Transcript Buddhism
Buddhism Alan D. DeSantis Introduction • Buddhism was started by a man named Siddhārtha Gautama (563-483 B.C.) in India • He was a Hindu • Siddhartha was a social reformer • Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion Buddha’s Life • Siddhārtha's father was the ruler of the city of Patliputra. • Under strict instruction of his father, Siddhārtha was never exposed to suffering or pain • At the age of 29, he came across what has become known as the Four Passing Sights: – An old crippled man, a sick man, a decaying corpse, and finally a wandering holy man. • He decided to abandon his worldly life, leaving behind his privileges, rank, caste, and his wife and child Buddha’s Life • He decided that if he continued on his path of poverty, he would die without reaching any understanding • After six years, Siddhārtha (now 35), sitting under a pipal tree, attained enlightenment (understood the key to life) and became a Buddha • For the remaining 45 years of his life, Buddha traveled northeastern India The Four Noble Truths • The Buddha taught that life was inherently suffering, that it is caused by craving, but that this condition was curable – 1) Suffering: Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not getting what one wants is suffering. – 2) The origin of suffering: We always want something. Sex, materialism, food, good times, health, immortality, youth – 3) The end of suffering: Transcend your cravings. Stop wanting. This will lead you to Nirvana – 4) The way leading to the cessation of suffering: The Noble Eightfold Path The Spread of Buddhism in USA Some Important Concepts • Karma and Reincarnation • No Caste • No Gods Addressing the “God” Question (from Bhûridatta Jataka) • If there is the creator of the world called God: • If there is the creator of the world called God: • • If there is the creator of the world called God: Some Important Concepts • A Finite Heaven and Hell – Nirvana – Hell: There are many levels of hell. Suffering is the only act of purification • “One day you might be walking through a forest, when all the leaves on a tree turn into razor blades and fall, cutting you into a million pieces.” Wrong Nirvana Some Important Concepts • Impermanence – Nothing is permanent and all things are in a state of continuous change • Anti-Dogmatic – Since Buddha wanted everyone to think critically, explore their own truth, and accept no God (thus, no perfect rules), this may be all wrong, all right, or a little bit of both Some Important Concepts • Meditation – Meditation helps one's mind become calm, tranquil, and luminous – We can gain insight into the ultimate nature of reality Buddhist Meditation in Three Parts • Part One: • Calm (or Samatha) Meditation – The purpose of this is to calm both body and mind – One method is to concentrate on one's breathing Buddhist Meditation in Three Parts • Part Two: • Insight (or vipassana) meditation – Next, we must realize that suffering and impermanence are inherent in all things • Part Three: • Loving-kindness (or metta) meditation – The aim of this is to remove feelings of ill-will and to foster a kindly and caring approach to others. Buddhist scriptures • The starting point into this wealth of Buddhist scripture is the Pali Canon • But other Buddhist scriptures/texts exist in great variety. Different schools of Buddhism place varying levels of value on them. Three Main Buddhism Schools • Today, Buddhism is divided primarily into three schools (or vadas): – Theravāda [ther-uh-vah-duh] – Mahāyāna [mah-huh-yah-nuh] – Vajrayāna [vaj-ruh-yah-nuh] The Theravada [ther-uh-vah-duh] school • Theravada school bases its practice and doctrine exclusively on the Pali Canon. • Theravada Buddhism are viewed as elitists and selfishness – A) – B) The Mahayana [mah-huh-yah-nuh] School • The biggest and most popular (with many off-shoots) 56% of Buddhists • Mahayana can be characterized by – Universalism: – Compassion: • Zen Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism The Vajrayana School • Found primarily in Tibet • Like Mahayana Buddhism, but with additional practices: • These profound states are used as a path to Buddhahood The End . . .