Ultimate goal: the end of human suffering Think about: How happy are you? What are the most important goals in your life? What makes us suffer? How do we deal with suffering?
Like Hinduism, Buddhism arose in ancient India; unlike Hinduism, however, Buddhism began with one founder, a man named Siddhartha Gautama. This man would experience an extraordinary experience of “awakening.” He would then be known as the “Awakened One,” or Buddha.
Buddha awoke to an awareness of the nature of the human condition; furthermore, he awoke to the means of transcending it. One of the fundamental realizations was this: Human beings are by nature prone to suffering. Buddha realized this, and he began to prescribe a cure. Buddhism, therefore, can be understood as a therapy for living.
To do: learn about the origins about Buddhism and the life of its founder. Read the Biography: Story of Buddha handout together as a class. Answer the questions.
Each person is responsible for his or her own salvation There is no ONE source, like the Bible or Qu’ran that outlines the beliefs of Buddhism All Buddhist teachings show the way to end the suffering of life and to stop samsara, the endless cycle of rebirths. When one achieves nirvana, one has attained perfect wisdom and is released from the cycle of samsara.
In Buddhism, there is no distinction between men and women Gender is part of the delusion we have as unenlightened humans Women are not property of men
Buddha believed that ALL things, outside of nirvana, have three characteristics. ANICCA (impermanence) DUKKHA (dissatisfaction) ANATTA (No-self)
This is the idea that nothing is permanent in life. Nothing stays the same for long. I.e. environmental changes, car breaks down, clothes change, we age.
This is the idea that all humans and animals experience suffering. I.e. physical disease like cancer, or mourning or distress. Dukkha touches everything that exists.
This is the idea that we cannot point to one thing and call it our “self”. i.e. an eye, heart, brain, is not the person. The self is changing, depending on state of mind, moods etc.
Complete handout entitled Lesson 1 Textbook Questions.
These are rules followed by Buddhist lay people to control non-beneficial physical and verbal behaviour that might cause suffering.
1. Abstain from killing or harming living beings. (Ahimsa) 2. Abstain from stealing. 3. Abstain from improper sexual conduct. 4. Abstain from false speech. i.e, telling lies, setting people against each other, and gossiping. 5. Abstain from taking alcohol and harmful drugs.
Buddha observed that no one can escape death and unhappiness. Buddha looked at the cause of unhappiness and its treatment and delivered his findings in the four noble truths.
To live is to suffer. Birth, old age, disease, death, sorrow, frustration etc. Also could include, being separated from the ones we love, having to be around people we don’t like etc. Buddhists do believe there is happiness in life but it does not last forever.
Every kind of suffering has its origin in negative desire. Greed causes suffering. The possessions people desire most, cause the most suffering. People should be happy with the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter.
Reaching Nirvana can only happen when the urge to possess more and more things is destroyed. One must change his or her own view and live a more natural and peaceful life. Nirvana is a state of being where one is in a blissful, happy and content state where nothing can cause suffering.
To end suffering, one must adopt the Middle Way by following the Noble Eightfold Path. Adopting this path means living a Buddhist way of life. For some people, the Eightfold Path is a blueprint for a happier life.
A Bodhisattva is a person who has attained nirvana but chooses to be reborn within samsara to help others with enlightenment. A Bodhisattva practices the Six Perfections: Giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation, and wisdom.
Complete handout entitled Lesson 2 Textbook Questions