HSC Studies of Religion 2 Life Skills. Year 2016 Mark Pages 17 Published Feb 13, Religion- Buddhism notes. By Sophie (99.

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1 HSC Studies of Religion 2 Life Skills Year 2016 Mark Pages 17 Published Feb 13, 2018 Religion- Buddhism notes By Sophie (99.4 ATAR)

2 Powered by TCPDF ( Your notes author, Sophie. Sophie achieved an ATAR of 99.4 in 2016 while attending Loreto Kirribilli Currently studying Law/Economics at The University of Sydney Achievements: HSC Honour Roll State Ranking- Mathematics General II Ranked in the top 5 for each subject for internal marks Sophie says: I achieved an ATAR of 99.4 having studied French Continuers, French Extension, English Advanced, Legal Studies, Studies of Religion II and Mathematics General II. I have comprehensive notes for each subject, summaries as well as essay booklets for English, Religion, etc.

3 XVI DALAI LAMA Violence will only increase the cycle of violence My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. Central to the Buddha s teachings is seeking equality among humanity. Love and compassion are the ultimate sources of human happiness. Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. DEVELOPMENT Member of Vajryana (Tibetan school) of Buddhism Name means Holy Lord, Gentle Glory, Compassionate, Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom LIFE Identified at the age of two by a search party as the 14 th incarnation of Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of compassion (1937) Enthroned at aged 4 as the supreme temporal and spiritual leader of (1940) Began rigorous Buddhist training at aged 5, culminating in a doctorate- level examination at 24 In 1950, the army of the People s Republic of China invaded the region One month later he was enthroned formally as Dalai Llama Forced to flee Tibet at 24 (1959) took with him a small group of refugees Maintained a 50- year- dialogue with China, attempting to secure self- determination three resolutions passed by UN condemning Chinese action CONTEXT Tibet s struggle for self- determination from China who is currently controlling Tibet China has historically controlled Tibet but in 1950 they enforced this 20 th century was a century of bloodshed - believes 21 st century must be a century of dialogue THREE MAIN COMMITMENTS 1. As a human being à promotion of human values such as compassion 2. As a religious practitioner à promotion of religious harmony & understanding 3. To preserve Tibet s Buddhist culture, a culture of peace and non- violence EXPRESSION OF BUDDHISM - Teachings: love, compassion, forgiveness, peace, self- discipline, promotion of religious harmony, suffering and karma - Embodies compassion- believed to be the Bodhisattva of Compassion - Applies Buddhist teachings and values to individual life small and large scale - Inspiration for achieving enlightenment; instead of entering Nirvana, he stays back to help others on the path - Lives a simple life- free from attachments and desires - Promotes inter- faith dialogue with a common message of compassion, forgiveness, tolerance and self- discipline The need for simple human to human relationships is becoming increasingly urgent - Embodies the virtue of ahimsa non- violence- and metta- compassion relation to the oppression of Tibet, responding through non- violent/peaceful methods - Promotes peace through Five Point Peace Plan

4 PILGRIMAGE Think of yourself as a pilgrim and your teachers as guides, think of their instructions as the road and the practice as the land of your destination The Lord Buddha DESCRIBE PILGRIMAGE Once in a lifetime outward journey to sacred places that brings about an inner growth and development of faith and spirituality Purpose: show reverence to Buddha and share in his journey of spiritual enlightenment, renounce luxury, share fellowship with other Buddhists Pilgrimage first mentioned in the Pali Tipitaka where Buddha advised his disciples to visit four places after he was gone 1. Lumbini: birthplace 2. Bodhgaya: achieved enlightenment 3. Deer Park in Sarnath: preached first sermon and taught concept of Dharma 4. Kushinagar: place of death/where he achieved nirvana Most sites contain temples, shrines, a Bodhi tree, an Askoan pillar- here they engage in traditional practices such as prayer, reflection, mediation and chanting 4 other sites have been added by Asoka where miraculous events involving Buddha occurred e.g. Rajgir- subdued the angry elephant through friendliness Always been significant- 1 st Buddhist emperor, King Asoka performed pilgrimage, attended discussions w/ Sangha and gave donations to Sangha Physical journey that fulfils the demands of the middle way Success of pilgrimage depends on desire, mind, effort and knowledge Aim: development of the perfections (paramis) e.g. patience, kindness, wisdom Three steps 1. Preparation Adherents may increase practices of devotion (puja) or meditation (Samadhi) May undertake to observe more precisely the 5 precepts of ethical behaviour May decide to adopt while on pilgrimage one or more of the five extra precepts 2. On the pilgrimage On arrival at the main pilgrimage site, adherents attend temple puja, performing practices involved, joining in the chanting of the monks and being guided into a better understanding of pranja, sila and Samadhi 3. Return from pilgrimage May guide others into a better practice of Buddhism May bring back to their village religious objects for veneration by the community or texts to help community develop understanding about Buddhist teachings HOW PILGRIMAGE EXPRESSES THE BELIEFS OF BUDDHISM BELIEF EXPRESSION IN PILGRIMAGE Buddha Before entering the shrine they make three prostrations to revere the Three Refuges (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) Reliving Buddha s own path/pilgrimage towards enlightenment Places of pilgrimage all of special significance to Budda s life Reaffirms commitment to Buddha + confirmation that they live their life in according to his teachings and principles

5 Powered by TCPDF ( BUDDHIST SEXUAL ETHICS Buddhism is not based on acceptance of, or commitment to, a fixed set of beliefs. It is a philosophy, which invites each individual to reach his or her own personal conviction. REFERENCES If the action has as its roots greed, hatred and delusion, it is an unwholesome or bad action, and if it was generated by the roots of liberty, compassionate love and wisdom, it is a good action (De Silva) Have compassion and do not kill. Never harm any lives, then you will be free of all worries (Buddha) The foundation of all spiritual practice is love (Dalai Lama) BASIS OF ETHICS Based on the golden rule, thus promoting sexual relations as natural Sex is neither good/bad or sinful, as a powerful force considering consequences Avoid action which brings about harm to self or others (dukkha) and which increases non- satisfactoriness caused by Tanha (desire), rather act compassionately Actions must be motivated by and derived by pranja no confusion ETHICAL SYSTEM Not based on absolutes but on understanding intention/consequences of actions Moral teachings such as the Golden Rule do not to others anything we would not like them to do to ourselves Consequentialist (individual) Ultimate goal enlightenment Situational (individual) Utilitarian (communal) Autonomy- the individual is solely responsible for any ethical actions Universality- the ethical teachings is appropriate for all people and all time Freedom- a person is free either to accept or reject the ethical teachings Inner purity- ethical behaviour affects the inner life of the adherent VIRTUES Cardinal virtues of Buddhism- to abandon attachment and think of others Araga (non- greed/unselfishness), advesa (non- hatred/generosity), amoha (non- delusion/liberty) Dana generosity Ahimsa non- violence Karuna- compassion à Particularly valued by Mahayana - associated with the bodhisattva, Avalokitesvara Sila- morality Ahimsa and metta leads to sila (ethics)