Download Buddhist Beliefs

Buddhist
Beliefs
Based on Exploring
World Religions, pages
168-174
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What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism?
The goal is to end human suffering – both for oneself
and for others
What do Buddhists believe about reincarnation?
Reincarnation does not involve the caste system.
Karma impacts future lives. Samsara is the
transference of one’s consciousness to a new body.
Why is there no distinction between the genders in
Buddhist thought?
The Buddha taught that all people have been both
male and female in previous lives… and this will
continue.
Explain the suffering of women and why it may not be
considered an obstacle.
Women suffer more than men (menstruation,
pregnancy, childbirth) and the overcoming of this
suffering brings them closer to enlightenment.
 What
is the Buddhist view of women?
 Women are equal to men. They are not the
property of men.
 Other than nirvana, all things have three
fundamental characteristics. What are they?
Summarize these 3 characteristics in point form.
 Dukkha – dissatisfaction, life involves suffering
 Annicca – impermanence, nothing lasts forever
 Annatta – no-self; the self is not permanent, no
part of a person is *them*. Link to aging, loss of
abilities.
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Why are there rules to be followed by Buddhist lay people (i.e.
non-monks)? What are these five precepts? What precepts
must be followed by Buddhist monks and nuns?
To control improper (or non-beneficial) behaviour that might
cause suffering. This includes both physical or verbal behaviour.
The 5 precepts for lay people are:
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Do not kill living beings
Do not steal
Abstain from improper sexual conduct
Abstain from false speech (lying, idle speech)
Abstain from alcohol and drugs (intoxicants)
The additional precepts for monks/nuns are:
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Abstain from eating after noon
Abstaining from watching entertainment
Abstain from luxury like perfume (things to adorn a person)
Abstain from using comfortable beds
Abstain from accepting gold and silver
 Buddha’s
observations about the truth of the
world were not necessarily negative. How does
his worldview help to prevent disappointment?
 We need to be realistic about the world. Even
suffering can be overcome and is impermanent.
 Briefly summarize the Four Noble Truths as
expressed in this section.
 1. Noble truth of suffering – to live is to suffer
 2. Noble truth of the origin of suffering – DESIRE,
selfishness, greed
 3. Noble truth of the extinction of suffering – end
suffering by ending greed (changing one’s views)
 4. Noble truth of the path leading to the
extinction of suffering – we must adopt the 8fold
path to end desire (the therefore end suffering)
 Briefly
summarize the Noble 8fold Path.
 THE WAY OF WISDOM
 Right View
 Striving to understand the Four Noble Truths
 Understanding life for what it is, not what we wish
it to be
 Right Thought
 Understanding that our thoughts influence who
we are and what we become
 Avoid dwelling on the past or future
 Understanding what leads to suffering and
committing to eliminate it
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THE WAY OF MORALITY
Right Speech
Speak only honest, kind, nurturing and worthy
words
Do not lie, avoid harsh words, gossip and idle
chatter
Right Action
Do no harm
Karma is the law of the universe – all deeds come
back to us, in one way or another
Follow the five precepts (and additional precepts
for monks and nuns)
Right Livelihood
Earn an honest living that does not harm others or
violate any precepts
Earn a living that does not negative affect one’s
own morality
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THE WAY OF MENTAL TRAINING
Right Effort
Be determined to cleanse the mind,
concentrate on the mind to eliminate desires
and attachments
Understand wholesome and unwholesome states
of mind and commit to control them
Right Mindfulness
Be fully aware of what you are doing
Always have concern for others
Concentrate on the body to eliminate desires
and attachments
Right Concentration/Meditation
Intensely meditate to reach salvation
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How does the symbol of the wheel illustrate life and
the path the Buddha proposed?
The wheel keeps moving, like time, like actions, like
karma
Define the term bodhisattva.
A person who has attained nirvana but remains in
samsara to help humankind (people take a
bodhisattva vow. Holy beings in Buddhism are
known as bodhisattvas in Mahayana countries.
REFLECTION:
What do you take refuge in? What do you think are
refuges for other North Americans?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=226w04QMPzQ