RS WEEK 14 SUMMATIVE

Religious text

Tipitaka/ the Pali Cannon

Sutta Pitaka (Basket of Discourses)

First and most extensive basket of the Tipitaka, filled with the Buddha’s discourses and teachings as well as all of his enlightened disciples ones. One of the key texts in the Sutta Pitaka is the Dhammapada, a collection of verses that encapsulate the Buddha's teachings. The name "Dhammapada" means "The Way of Truth" or "Verses of Truth." It consists of 423 verses.

Dhammapada quotes: Moral Conduct

Verse 183: "To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind—

this is the teaching of the Buddhas."

Mental Discipline

Verse 35: "The mind is difficult to control; swiftly and lightly it moves and lands wherever it pleases. A disciplined mind brings happiness."

Wisdom and Insight

Verse 277: "All conditioned things are impermanent' — when one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering. This is the path to purification."

Daily Inspiration

Verse 102: "Though a person recites a thousand verses, but does not act accordingly, better it is to follow the one Dhamma teaching, which if heard brings peace."

Community and Tradition

Verse 276: "You yourselves must strive; the Buddhas only point the way. Those who meditate and practice the path are freed from the bonds of Mara."

Jataka Tales

which are stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. These tales often feature animals as main characters and teach moral lessons through their narratives.

Vinaya Pitaka (Basket of Discipline)

he second section of the Tipitaka is the Vinaya Pitaka. This basket contains the rules and regulations for monks and nuns, known as the Vinaya. It provides detailed instructions on monastic conduct, the procedures for ordination, and the organization and functioning of the monastic community. The Vinaya Pitaka also includes historical 37 accounts of the early monastic order, offering insight into the development of the Buddhist community after the Buddha's death.

Abhidhamma Pitaka (Basket of Higher Teachings)

The third section of the Tipitaka is the Abhidhamma Pitaka. This basket is a complex and systematic analysis of the Buddha's teachings. It delves into the nature of the mind and matter, offering a detailed classification of all the mental and physical phenomena that constitute an individual's experience. The Abhidhamma Pitaka is highly analytical and is considered to be an advanced teaching meant for those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the Buddhist doctrine. It builds on lists called matikas, which summarise the teachings found in the Sutta Pitaka.

The Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra is one of the most important texts in Buddhism,

particularly in Mahayana Buddhism

Act 6: Ascetic life

After leaving his luxurious palace life (The Great Renunciation), Siddhartha became an ascetic, meaning he gave up all comforts to search for the truth about suffering. He lived in the forest, wore rags, and ate almost nothing, hoping that extreme self-denial would help him find enlightenment. He even tried holding his breath and eating one grain of rice a day, pushing his body to the limit. However, after nearly dying from starvation, Siddhartha realised that extreme suffering was not the path to enlightenment. This led to his discovery of the Middle Way – a path between too much luxury and too much hardship.

Act 7: Victory over Mara

As Siddhartha Gautama meditated beneath the Bodhi tree in his final search for enlightenment, Mara, the evil one, tried to stop him. Mara used several temptations to distract Siddhartha: Desire – by sending his daughters to seduce him. Fear – by unleashing terrifying armies. Pride and doubt – by challenging Siddhartha’s worthiness and asking who would witness his enlightenment. Siddhartha remained calm, focused, and unmoved by these distractions. In response to Mara’s final challenge, he touched the earth, calling it to witness his right to attain enlightenment. The earth responded, and Mara was defeated

Act 8: The Enlightenment

When the future buddha began to meditate under the bodhi tree

First Watch (6 PM - 10 PM): Knowledge of Past Lives

During the first watch, Siddhartha gained the ability to see all of his past lives. He recalled his previous existences in detail, understanding the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) that he had been through countless times. This insight helped him comprehend the continuity of life and the nature of existence.

Second Watch (10 PM - 2 AM): Knowledge of Karma and Rebirth

In the second watch, Siddhartha gained insight into the workings of karma (the law of moral causation). He saw how beings are born and reborn according to their good and bad deeds. This understanding revealed the moral dimension of the universe, where actions have consequences that affect future existences.

Third Watch (2 AM - 6 AM): Knowledge of the Four Noble Truths

During the third watch, Siddhartha attained the most profound level of understanding. He realised the Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation of Buddhist teaching