Buddhism as a worldview Lesson 2. Who was the Buddha

Buddhism as a worldview

A series of 8 lessons looking at Buddhism as a worldview. 1.Buddhism through a sociological lens *To consider facts and figures about Buddhism around the world* 2.Who was the Buddha? *To consider who the Buddha is through a historical, religious and philosophical lense* 3. The stories of Buddha *To consider what Buddhists learn from the teachings of Buddha 4. Buddhism and happiness *To consider to what extent Buddhism to contributes to happiness 5. Buddhism and morality *To consider what Buddhism teaches about morality* 6. Who was the Dalai Lama? *To consider who the Dalai Lama is and his place within Tibetan Buddhism* 7. Buddhism in the 21st century *To consider what part Buddhism plays in the modern world, in terms of culture and wellbeing* 8. Is Buddhism a religion? *To consider whether Buddhism is a world view or a religion focussing in Ninian Smart;s 7 dimensions of religion* It presupposes some previous knowledge of worldviews, lenses and types of truth