significant about the name Buddha?
5. What does it mean that Buddhists have “dual-canons”? Are there other religions that we have studied that have something of this “dual-canon”?

*Ave Maria Press has requested permission to link to this video for use in the classroom as part of the accompanying lesson. If for any reason, the producer does not wish this video to be included on this site, Ave Maria Press will remove it posthaste.