2.  Ultimate goal: the end of human suffering  Think about:  How happy are you?  What are the most important goals in your life?  What makes us suffer?  How do we deal with suffering?

3.  Like Hinduism, Buddhism arose in ancient India; unlike Hinduism, however, Buddhism began with one founder, a man named Siddhartha Gautama.  This man would experience an extraordinary experience of “awakening.” He would then be known as the “Awakened One,” or Buddha.

4.  Buddha awoke to an awareness of the nature of the human condition; furthermore, he awoke to the means of transcending it. One of the fundamental realizations was this:  Human beings are by nature prone to suffering.  Buddha realized this, and he began to prescribe a cure.  Buddhism, therefore, can be understood as a therapy for living.

5.  To do: learn about the origins about Buddhism and the life of its founder.  Read the Biography: Story of Buddha handout together as a class.  Answer the questions.

6.  Each person is responsible for his or her own salvation  There is no ONE source, like the Bible or Qu’ran that outlines the beliefs of Buddhism  All Buddhist teachings show the way to end the suffering of life and to stop samsara, the endless cycle of rebirths.  When one achieves nirvana, one has attained perfect wisdom and is released from the cycle of samsara.

7.  In Buddhism, there is no distinction between men and women  Gender is part of the delusion we have as unenlightened humans  Women are not property of men

8.  Buddha believed that ALL things, outside of nirvana, have three characteristics.  ANICCA (impermanence)  DUKKHA (dissatisfaction)  ANATTA (No-self)

9.  This is the idea that nothing is permanent in life.  Nothing stays the same for long.  I.e. environmental changes, car breaks down, clothes change, we age.

10.  This is the idea that all humans and animals experience suffering.  I.e. physical disease like cancer, or mourning or distress. Dukkha touches everything that exists.

11.  This is the idea that we cannot point to one thing and call it our “self”.  i.e. an eye, heart, brain, is not the person.  The self is changing, depending on state of mind, moods etc.

12.  Complete handout entitled Lesson 1 Textbook Questions.

13.  These are rules followed by Buddhist lay people to control non-beneficial physical and verbal behaviour that might cause suffering.

14.  1. Abstain from killing or harming living beings. (Ahimsa)  2. Abstain from stealing.  3. Abstain from improper sexual conduct.  4. Abstain from false speech. i.e, telling lies, setting people against each other, and gossiping.  5. Abstain from taking alcohol and harmful drugs.

15.  Buddha observed that no one can escape death and unhappiness.  Buddha looked at the cause of unhappiness and its treatment and delivered his findings in the four noble truths.

16.  To live is to suffer.  Birth, old age, disease, death, sorrow, frustration etc.  Also could include, being separated from the ones we love, having to be around people we don’t like etc.  Buddhists do believe there is happiness in life but it does not last forever.

17.  Every kind of suffering has its origin in negative desire.  Greed causes suffering. The possessions people desire most, cause the most suffering.  People should be happy with the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter.

18.  Reaching Nirvana can only happen when the urge to possess more and more things is destroyed.  One must change his or her own view and live a more natural and peaceful life.  Nirvana is a state of being where one is in a blissful, happy and content state where nothing can cause suffering.

19.  To end suffering, one must adopt the Middle Way by following the Noble Eightfold Path.  Adopting this path means living a Buddhist way of life.  For some people, the Eightfold Path is a blueprint for a happier life.

21.  A Bodhisattva is a person who has attained nirvana but chooses to be reborn within samsara to help others with enlightenment.  A Bodhisattva practices the Six Perfections:  Giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation, and wisdom.

22.  Complete handout entitled Lesson 2 Textbook Questions