1. Buddhism Thurs 4 th Nov

2. So far we have learnt: Buddha’s life….. The Three Marks of Existence…

3. Today we are going to look at: The Four Noble Truths!

4. Our SELF finds it difficult to cope with everything constantly changing so it tries to find something permanent. As this is impossible we search on in vain creating energy called Karma. This energy is passed on at the end of each life to begin a new life.

5. It is as though we are candles, burning down slowly. At the end of our life our flame is passed on to a new candle. There is nothing of the old candle in the new candle except the energy which continues after death to a new life. This "rebirth" is called Samsara.

6. It is the goal of Buddhism to escape from the constant searching of Samsara and find peace and contentment. This feeling of peace is called Nirvana or "no moving". It is a state of total peace and harmony which comes with true enlightenment. But to achieve this peace we must control our SELF and realise that our SELF doesn't even exist.

7. To realise that our SELF doesn't really exist is not easy for our minds to get used to. To really understand it we need to go on a kind of journey. But this journey is not like the journeys we make to go places. It is an inward journey. It is a journey into our mind and soul.

8. It is only when we understand what we are and what we are really like that we will begin to understand anything else about what Life is really like. The Buddha knew how difficult this was and so gave his followers a kind of map for the journey. This explains all the steps which we need to take to reach Nirvana.

9. The Buddha described them by giving four points. They are called the FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS.

10. 1.Understanding the Problem: Life is full of suffering

11. 2.Knowing what causes it: Suffering is due to SELFish desires

12. 3.Knowing how to cure it: Suffering will stop if these SELFish desires stop

13. 4.Prescribe the cure: The way to stop SELFish desires is to follow the Middle Way and the Eightfold Path

14. To put it another way: Wanting too much = disappointment = unhappiness = suffering

15. If we stop wanting too much, we won't be disappointed. Then we won't be unhappy and suffering will stop.

16. Add these words to your glossary: Tanha – this is the Buddhist word for craving Magga – the Middle Way between luxury and deprivation

17. Task 1: Complete the Question sheet Read Buddhism A New Approach P22-23 and answer the questions on P23 Task 2: