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Buddhism Beliefs & Practice
Buddhism’s Hindu Origins
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Buddha was born a Hindu. Today
practicing Hindus believe the Buddha
to be an incarnation of Vishnu.
Buddhism grew from Hinduism but
rejected:
Caste System (especially power of
Brahmin caste)
Hindu Rituals
Theories about Creation
Hindu Language - Sanskrit
Achieving Nirvana after thousands of
Lifetimes.
Buddhism retained the following
Hindu elements:
• Reincarnation, Samsara, Karma,
Dharma, Nirvana.
• A central belief of
Buddhism is that an
individual has the
right to find the
truth for
himself/herself,
even if it means
finding it outside of
Buddhism.
• Very introspective
faith tradition.
• Many sources used
for finding spiritual
truth.
• All teachings show a
way to end the
suffering of life and
stop Samsara, the
endless cycle of
uncontrolled
rebirths and
reincarnation.
• Attain absolute
peace and joy, or
Nirvana.
Three Characteristics of Existence
Buddha came to a conclusion regarding
the natural existence of things, that all
things outside of Nirvana had three
fundamental characteristics.
-One of the most important concepts in
Buddhism1.
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Anicca (impermanence) - The idea that
the world is in constant flux & nothing
stays the same for long (environment,
bodies, cars, clothes).
Dukkha (dissatisfaction) - The idea that
all humans & animals experience
suffering. Happiness & pleasure only
last a limited amount of time.
Anatta (no-self) - The idea that we
cannot point to any one thing (eye, arm,
foot) in ourselves that we can say is self.
Only when all parts are together do we
collectively call them a person.
The Five Precepts
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Rules which are followed by
Buddhist common people to
control improper or nonbeneficial, physical and/or
verbal behavior that might cause
suffering.
Abstain from killing or harming
living beings (ahimsa)
Abstain from stealing
Abstain from improper sexual
conduct
Abstain from false speech, i.e.,
telling lies, gossiping
Abstain from taking alcohol and
harmful drugs
Additional Precepts
Ordained monks and nuns, who have
taken the vows of poverty and
chastity, observe additional
precepts.
*In some sanghas (communities) a
monk may have as many as 200
precepts to follow.
Abstain from eating after noon
1. Abstain from viewing dancing,
singing, drama…etc.
2. Abstain from using perfumes &
beauty products
3. Abstain from using comfortable beds
4. Abstain from accepting gold or silver
The Four Noble Truths
• Buddha observed that no one can escape
death and unhappiness. If people expect
only happiness in life, they will be
disappointed.
• In searching for the cause of unhappiness
and its treatment, Buddha founded the
doctrine of the Four Noble Truths.
• These “truths,” which Buddha introduced to
his early followers during his first sermon at
Deer Park, are central to an understanding
of Buddhism.
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The Noble Truth of Suffering: To live is to suffer. There are
moments of happiness, but they don’t last forever.
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The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering: The cause of suffering is
negative desire. Every kind of suffering has its origins in craving or
selfish desire.
3.
The Noble Truth of the Extinction of Suffering: To reach nirvana one
must overcome the urge to possess more and more things.
4.
The Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Extinction of Suffering:
To end suffering, one must adopt the “Middle Way” by following the
Noble Eightfold Path.
The Noble Eightfold Path
• Symbolic eight-spoke wheel
represents the 8 steps of the path
to enlightenment.
• Centre of the wheel represents
nirvana, which is the only fixed
point.
• As the spokes of the wheel are
needed to keep the wheel turning,
Buddhists need to follow each step
of the path to reach the end of
suffering.
• Steps are not to be followed one
after the other; they are to be used
together as a way of life along a
path of self-conquest, ultimately
leading to happiness, peace,
nirvana.
The Noble Eightfold Path
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Right View: Know doctrine of four Noble Truths.
Right Thought: Nurture good thoughts. Our minds must
be freed from sensuous desire, ill-will, and cruelty.
Right Speech: Use kind speech. Do not lie, criticize
unjustly, use harsh language, or gossip.
Right Conduct: Observe the Five Precepts.
Right Livelihood: Earn a living through occupations that
do not cause harm to living things.
Right Effort: Conquer all evil thoughts & strive to have
good thoughts. Good will towards others at all times.
Right Mindfulness: Do not get lead astray by
unwholesome acts or thoughts. Give full attention to
proper thoughts.
Right concentration: Focus on one thought or object at a
time. This leads to peace of mind and tranquility.
The Triple Jewel, or Three Refuges
To make it easier to
follow his teachings &
take refuge from a
difficult existence,
Buddha established the
three refuges.
1. The Buddha (the guide)
2. The Dharma (the path)
3. The Sangha (the
companions & teachers)