THE BASICS OF BUDDHISM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxnFEjVMK2U ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXVPg-JgoCE

Some Crash Courses Introduction to Buddhism (Stop @ 8:08) Now, read the “Story of Buddha’s Enlightenment” and answer the questions Buddhism Notes Objectives: Identify the major tenets of Buddhism; Introduce the fundamental principles related to the beginnings of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha = “Enlightened One”) Thought of himself as a Hindu Maintained Hindu beliefs such as individual self, karma and dharma HOWEVER, Denied the existence of gods Taught priests were not necessary Caste system should be abolished Established monasteries and convents …for what? Understood the cause of human suffering – and its cure! “One thing I teach: suffering and the end of suffering. It is just ill and the ceasing of ill that I proclaim.”  -- The Buddha Monasteries and convents where followers could devote themselves to pursuing the truth for themselves.

The Teaching: The Four Noble Truths The Noble Truth of Suffering The Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering The Noble Truth of the End of Suffering The Noble Truth of the Path (dharma)

Beyond this…? Buddha intentionally left no central authority, structure, and writings This led to a VARIETY of schools of thought and adaptations found in various cultures He trusted that each person could listen to his teaching and select, test and self-actualize truth for his or her self. However, eventually his followers recorded his teachings in The Three Baskets of Wisdom.

Theravada & Mahayana Buddhist beliefs vary significantly, but all share an admiration for the figure of the Buddha and the goal of ending suffering and the cycle of rebirth.  Theravada Buddhism Prominent in Southeast Asia Atheistic and philosophical in nature Focuses on the monastic life and meditation as means to liberation

Theravada & Mahayana Mahayana Buddhism Prominent in China and Japan Incorporates several deities, celestial beings, and other traditional religious elements. Path to liberation may include religious ritual, devotion, meditation, or a combination of these elements Zen, Nichiren, Tendai, and Pure Land are the major forms

The Noble Truth of Suffering Suffering is UNIVERSAL Everyone experiences suffering, sickness, pain, unhappiness and death Although there are passing pleasures, they vanish in time

The Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering (Attachment) DESIRE is the cause of suffering People suffer because they desire things, crave something more, and cling to their thoughts People are attached to SELF and this can never be satisfied Even pleasure causes suffering, because pleasure must end

The Noble Truth of the End of Suffering (Liberation) It is possible to end suffering if one is aware of his or her own desires, thoughts, self-attachment and no longer clings to them. As a living being, one will always desire things like air, water, comfort, kindness, etc. However, one should not be controlled by desires. If one can be freed from being controlled by desires then NIRVANA can be achieved. Nirvana is the condition of wanting nothing Some interpretations that it is freedom from the cycle of birth & death

The Noble Truth of the Path By changing one’s thinking and behavior (to no longer be ruled by desires), one can be awoken This way of thinking and behaving is called the Middle Way and can be pursued through the practice of following the Eightfold Path

Following the Middle Path: The practice of the Eightfold Path Wisdom Right View or Undersanding (1) Right Thought (2) Ethics Right Speech (3) Right Action (4) Right Work or Livelihood (5) Meditation Right Effort (6) Right Mindfulness (7) Right Concentration (8)

The Eightfold Path: Wisdom Right View or Understanding Strive to clearly understand (internalize) the Four Noble Truths Strive to clearly understand the workings of one’s own mind Right Thought Strive to have the right sense of motive, intention, attitude, mind-set and commitment (Remember Karma!) Avoid dwelling on the past or the future (Be in the Present), avoid thoughts of greed, ill will or fear

The Eightfold Path: Ethics Right Speech Strive to speak kindly and thoughtfully Avoid lies, slander, harsh words and frivolous speech Right Action Strive to act morally towards all living things (Karma!) Live in the moment, do each thing fully without attachment to the results Right Work or Livelihood Have a vocation that does not harm the others (people, nature, ecosystem etc.)

The Eightfold Path: Meditation Right Effort Seek enlightenment with practice, determination and follow-through Right Mindfulness Be fully aware and conscious of your body, feelings, and mind « Awareness of pure awareness is…a taste of nirvana  » Right Concentration Focus attention; strive to become one with the object of your mind « Concentration and mindfulness go hand and hand in the job of meditation. Mindfulness directs the power of concentration…concentration furnished and powered by mindfulness can penetrate into the deepest level of the mind. Too much awareness without calm to balance it will result in the ‘Stone Buddha’s syndrome.’ »

The Three Jewels Over time the “Three Jewels” provided the loose structure of Buddhism The Buddha The Dharma The Sangha “The Buddha’s like the doctor; the Dharma, his medicine; and the Sangha, the hospital staff. You can put your life in their hands.”

The Buddha From the Sanskrit root budh meaning ‘to awaken’ Title given to Siddhartha because he attained enlightenment More generally it refers to any self-realized or enlightened person Statue on Landau Island of Hong Kong, swastika on chest!

The Dharma Sanskrit referring to virtue, law, cosmic process, discipline , reality or truth Refers to the teachings of Buddha More generally it refers to all that leads to the truth

The Sangha Sanskrit for gathering or assembly Refers to the monastic order established by the Buddha The term "Sangha" is used in the Theravadin tradition to mean only Buddhist monks and nuns In the Mahayana tradition -- all wisdom seekers who identify themselves as Buddhists Colloquially -- congregations of Buddhist temples. More generally it refers to any lay (non-priest) followers or communities of practice The term "Sangha" is used in the Theravadin tradition to mean only Buddhist monks and nuns, or -- in the Mahayana tradition -- all wisdom seekers who identify themselves as Buddhists, or -- colloquially -- congregations of Buddhist temples.

Now Complete the Venn Diagram Comparing Hinduism and Buddhism You must have at least ten differences and a minimum of five similarities Objective: Compare and contrast principles of Hinduism and Buddhism

Check for Understanding What is the purpose of the Eightfold Path? What is the purpose of the Three Jewels of Buddhism?