Buddhism

Buddhism Basics

  • Originated in India as an offshoot of Hinduism
  • Believes that the human condition is sick and needs a cure
  • Gautama Buddha “the enlightened one”
  • Stories of Buddha’s life were recorded centuries after his death   * Born around 560 BCE, died around 480 BCE   * Warrior Class; Feudal Lord (very privileged)   * Parents made sure he never encountered any suffering

The Four Passing Sights

  • Left home to see the world in his early 20’s   * Parents got rid of slums etc. to ensure that Buddha didn’t see anything that would distress him; didn’t work
  1. Elderly
  2. Disease
  3. Death
  4. Ascetic

       1. Someone who draws away from worldly/physical pleasures to develop spiritually

  • At age 29, Buddha left the castle and everything he knew   * “The [Great] Going Forth”   * left to solve old age/disease/death
  • Attempts to solve old age and death   * Solitude   * Extreme fasting   * Yoga   * Comes up with the Middle Way

The Middle Way

  • Rejection both extremes of life (sensual indulgence and asceticism)   * Don’t live excessively or completely ignore your own needs
  • Spiritual health and physical health are united

Enlightenment

  • Sat in Lotus position under Bodhi Tree (Wisdom Tree)
  • Battled Gods, Death, Discontent, Delight, Desire   * Each of these tempts him off the path of Enlightenment, so he has to overcome them

Stages of Enlightenment

  • 1: Can see past lives through meditation
  • 2: See death/rebirth of all things
  • 3: The Four Noble Truths are revealed

Temptation

  • Buddha was tempted to pass into Nirvana but resists   * Nirvana: The extinction/letting go of any desires and individual self-worth   * Buddha was compassionate and teaching   * Described self as “awake”

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Buddhism in Practice

Buddha’s Followers

  • 5 people followed him and became saints (arhats)
  • Founded Sanga

3 Jewels of Buddhism

 

  1. Buddha: Founded Buddhism
  2. Dharma: Teachings of Buddha, how he lived his life

       1. The universe is eternally created and destroyed (Hinduism)

             1. Were many Buddhas before and many will follow       2. Samsara: The continuous cycle of birth and death    2. Rejects sacrificial system to the gods/goddesses    3. Rejects caste system and segmentation of society; allows women to have status    4. Rejects education (barrier to entry for religion; not accessible for everyone)

             1. Wrote in Pali: the ancient language of common Indians    5. Center of Dharma wheel = spiritual balance achieved through teachings

  1. Sangha: The community and life of person themself

Destiny

  • Discover inner realm of self to achieve Nirvana   * Everything within and outside of self is changing
  • Accept that not everything about self is real
  • Three Marks of Existence   * Anatta: There is no self     * Opposite of the Hinduism     * There is no Atman, Brahman, self, essence, ultimate reality     * We don’t have souls, there is only the now   * Anicca: Impermanence     * Existence is constantly changing     * Eg. nature of the river is flowing → you will never step in the same river twice   * Dukka: Suffering     * Result of other two marks     * Suffering exists because people can’t let go/go with the flow → creates suffering for self     * Must detach, see everything as loose and changing, don’t try to grasp
  • Karma   * Same in Buddhism and Hinduism   * Basic Karma rules of Buddhism:     * What is wrong is the intention (why) of a moral act, not the outcome

Four Noble Truths

  • To live life is to experience dukka   * Discomfort, things are not as they should be   * The more attachment you have, the more you will suffer   * Circumstances in live (chance), stages of growth and development, sickness, old age, all will die, unfulfilled wishes
  • Suffering is caused by tanha   * Tanha: our personal thirsts and desires   * Self desire, personal fulfillment — increases dukka and tanha   * We are naturally selfish
  • Suffering can stop
  • Solution to suffering: the Eightfold Path   * The Eightfold Path: The basic practices of Buddhism that can lead you to Nirvana

 

Enlightenment and Nirvana

  • Final Nirvana happens at bodily death
  • Arhat: one who is enlightened/awakened   * If you attain it, you see that there is no self, and you are free from tanha and dukka
  • Buddhas do not need followers or models to attain Nirvana
  • Nirvana is impossible to describe
Three Ways of Buddhism
  • Theravada: The Way of the Elders   * There are no gods or goddesses to help you   * Buddha is the first to experience enlightenment   * The teachings of Buddha are the most important thing   * Nirvana is attainable by your own effort
  • Mahayana: The Great Vehicle   * Largest sect of Buddhism   * See Buddha as a divine savior   * Primary teaching: foster compassion   * Didn’t enter Nirvana immediately   * Goal: become a bodhisatva     * Bodhisatva: a Buddha in the making     * Can enter Nirvana but stop short to help others     * Extend beyond the earthly realm     * Wait to enter Nirvana until the last blade of grass becomes enlightened
  • Vajrayana   * Diamond sector teaching of Buddhism - harness   * Teachings are full of energy, strength, clarity   * Mandala: a pattern of icons/images that visually excite to enhance meditation   * Mudras: choreographed hand movements used in ritual   * Mantra: a sacred utterance (syllable, word, or verse) that is considered to possess mystical or spiritual efficacy   * Rituals are important     * Talk with gods/goddesses to achieve union with them and nirvana   * Dalai Lama     * Spiritual leader of Vajrayana Buddhism     * 14th reincarnation of bodhisattva

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