Transcript Buddhism…
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 CREATOR NO ULTIMATE REALITY TO WORSHIP ESSENCE: Buddhism is a way of life Ethical Psychological Philosophy of BECOMING/AWAKENING The “Three Jewels” of Buddhism Buddha – the teacher Dharma – the teachings Sangha – the community Buddha under Bodhi Tree, Sri Lanka 6 Gal Vihara, Polannaruwa. The Buddha is dying 7 8 THAI WALKING BUDDHA 9 10 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 = suffer The cause = = self-centered desire The solution = = eliminate desire = achieving Nirvana (“extinction”) The way to Nirvana through the “EightFold Path” What is the Eight-Fold Path? Wisdom: •Right understanding •Right motivation Moral discipline: •Right speech Mental discipline: •Right action •Right effort •Right livelihood •Right mindfulness •Right meditation 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.” 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 texts caste system Hindu deities The concept of Brahman How does Buddhism differ from Jainism? Buddhism rejects… The concept of Atman The 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 being Buddhism 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 Metaphysics Dukkha: life = suffering Anicca: everything = impermanent Anatta: 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 = RAFT SHORE = NIRVANA BUT: THE SHORE IS NOT DESCRIBED MAKE-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 = Ascetism Buddha: 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.”