Buddhism Part Two

The Buddha lived like an ascetic for 6 years The Buddha lived like an ascetic for 6 years. There are people who still live like an ascetic.

An Ascetic is someone who denies his body any pleasure. little sleep to remain focused. little food. No pleasure. No bed ,no nice clothes etc.

This was a very austere time not eating and fasting & meditating The purpose was discipline of the mind & body. Why was he doing this ?

He wanted to escape suffering. So he said all suffering was caused by craving. He gave up all physical pleasures in this life this included sex.

One day the Prince realised this was doing him no good One day the Prince realised this was doing him no good. So he stopped and had a meal offered to him by a passing maiden. His followers were shocked.

He accepted some food. This was not him giving up but changing direction. He went for a moderate way.

The Buddha did not give up on his quest. He still was searching for something to give meaning to his life. He went and found a quiet spot to continue to meditate.

The prince was tempted by visions of the flesh The prince was tempted by visions of the flesh. Dancing maidens suggested that he enjoy himself. He resisted their advances.

Temptation of the flesh Desire for Pleasure. he refused all of this

Avoiding all temptation.

He had reached his ultimate goal. Enlightenment The prince sat under a tree and finally achieved enlightenment or Nirvana. He had reached his ultimate goal.

The Prince used Meditation He was serene By contemplation he achieved Nirvana.

This means the enlightened one. Nirvana & Enlightenment. Now the Prince is called the Buddha. This means the enlightened one.

He was spiritual he could be a mystic. The Buddha had achieved Peace of mind He was reflective He was spiritual he could be a mystic. He was calm

Here we see the Buddha explaining his teaching to his followers. The teaching is called the Dharma.

The Buddha Teaching the Dharma “Enlightenment” This is the most important goal for all Buddhists

Teaching the dharma to the community the sangha.

The Buddha’s teaching was for everyone.

Here we see the Buddha founding the Sanga or community. This is the community of monks. Most Buddhist men will live at some time as a monk.

Eventually the Buddha died, surrounded by his many followers Eventually the Buddha died, surrounded by his many followers. They took his message on to others. Some thousands of years later this is what we know as Buddhism.

END OF THE STORY OF THE BUDDHA.

Here we see the Buddha surrounded by those who have also become Buddha’s. We call them Bodisattvas.

A Buddhist painting

BASIC TEACHING IN BUDDHISM

THE 5 PRECEPTS Basically respect for all life forms.

The Teachings of the Buddha 1. The First Teaching is not to harm living beings. “ This means that it is wrong to kill any animals or people.” Violence of any kind is not acceptable. Most Buddhists would never be allowed to fight in a war.”

“Not to take what is not given.” The Second Teaching is “Not to take what is not given.” “Stealing money will have a bad effect on a Buddhist. Buddhists are encouraged to give to one another. This they believe will have a good effect on their lives.

To hurt someone’s feelings or harm them sexually is wrong.” 3. The Third Teaching is to avoid improper sexual behaviour. “Buddhists should treat people with respect. The person who does not understand this can harm themselves and others. Buddhists marry and have families. Having sex with someone you are not married to is wrong. To hurt someone’s feelings or harm them sexually is wrong.”

How to be a Buddhist continued The Buddha tried fasting. Then he sat and meditated and eventually achieved enlightenment. The goal of the Buddha was Nirvana. This meant to escape the idea of re-birth. All Buddhists try to follow this teaching

“For Buddhists lying has 4. The Fourth teaching is to avoid false speech. “For Buddhists lying has a bad effect on us. A person is not able to be happier and friendlier if we lie and have secrets. Telling the truth doesn’t always mean saying just what you think.”

5. The Fifth Teaching is to avoid drugs that cloud the mind “ Buddhists meditate every day to keep calm. If they take alcohol and drugs this will confuse them. Buddhists decide for themselves how they should behave. When you think about these Buddhist teachings think about what is being said for each one. There is behaviour to avoid There is behaviour to develop

KARMA

Teachings of The Buddha Karma. The Buddha taught that what ever you do it had Consequences. He called this karma. “Our life is shaped by our mind, we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draw it. “Our life is shaped by our mind. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves.” (

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

The aim of the lesson is to understand what the Four Noble truths are.

1. That suffering is everywhere. The First Noble Truth 1. That suffering is everywhere. All existence is unsatisfactory

What do you think of this teaching What do you think of this teaching. Look at the picture and try to see the connection between the teaching and the photograph.

The Second Noble truth All suffering is caused by wanting too much.

everywhere all the time.” REVIEW The First Noble Truth “Suffering happens everywhere all the time.” The Second Noble Truth “That suffering is caused by wanting/craving too much.”

End of part two