BUDDHISM All know the Way, but few actually walk it. Don t believe anything because a teacher said it, you must experience it.
Some Facts About Buddhism 4th largest religion (488 million) The Buddha is not chubby Buddha is not a god Buddhism enters Asia in 150 CE Buddhism is not a major religion in India today
Objectives The Three Gems The Buddha Life story of the Buddha The Dharma The Law and Teachings of Buddha 4 Noble Truths Samsara and Karma The Sangha Monastic tradition Mahayana Buddhism in Asia
The Dharma The Second Gem: Teachings of the Buddha: Buddha s First Sermon
All of the Dharma is based on Buddha's discovery that suffering is unnecessary: Like a disease, once we really face the fact that suffering exists, we can look more deeply and discover it's cause; and when we discover that the cause is dependent on certain conditions, we can explore the possibility of removing those conditions.
The First Sermon at Sarnarth Emphasis is not metaphysical Goal is liberation from rebirth 1 st Sermon Four Noble Truths and The Middle Way Suffering Exists (Dukkha) Suffering is caused by craving caused by ignorance (Tanha) Suffering will cease The way to this state is the Noble Eightfold Path Result is Nirvana
Three Marks of Existence All of life is marked by three experiences: All things Suffer (Dukkha) All things are impermanent (Anicca) All things are interdependent There is no Soul, there is only what is
Noble Eightfold Path Purify the mind and help us avoid unwholesome activities Divided into Three Qualities Wisdom Ethics (Sila) Meditation or a Disciplined Mind (Skillful Means)
The Five Precepts (for all Buddhists) Do not lie Do not steal No sexual misconduct No intoxicants No harm or injury to living creatures (vegetarianism, pacifism) Additional rules for monks and nuns
Humans: Anatman or No Soul Doctrine Humans are psychological and physiological As such, we have the characteristic of impermanence/emptiness Humans are comprised of Aggregates (Skandhas) Form, Feeling, Perceptions, Volition, Consciousness All these things are temporary and dependent upon conditions (interdependence). Thus Buddhism does deny the existence of a permanent self that transmigrates from one existence to the next, but not an identity
Samsara and Karma Reality of the universe, a cycle of existence No soul what is reborn? Karma; cause and effect Seed Metaphor Karma keeps us tethered to the world through our ignorance and cravings. Attachment, Aversion and delusion (Generosity, compassion, insight)
Heavenly Realm: Realm of Bliss and Pride Jealous gods: jealousy, struggle, combat or rationalization of the world. Human Realm: Passion, Desire and Doubt Animal Realm: Stupidity and prejudice Hungry Ghost Realm: possessiveness and desire Hell Realm: Hatred 6 Realms of Existence
On the way to Nirvana: 7 factors Mindfulness Investigation Energy/effort Happiness Tranquility Concentration Equanimity Free yourself from Egocentrism--- Be Self-less Avoid the 10 hindrances
Vocabulary Dharma Nirvana Dukkha Tanha Anitya/Anicca Anatman/Anatta Dhammapada Karma Bodhisattva Samsara Arhant
Power of Buddha s teaching Message was clear/accessible; no arcane scriptures; given in the vernacular language Favored introspection and self-mastery over externalized ritual Rank/sex did not matter Disciplined monastic organization (sangha) provided an alternative to militarism (peace army vs. war army)