Buddhism…The “middle way of wisdom and

compassion”2500 year old began in India more than 300 million

IS BUDDHISM A RELIGION?

NO ‘GOD-NOTION’NO CREATORNO ULTIMATE REALITY TO WORSHIP

ESSENCE:

Buddhism is a way of lifeEthicalPsychological Philosophy of BECOMING/AWAKENING

The “Three Jewels” of Buddhism

Buddha – the teacher

Dharma – the teachings

Sangha – the community

Buddha under BodhiTree,Sri Lanka

6Gal Vihara, Polannaruwa.

The Buddha is dying

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THAI WALKING BUDDHA9

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Who was the Buddha?Siddhartha Gautama – of noble caste in India, 563 B.C.E.age 29 rejected the life of luxury achieved Nirvana – an awakening to the truth about life, becoming a Buddha, the “Awakened One”at the age of 35

What did the Buddha teach?The Four Noble Truths:

To live = sufferThe cause = = self-centered desire The solution = = eliminate desire = achieving Nirvana (“extinction”)The way to Nirvana through the “Eight-Fold Path”

What is the Eight-Fold Path?

Wisdom:

•Right understanding

•Right motivation

Moral discipline:

•Right speech

•Right action

•Right livelihood

Mental discipline:

•Right effort

•Right mindfulness

•Right meditation

NIRVANA“No suffering for him

Who is free from sorrowFree from the fetters of lifeFree in everything he does

He has reached the end of his road…

Like a bird invisibly flying in the skyHe lives without possessions

Knowledge his food, freedom his worldWhile others wonder…

He has found freedom –Peaceful his thinking, peaceful his speech

Peaceful his deed, tranquil his mind.”

BUDDHA AND ‘ULTIMATE QUESTIONS’

- Nature of the soul- Life after death- Origin of the universe

- NOT ADDRESSED

How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism?Buddhism rejects…

ancient Vedic textscaste systemHindu deitiesThe concept of Brahman

How does Buddhism differ from Jainism?Buddhism rejects…

The concept of AtmanThe practice of strict asceticism and withdrawal from the world (preferring the “middle way”)Vegetarianism as required

What do Buddhists believe?

Rebirth (reincarnation)Nirvana Nirvana means escape from the cycle of rebirth

Once Gautama Buddha died, after 80 years of life in this world, having achieved Nirvana and teaching multitudes his way of life, he ceased to exist as a distinct beingBuddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher

What do Buddhists believe?

Once Gautama Buddha died, after 80 years of life in this world, having achieved Nirvana and teaching multitudes his way of life, he ceased to exist as a distinct being

Buddhist MetaphysicsDukkha: life = sufferingAnicca: everything = impermanentAnatta: the self/soul is also impermanent – there is no eternal, unchanging self (“no soul” – no atman)Suffering =state of mind –balanced, peaceful, detached state of mind = Nirvana

ANALOGY:

BUDDHA TEACHINGS = RAFTSHORE = NIRVANABUT: THE SHORE IS NOT DESCRIBEDMAKE-UP OF RAFT IS THE BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS

“THERE ARE 2 EXTREMES TO BE AVOIDED. 1. A LIFE GIVEN TO PLEASURES = Hedonism Buddha: THIS IS DEGRADING, SENSUAL, VULGAR, UNWORTHY AND USELESS. 2. LIFE GIVEN TO SELF-TORTURE = AscetismBuddha: THIS IS PAINFUL, UNWORTHY, AND USELESS.BY AVOIDING THESE 2 EXTREMES, MONKS, I HAVE GAINED THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MIDDLE PATH, WHICH LEADS TO INSIGHT, WHICH LEADS TO WISDOM, WHICH PRODUCES CALM, KNOWLEDGE, ENLIGHTENMENT AND NIRVANA.”