Download Ethical Teachings of Buddhism

Ethical Teachings of Buddhism
Karma
Means action and its consequences. If something bad happens to you and there can
be no casual explanation then it is said that it is a result of a bad deed performed in a
previous life being acted out in this life. The importance of karma is that ethical
considerations are paramount as you won’t to be liberated from samsaric experience.
The Five Precepts
At the centre of Buddhist ethical practice are the Five Precepts. These are rules that
act as an antidote to the Three Poisons: desire or greed, hatred or aversion and
ignorance or delusion.
1. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from harming living beings
2. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking things not freely
given
3. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from sexual misconduct
4. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from false speech
5. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from intoxicating drinks and
drugs
Ten Precepts were laid down for anyone in training to become a monk. The following
were added:
6. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking untimely meals
7. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from dancing, music, singing
and watching grotesque mime
8. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from the use of garlands,
perfumes and personal adornment
9. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from the use of high seats
10. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from accepting gold or silver
The Ten Precepts may be observed by lay people during festival days but they
determine the separation between the monks and the lay people.
Discuss in groups:
1. Explain how Karma effects every day life
2. Rewrite the Five Precepts using your own words starting with – Don’t …..
3. Discuss the extra five Precepts (Ten Precepts). What do you think they mean
for a monk today? Rewrite using modern terms.
Puja
In Buddhism, puja (Pali: pūjā) are expressions of "honor, worship, devotional
attention." Acts of puja include bowing, making offerings and chanting. These
devotional acts are generally performed daily at home (either in the morning or
evening or both) as well as during communal festivals and Uposatha (the Buddhist
Sabbath) days at a temple.
Elements involved in a puja:
Offerings
Bowing
Chanting
Typical material offerings involve simple
objects such as a lit candle or oil lamp,
burning incense, flowers, food, fruit,
water or drinks placed on the shrine
An act of humility before a person
(perhaps a senior member of the
sangha) or before the shrine, and what it
represents. Bowing refers to the act of
raising one's hands together (anjali) and
lowering one's head in a gesture of
homage and humility. When bowing
before a sacred object such as a Buddha
statue, one usually bows three times,
recalling with the first bow the Buddha,
then the Dharma (the teachings of the
Buddha) and then the Sangha (order of
monks and nuns, Buddhist community).
The use of traditional chants to connect
with both the wisdom teachings of the
Buddha and to the devotional heart.
Typically performed in traditional
languages, such as Pali or Tibetan
Question:
1. How important is an established place of worship like a temple?
2. In what ways are the elements of personal devotion in Buddhism similar to
the Abraham religions?
Picture Match
Match the pictures below with events from Buddha’s life or Buddhists beliefs