1. Understanding Happiness and Suffering ~ an introduction to Buddhism

2. Central Questions: What defines “happiness”; what defines “suffering”?
Can we truly know genuine happiness and suffering? Why or why not?

3. Defining Happiness… Reflective Questions
What makes you happy? List 10 things / items.
Imagine yourself 20 years from now… what things do you predict would determine your happiness? Add these to your list and circle the ones that are the same.
How would you measure or determine happiness?
Have you ever suffered? What determined this experience as “suffering”?

4. Examine your responses:
How many were material?
How many were emotional?
How many were spiritual?
What conclusions can you draw about yourself?

5. Deep Thoughts… Is there an answer life’s questions? How?
What is more important: “things to do” or “things to believe”?
What determines happiness: “things that we have” or “things that we know”?
“Ignorance is bliss”. What does this mean?
“Man is slave to his own ego”. What does this mean?
What is more important: understanding happiness or understanding suffering? Why?

6. How do these questions relate to Buddhism?
8 Fold Path
Middle Way
enlightenment
KARMA
suffering

7. Core of Buddhism “I teach only two things, O disciples, the fact of suffering and the possibility of escape from suffering” ~ Buddha
Man is a slave to his ego: as he desires pleasure, wealth, happiness, security, success, long life for himself and loved ones; however pain, frustration, sickness will likely occur and death is inevitable
The physical world and the suffering it produces, are real
Individuals have been reborn into his present existence because of past karma. His ignorance, which causes him to crave pleasure, wealth and other things of this material world, and to commit evil deeds, is the chain that binds his to the wheel of rebirth
Only way we can avoid these evils: is by eliminating all desires (extinguish our own egos altogether)
This is true wisdom, and can be attained by following the Eightfold Path (set of philosophical and ethical guidelines that should be pursued in ascending order)

8. Finding Our Middle Path
Read: Our Story: Discovering Solitude (on moodle)
Complete: Reflective Practice: Buddhism
Right Mindfulness
Having looked at an entire week of your life’s and its patterns (good and bad= the roots of your suffering), evaluate your lifestyle (healthy, balanced, aware etc.).