Buddhism

The Buddha- review Siddhartha Gautama Warrior/prince Mother died when he was only one week old Warrior/prince The 4 Passing sights Not safe any more Despair Great going forth Luxury was unsatisfactory The Middle Way

Sangha After the enlightenment, the Buddha searched his five former companions and they reconciled with him and became his first followers The Buddha attracted many people The Buddha thus formed the Sangha- community His son became Buddhist

Nirvana At the age of 80, the Buddha became extremely ill after eating a spoiled food The Buddha sensed that he was going to die and called his disciples. Told them that everything must die including him. He then offered a final advise: “You must be your own lamps, be your own refuges. Take refuge in nothing outside yourselves.” The Buddha then turned on his right side and died passing forever into Nirvana

The Buddha today Not god but human Avatar of Vishnu Many Buddhists do not pray to him Buddhists follow his example

Arhat An arhat is someone who has attained enlightenment but has not died yet The Buddha was an arhat Arhats are considered saints

Buddhist teachings The Buddha’s teachings play a key role in defining the religious life of Buddhism rather than the Buddha himself. It is impossible to know exactly what the Buddha taught. He did not write down his teachings, nor did his early disciples. The only written versions were recorded several hundred years after his death. The core of what is generally regarded as basic Buddhism are the Three Jewels The Buddha The Dharma The Sangha

JEWEL OF BUDDHISM: THE BUDDHA Practice meditation (experiential dimension) He is an ideal human being whom other human beings should imitate He is not usually thought of as being dead but as existing in a timeless dimension beyond the world JEWEL OF BUDDHISM: THE BUDDHA

JEWEL OF BUDDHISM: The Dharma Buddha’s teachings- (doctrinal dimension)- about how to view the world and how to live properly The Buddhist dharma is not the same as the Hindus dharma- ethical duty

World Religions Chapter 4 3 characteristics of Buddhist Dharma (teachings) Buddhism Inner wisdom, vs. faith in God: Buddhist truths do not come from Divine revelation outside the person. (e.g. 10 commandments, burning bush, Transfiguration) Buddhist truths discovered by looking inside. Doctrine based on observation of “what is”. A psychologically-centered religion World Religions Chapter 4

Karma in Buddhist world: The moral law of cause and effect It functions hand in hand with samsara The nature of one’s rebirth depends on the status of one’s karma Because Buddhism denies the transference of any self or soul, personal identity depends entirely on karma. When an individual dies, his or her karma continues on its particular trajectory bringing about rebirth. At conception the new person is possessed of this particular status brought on by the karma of the previous life.

Buddha’s teachings The teachings are practical He refused to talk about god and faith His refusal to talk about something else besides how to end suffering is called his noble silence He speculated about unanswerable questions like a man who had been wounded by an arrow but refused to pull it out until he knew everything about the arrow and the person who shot it. The wounded man would die before he could get all the information he wanted.

JEWEL OF BUDDHISM: The Sangha Monastic/religious community The community is divided between monks, nuns, and laity Show commitment to being Buddhist (social dimension)

The 5 Pricepts Because karma is affected by the moral adequacy of one’s actions, morality is of pressing concern for Buddhism. The moral life requires observance of the Five Precepts: Do not take life Do not take what is not given Do not engage in sensuous misconduct Do not use false speech Do not drink intoxicants

The five precepts apply to all Buddhists. The following precepts are added for monks and nuns: 6. Do not eat after noon (12:00) 7. Do not watch dancing or shows 8. Do not use garlands, perfumes, or ornaments. 9. Do not use a high or soft bed. 10. Do not accept gold or silver.