1. The Middle Way of Wisdom & Compassion
Buddhism
The Middle Way of Wisdom & Compassion

2. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC)
Born in Nepal (NE India) and raised in great luxury to be a king
At age 29 he rejected his luxurious life to seek enlightenment and the source of suffering
Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 years
Eventually rejected this extreme lifestyle and sat in meditation
Found nirvana and became “The Enlightened One” at age 35.

3. Nirvana “No suffering for him Who is free from sorrow
Free from the fetters of life
Free in everything he does
He has reached the end of his road…
Like a bird invisibly flying in the sky
He lives without possessions
Knowledge his food, freedom his world
While others wonder…
He has found freedom –
Peaceful his thinking, peaceful his speech
Peaceful his deed, tranquil his mind.”

4. What is the fundamental cause of all suffering?
Desire
Therefore, extinguish the self, and don’t obsess about yourself, you will reach nirvana
Nirvana: lasting peace and enlightenment

5. The “Three Jewels” of Buddhism
1. Buddha – the teacher
2. Dharma – the teachings
3. Sangha – the community

6. The Four Noble Truths
There is suffering in the world; to live is to suffer. (Dukkha)
Imperfection
Illness
Hatefulness
Separation

7. The Four Noble Truths
The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments to worldly things. (Samudaya)
Grasping for pleasure
Grasping for becoming
Grasping for sensual delight
Grasping for what we don’t have

8. The Four Noble Truths
Suffering will stop when desires are stopped (Nirodha)
When the ‘grasping’ stops
Elimination of passions

9. The Four Noble Truths
There is a way to get to this point: by following the Middle Way or the Eightfold Path

10. The Middle Way: The Eightfold Path
Wisdom:
Right understanding: have faith in Buddha’s view of the universe
Right motives and thoughts: uncover ‘unwholesome’ emotional roots that guide our thinking

11. The Middle Way: The Eightfold Path
Moral Discipline:
Right speech: do not participate in vain talk, gossip, harsh words, or lying
Right actions: do not kill, steal, participate in immorality, do not lie or use intoxicants
Right livelihood: do not work jobs that go against the teaching of Buddha

12. The Middle Way: The Eightfold Path
Mental Discipline:
Right effort: have a good attitude toward achieving all Buddhist goals
Right mindfulness: being in touch with your mental and physical health
Right meditation: focus the mind inward in order to find spiritual awareness

13. So what exactly do Buddhists believe?
Rebirth (reincarnation) results from attachments (karma)to this earth
Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of mind
Achieving Nirvana means escape from the cycle of rebirth
Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher

14. Yoga
A physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India.
Goal of yoga is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility.
The Sanskrit word yoga has the literal meaning of "yoke", meaning to join, to unite, or to attach.