Download The Eight-Fold Path

Buddhism…
The “middle way of wisdom and compassion”
A 2500 year old tradition that began in India
and spread and diversified throughout the Far
East
A philosophy, religion, and spiritual practice
followed by more than 300 million people
Based on the teachings of the Buddha
The “Three Jewels” of
Buddhism
Buddha – the teacher
Dharma – the teachings
Sangha – the community
Realized that this world is full of
suffering and was in search of
lasting happiness. At the age of
29 he left the luxuries of the
palace, retired to the forest and
followed a life of meditation.
Attained enlightenment under
the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya,
India.
Spent rest of his life, teaching
others to realize what he himself
had discovered.
Philosophy
Buddhism inherits principles of dharma, karma, ahimsa, rebirth and
nirvana (moksha) from Hinduism.
Dukha-Satya - Truth of
suffering.
Life is suffering.
Marga-Satya - Truth of path.
The eight fold path.
Nirodha-Satya - Truth of
cessation.
Suffering can be ended if its
causes, desire and ignorance are
removed.
Samudaya-Satya - Truth of
the cause.
Suffering is caused by desire
(Tanha) and ignorance (Avijja).
The Eight-Fold Path
Right
Meditation
Right
Knowledge
Right
Speech
Right
Mindfulness
Right
Effort
Right
Resolve
Right
Conduct
Right
Livelihood
How does Buddhism differ
from Hinduism?
Buddhism rejects…
Authority of the ancient Vedic texts
The Vedic caste system
The Vedic and Hindu deities
The efficacy of Vedic worship and ritual
The concept of Brahman
How does Buddhism differ
from Jainism?
Buddhism rejects…
The concept of
Atman
The practice of strict
asceticism and
withdrawal from the
world (preferring the
“middle way”)
Vegetarianism as
required
What do Buddhists believe?
Rebirth (reincarnation) results from attachments (karma)
Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of mind
Achieving Nirvana means escape from the cycle of
rebirth
Once Gautama Buddha died, after 80 years of life in this
world, having achieved Nirvana and teaching multitudes
his way of life, he ceased to exist as a distinct being
Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist
God – he is just a revered teacher
Dharma is understood as the practice (paripatti) of the
truth. To take refuge in the Dharma is to take refuge in
Buddha.
Karma is intentional action, physical, verbal or mental.
Good karma brings happiness, bad brings suffering.
Avijja and Tanha is ignorance or not knowing the true
nature of things and craving are the two root causes of
Karma.
Cycle of Rebirth – We are born and reborn in six realms of
exhistence based on one’s previous Karma.
Nirvana (Enlightenment) – To go beyond the cycle and
achieving blissful state is Nirvana.
Buddhist Metaphysics
Dukkha: life in this world is filled with suffering
Anicca: everything in this world is impermanent
Anatta:the self/soul is also impermanent –
there is no eternal, unchanging self (“no soul” –
no atman)
Suffering is a state of mind – achieve a
balanced, peaceful, detached state of mind and
suffering can be extinguished (Nirvana)
Budhist Scriptures are called the Tripitaka or the “Three Baskets”
•Suttapitaka – Budha’s sermons
•Vinayapitaka – Monastic rules
•Abhidhammapitaka – Early philosophical treatises
Three Main Schools of
Buddhism
Theravada or Hinayana – Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Burma,
Cambodia
Mahayana – China, Japan, Vietnam,
Korea
Vajrayana – Tibet, Mongolia, Japan
The Spread of Buddhism
Within two centuries
after the Buddha
died, Buddhism
began to spread
north and east into
Asia
By 13th century
Buddhism had
disappeared from
India
Variety of practices aid in the journey to
enlightenment. As Buddhism spread
from India across many parts of Asia, it
absorbed many local religious beliefs
and traditions. Therefore practices differ
widely in various parts of the world.
Five Rules to abstain from: killing,
stealing, sexual misconduct lying, taking
intoxicants such as alcoholic drinks
Meditation: Various types of
meditation in various traditions
Chanting: Hymns of homage to
Buddha, refuge in Buddha, Dhamma
and Sangha etc.