1. Buddhist Fundamentals and Scripture

2. The Three Refuges (or Jewels)
The Buddha: The model for all those that follow him.
The Sangha (Monastery life): Preserving authentic teachings of Buddha
The Dharma: Guidelines for the alleviation of suffering and the attainment of Nirvana

3. Three Characteristics of Existence
The Buddha believed that all things (outside of nirvana) had three characteristics:
Anicca
Dukkha
Anatta

4. Anicca
Impermanence: Nothing remains the same for long. Everything breaks down and changes.

5. Dukkha Dissatisfaction: All beings experience suffering.
Because of Anicca, even happiness is fleeting, and therefore leads to suffering.

6. Anatta No-self: There is no permanent independent self.
No single part of the body (finger, eye, etc) can be considered the person. We only consider the sum total of the parts to be a person.
When the person dies, so goes the person.
Thus, the individual idea of a “person” is arbitrary and impermanent.

7. The Five Precepts Rules for lay people (think commandments):
Abstain from killing or harming living beings (Ahimsa)
Abstain from stealing
Abstain from improper sexual conduct
Abstain from false speech
Abstain from taking alcohol and harmful drugs

8. Additional Precepts
Monks and nuns take on extra precepts. Some sanghas (or monasteries) may have as many as These are the big 5.
Abstain from eating after noon.
Abstain from looking at dancing, singing, or drama
Abstain from the use of perfumes and things that tend to beautify and adorn a person
Abstain from using comfortable beds
Abstain from accepting gold or silver

9. Life of a monk
Monks are expected to live an austere life (but not ascetic).
They shave their heads, in order to give up vanity
Traditionally, they give up all possessions, except those considered necessary, including:
Robe
Alms bowl
Belt
Razor
Filter for water
Staff
Toothpick

10. The Tripitaka or The 3 Baskets
Originally referred to three receptacles containing the scrolls on which the Buddhist scriptures were originally preserved.
The Tripiṭaka traditionally contains three "baskets" of teachings:
Sūtra Piṭaka
Vinaya Piṭaka
Abhidharma Piṭaka

11. Sūtra Piṭaka
Teachings and sermons of Buddha originally transcribed in Sanskrit or Pali.
Contain descriptions of Buddha and parables
May help guide the way to enlightenment of the reader.

12. Jatakas Part of the Sutra Pitaka Stories of the Buddha’s past lives
Illustrate morality

13. Vinaya Piṭaka Rules for monks and nuns Code of conduct
Interview about monk life (15 minutes)

14. Abhidharma Piṭaka Explains the Sutra Pitaka more fully
Explains the nature of consciousness

15. Mahayana Buddhist Scriptures
Mahayana Buddhists have added many more sacred writings
For example the Karma Sutra (how to live well)