Download Buddhism…

Buddhism
What is Buddhism…
The “Middle Way of Wisdom and Compassion”
Based on the teachings of the Buddha (the enlightened
one).
Buddhism is Non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist
God – he is just a revered teacher
Once Buddha died, after 80 years of life in this world,
having achieved “Nirvana” (enlightenment) and teaching
many his way of life.
The Buddha teachings of the “Middle Way” is a
moderate, personal search for salvation and
enlightenment from within. The extreme Hindu way of
fasting and torturing or punishing the flesh of ones self
to achieve “Moksha” salvation or was not.
What is Buddhism…
The “Middle Way of Wisdom and Compassion”
A 2500 year old tradition that began in India and spread and
diversified throughout the Far East
A philosophy, religion, and spiritual practice followed by
more than approximately 328,000,000 Buddhists
worldwide.
Buddhism is mainly practiced in Asia, in countries such as
Vietnam, Japan, Sri Lanka, Kampuchea, S. Korea,
Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and
China.
Buddhism started in India, but is now gone and really only
practiced now on its borders, in areas such as Tibet,
Nepal and Bhutan.
Who was the Buddha?
He was born Siddhartha Gautama – a prince of noble caste
(Brahmin) in India, 563 B.C.E.
He was raised in great luxury to be a king
He had empathy for the suffering of others; at age 29 rejected the
life of luxury to seek enlightenment and the solution to suffering
He followed a spiritual quest and strict lifestyle for six years to
finally experience his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree (‘tree of
wisdom’) after 49 days of mediation.
He rejected the extreme, sat in meditation, achieved “Nirvana” – an
awakening to the truth about life and thus becoming a “Buddha”, an
“Enlightened or Awakened One” at the age of 35
He spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others how to
achieve the peace of mind he had achieved.
The Spread of Buddhism
Within two centuries
after the Buddha
died, Buddhism
began to spread
north and east into
Asia
By 13th century
Buddhism had
disappeared from
India
What are some Buddhist texts?
There is no one statement of beliefs (a
creed). Buddhism is however based on
Buddha's teachings. At first these were
passed down by word of mouth.
At some stage between 250-500 years
after his death two sets of scriptures were
compiled.
What are some Buddhist texts?
Tripitaka (the Pali language) – the “Three Baskets”:
Dharma - The teachings of Buddha
Abhidhamma - An explanation on that teaching. Most of
these are called Sutras
Vinaya (“discipline”) - A rule book for monks and nuns. There
are 227 rules for monks, and more for nuns! The rules can be
relaxed. Shoes were not one of the items a monk was originally
allowed to have, but they are worn. It also sets out instructions
on ceremonies
Studying, chanting, learning and discussing these and
other texts are an important part of a Buddhist's life.
Other texts used by specific schools
What do Buddhists believe?
Rebirth (reincarnation):
Buddhists believe in reincarnation – the cycle of
birth, death and rebirth. It is the Buddhist’s aim
to break this cycle and achieve “Nirvana”.
Rebirth (reincarnation) results from ones
“Karma” (as in Hinduism)
A Buddhist accepts the Hindu concept of
“Karma”. This is the belief that the actions in
one life will impact for good or evil on one's life
following reincarnation and that one must take
responsibility for one's own actions
What do Buddhists believe?
Nirvana – the After-Life???:
“Nirvana” is a peaceful, detached state of mind and is
the aim of every Buddhist to achieve.
Achieving “Nirvana” means escape from the cycle of
rebirth.
Suffering is a state of mind – achieve a balanced,
peaceful, detached state of mind and suffering can
be extinguished -“Nirvana”
“Nirvana”, it is not a place like the concept of
Heaven but rather a state of eternal being. It is the
end of suffering, a state where there are no desires
and the individual consciousness has come to an end.
Buddha never explained what “Nirvana” was.
What do Buddhists believe?
Nirvana – the After-Life???:
“Nirvana” is a peaceful, detached state of mind and is the
aim of everyone… continued:
“Nirvana” may sound like the Hindu “Moksha” but it is
very different. In “Moksha” the “Atman” (individual's
soul) joins with the “Brahman” (universal soul).
In Buddhism “Nirvana” there is no meeting of an all
powerful being or deity. “Nirvana” means roughly
extinction. It is seen as a void ( an empty space. )
The Theravadin Buddhists see this as a space of
complete spiritual freedom. The Mahayanan
Buddhists see it as a space of never-ending possibility.
Teachings of Buddha (the
enlightened one)
The “Three Jewels” of
Buddhism
Buddha – the teacher
Dharma – the teachings
Sangha – the community
The “Four Noble Truths”
The “Four Noble Truths”:
To live is to suffer. Life in this world is filled with suffering
The cause of suffering is self-centered desire &
attachments
The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments, thus
achieving Nirvana
The way to Nirvana is through the “Eight-Fold Path”.
In other words, existence entails suffering, suffering is
caused by inherently insatiable desires, desires must be
suppressed in order to end suffering and existence, to do
this one has to follow the “Eight Fold Path”.
What is the Eight-Fold Path?
Wisdom:
Right understanding - a proper understanding of
Buddha's teachings and of the world
Right motivation - thinking kind or wise thoughts
Moral discipline:
Right speech - not telling lies or speaking angrily but
speaking honestly and compassionately
Right action - behaving peacefully and honestly
Mental discipline:
Right effort - using discipline and
control to overcome difficulties.
To think before acting.
Right mindfulness - paying full
attention to what is going on.
Right meditation - be able to be
at peace in any situation through
an ability to focus deeply
Right livelihood - not harming any other living creature to
include stop the pollution and destruction of the
environment.
How does Buddhism differ
from Hinduism?
Buddhism rejects…
Authority of the ancient Vedic texts
The Vedic Caste System
The Vedic and Hindu deities
The Vedic worship and ritual – extreme
forms
The concept of Brahman (Universal
Truth)
How does Buddhism differ
from Hinduism?
Buddhism rejects…
The concept of Atman (Individual Soul)
Rejects the concept of Moksha
Vegetarianism as required
Places of Worship
Buddhists will often worship daily at home alone
or in a group. This will be before a shrine
containing an image of Buddha or a
bodhisattva, usually with a candle or incense.
Many visit Shrines, Monasteries or Temples,
especially on full moon days and festivals, to
chant or make offerings and to listen to talks by
monks.
Pilgrimages are popular. Pilgrimages are often
lively joyful occasions with music and dancing.
Forms of Worship
Buddhists pray not to a god but to within
themselves. They seek enlightenment.
Buddhist may pray, meditate and chant. They
might also light a candle or incense, make offerings
of flowers or food as a sign of thankfulness and
respect.
Make sounds ( Mantras) that are repeated to
open up the mind. The words "Om mani padme
hum“.
People can also meditate (some using Mandalas)
to try to find their true selves, and so become
closer to Nirvana.
Schools of Buddhism Theravada
The “Way of the Elders” (a.k.a.: the “small
vehicle”)
Oldest school of Buddhism
Found in southern Asia (Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand,
etc.)
Monasticism (Monastery Life) is the ideal life for
achieving Nirvana
A “do-it-yourself” approach to enlightenment
Focus on wisdom and meditation
Goal is to become a Buddha
Schools of Buddhism Mahayana
The “Great Vehicle”
Developed first century C.E.
Found in Northern Asia (China, Japan, etc.)
Lay Buddhism – Buddhism “for the masses”
Devotional – seek guidance from Bodhisattvas (“wise
beings”) & heavenly Buddhas (kwan Yin, Amida, etc.)
Focus on compassion
Goal is to become a bodhisattva and assist others
toward enlightenment (the “Bodhisattva Ideal”)
Diverse schools and sects
Schools of Buddhism Tibetan
Vajrayana – the “Diamond Vehicle”
Developed 7th century C.E.
A mix of Theravada & Mahayana:
Rituals (Tantra):
Mantras (chanting)
Mandalas & Thankas (symbolic images)
Mudras (hand gestures)
Bodhisattvas, including living Lamas (Dalai Lama)
Meditation, monasticism, wisdom & compassion
Bardo Thodol -Tibetan Book of the Dead
Schools of Buddhism –
Zen (Japanese)
The “meditation” school:
Lay and monastic
Seeks sudden enlightenment (satori) through
meditation, arriving at emptiness (sunyata) and
the “Buddha Nature”
Use of meditation masters (Roshi)
Koans (paradoxical riddles to confound reason)
Beauty, arts & aesthetics – gardens, archery,
the tea ceremony, calligraphy, etc.
Buddhism in the West
Over the past two centuries, especially since the
later half of the 20th century, Buddhism has made
inroads into the Western world through…
Immigration of Asian peoples who have brought their
diverse forms of Buddhism to the West
Western followers who tend to adopt meditation practices
and the philosophy rather than more devotional forms of
Buddhism
Many such western followers remain within their own
faith traditions, finding Buddhism to be a complement to
rather than in conflict with other religions
The two groups – East and West - remain
independent of one another