What is the human condition? Samsara Samsara literally means ‘wandering on’. Wheel of Life (Bhavachakra) existed already in Hinduism – not Buddha’s idea but culturally appropriated. Represents cycle of rebirth and suffering like a map. Includes 3 Root Poisons, 6 Realms, 12 Nidanas, Mara, Buddha, Moon/Rabbit
3 Root Poisons What is the human condition?
Samsara 3 root poisons – rooster (ignorance), pig (craving) and snake (hatred) eating each other to demonstrate interdependent nature. At centre to represent their role in the cycle of suffering.
What is the human condition? Samsara 6 realms– Hell. Humans being tortured by demons, burned in fire and frozen in ice. Your consciousness remain until bad karma e.g. hatred wears off.
What is the human condition? Unenlightened human beings are caught in a cycle of suffering but there is a way out. Samsara 6 realms– Hell. Dominated by rage, torment, despair. “I’m in pain and suffering." Pain is overpowering, so do not look to religious practice. Think being bullied, concentration camps, starvation.
What is the human condition? Samsara 6 realms– Hungry Ghosts. Usually depicted suffering with a huge belly and long thin throat to represent unfulfilled desires. This represents those whose craving is not in control… they can never be satisfied.
What is the human condition? Samsara 6 realms– Hungry Ghosts. Dominated by greed, craving and addiction. “I want this, I need this, I have to have this.” Think: Gollum from Lord of the Rings; obsession with computer games, drugs etc.
What is the human condition? Samsara 6 realms– Animal. At the mercy of humans and other animals: lack necessary awareness to become enlightened. Buddhists do not believe it is a good thing to be reborn as an animal, although they believe in treating every living thing with loving kindness.
What is the human condition? Samsara 6 realms– Animal. Dominated by ignorance and instinct. “I want food, sex, territory and sleep.” Basic needs become focus of existence. Lack of restraint on a base level.
What is the human condition? Samsara 6 realms– Gods. The Gods realm is one of extreme bliss and pleasure. However for Buddhists this is as bad as the Hell realm as instead of being distracted by pain and suffering you are being distracted from enlightenment by joy. It is said that once a consciousness leaves the Gods realm it spends a great deal of time suffering.
What is the human condition? Samsara 6 realms– Gods. Dominated by pride, complacency, intoxication. “I've got everything that I want; there's nothing more I need." Ignore harsher realities of life, carefree, so do not look to religious practice.
What is the human condition? Samsara 6 realms– Titans. /Demi-gods The Titans are demi-gods who are angry and jealous (blood thirsty and violent) at their neighbours in the Gods Realm so they go to war with them. Being demi-gods, however, they will never win... this is their suffering.
What is the human condition? Samsara 6 realms– Titans. Dominated by jealousy, resentment, ambition. “I’ll do anything to get what I want." Envy and competition take over, so do not look to religious practice. Think: ruthless big business - stock market crash.
What is the human condition? Samsara 6 realms– Humans. The most fortunate realm to exist in. It is said that it is very rare to find your consciousness here so the opportunity must not be wasted. Humans are in the perfect position for enlightenment of not suffering too much like the Hell, Hungry Ghost, Animal and Titan realms whilst neither being distracted by bliss as in the Gods realm. Only in the human realm can we effectively make choices and affect our future rebirth.
What is the human condition? Samsara 6 realms– Human. Dominated by desire, freedom of choice, dissatisfaction (dukkha). “I don’t want this, I want that." Aim to maximise pleasure and minimise pain.
What is the human condition? Reflection Based on the way you live your life which realm do you think you could end up in? Where could you have been before?
What is the human condition? Reality or metaphor? Perhaps the 6 realms are not literal places but psychological states…
What is the human condition? 12 Nidanas The 12 nidanas represent dependant origination – that all things are simply cause and effect, and simply lead on from one another in a cycle.
What is the human condition? Mara/Yama Mara/Yama, the Lord of Death or Monster of Impermanence. He has three eyes and wears a crown of skulls and is sinking his fangs into the wheel of life.
What is the human condition? Mara/Yama Mara symbolises the impermanence of everything. The beings he holds are trapped in eternal suffering by their ignorance of the nature of the universe. Mara is often explained as ‘self’ or ‘ego’. Once we understand Anicca and Anatta we realise there is no self, that Mara is an illusions. At this point we escape the cycle of suffering.
Buddha
What is the human condition? Buddha is showing the way to enlightenment by pointing at Mara as if saying “Look at this this, it is an illusion.” Buddha is teaching the true nature of existence. Buddha is outside the wheel to show that he has escaped the cycle of life and death (suffering). Buddha
What is the human condition? Buddha is showing the way to enlightenment by pointing at Mara as if saying “Look at this this, it is an illusion.” Buddha is teaching the true nature of existence. Buddha is outside the wheel to show that he has escaped the cycle of life and death (suffering). Buddha
What is the human condition? FFFomC28s The finger and the moon: emphasis should not be on teacher but on the teaching. Buddha
Moon / Rabbit The moon/rabbit represents freedom from suffering or enlightenment.
What is the human condition? Only humans are capable of making conscious ethical choices The human realm is the only one in which we can have effectively contribute to karma and affect our future rebirth. All other realms have obstacles in their way when it comes to making conscious ethical decisions.
What is the human condition? Unenlightened human beings are caught in a cycle of suffering but there is a way out. Human life is precious…