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FAITH
CATHEDRAL
DELIVERANCE
CENTRE
WELCOMES YOU
TO THE STUDY ON
BUDDHISM
REFLECTION
STATEMENTS
The Three Jewels or ‘Triple Gem’ are
the foundation of Buddhist tradition.
These are Buddha, Dharma, Sangha
STATEMENTS
The
Sangha is of two levels: the
Monastic Order for monks and nuns
– those who do not desire to be
part of the monastery.
Laity
STATEMENTS
‘The Buddha’ includes the historical
Buddha and all those who have been
awakened from the sleep of ignorance.
STATEMENTS
‘The Dharma/Dhamma’ consists of the
the teachings, practices, and their
implementation (art and science)
STATEMENTS
‘The
Three Baskets’ or ‘Tipikata’
is the name given to the Buddhist
Scriptures.
They were written in Pali, and is a very
large book.
The three baskets are Vinaya Pitaka –
(containing rules for monks)
Sutta Pitaka (teachings/Dhamma)
Abhidhamma Pitaka (explains the
Sutta)
STATEMENTS
Two
Canons are used –
 Sanskrit which is a combination of
several languages
Pali – which is the first collection of
Budda’s teachings in Indian
language
STATEMENTS
There
are Three Vehicles,
Branches or Philosophies.
Hinayana (Lesser/Little Vehicle)
same as the Theravada (Doctrine of
he Elders) Strict to the letter, for
self improvement and salvation,
(Arhats), Buddha as teacher
STATEMENTS
Mahayana
(Greater Vehicle) for the
common people, assist others in quest
for salvation, Bodhisattvas with stored
merits, Buddha as god – historical,
universal, eternal
Vajrayana (Tantric Vehicle) use
meditative and other practices which
lead to direct realization of Buddha.
Tantrism – magical powers used for
enlightenment. The mind, speech, and
body are used in meditation
BUDDHISTS
NUMEROLOGY
Buddhism
is a religion of the Axial age
with its magic & myth as seen in
symbols. There was a turn from that age
to the present (reason), and so
numerology was used to preserve the
myth/magic essence
Number
Meaning
1
Spiritual union
2
3
Division
Unity as in trinity
4
7
Completion
Primary number of magic, especially Life &
Death
PART
FIVE
TEACHINGS/DHAMMA (DHARMA)
The Buddha's teachings where
collected into what forms the
Dhamma/Dharma. In all, eighty
four thousand (84,000) teachings
were given revealing many
profound methods of spiritual
training, all of which are practical
ways to purify and control the
mind.
TEACHINGS/DHAMMA (DHARMA) CONT’D
If
methods are practiced then
the result is a special
experience of mental peace. As
the experience is improved,
deluded state of mind will
gradually diminish and inner
peace will grow.
TEACHINGS/DHAMMA (DHARMA)
By
CONT’D
abandoning delusions
(anger, ignorance) altogether,
one attains the permanent
inner peace of Nirvana, just
like Buddha.
TEACHINGS/DHAMMA (DHARMA)
-Buddha’s
CONT’D
teachings are
spiritual technologies that
identify the actual root cause
of human suffering and
problems, and eliminate them
at their roots.
TEACHINGS/DHAMMA (DHARMA)
The
CONT’D
teaching reveals a step-bystep path to lasting happiness.
By following this path, anyone
can gradually transform the
mind from its present confused
and self-centered state into the
blissful mind of a Buddha.
TEACHINGS/DHAMMA (DHARMA)
The
CONT’D
Buddha rejected
speculation about such matters
as God, the nature of the
universe, and the afterlife,
urging followers to focus on The
Four Noble/Holy Truths by
which they can free themselves
from suffering.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS
This
was part of his first sermon
preached.
The Four Holy Truths
encapsulate The Buddha’s
doctrines on suffering, and are
the heart of the
Dharma/Dhamma.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS CONT’D
Buddha
believed that
suffering dominates the lives
of all humanity and so he
taught a practical way of
deliverance from suffering.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS
1.
CONT’D
The Truth Of Suffering
(dukkha) Life is suffering)
It exists universally. This defines
the nature of being. All people
learn that life is grievous
through the experience of birth,
age, death.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS
The
CONT’D
Buddha spoke of self
as a temporal creation
cursed with suffering until
deliverance is achieved.
Suffering is found in every
aspect of existence
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS
All
CONT’D
things change and the life of
every being ends in death
Although one may have
happiness for a moment,
conditions will soon change and
the happiness will be no longer.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS
CONT’D
2. The Truth Of The Cause Of
Suffering. (Suffering has a
cause)
The origin of the suffering is
caused by the false desires of
the senses which have been
deceived into clinging to the
impermanent world.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS
This
CONT’D
second truth identifies
the origin of suffering as
‘Tanha’ which means ‘thirst’
or craving for gratification.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS CONT’D
These
cravings lead in
certain ways to suffering.
They lead to frustration
resulting from a failure to
achieve lasting satisfaction.
They also lead to quarrels,
strife and conflict between
groups and people.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS
A
CONT’D
hopeless quest for immortality
further aggravates human.
Desire and ignorance lie at the
root of suffering
Cravings, pleasure material goods
and immorality are wants that
can not be satisfied. Desiring
them brings suffering.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS
Ignorance,
CONT’D
on the contrary relates
to not seeing the world as it
actually is.
Without the capacity for mental
concentration and insight, ones
mind is left undeveloped, unable to
grasp the true nature of things.
Vices, such as greed, envy, hatred
and anger, are derived from
ignorance.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS CONT’D
3. The Truth Of The End Of
Suffering
(Suffering can be suppressed)
This has dual meaning, suggesting
either the end of suffering in this
life, on earth, or in the spiritual life
through achieving Nirvada.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS
CONT’D
This is a transcendent state
from suffering and the worldly
cycle of birth and rebirth, thus
spiritual enlightenment would
have been reached.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS
CONT’D
This third Truth affirms that
there is a state of detachment
from material things, and a
cessation of desire when all
cravings cease.
THE FOUR HOLY/NOBLE TRUTHS CONT’D
4. The Truth Of The Path That
Leads To the End Of
Suffering. (Nirvana)
This indicates the method for
attaining the end of suffering. It
is a system that engages the
whole person and brings practical
deliverance by following
The Eight-fold Path.
NIRVANA
Nirvana
means extinction like that
of quenching fire. It may be defined
in many ways but for Buddhism is:
Destruction of desire and the basic
passions which are craving, hatred,
and delusion.
End of painful rebirths.
End of suffering (not equivalent to
the Christian paradise) hence
supreme happiness.
HOW WAS IT?
LET’S SEE!!
ASSESSMENT
Make each statement true by
supplying the missing word.
1.
2.
The Buddha gave---------teachings.
Buddha’s teachings give
methods to purify and control
the ------------ .
ASSESSMENT
3. ------------ were to focus on the Four
Noble Truths to free themselves
from suffering.
4. Buddha taught a practical way of
deliverance from ------------ .
5. Desire and ignorance lie at the
------------ of suffering.
ASSESSMENT
Say if each statement is ‘True’ or ‘False’.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Buddha’s teachings reveal a stepby-step path to lasting happiness.
Buddha embraced matters
pertaining to God.
The Four Noble Truths are at the
heart of the Dharma.
Suffering is not part of people’s
existence.
ASSESSMENT
The origin of suffering is as a
result of false desires.
6. ‘Tanha’ means thirst or
cravings.
7. Following the Eightfold Path
brings deliverance and ends
suffering.
5.
THE EIGHT-FOLD PATH
Following the noble Eightfold
Path requires that a person
do the following as salvation
is through human work:
EIGHT-FOLD PATH (CONT’D)
1 Right Speech: do not gossip, lie
or slander anyone. Reframe from
falsehood, malicious talk, abusive
language,
harsh
and
frivolous
words.
1 .
Speaking to others in a helpful and
thoughtful way, speaking truthfully
and honestly in a way to promote
harmony.(If speech is not beneficial,
keep silent).
EIGHT-FOLD PATH (CONT’D)
2.Right Viewpoints/
Understanding:
Having a right and positive outlook
on life.
3. Right Thoughts:
Thinking about life in the right
way.
EIGHT-FOLD PATH(CONT’D)
Right Actions:
Do not kill, steal or engage
in unlawful sexual act.
5. Right Occupation/
Livelihood:
Avoid working at any job that
could harm, hurt, offend
someone; earning.
4.
EIGHT-FOLD PATH (CONT’D)
6. Right Effort:
Heroically work to eliminate
evil from the life. Through ones
own effort develop good
conduct and a clean mind. The
right amount of effort needed
to live a good life
THE EIGHT-FOLD PATH (CONT’D)
7.
Right Contemplation/
Awareness
Make self aware of the deeds,
words and thoughts, so that it
may be free of desire and
sorrow to live a good life.
EIGHT-FOLD PATH (CONT’D)
8. Right Meditation/
Concentration:
Train the mind to focus on a
single object without wavering
so as to develop a calm mind
capable of concentration. Use
meditation to achieve the goal.
THE EIGHT-FOLD PATH/THREE-FOLD TRAINING
The Path is further divided in three themes
or disciplines called:
‘The Threefold Training’
1 Morality/Good Moral Conduct –
(Speech, Action, Livelihood)
Abstain from:
Sin of the body (murder, theft, lust)
Sin of speech (lying, boasting, idle talk)
Sin of the mind (covetousness, prejudice,)
Avoid any action that might harm others.
THREE-FOLD TRAINING CONT’D
2 Concentration –
(Effort, Mindfulness/Awareness,
Concentration)
Fixing of the mind on one point
which is achieved through specific
techniques. No mortification of the
body but cultivation of psychic
skills.
THREE-FOLD TRAINING CONT’D
3.
Wisdom/Insight:
(Views, Understanding, Intention)
This is the most important because it is
the means by which the mind is freed
from impurities. This is not knowledge
of facts, ideas, and emotionally held
views. Wisdom is received from act of
faith in the words of Buddha, from
reasoning (think for self), and
meditation.
WHEEL OF DHARMA
With
the preaching of his
first sermon, Sakyamuni
‘set in motion’ the Wheel
Of Dharma. This comprises
‘The Four Noble Truths’
and ‘The Eight-fold Path’.
THE DHARMA WHEEL
The
Dharma Wheel is also
known as the ‘Wheel of
Life’. It is an eight-spokes
symbolic of the Buddha’s
teaching to eliminate
suffering and gain
enlightenment.
THE DHARMA WHEEL
THE DHARMA WHEEL
ASSESSMENT
MATCH EACH WORD ON THE LEFT WITH
ONE FROM THE RIGHT:
Salvation
Harmful
work
Speech
Human work
Action
Focus on one thing
Occupation Kill/steal
Meditation Gossip
ASSESSMENT
Select
the words from each set that
relate to Part 5:
1. Nirvana, suffering, monastery,
Sangha
2. Vehicles, wisdom, effort, Maya
3. Theravada, baskets, Dharma,
meditation
4. Actions, sage, viewpoints, Ananda
CHRISTIAN LINK
Group Discussion
CHRISTIAN LINK
Use James 3: 5&8 to
substantiate ‘Right Speech’
2. Use Philippians 4: 8 to combat
any concept of the ‘Eight-Fold
Path’
3. How would you associate
Galatians 5: 22-23 with the
‘Eight-Fold Path’?
1.
THANKS FOR
YOUR
PARTICIPATION
UNTIL NEXT
WEEK
BE BLESSED!!