Download Buddhist Teachings for the Lay People

How to practice Buddhism
as a Lay Person – Part 2
The Five Precepts
The Two Acrobats
Buddhism and society
How to practice Buddhism
as a Lay Person – Part 2
The Five Precepts
The Two Acrobats
Buddhism and society
How to practice Buddhism
as a Lay Person – Part 2
The Five Precepts
The Two Acrobats
Buddhism and society
How to practice Buddhism
as a Lay Person – Part 2
The Five Precepts
The Two Acrobats
Buddhism and society
The Five Precepts
They are our protection
But they are more than that!
The Two Acrobats
The Five Precepts
They are our protection
But they are more than that!
The Two Acrobats
The Five Precepts
They are our protection
But they are more than that!
The Two Acrobats
The Five Precepts
They are our protection
But they are more than that!
The Two Acrobats
The Two Acrobats
Once upon a time, a master bamboo
acrobat and his young assistant
began making preparations for a
show in the marketplace.
It was to be a balancing act, high
above the ground and quite
dangerous.
The Two Acrobats
Once upon a time, a master bamboo
acrobat and his young assistant
began making preparations for a
show in the marketplace.
It was to be a balancing act, high
above the ground and quite
dangerous.
The Two Acrobats
Once upon a time, a master bamboo
acrobat and his young assistant
began making preparations for a
show in the marketplace.
It was to be a balancing act, high
above the ground and quite
dangerous.
The Two Acrobats
However, they stood to make
quite lot of money from the crowd,
which had already began to
gather excitedly.
The master and his assistant
began the climb up the wires and
poles, high above the crowd.
The Two Acrobats
However, they stood to make
quite lot of money from the crowd,
which had already began to
gather excitedly.
The master and his assistant
began the climb up the wires and
poles, high above the crowd.
The Two Acrobats
The master said to his young
assistant, “you watch out for me
and I’ll watch out for you.”
“Then watching over each other,
we’ll perform our acts safely, then
come down and receive our
rewards.”
The Two Acrobats
The master said to his young
assistant, “you watch out for me
and I’ll watch out for you.”
“Then watching over each other,
we’ll perform our acts safely, then
come down and receive our
rewards.”
The Two Acrobats
But the young assistant said, “no
master, you watch out for yourself
and I’ll watch out for myself.”
“Then watching out for ourselves,
we’ll perform our acts safely, then
come down and receive our
rewards.”
The Two Acrobats
But the young assistant said, “no
master, you watch out for yourself
and I’ll watch out for myself.”
“Then watching out for ourselves,
we’ll perform our acts safely, then
come down and receive our
rewards.”
The Two Acrobats
So who was right?
The master saying to watch out
for each other?
Or
The assistant saying to watch out
for themselves?
The Two Acrobats
So who was right?
The master saying to watch out
for each other?
Or
The assistant saying to watch out
for themselves?
The Two Acrobats
So who was right?
The master saying to watch out
for each other?
Or
The assistant saying to watch out
for themselves?
The Two Acrobats
The assistant was right.
How can we watch out for others if
we cannot watch out for ourselves
first?
We have to watch out for
ourselves first, before we can
watch out for others.
The Two Acrobats
The assistant was right.
How can we watch out for others if
we cannot watch out for ourselves
first?
We have to watch out for
ourselves first, before we can
watch out for others.
The Two Acrobats
The assistant was right.
How can we watch out for others if
we cannot watch out for ourselves
first?
We have to watch out for
ourselves first, before we can
watch out for others.
The Two Acrobats
And how does one watch
after oneself?
Through pursuing the practice,
through developing it, through
devoting oneself to it.
This is how when watching after
oneself, one watches after others.
The Two Acrobats
And how does one watch
after oneself?
Through pursuing the practice,
through developing it, through
devoting oneself to it.
This is how when watching after
oneself, one watches after others.
The Two Acrobats
And how does one watch
after oneself?
Through pursuing the practice,
through developing it, through
devoting oneself to it.
This is how when watching after
oneself, one watches after others.
The Two Acrobats
And how does one watch
after others?
Through harmlessness and
compassion, and kindness
and sympathy.
This is how when watching after
others, one watches after oneself.
The Two Acrobats
And how does one watch
after others?
Through harmlessness and
compassion, and kindness
and sympathy.
This is how when watching after
others, one watches after oneself.
The Two Acrobats
And how does one watch
after others?
Through harmlessness and
compassion, and kindness
and sympathy.
This is how when watching after
others, one watches after oneself.
The Two Acrobats
The Buddha :
When watching after oneself, one
watches after others.
When watching after others, one
watches after oneself.
The Two Acrobats
The Buddha :
When watching after oneself, one
watches after others.
When watching after others, one
watches after oneself.
The Two Acrobats
The Buddha :
When watching after oneself, one
watches after others.
When watching after others, one
watches after oneself.
The Two Acrobats
The Buddha :
When watching after oneself, one
watches after others.
When watching after others, one
watches after oneself.
Sedaka Sutta : The Bamboo Acrobat
Samyutta Nikaya 47.19
The Five Precepts
They are our protection
But they are more than that!
They are the protection
of others too.
The Five Precepts
They are our protection
But they are more than that!
They are the protection
of others too.
The Five Precepts
They are our protection
But they are more than that!
They are the protection
of others too.
The Five Precepts
They are our protection
But they are more than that!
They are the protection
of others too.
The Five Protective Precepts
1. Abstain from harming and killing
2. Abstain from taking what is not given
3. Abstain from sexual misconduct
4. Abstain from lying and false speech
5. Abstain from abuse of intoxicants
and drugs
The Five Protective Precepts
1. The safety and lives of all beings
2. Abstain from taking what is not given
3. Abstain from sexual misconduct
4. Abstain from lying and false speech
5. Abstain from abuse of intoxicants
and drugs
The Five Protective Precepts
1. The safety and lives of all beings
2. The livelihood and possessions of others
3. Abstain from sexual misconduct
4. Abstain from lying and false speech
5. Abstain from abuse of intoxicants
and drugs
The Five Protective Precepts
1. The safety and lives of all beings
2. The livelihood and possessions of others
3. The happiness and unity of families
4. Abstain from lying and false speech
5. Abstain from abuse of intoxicants
and drugs
The Five Protective Precepts
1. The safety and lives of all beings
2. The livelihood and possessions of others
3. The happiness and unity of families
4. The integrity and security of society
5. Abstain from abuse of intoxicants
and drugs
The Five Protective Precepts
1. The safety and lives of all beings
2. The livelihood and possessions of others
3. The happiness and unity of families
4. The integrity and security of society
5. All of the above!
Buddhism and society
Never a ‘one-way’ street.
There are always reciprocal
responsibilities between
people, groups of people and
society as a whole too.
Buddhism and society
Never a ‘one-way’ street.
There are always reciprocal
responsibilities between
people, groups of people and
society as a whole too.
The Sigalovada Sutta
The Code of Ethics
for Lay People
The Buddha’s Guide to
Peace and Happiness
The Sigalovada Sutta
The Code of Ethics
for Lay People
The Buddha’s Guide to
Peace and Happiness
The Sigalovada Sutta
Children and Parents
How children should treat their parents
By supporting their parents when necessary
By helping them in their business, at work, or in
any other appropriate ways
By keeping the family together
By being worthy of their inheritance
By doing charitable acts in memory of departed
parents and relatives
The Sigalovada Sutta
Children and Parents
How parents should treat their children
By restraining their children from doing wrong
By encouraging them to do what is right
By having them trained in a profession
By helping or giving advice in the choice of a
suitable marriage partner
By handing over their inheritance at a proper time
The Sigalovada Sutta
Children and Parents
How parents should treat their children
By restraining their children from doing wrong
By encouraging them to do what is right
By having them trained in a profession
By helping or giving advice in the choice of a
suitable marriage partner
By handing over their inheritance at a proper time
For Buddhist parents
As Buddhist parents, or parents-to-be, we have a
duty to bring our children on to the correct path
as soon as possible.
•
•
•
•
Avoid them straying on to the wrong path.
Train them to cultivate good habits from young.
They will then grow up into responsible and
mature adults.
It will then be easier for them to practice the
Dhamma as they grow older.
For Buddhist parents
As Buddhist parents, or parents-to-be, we have a
duty to bring our children on to the correct path
as soon as possible.
•
•
•
•
Avoid them straying on to the wrong path.
Train them to cultivate good habits from young.
They will then grow up into responsible and
mature adults.
It will then be easier for them to practice the
Dhamma as they grow older.
For Buddhist parents
As Buddhist parents, or parents-to-be, we have a
duty to bring our children on to the correct path
as soon as possible.
•
•
•
•
Avoid them straying on to the wrong path.
Train them to cultivate good habits from young.
They will then grow up into responsible and
mature adults.
It will then be easier for them to practice the
Dhamma as they grow older.
For Buddhist parents
As Buddhist parents, or parents-to-be, we have a
duty to bring our children on to the correct path
as soon as possible.
•
•
•
•
Avoid them straying on to the wrong path.
Train them to cultivate good habits from young.
They will then grow up into responsible and
mature adults.
It will then be easier for them to practice the
Dhamma as they grow older.
For Buddhist parents
As Buddhist parents, or parents-to-be, we have a
duty to bring our children on to the correct path
as soon as possible.
•
•
•
•
Avoid them straying on to the wrong path.
Train them to cultivate good habits from young.
They will then grow up into responsible and
mature adults.
It will then be easier for them to practice the
Dhamma as they grow older.
For Buddhist parents
When our children stay out of trouble,
we parents also have less trouble!
We have to point out the similarities and
differences between Buddhism and the other
religions. This is necessary for their own
knowledge. This will also allow them to make
their own decisions regarding which religion to
eventually follow, in an educated way and with
a clear mind.
For Buddhist parents
When our children stay out of trouble,
we parents also have less trouble!
We have to point out the similarities and
differences between Buddhism and the other
religions. This is necessary for their own
knowledge. This will also allow them to make
their own decisions regarding which religion to
eventually follow, in an educated way and with
a clear mind.
For Buddhist parents
All faiths are similar in that they preach goodness
and love. However, the emphasis and
approach taken by the different religions can
be very different. These are some points to
consider bringing to the attention of our
children :
For Buddhist parents
1. Being a good person as opposed to blind
faith and worship
Some religions usually place blind faith and
worship above and beyond everything else.
For example, being a good person is less
important than faith and worship. This is
because being a good person will not lead to
heaven if that person is not of the same
religion. For some religions, only faith and
worship according to that religion will lead to
heaven. Everyone else, good or bad, goes to
hell according to those religions.
For Buddhist parents
1. Being a good person as opposed to blind
faith and worship
Some religions usually place blind faith and
worship above and beyond everything else.
For example, being a good person is less
important than faith and worship. This is
because being a good person will not lead to
heaven if that person is not of the same
religion. For some religions, only faith and
worship according to that religion will lead to
heaven. Everyone else, good or bad, goes to
hell according to those religions.
For Buddhist parents
Buddhism on the other hand, places a person’s
behaviour above and beyond faith and
worship. Being a good person is more
important in Buddhism. Faith and worship is
secondary in Buddhism, and blind faith and
unthinking worship is discouraged. Asking
questions to gain knowledge, and direct
experience to gain understanding, is what
Buddhism encourages.
For Buddhist parents
2. Unconditional love as opposed to
conditional love
Many religions have the concept that they must
belong to and have absolute and
unquestioning faith in that particular religion
before they are saved by their god, who is
supposed to be loving and compassionate. If
not, they will be punished by that god in an
eternal hell. This is ‘conditional love’ and not
really true love or compassion as there are
conditions or ‘strings’ attached.
For Buddhist parents
2. Unconditional love as opposed to
conditional love
Many religions have the concept that they must
belong to and have absolute and
unquestioning faith in that particular religion
before they are saved by their god, who is
supposed to be loving and compassionate. If
not, they will be punished by that god in an
eternal hell. This is ‘conditional love’ and not
really true love or compassion as there are
conditions or ‘strings’ attached.
For Buddhist parents
Buddhism on the other hand, teaches
unconditional love or compassion - Metta.
This is the kind of love that a mother has for
her child. No matter what her child does or
turns out to be, she will always love that child.
This is the kind of love and compassion that
Buddhism encourages us to have,
unconditional and without any ‘strings’
attached, and to be practiced towards all
beings without exception.
For Buddhist parents
3. Tolerance as opposed to intolerance
Several religions are highly ‘exclusive’ in nature.
For example, followers of these religions forbid
or strongly discourage their followers from :
• Reading books or learning about other
religions;
• Visiting places of worship of other religions;
• Attending wakes or funerals of other religions;
• Mixing around with people from other religions.
For Buddhist parents
3. Tolerance as opposed to intolerance
Several religions are highly ‘exclusive’ in nature.
For example, followers of these religions forbid
or strongly discourage their followers from :
• Reading books or learning about other
religions;
• Visiting places of worship of other religions;
• Attending wakes or funerals of other religions;
• Mixing around with people from other religions.
For Buddhist parents
3. Tolerance as opposed to intolerance
Several religions are highly ‘exclusive’ in nature.
For example, followers of these religions forbid
or strongly discourage their followers from :
• Reading books or learning about other
religions;
• Visiting places of worship of other religions;
• Attending wakes or funerals of other religions;
• Mixing around with people from other religions.
For Buddhist parents
3. Tolerance as opposed to intolerance
Several religions are highly ‘exclusive’ in nature.
For example, followers of these religions forbid
or strongly discourage their followers from :
• Reading books or learning about other
religions;
• Visiting places of worship of other religions;
• Attending wakes or funerals of other religions;
• Mixing around with people from other religions.
For Buddhist parents
3. Tolerance as opposed to intolerance
Several religions are highly ‘exclusive’ in nature.
For example, followers of these religions forbid
or strongly discourage their followers from :
• Reading books or learning about other
religions;
• Visiting places of worship of other religions;
• Attending wakes or funerals of other religions;
• Mixing around with people from other religions.
For Buddhist parents
3. Tolerance as opposed to intolerance
Several religions are highly ‘exclusive’ in nature.
For example, followers of these religions forbid
or strongly discourage their followers from :
• Reading books or learning about other
religions;
• Visiting places of worship of other religions;
• Attending wakes or funerals of other religions;
• Mixing around with people from other religions.
For Buddhist parents
Buddhism however, does not have any such
restrictions and in fact, learning about other
religions is encouraged, and even occasionally
participating in their activities is fine. In this
way, a greater understanding of other religions
is acquired and also, social harmony and
cohesiveness is maintained.
For Buddhist parents
4. Open-minded teachings as opposed to
dogmatic beliefs
A few religions preach highly dogmatic beliefs
such that modern science and knowledge is
taught as false, because they contradict the
teachings in their ancient books. These
religions teach that only what is contained in
their books is true and everything else is false,
despite all the evidence to the contrary from
modern science and hard facts.
For Buddhist parents
4. Open-minded teachings as opposed to
dogmatic beliefs
A few religions preach highly dogmatic beliefs
such that modern science and knowledge is
taught as false, because they contradict the
teachings in their ancient books. These
religions teach that only what is contained in
their books is true and everything else is false,
despite all the evidence to the contrary from
modern science and hard facts.
For Buddhist parents
Buddhism on the other hand, is open and
adaptable and in fact, very much in harmony
with modern science. For example, while
some religions preach that everything is
created by a god and that evolution is false,
Buddhism recognizes the scientific evidence
and hard facts of evolution. Buddhism does
not seek to twist or distort modern science and
knowledge to suit its teachings. What is
important in Buddhism is the truth, and the
ability to see and understand the reality of
nature and of our existence.
For Buddhist parents
If we, as Buddhist parents do not make
the effort to teach our children our
own religion, then we are effectively
just stepping aside to allow people
of other religions to teach our own
children their religion.
For Buddhist parents
However, we must also do our part as
Buddhist parents by :
• Learning the Buddha’s teachings
• Practicing the Buddha’s teachings
• Being the example we want our
children to follow
For Buddhist parents
However, we must also do our part as
Buddhist parents by :
• Learning the Buddha’s teachings
• Practicing the Buddha’s teachings
• Being the example we want our
children to follow
For Buddhist parents
However, we must also do our part as
Buddhist parents by :
• Learning the Buddha’s teachings
• Practicing the Buddha’s teachings
• Being the example we want our
children to follow
For Buddhist parents
However, we must also do our part as
Buddhist parents by :
• Learning the Buddha’s teachings
• Practicing the Buddha’s teachings
• Being the example we want our
children to follow
For Buddhist parents
Lastly, a good way to politely decline
followers of other religions trying to
convert us or our children, is to say
that we will go their place of worship
or listen to them, providing they also
visit our temple or listen to us tell
them about the Buddha’s teachings.
The Sigalovada Sutta
Students and Teachers
How students should treat their teachers
By showing their teachers proper respect
By attending to their needs
By personal service to them
By being eager to learn
By paying careful attention when being taught
The Sigalovada Sutta
Students and Teachers
How teachers should treat their students
By training their students to develop self-discipline
By teaching them so that they understand the
lessons well
By giving them a well-balanced education
By introducing them to friends and colleagues
By helping to ensure their safety and well-being
The Sigalovada Sutta
Husbands and Wives
How a husband should treat his wife
By treating her with courtesy
By showing her respect
By being faithful to her
By sharing authority of the household with her
By providing her with jewellery and gifts
The Sigalovada Sutta
Husbands and Wives
How a wife should treat her husband
By properly organizing the household
By being hospitable to in-laws, and treating
household workers well
By being faithful to him
By helping to preserve the family wealth
By being skilful and diligent in her duties
The Sigalovada Sutta
Friends and Associates
How one should treat friends and associates
By being generous and willing to share
By speaking with kind words
By being helpful
By being impartial and unbiased
By being sincere and honest
The Sigalovada Sutta
Friends and Associates
How friends and associates should treat each other
By taking care of each other when they are
vulnerable
By protecting their property when they are
vulnerable
By being a refuge in times of fear or danger
By not abandoning them in times of need
By respecting and showing consideration for their
family
The Sigalovada Sutta
Employers and Employees
How employers should treat their employees
By assigning their employees work according to
their abilities
By paying them adequately for their work
By looking after their medical needs
By giving them special treats
By allowing them leave and holidays
The Sigalovada Sutta
Employers and Employees
How employees should treat their employers
By arriving early for work
By staying late when necessary
By taking only what is given
By doing their job well
By upholding and spreading the good reputation of
their employer
The Sigalovada Sutta
Spiritual teachers and Lay followers
How lay followers should treat their spiritual teachers
By kind actions
By kind speech
By kind thoughts
By keeping their house open to them
By providing them with material needs
The Sigalovada Sutta
Spiritual teachers and Lay followers
How spiritual teachers should treat their lay followers
By restraining them from doing wrong
By encouraging them to do what is right
By showing them compassion
By teaching them what they do not know
By clarifying what has been taught
By showing them the way and guiding them in spiritual
practice
How to practice Buddhism
as a Lay Person
The Buddha recognized that not everyone is
ready, or even suited for a life centred on
intensive spiritual practice.
Most are content with being part of a
household, running their businesses, taking
part in social activities and having a good time.
He said that there is nothing wrong with people
enjoying their families, their material
possessions and taking pleasure in life.
How to practice Buddhism
as a Lay Person
The Buddha recognized that not everyone is
ready, or even suited for a life centred on
intensive spiritual practice.
Most are content with being part of a
household, running their businesses, taking
part in social activities and having a good time.
He said that there is nothing wrong with people
enjoying their families, their material
possessions and taking pleasure in life.
How to practice Buddhism
as a Lay Person
The Buddha recognized that not everyone is
ready, or even suited for a life centred on
intensive spiritual practice.
Most are content with being part of a
household, running their businesses, taking
part in social activities and having a good time.
He said that there is nothing wrong with people
enjoying their families, their material
possessions and taking pleasure in life.
How to practice Buddhism
as a Lay Person
The Buddha recognized that not everyone is
ready, or even suited for a life centred on
intensive spiritual practice.
Most are content with being part of a
household, running their businesses, taking
part in social activities and having a good time.
He said that there is nothing wrong with people
enjoying their families, their material
possessions and taking pleasure in life.
How to practice Buddhism
as a Lay Person
However, he stressed that the pursuit of our
own happiness should not be at the expense
of others.
Such happiness will be short-lived and lead
ultimately to our own suffering.
By helping and bringing happiness
unconditionally to others, our own happiness
will not only be preserved, but maintained for
a long time to come.
How to practice Buddhism
as a Lay Person
However, he stressed that the pursuit of our
own happiness should not be at the expense
of others.
Such happiness will be short-lived and lead
ultimately to our own suffering.
By helping and bringing happiness
unconditionally to others, our own happiness
will not only be preserved, but maintained for
a long time to come.
How to practice Buddhism
as a Lay Person
However, he stressed that the pursuit of our
own happiness should not be at the expense
of others.
Such happiness will be short-lived and lead
ultimately to our own suffering.
By helping and bringing happiness
unconditionally to others, our own happiness
will not only be preserved, but maintained for
a long time to come.
Prepared by T Y Lee
www.justbegood.net