Buddhism
Buddhism
The Life of Gautama
Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, was born into
the warrior caste . His father ruled over a small region of northern
India.
Siddhartha led a pampered life, but the Four Passing Sights ( an
old man, a diseased man, a corpse, and a mendicant), caught his
attention and disturbed him.
Siddhartha discovered the Middle Way, the central teaching of
Buddhism. This way rejects both extremes of sensual indulgence
and asceticism.
He and his followers formed the sangha, or Buddhist community.
Three Marks of Existence
Anatta - there is no ultimate reality, no essence underlying existence, nothing exists
beyond the present moment. The essence of Buddhism is that there is no essence.
Anicca - The world is constantly changing - “impermanence”
Dukka - suffering is part of the human condition and the first of the Four Noble Truths
The Dharma
Buddhist teachings may be difficult to understand, but because they are based on the
insights of a human being, they are potentially understandable to anyone.
Buddhism emphasizes the development of wisdom rather than faith.
Buddhism reacted against Hinduism in some respects: philosophical speculation was
rejected as was the institutional form of Hinduism. Also, the teachings of Buddhism were
written available in an accessible language rather than solely in Sanskrit.
Three Rafts to Cross the River
Theravada Buddhism - focuses on the teachings of the Buddha rather than on
the Buddha himself. Adherents of Theravada practice the Noble Eightfold Path,
which emphasizes meditation. Arhats are the ideal type in Theravada, whom all
strive to imitate.
Mahayana Buddhism - focuses on the Buddha himself, celebrating him as a
divine savior. Salvation comes through the infinite grace of the compassionate
Buddha.
Vajrayana Buddhism - “fights fire with fire.” It harness the energy of desire
and turns it against itself to propel the individual towards enlightenment.
Tibetans practice this.
What is Buddhism?
• Buddhism is a major world
religion, or in a better sense,
philosophy.
• It is the 4th largest religion of the
world, and has about
300,000,000 people living by it.
• It explains the purpose of life,
injustices and inequality around
the world.
• It also helps people by providing a
way of life that will lead to true
happiness.
The History of Buddhism
• It was all started by Buddha, who was a prince in
Lumbini, 2500 years ago.
• He was very unhappy in his royal life, so he set off on
a 6 year journey, exploring other religions.
• After his long journey and much meditation he was
finally “enlightened”.
• He found the middle path, the key to human
happiness. For the rest of his life he wandered Asia,
preaching his new religion.
What Did Buddha Teach?
• He taught the 4 Noble
truths which sum up
Buddhism religion
• He also taught the noble
eight fold path
• He taught to lead a moral
life, be mindful and aware
of thoughts and actions and
to develop wisdom and
understanding
• He also taught the 5
precepts
What are the Four Noble Truths?
• The first was that life is suffering
• You can’t live without death, frustration, etc.
• The second is that suffering is caused by craving and
aversion
• Getting what you want doesn’t guarantee happiness, it deprives
you of it
• The third is that suffering can be overcome, and true
happiness attained
• If we stop craving useless things, and live each day at a time (not
living in the future) we will be happy and free.
• The fourth is that the Noble eight fold path leads to
the end of all suffering
FIRST NOBLE TRUTH:
LIFE INEVITABLY INVOLVES SUFFERING:
- Imperfect
- Illness
- Hateful
- Separation
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SECOND NOBLE TRUTH:
THE ORIGIN OF SUFFERING IS OUR
DESIRES:
-
Grasping for pleasure
Grasping for becoming
Grasping for sensual delight
Grasping for what we don’t have
12
THIRD NOBLE TRUTH:
SUFFERING WILL STOP WHEN DESIRES
ARE STOPPED:
- When the ‘grasping’ stops
- Elimination of passions
13
FOURTH NOBLE TRUTH:
THERE IS A WAY TO GET TO THIS POINT:
THE EIGHTFOLD PATH
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The Noble Eightfold Path
• It taught 8 simple rules:
• To have a right
understanding
• To have right thoughts
• To use right speech
• To do right actions
• To deal with right livelihood
• To give a right effort
• To have a right mindfulness
• To use the right meditation
The 5 precepts
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Do not take the life of anything living
Do not take anything not freely given
Abstain from sensual overindulgence
Refrain from untrue speech
Avoid intoxication
• Do not lose mindfulness
• This is the moral code of the Buddhists