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The Buddha
When the Buddha started to wander around
India shortly after his enlightenment, he
encountered several men who recognized him
to be a very extraordinary being. They asked
him: "Are you a god?" "No," he replied. "Are
you a reincarnation of god?" "No," he
replied."Are you a wizard, then?" "No." "Well,
are you a man?" "No." "So what are you?"
They asked, being very perplexed. Buddha
simply replied: "I am awake."
Life
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Born c. 563 BCE in Lumbini, today in Nepal
Died c. 483 BCE (aged 80) in Kushinagar,
today in India
The Tale of the Buddha
The Four Passing Sights
The “Going Forth”
1) Raja Yoga
2) Asceticism
THERE IS A MIDDLE WAY!!
The Four Noble Truths
1) Life is suffering (dukkha)
2) The cause of suffering is desire (tanha)
3) The cure for suffering is in overcoming desire
4) The way to overcoming suffering is the eightfold path
The eight-fold path
1) Right views
2) Right Intent
3) Right speech
4) Right conduct
5) Right livelihood
6) Right effort
7) Right mindfulness
8) Right Concentration
Basic Buddhist Concepts
Anicca - The doctrine of impermanence. That the human body is subject to
change is empirically observable in the universal states of childhood, youth,
maturity, and old age. Similarly, mental events come into being and dissolve.
Recognition of the fact that anicca characterizes everything is one of the first
steps in the Buddhist’s spiritual progress toward enlightenment.
Anatta - The doctrine that there is in humans no permanent, underlying
substance that can be called the soul.
Nirvana - The extinction of desire, hatred, and ignorance and, ultimately, of
suffering and rebirth. Literally, it means “blowing out” or “becoming
extinguished,” as when a flame is blown out or a fire burns out. Human
existence is characterized by various forms of suffering (birth, aging,
sickness, and death), which are experienced over the course of many
lifetimes in the cycle of rebirth called samsara . The cause of suffering must
be destroyed, resulting in the cessation of suffering. This cessation was
nirvana.
Theravada (Hinayana) vs. Mahayana
Theravada
Mahayana
Human beings are emancipated by selfeffort, without supernatural aid.
Huamn aspirations are supported by divine
powers and the grace they bestow
Key virtue: Wisdom
Key virtue: Compassion
Attainment requires constant commitment,
and is primarily for monks and nuns
Religious practice is relevant to life in the
world, and therefore to laypeople.
Ideal: The Arhat who remains in nirvana
after death
Ideal: the boddhisattva
Buddha is a savior
Buddha a saint, supreme teacher, and
inspirer
Elaborates metaphysics
Minimizes ritual
Emphasizes ritual
Practice centers on meditation.
Includes petitionary prayer