Buddhism Interconnection & Universal Compassion “May all beings be free from suffering!”

Momentariness / Impermanence Basic Teachings Karma & Samsara  Nirvana No God No self (an-atman) Momentariness / Impermanence

Four Noble Truths Universality of suffering Suffering Caused by Selfish Desire Cessation of desire = cessation of suffering Desire overcome by following the Noble 8-Fold Path

Noble Eight-fold Path Right Knowledge Right Aspiration Right Speech Right Behavior Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration

Universal Interdependence Interdependent Co-Arising / Mutual Codependence (pratiyasamutpada) Jewel Net of Indra – Vast interpenetration

Compassion “In the long course of rebirth there is not one among living beings who has not been mother, father, brother, sister, son, or daughter. Being connected with the process of taking birth, one is kind to all wild and domestic animals, birds, and all beings born from the womb.” --Lankavatara Sutra Jataka Tales – The Past Lives of the Buddha

Bodhisattva “With a wish to free all beings I shall always go for refuge To the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, Until I reach full enlightenment. As long as space remains, As long as sentient beings remain, Until then, may I too remain And dispel the miseries of the world.” --Bodhisattva vow, as administered by the Dalai Lama

Simplicity  Mindfulness Ahimsa Loving Kindness

Ashoka / Mauryan Empire / 3rd Cent BCE “Twenty-six years after my coronation various animals were declared to be protected -- parrots, mainas, ruddy geese, wild ducks, bats, queen ants, terrapins, boneless fish, fish, tortoises, porcupines, squirrels, deer, bulls, wild asses, wild pigeons, domestic pigeons and all four-footed creatures that are neither useful nor edible. Those nanny goats, ewes and sows which are with young or giving milk to their young are protected, and so are young ones less than six months old. Cocks are not to be castrated, husks hiding living beings are not to be burnt, and forests are not to be burnt either without reason or to kill creatures. One animal is not to be fed to another.” --Edict 5, Pillar Edicts of Emperor Ashoka