Download Buddhism - University Baptist Church Fayetteville, AR

University Baptist Church Why One Way – Sec. 4 Buddhism Overview 3 Main Schools within Buddhism: • Theravada: Doctrine of the elders. • Mahayana: Greater vehicle. • Vajrayana: Tantrism or Lamaism. The Buddhist belief system is founded on 4 Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path, and several additional key doctrines. 4 Noble Truths: • Life is full of suffering • Suffering is caused by craving • Suffering only ceases when cravings cease • This can be achieved by following the Noble Eightfold Path The Eightfold Path: Right Views, Right Aspirations, Right Speech, Right Livelihood, Right Conduct, Right Effort, Right Contemplation, Right Mindfulness. Other Key Doctrines: Eternal Life: Believe nothing is permanent. Souls: Individual selves do not truly exist, but in relation to others. We are related to a greater whole of consciousness. Karma: An impersonal law of moral causation determines all: “What goes around comes around.” Reincarnation: Souls continue on an endless cycle of human suffering, being reborn until they are able to live a perfect life. The goal of life is to break out of this cycle by finally extinguishing the flame of life and entering the permanent state of pure non-­‐existence: Nirvana. Buddha: He was the only man believed to have achieved nirvana. He is not a god/deity, but a role model.