Transcript Buddhism
Buddhism The Middle Way of Wisdom & Compassion Objectives: •To be able to identify the historical roots of Buddhism •To be able to explain the key components of Buddhist beliefs •To be able to compare Buddhism with other world religions Reading Quiz… 1. Describe Siddhartha Gautama’s life before becoming the “Buddha”. 2. What word is used to mean “Enlightenment” in Buddhism? 3. What are the “Four Noble Truths”? 4. What is the “Eightfold Path”? Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC) Born in Nepal (NE India) and raised in great luxury to be a king At age 29 he rejected his luxurious life to seek enlightenment and the source of suffering Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 years Eventually rejected this extreme lifestyle and sat in meditation Found nirvana and became “The Enlightened One” at age 35. • Not to be confused with Gautama Buddha • Budai is traditionally depicted as an obese, bald man wearing a robe and wearing or otherwise carrying prayer beads. He carries his few possessions in a cloth sack, being poor but content • According to Chinese history, Budai was an eccentric monk Nirvana “No suffering for him Who is free from sorrow Free from the fetters of life Free in everything he does He has reached the end of his road… Like a bird invisibly flying in the sky He lives without possessions Knowledge his food, freedom his world While others wonder… He has found freedom – Peaceful his thinking, peaceful his speech Peaceful his deed, tranquil his mind.” What is the fundamental cause of all suffering? Therefore, extinguish the self, and don’t obsess about yourself, you will reach nirvana Nirvana: lasting peace and enlightenment The “Three Jewels” of Buddhism 1. Buddha – the teacher 2. Dharma – the teachings 3. Sangha – the community The Four Noble Truths 1. There is suffering in the world; to live is to suffer. (Dukkha) Imperfection Illness Hatefulness Separation The Four Noble Truths 2. The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments to worldly things. (Samudaya) Grasping for pleasure Grasping for becoming Grasping for sensual delight Grasping for what we don’t have The Four Noble Truths 3. Suffering will stop when desires are stopped (Nirodha) When the ‘grasping’ stops Elimination of passions The Four Noble Truths 4. There is a way to get to this point: – …by following the Middle Way or the Eightfold Path The Middle Way: The Eightfold Path Wisdom: 1. Right understanding: have faith in Buddha’s view of the universe 2. Right motives and thoughts: uncover ‘unwholesome’ emotional roots that guide our thinking The Middle Way: The Eightfold Path Moral Discipline: 3. Right speech: do not participate in vain talk, gossip, harsh words, or lying 4. Right actions: do not kill, steal, participate in immorality, do not lie or use intoxicants 5. Right livelihood: do not work jobs that go against the teaching of Buddha The Middle Way: The Eightfold Path Mental Discipline: 6. Right effort: have a good attitude toward achieving all Buddhist goals 7. Right mindfulness: being in touch with your mental and physical health 8. Right meditation: focus the mind inward in order to find spiritual awareness So what exactly do Buddhists believe? • Rebirth (reincarnation) results from attachments (karma)to this earth • Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of mind • Achieving Nirvana means escape from the cycle of rebirth • Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher • Complete the Comparison of Hinduism & Buddhism chart Yoga • A physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. • Goal of yoga is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. • The Sanskrit word yoga has the literal meaning of "yoke", meaning to join, to unite, or to attach.