BUDDHISM 5.

Abstaining from drink and

- one of the major religions in the drugs that cloud the mind.
world. Four Noble Truths
-based on the teachings of Buddha. 1. All existence is dukkha.
- originated in India 2. The cause of dukkha is craving.
-535 million followers 3. The cessation of dukkha comes
with the cessation of craving.
Types of Buddhism 4. There is a path that leads from
1. Theravada Buddhism dukkha.
2. Mahayana Buddhism
3. Tibetan Buddhism Noble Eightfold Path
1. Right Understanding or
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Perfect Vision
2. Right Resolve or
Siddhartha Gautama Perfect Emotion
- Indian Prince lived during 5th 3. Right Speech or Perfect Speech
century B.C. 4. Right Action or Perfect Action
- see that life’s pleasures fade quickly. 5. Right Livelihood or
- set out in search of lasting Perfect Livelihood
happiness. 6. Right Effort or Perfect Effort
- discovered the timeless truth of 7. Right Mindfulness or
existence and realized enlightenment Perfect Awareness
after 6 years of meditation. 8. Right Concentration or
Perfect Samadhi
Enlightenment
- complete cessation of greed, hatred
Other Beliefs
and delusion, which are at the root of
1. Reincarnation
all discontent deep within the mind.
2. Law of Karma
Buddha
- “Enlightened One”  MODE OF WORSHIP
- devoted the remaining 45 years of his
life to teaching and helping others to Location
attain enlightenment. 1. Temple
a. Pagoda
b. Stupa
 BELIEFS AND IDEOLOGIES 2. At Home

Three Jewels Five Elements of Buddhist Temple

1. The Buddha (The Yellow Jewel) 1. Void
2. The Dharma (The Blue Jewel) 2. Wind
3. The Sangha (The Red Jewel) 3. Fire
4. Water
5. Earth
Threefold Way
1. Ethics
2. Meditation Three Elements of Ritual
3. Wisdom 1. Recitation
2. Chanting
The Five Precepts 3. Offering
1. Not killing or causing harm to
other living beings. Buddhist Holy Book
2. Not taking the not-given. 1. Tipitaka
3. Avoiding sexual misconduct. 2. Sutras
4. Avoiding false speech. 3. The Book of the Dead
Buddhist Symbols
1. Bhavacakra (Wheel of Life)
2. Buddha Eyes (Wisdom Eyes)
3. Buddhapada
Buddhism’s Sacred Days
1. Uposatha
2. Vesak Day
3. The Rains Retreat
4. The Kathina Ceremony
Other Practices
 Body Language and Behavior
- Shoes and any head covering
should be removed.
- Bow three times before a statue
of the Buddha.
- Buddhist monks and nuns are
not allowed to come into direct
physical contact with members
of the opposite gender.
- Police/ Soldiers (or any other
person) should not carry
weapons into Temple.
- Touching the head of a person is
considered to be impolite except
during medical treatment.
 Greeting
- Put the palms of the hands
together and raise them to the
chin.
- Inappropriate to shake hands
 Names and Titles
- Buddhist monks and nuns can
be addressed as ‘Venerable’,
‘Roshi’, ‘Ajahn’, ‘Master’,
‘Bhante’ or ‘Sister’
 Dress and Appearance
- Buddhist monks shave their
heads and wear a robe that is
usually brown/tan, orange, red,
maroon, grey or black.
- Buddhist nuns also shave their
heads and wear a robe which is
usually brown, maroon, white,
grey or pink.
- Visitors to Buddhist temples or
monasteries should dress and
behave modestly.
 Seating
- The rules for some Buddhist
monks and nuns do not allow
them to be alone with the
opposite sex.
 Food, Drink, & Fasting
- Some monks and nuns eat meat
and others are vegetarian.
- Some Buddhist monks, nuns
and lay people do not eat in the
period from noon until the dawn
of the next day.
 Family & Marriage
- Do not perform marriage
ceremonies but often give a
blessing after the civil
ceremony.
- the most senior male is
considered the head of the
family
 Medical
- Medical service providers
treating Buddhist monks or
nuns should be of the same
gender.
 Counselling
- Buddhist monks, nuns and
some lay spiritual leaders are
highly regarded by their
communities and are often
called upon for counselling and
advice.
 Death
- Buddhism does not prescribe
any particular preparation of
the corpse or type of funeral so
this will vary depending on
cultural traditions.
- Cremation is common, though
Chinese Buddhists prefer
burial. Sometimes the ashes of
the deceased are kept or
enshrined in a Buddhist temple
or monastery.
- Buddhist funeral services are
normally performed by
Buddhist monks or nuns.