Transcript The Middle Way

The Middle Way
Based on Basics of Buddhism by
Pat Allwright
Presented by Linda Myring & Jay
Williams
A Short History of
Buddhism
Shakyamuni’s Teaching
Taught for over 40 years, according to the
circumstances and understanding of the
people he met.
Taught that suffering was the result of
attachments.
In the last eight years of his life he taught
the Lotus Sutra.
Lotus Sutra
Purpose of the Lotus Sutra was to enable all
beings to enter into the Buddha way.
“Honestly discard expedient means” he
discarded his previous teachings which had
been preparatory.
Did not “attain Buddhahood” in this lifetime, but
rather in remote past.
Explained that all beings are manifestations of
Buddhahood, but did not leave a “method” to
reveal it.
Nichiren Daishonin
1222, born in Japan
as the son of a
fisherman.
Studied at local
temple since 12
Entered the
priesthood at 16
Nichiren Daishonin
1253 at 32, declared Nam-myohorenge-kyo is the correct teaching
1279, inscribed the Dai Gohonzon,
dedicated to the happiness of all
mankind.
Nichiren’s Teaching
Declared that the Lotus Sutra is supreme
amongst Buddhist teachings.
It teaches that everyone without exception has
Buddhahood.
It reveals that life is eternal.
He was able to “read between the lines” and
declare the ultimate teaching.
He revealed the fundamental law of universe
which is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and taught a
specific practice for all people to attain
enlightenment.
Attachments & Desires
Early Buddhist teachings taught that
suffering was caused by clinging to
attachments, such as people, things.
Too extreme, not possible because you
must have desires (eat, sleep, sex) to
live.
This ultimately leads to a denial of life.
The Middle Way
‘Life is indeed an elusive reality that
transcends both the words and
concepts of existence and nonexistence, yet exhibits the qualities of
both. It is the mystic entity of the Middle
Way that is the reality of all things’
Unification of the Three Truths
(Threefold Truth)
Kutai, Ku - truth of nonsubstantiality or spiritual
aspect of life
Ketai, Ke - truth of
temporary, physical, or
material existence
Chutai, Chu - truth of the
middle way, that force or
energy that binds and
harmonizes ku and ke.
Not three separate
things.
It does not mean to
steer a middle
course between
extremes;
It means to unify
and transcend
duality.
Life Cycle of a Tree
• Ku - truth of nonsubstantiality. The way
the tree changes each
season, its life span,
health.
• Ke - truth of temporary
existence. Its outward
physical appearance at
each stage of the cycle.
• Chu - the tree itself.
Human Beings - a Person
Ke - The way a person
looks.
Ku - The person’s mind
or spirit.
Chu - The middle way or
entity of the person’s life.
The true self or universal
self.
Western Dualistic Thinking
European fairy tales
rarely have ‘baddies’
turning into ‘goodies’.
Buddhist literature has
many fables in which
demons turn into gods.
When Enlightened …
Ke - The physical aspect of our lives is
transformed into compassion.
Ku - The mental aspect is transformed
into wisdom to improve the quality of life
for everyone.
Chu - Becomes the source of life-force
itself, unified with the life-force of the
cosmos.
The Greater Self
“Buddhist teaching strives to discover
the greater self and, instead of
suppressing or eliminating the smaller
self, to control and direct it so that it can
contribute to the growth of a better
world civilization.”