Intro To Buddhism
Siddartha Gautama Born in 583 BCE in an area now near Nepal-Died in 503 Father was a king - Mother died after childbirth Lived a life of privilege and luxury which led him to become sensitive Forbidden to leave the royal compound
The Four Sights/Encounters Convinces a charioteer to take him into the city Sees a sick man, an aging man, a corpse Last sight is an ascetic-serene
Return to Palace Return to the palace but takes no pleasure Leaves the palace, shaves his head, and dresses as a beggar. Begins quest for enlightenment
The Search Renunciation of pleasure Seeks wisdom from teachers-learns meditation Practice of enduring pain, starvation, breathing-opposite of pleasure Chooses the middle path The ascetics abandon him
Fig tree /Bodhi Tree Finds enlightenment Becomes the Buddha Reluctantly become a teacher-his truth could not be spoken, only experienced First sermon delivered to the ascetics who abandoned him
4 Noble Truths Truth 1- Dukkha Life is suffering-in life we experience both physical and psychological suffering. There is also joy, but life is such that nothing is permanent. All will change, decay and die. Suffering from change-impermanence.
2nd Truth-Samudaya The origin of suffering is desire or craving and attachment. Desire to have or not to have. Ambition
3rd Truth-Nirodha End of suffering is attainable and comes from non-attachment. Dispassion
4th Truth-Magga The Eightfold Path Panna/Wisdom-Right Understanding, Right Thought Sila/Morality-Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood Samadhi/Concentration-Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration