Transcript Buddhism Intro

Buddhism
A Therapy for Living from One
Who “Woke Up”
The Life of Gautama
Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, was born into the
warrior caste . His father ruled over a small region of northern
India.
Siddhartha led a pampered life, but the Four Passing Sights ( an
old man, a diseased man, a corpse, and a mendicant), caught his
attention and disturbed him.
Siddhartha discovered the Middle Way, the central teaching of
Buddhism. This way rejects both extremes of sensual indulgence
and asceticism.
Sidhartha Gautama
The Dharma
Buddhism reacted against Hinduism in some respects:
philosophical speculation was rejected as was the institutional form
of Hinduism. Also, the teachings of Buddhism were written
available in an accessible language rather than solely in Sanskrit.
Four Noble Truths
1. Life means suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
4. The path to the cessation of suffering.
Three Rafts to Cross the
River
Theravada Buddhism - centers around monks, all others
should work to provide for priests in hopes of achieving that
status in the next life
Mahayana Buddhism - focuses on the Buddha himself,
“giant raft,” more participation by common people, can
achieve Nirvana
Buddhist Monasteries
Buddhist Monks
Key Buddhist Terms
Samsara - because of a lack of self, rebirth consists of the
transference of a bundle of energy, which is patterned according to
one’s karma. (reincarnation)
Noble Eightfold Path sets forth a life of moderation. “Middle
Way”
Nirvana - final death of the body
Dalai Lama
Map of Tibet
Dalai Lama
Born Lhamo Thondup on July 6, l935 in a small village in Tibet to
farmer parents, the fifth of seven children.
He is the fourteenth Dalai Lama - the name meaning “Oceans of
Wisdom.”
He has lived more than twice his life in exile in India. China
invaded Tibet in l950.
The thirteenth Dalai Lama died in 1933, so a search began for his
reincarnation.
The embalmed body of the previous Dalai Lama turned
from south to northeast, so the search party headed in that
direction; meanwhile a monk had a vision of a monastery
much like the one near the Dalai Lama’s village.
When the search party arrived at Lhamo’s village, they
came to his mud and stone house where he passed a series of
tests.
He named the monk leading the search and he picked out
several objects that had belonged to his predecessor.’
The young boy was proclaimed the Dalai Lama and
brought to the monastery in Lhasa, Tibet’s Holy City.
The Dalai Lama was three years old so a regent ruled Tibet until
he was old enough to take over.
He began a spiritual education which still continues. He studied
by himself in a 1000 room palace.
He found his life mission at the age of 15 when Tibet was invaded
by the Chinese.
The Dalai Lama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. He is a very
popular figure. He has been a world renown speaker and the plight
of the Tibetans has been the subject of Hollywood movies. He is
also a respected author - ex - The Art of Happiness.
Confucianism
Confucianism: (China, Korea, Japan)
“Kong fu-zi” changed to Confucius by
Catholic Missionaries
•A philosophy (code of ethics) not a religion,
has had a significant impact on Asian culture
•Ren: the attitude of seeking the welfare of
other people
•Li: doing the right thing at the right time,
“propriety”
Confucianism
 impacts conduct, speech, dress,
even facial expression, focused on
fulfilling your role in society
Husband: righteous behavior v. Wife:
Obedience
Ruler: benevolence v. Subject: Loyalty
 Child’s obligation to respect his
parents, must not shame his family