Buddhism

All that we are

is the result of
what we have
thought.
The mind is
everything.
What we think
we become.
Life of the Buddha
Born ~563 BCE Northern India
Shakya Clan (Kshatrya) King
Suddhodana & Queen Maya
Birth myth indicates Immaculate Conception
In all the universe only I' exist.
Protected from all sight of suffering; privileged, idyllic life
Moved through Brahmanic steps (Ashrams)
Married Yashodara at age 19
only son Rahula
Mara attempts to dissuade Siddhartha
from his chosen path
The Four Passing Sights:
1. An old person = we are of the nature to grow old
2. A sick person = we are of the nature to become ill
3. A corpse = we are of the nature to die
4. A wandering ascetic (monk) = the path of enlightenment
Siddhartha renounces all worldly
possessions obviously did not listen to Mara
Enlightenment of the Buddha
The Middle Way
The path between the two extremes
of self-mortification
and self-indulgence
The Four Noble
Truths
1. The nature of
suffering(dukkha)
To exist is to suffer
2. The origin of suffering
tanha - grasping
avidya - ignorance
3. The cessation (stopping,
ending) of suffering
It is possible to end
suffering
4. The Eight-Fold Path
The way to end
suffering
Dukkha
Attachment / Aversion
Struggling against the
processes of life
Clinging to what is
impermanent
Avoiding unpleasant
realities
Avidya ignorance; not
seeing things as they are
Appearance of self is generated by
aggregate of five psychological
activities, or Skandhas:
1. Matter
2. Sensations
3. Perceptions
4. Impulses
5. Consciousness
Tanha
Grasping to make
permanent what is
impermanent
Thinking that over &
above the processes
of body and mind
we are permanent
selves
Anatta no self
Thirst for
Sense pleasures
Existence &
becoming
Pratitya-Samutpada
When this is,
that is
This arising,
that arises
When this is
not, that is
not
This
ceasing,
that ceases
Doctrine of Dependent Origination
Explains the experienced universe without resorting to
chance or first cause Conditioned Genesis
Everything is
conditional,
relative &
interdependent
The Eight-Fold
Path
Three Trainings
Sila Ethical Conduct
Based on universal love for all
beings
Speech 3 gates
Action for the good of the
many
Livelihood - occupation
Samadhi Mental Discipline
Effort prevent unhealthy
states of mind
Mindfulness awareness
Concentration promote
tranquility
Panna Wisdom
Thought ahimsa & karuna
Understanding of 4 Noble
Truths & teachings
Insight must be tied to action


When grasping
ceases, humans
pass beyond
suffering to
Nirvana - the state
of being free of
egocentrism and
the suffering it
causes

The purpose of overcoming suffering is liberation for living, not
eradication of the processes of living
The processes of living do not cause suffering; the cause of suffering is
unwarranted attachment to the processes.
Kalachakra (time & space) Doctrine
The Kalachakra tradition revolves around the concept of
time (kla) and cycles (chakra): from the cycles of the
planets, to the cycles of human breathing, it teaches the
practice of working with the most subtle energies within
one's body on the path to enlightenment.
Buddhist Precepts
1. No killing
2. No stealing
3. Chastity (no sexual
misconduct)
4. No lying
5. No drinking intoxicants

6. Food restrictions
7. Avoid spectacles
8. No flowers, perfume,
jewelry
9. Simple beds
10. Accept no gold or silver
Three Major Schools
Theravada
India, Sri Lanka, Burma,
Thailand, Indonesia

Mahayana
Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan

Vajrayana
Tibet
Theravadins
Focus on and value only
monastic lifestyle in the
example of The Buddha
Practice directed
intently toward
individual attainment of
Nirvana
Salvation is through
dedicated self-effort
rather than through
intervention of heavenly
beings
Mahayanists
Larger order - Includes
lay people
Engaged Buddhism
focused on helping
others release from
suffering
Belief in heavenly
beings Bodhisattvas
who can assist humans
in escaping from
suffering
There are many other
Buddhas
Everyone is a potential Buddha
Vajrayanists
Combined features of
Hindu Dharma
Monastic vows of the
Vinaya rules of the
sangha
Progressive path of the
bodhisattva
Esoteric precepts of the
tantras
Tantric Practice
Creation is
accomplished through
pairs of deities who
generate the whole
process of the universe
through their sexual
intercourse
Humans reflect the
universe and can
participate in its forces
Zen
Only comprehending
our real nature is of
value

Chan in China
Lin Chi (Rinzai)
Rigorous methods and
abrupt practices to
produce rapid
enlightenment
Tsao-tung - (Soto)
Longer gradual path
through instruction and
meditation.

Satori enlightenment
experience
koan mind puzzle problem
designed to destroy ordinary
logical ways of thinking

The Absolute
There are no permanent
entities in the universe

Belief in gods is not
essential to the mission
of finding release from
suffering

World
The cause of suffering is
not the world, but
attachment to the
world clinging to that
which is impermanent


Change cannot be
stopped, so
permanence is
unnecessary.
Humans
Anatta no permanent soul
Skandhas

Karma the only thing that
carries over from lifetime to
lifetime
One must live with the results of
past craving




**One can choose how to see
oneself and the world and
how to interpret
experiences**
The Problem for Humans
Suffering
It is not the processes of life that cause suffering, but
our perceptions of life
Ignorance of
impermanence

Incorrect beliefs
about how to
stop suffering


The belief that
suffering can
never end
The Solution for Humans

release comes not from
ceasing to be but from
ceasing to grasp
Knowledge
Learn the cause of suffering and follow the Eight-Fold Path
Meditation = primary solution
deeply knowing the self in order
to reveal true (Buddha) nature

Savior beings will help those who
call bodhisattvas (Mahayana)
Community & Ethics
Sangha - community of
practitioners -- strong
social organization based
on cooperation between
laity and monks/nuns
Individual responsibility in
community living
Karuna
compassion/empathy
Morality 10/5 Precepts
No caste distinctions; no
gender distinctions
Social / Religious
teachings differ from
Hindu Dharma in 3 major
ways:
Caste, anatta, ritual
devotion
Rituals & Symbols
Three Jewels /
Refuges
Buddha
Dharma
Sangha
Dharma wheel
Wheel of Law

Images of the Buddha
Karma can be
removed by a
religious professional
chanting verses for
the deceased
The Buddha
is not
considered
to be a god
Afterlife
Rebirth /
transmigration
Personal identity
of former life
does not carry
over, but moral
impact does