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Main Principles 1. Not-self principle (rejection of the principle of identity) 2. Impermanence principle (pertaining to physical phenomena and physiological states) 3. Dependent origination principle 4. Non-discriminative and non-imaginative wisdom principle (the faculty that directly experiences reality without passing through concepts)

The Five Aggregates or bundles (Skandha) 1. Material form or the body 2. Sensations/ feelings 3. Perceptions 4. Mental formations (e.g. hate and love) 5. States of consciousness (mental awareness, thought) The self is only the compilation of these aggregates. Since non of these aggregates is permanent, the self is not permanent. The empirical self is a shifting, continual flux.

THE MIDDLE WAY Buddha realized that self-mortification is no more conducive than is self-indulgence. Both are extremes that contribute nothing to self- realization. The middle way is the way of the center. It is an understanding that extremes lead away from the truth. Buddha realized that self-mortification is no more conducive than is self-indulgence. Both are extremes that contribute nothing to self- realization. The middle way is the way of the center. It is an understanding that extremes lead away from the truth.

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS 1. A necessary part of human existence is suffering. 2. Suffering is caused by ignorant craving. 3. Suffering may be rooted out by overcoming desire. 4. Following the Eightfold Path is the way to overcome desire. (methodology)

1. The Noble Truth of Suffering Dukkha includes: birth, decay, illness, death, presence of hated things, separation from loved ones, failure to obtain one’s desires, all dissatisfaction and discontentment Dukkha includes: birth, decay, illness, death, presence of hated things, separation from loved ones, failure to obtain one’s desires, all dissatisfaction and discontentment

Three modes of the concept of dukkha 1. Ordinary suffering: pain, sickness, distress, and death 2. Suffering produced by change 3. Suffering produced by conditioned states or consciousness – the deepest form

Suffering: Uncertainty (nothing is the same) Uncertainty (nothing is the same) Insatiability (no matter how much worldly pleasure one gets, it is not enough) Insatiability (no matter how much worldly pleasure one gets, it is not enough) Horror of death Horror of death Repeated birth Repeated birth Repeatedly descending from high to low Repeatedly descending from high to low Having no companion (existential aloneness) Having no companion (existential aloneness)

2. The Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering: Desire The thirst of desire is threefold: The thirst of desire is threefold: 1. Desire for pleasure 2. Desire for existence 3. Desire for prosperity

What precisely is craving and why do Buddhists think that it causes suffering?

3. The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering Suffering ceases with the complete cessation of desire Suffering ceases with the complete cessation of desire This presupposes the understanding that everything is impermanent and no substantial self exists This presupposes the understanding that everything is impermanent and no substantial self exists It is the annihilation of the illusion of the self, of craving, lust, and selfish desire It is the annihilation of the illusion of the self, of craving, lust, and selfish desire

4. The Noble Truth of the Path: The Eightfold Path Referred to as the “middle way” Referred to as the “middle way” The way to enlightenment is through spiritual, moral, and mental exercise The way to enlightenment is through spiritual, moral, and mental exercise

The Eightfold Path 1. Right views 2. Right intention 3. Right speech 4. Right conduct/action 5. Right livelihood 6. Right effort 7. Right mindfulness 8. Right concentration

The Five Precepts 1. Killing or hurting any living creature 2. Stealing 3. Wrong indulgence in sexual pleasure 4. Lying 5. Use of intoxicants