Buddhist Spirituality James A. Van Slyke Buddhism 4th Largest Religion in the World 350 million practice the religion Regional forms of Buddhism Theravada Thailand; Burma; Cambodia Mahayana (East Asian) China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam Tibetan Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal History of Buddhism Founder of Buddhism • (560-480 BC) • Grew up as a prince with a life of privilege • Later saw that life was really about suffering and pain • Left his family and possessions to search for enlightenment • Looked to philosophy and an ascetic lifestyle Siddhartha Gautama History of Buddhism Experience of Enlightenment (Buddha) • Realized that ascetic lifestyle was not the answer • Sought enlightenment through mediation • Desire or Craving (Tanha) leads to suffering – Must release our attachment to desire – Must follow the middle way between extreme indulgence and extreme asceticism Siddhartha Gautama History of Buddhism • Began in India during the 6th century BCE • Outgrowth of the Hindu religion • Some forms of Buddhism are nontheistic; other elements still include spiritual beings • Foundation of Buddhism; Three Jewels – Buddha – Dharma (Teachings) – Sangha (Community) Dharma: The Four Noble Truths • Truth #1 Life is Difficult – Our lives are flawed and imperfect – Not pessimistic, but honest; realistic view of life • Truth #2 Cravings make life difficult – Our cravings can never be fully satisfied – Control cravings rather than let cravings control you Dharma: The Four Noble Truths • Truth #3 Detachment from Craving (Nirvana) – Inner Peace; internal freedom – Transformation of Desire • Truth #4 Eight-fold Path to Enlightenment – How to purify one’s heart and mind – Following the Dharma day by day Eight-Fold Path: Wisdom Training •Right View •Challenging our distortions of reality •Every moment is a chance for transformation •Right Intentions •Purify thoughts and attitudes •Develop compassion towards others Eight-fold path: Ethics Training • Right Speech – Speak gently and clearly – Words have power; use them wisely • Right Action – Karma – what we do to others comes back to us – Compassion to others brings compassion to us • Right Livelihood – Avoid vocations that harm others – Our work should be an extension of our dharma Eight-fold path: Meditation Training • Right Effort – Sincere Spiritual Effort – Directing our energies toward enlightenment • Right Mindfulness – Conscious presence in the here and now – Cultivating awareness to action and thought • Right Concentration – Unification of spiritual intentionality – Integrating spiritual disciplines and focusing attention