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The Essence of Buddhism Buddhism concentrates on a “middle way of wisdom and compassion.” It is a 2,500 year old tradition. It was started by a young prince who believed everyone could reach Nirvana, not just those in his social caste. (*Siddhartha was a Brahmin.) Religions of South Asia Estimates of the number of Buddhists vary, but the most common figure today is between 350 and 400 million. Gautama Buddha, Prince Siddhartha The founder of Buddhism was Siddhartha Gautama. He was alive between 566 BCE and 480 CE perhaps in present-day Nepal ("Basics of Buddhism" 1). Gautama's father was an Indian warrior-king. Their family lived a rich and prestigious life, being part of the highest social class or caste, the Brahmins ("Basics of Buddhism" 1). His father was Hindu. Gautama, however, came to dislike the Hindu caste system because he thought everyone to be spiritually equal ("Path of Buddhism" 5, 6). Gautama was not allowed outside of the palace walls. Occasionally, Gautama went anyway and discovered four disturbing scenes: an old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a wandering beggar. Siddhartha, Gautama Buddha These disturbing scenes caused Prince Siddhartha to go on the Great Departure in search of a new meaning of life for all people (Ross 6). Gautama left when he was 29, while his wife and son were asleep ("Path of Buddhism" 5 and Ross 7). He shaved his head, and became an ascetic, a monk. For a time, Gautama believed that "suffering lay at the end of all existence." However, he eventually came to the “middle way” as the direction of life – moderation in all things. Eventually Gautama was called The Buddha, the enlightened one, because he knew how to free himself from suffering, and later obtain total freedom ("Basics of Buddhism" 1). The Buddha became enlightened while sitting under the Bodhi tree ("Path of Buddhism" 5). Throughout the rest of his life, Gautama traveled through India helping others comprehend his discovery ("Basics of Buddhism"1-2). The Buddha lived 80 years, they say his last words were, "Work out your salvation with diligence" ("Path of Buddhism" 5). Bodhi Tree Three jewels of Buddhism Buddha: the teacher Dharma: the teachings Sangha: the community Buddha’s Doctrine Buddha adopted some ideas from the Hinduism of his time, notably the doctrine of karma, but also rejected many of its doctrines and all of its gods. "Buddhism." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. 3 Jan. 2007 <http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9358217/Buddhism>. What is the fundamental cause of all pain and suffering? desire Desire What we want and what we desire drive us as human beings. We are hungry. We feel neglected. We want more clothes, more attention, more and better everything. We want love. According to Buddhism, we can control our desires, our wants. We can be “moderate” or find the “middle way.” The Middle Way The Buddha referred to his teachings as the Middle Way, avoiding the extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification. His own life, prior to attaining enlightenment, witnessed both extremes - the luxury of his life in his father's palace in his youth in contrast to the severe ascetic practices he engaged in during his six-year search for enlightenment. Neither brought a release from suffering. (Majjhima patipada). Samara Cycle: re(birth), pain & suffering and death (separation) Hindrances Sensuous lust Aversion and ill will Sloth and torpor Restlessness and worry Skeptical doubt The Four Noble Truths 1. Pain and suffering exist in the world (Dukkha) 2. Pain and suffering arise from self-centered attachment to desires (Samudaya) 3. Pain and suffering stop when attachment to desire stops (Nirodha) 4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path (Magga) The Eightfold Path Right View Right Thought Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Contemplation Or Meditation Eightfold Path in Categories Wisdom (panna): Right understanding Right motivation Moral discipline (sila): Right speech Right action Right livelihood Mental discipline (samadhi): Right effort Right mindfulness Right meditation Eightfold Path Following the Eightfold path will lead one out of the Samsara cycle of pain/suffering, death and rebirth. It is the ultimate peacefulness or bliss. Siddhartha Gautama believed that all could attain this kind of “salvation.” 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) One aspect of the Eightfold Path, right mindfulness, decides on the fate of one's karma. Karma Buddha is reported to have said “Intention, monks, is karma I say. Having willed, one acts through body, speech and mind.” (A.N. VI.63 Nibbedhika Sutta) The five precepts are not given in the form of commands such as "thou shalt not ...", but are training rules in order to live a better life in which one is happy, without worries, and can meditate well. 1. To refrain from taking life. (i.e. non-violence towards sentient life forms) 2. To refrain from taking that which is not given (i.e. not committing theft). 3. To refrain from sensual misconduct (abstinence from immoral sexual behavior). 4. To refrain from lying. (i.e. speaking truth always) 5. To refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness (refrain from using drugs or alcohol.) Golden Gate Park, San Francisco Buddhism differs from Hinduism & Jainism • • • • • • • • Buddhism rejects… (Hinduism) 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 Buddhism rejects … (Jainism) 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 Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher In Buddhism, any person who has awakened from the "sleep of ignorance" by directly realizing the true nature of reality is called a Buddha. The Dalai Lama Buddhism in America (1999) The greatest achievement is selflessness. The greatest worth is self-mastery. The greatest quality is seeking to serve others. The greatest precept is continual awareness. The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything. The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways. The greatest magic is transmuting the passions. The greatest generosity is non-attachment. The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind. The greatest patience is humility. The greatest effort is not concerned with results. The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go. The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances. Some Shared Beliefs: Christianity and Buddhism Ethic of Reciprocity Buddhism, Christianity and all of the other major world religions share a basic rule of behavior which governs how they are to treat others. Two quotations from Buddhist texts which reflect this Ethic are "...a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?" Samyutta NIkaya v. 353. Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Udana-Varga 5:18. This compares closely to Christianity's Golden Rule, which is seen in: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Matthew 7:12. "...and don't do what you hate...“ Gospel of Thomas 6. Life After Death Almost all religions teach that a person's personality continues after death. In fact, many religious historians believe that this belief was the prime reason that motivated people to originally create religions. Christianity and Buddhism are no exception. However, they conceive of life after death in very different forms: Buddhism teaches that humans are trapped in a repetitive cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. One's goal is to escape from this cycle and reach Nirvana. The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. Suffering ends because desire and craving -- the causes of suffering -- are no more. Christianity has historically taught that everyone has only a single life on earth. After death, an eternal life awaits everyone: either in Heaven or Hell. There is no suffering in Heaven; only joy. Suffering is eternal without any hope of cessation for the inhabitants of Hell. Themes of morality, justice, love These themes are found through both the Buddha's teaching and the Hebrew and Christian Bible. Beliefs shared by some Buddhist traditions and Christianity: In its original forms, Buddhism did not teach of the existence of transcendent, immanent, or any other type of God, Gods, Goddess, and/or Goddesses. However, many Buddhists -- particularly in Japan -- do believe in a pantheon of deities. Some traditions within Buddhism believe in the power of prayer; others do not. Some Buddhists believe in Miroku, the "future Buddha." They expect him to be reincarnated and spread Buddhism farther.