Buddhism Fundamental Review

What is the human condition

Buddhists believe that humans are caught in samsara, characterized by maya, tanha, and hatred/aversion → leading to dukkha

Buddhists beliefs about samsara:

Humans suffer because we are delusional, ignorant, and crave what isn’t real:

• delusions of anger, attachment, and fear are based on ignorance or a lack of understanding

• we suffer because something good stops or we are hurt

• craving more of what we have or we want something that is causing use to suffer to end or change

Where are we going?

To a favorable rebirth or enlightenment through entering nirvana, to Buddhahood, or Bodhisattvahood

Enlightenment and Nirvana

Enlightenment is to be awakened, a sense of knowledge or understanding

• we no longer have desires and we are in control of our life

• the physical world will cease to have importance → a spiritual understanding and therefore a change in our reality

  nirvana is to overcome suffering and be content by giving up craving and learn to truly live in the present (basically Buddhists’ motsha)

Bodhisattvahood

• Mahayana tradition

• beings who at some point realized the emptiness of all things, thus finding eternal peace (nirvana)

• RETURN to hour and serve all possible Buddhas

• spread knowledge and practice of the dharma

• support the enlightenment of others

Buddhahood

• enlightened: the Buddha

• craving and thus suffering is overcome

• mind is fully open to all possibilities and unattached from any object or idea

• need to have knowledge and understanding of world as it is → be awake rather than myths of fear and greed

How do we get there?

We achieve enlightenment by:

• acknowledging the 3 jewels

• joining the sangha

• accepting the 4 noble truths

• following the Middle Way/ Eightfold Path

• following precepts consistent with a lay or monastic life, following the path of a bodhisattva and developing wisdom and compassion

Joining a sangha

• follow the Buddha and dharma as one

• help look after one another in a community of faith

• abandon appearance and behavior of a layperson and adopt appearance and behaviors of an ordained person

  • keep vows (10 precepts)

Sacred Texts

The Tripitaka (three baskets) and Mahayana texts

• within the Tripitaka, the Sutta Pitaka is considered the most important → contains the teachings of the Buddha

• Vinaya Pitaka → outlines monastic rules

• Abhidhamma Pitaka → elaborates on Buddhist psychology and philosophy.

The Eightfold Path

1. Right Understanding: Understanding the Four Noble Truths and the nature of reality. 

2. Right Intention: Cultivating positive intentions and thoughts, avoiding harmful ones. 

3. Right Speech: Speaking truthfully, kindly, and constructively. 

4. Right Action: Engaging in ethical and compassionate actions, avoiding harm. 

5. Right Livelihood: Earning a living through ethical means that do not harm others. 

6. Right Effort: Cultivating positive mental states and preventing negative ones. 

7. Right Mindfulness: Being present and aware of one's thoughts, feelings, and sensations. 

8. Right Concentration:Developing focus and single-mindedness through meditation.