STUDY OF RELIGIONS - Buddhism Beliefs and Teachings

Explain the First Noble Truth

- All life involves suffering (Dukkha) - We are never completely satisfied with life and as a result we suffer, we have to understand and overcome this. Analysis: -Humans are subject to desires and cravings, but even when we are able to satisfy these desires, the satisfaction is only temporary. Pleasure does not last; or if it does, it becomes monotonous. Even when we are not suffering from outward caused like illness or bereavement, we are unfulfilled. This is the truth of suffering. -Some people who encounter this teaching may find it pessimistic. Buddhists find it neither optimistic nor pessimistic, but realistic. -There are three types of suffering: Dukkha-Dukkha (Pain) Viparinama-Dukkha (Loss) Sankhara-Dukkha (Mental suffering)

What is Sunyata?

- An important concept in Mahayana Buddhism is Sunyata, which is emptiness; the concept that nothing has a separate independent "self" or "soul". For Buddhists, realizing that everything depends on and interlinks with everything else can lead to trust, compassion and selflessness. - Realizing that everything is impermanent is important for reducing the suffering that results in becoming too attached to things. - These realizations are important for achieving enlightenment. -6 perfections one is wisdom and in order to achieve wisdom you must come to the realization of Sunyata

What is meant by The Three Marks of Existence?

- Analysis of the First Noble Truth, the doctrine of dukkha. The three characteristics simply provide a more detailed explanation of what is meant by dukkha, and in what sense our unenlightened experience of the world is one of suffering, frustration, or unsatisfactoriness.

Explain The Fourth Noble Truth

- The Truth of the path to the ceasing of suffering (magga) -The way to overcome Tanha (craving) is The Middle Way - living life between two extremes e.g poverty and wealth in order to eliminate craving. -The Buddha taught the way to do this was by the Noble Eightfold Path. -The Noble Eightfold Path is the path of Buddhist Practices leading to liberation from Samsara, the painful cycle of rebirth -The Eight Maggas are categorized into 3 divisions: sometimes called "The Threefold Way" -"The Threefold Way" consists of: Wisdom (right understanding and right aspiration) Morality (right speech, right action and right livelihood) -Concentration (right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.)

What is Theravada Buddhism?

-"The school of the elders", an ancient Buddhist tradition found in Southern Asia -Today, Theravada Buddhism is practiced mainly in Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Who is Mara?

-A demon that represents spiritual obstacles, especially temptation -Mara tried a number of tactics to try and stop the Buddha from achieving enlightenment: -He sent his daughters to seduce Siddhartha (could reflect opposing views on women) -He sent his armies to attack Siddartha -He offered Siddhartha control of his kingdom -Mara himself tried to attack Siddhartha -Throughout it all, Siddhartha stayed focused on his meditation.

What is Mahayana Buddhism?

-A term used to describe a number of different traditions that share some overlapping characteristics. - A few of the main traditions that come under the umbrella are Pure Land Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Nichiren Buddhism. -Today, Mahayana Buddhism is mainly practiced in China (including Tibet), Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Mongolia and Bhutan.

Why did the Buddha become an Ascetic?

-After leaving the palace, the Buddha tried various methods in order to try and overcome the problem of suffering. -He was impressed by the holy man/ascetic he saw before he left the palace, leading him to follow ascetic practices for 6 years. -He rejected anything that would give him pleasure and learnt extreme self-discipline -He learnt this self-discipline by testing his body to extreme limits such as ignoring his appetite (fasting for long periods of time, becoming increasingly hungry and weak until some said he looked like a living skeleton) and living in extreme conditions like dangerous forests which were too hot during the day and freezing at night. He slept on a bed of thorns as part of his ascetic practices. He was frightened when animals came but never ran away.

What did the Buddha do after he stopped his Ascetic lifestyle?

-After rejecting his Ascetic lifestyle, Siddhartha wondered if meditation might be a way of attaining the wisdom and compassion of enlightenment. -Traditional stories say that he made himself a cushion of grass underneath a peepul tree and began to meditate in order to seek enlightenment.

What is Buddha-nature?

-An important concept in Mahayana Buddhism -The idea that everyone has the essence of the Buddha inside of them. Sometimes, it is even said that deep down, every person is already enlightened. -However, because a person's Buddha-nature is hidden by desires, attachments, ignorance and negative thoughts, it is not realized. - Only when people truly come to understand the Buddhas teachings (and therefore themselves and the reality surrounding them) do they experience the Buddha-nature that was already there.

What did Siddhartha do immediately after leaving the palace?

-Cut his hair -Swapped his rich clothes to those of a beggar -Gave all his rings and bracelets to Channa to return to his father -Crossed the river and disappeared into a forest -By giving up his possessions and symbols of his previous life, Siddhartha was letting go of all the things he believed were keeping him ignorant and thus resulting in his suffering.

What is an Arhat? (Theravada Buddhism)

-For Theravada Buddhists, an Arhat is a "perfected person", who has overcome the main causes of suffering - The Three Poisons. -When someone becomes an Arhat, they are no longer reborn when they die. This means they are finally freed from the suffering of existence and they can attain Nibbana. - This goal is achieved by following the eightfold path -During his lifetime, many of the Buddhas disciples became Arhats.

Why did Siddhartha leave the palace?

-He grew curious and wanted to explore outside the palace walls. -Traditional Buddhist stories say that one day, at the age of 29, despite his father's orders, Siddhartha decided to leave the palace grounds and go with Channa (his attendant and chariot driver) to the nearby city. -Siddhartha then encountered The Four Sights, which had profound effects on his life. -Finding the answer to the problem of suffering became central to Siddhartha's life. He knew if he stayed in the palace, he would find no answers so he was compelled to leave. -He kissed his wife and newborn son and crept past the sleeping guards, quietly creeping away.

Siddhartha's life of luxury

-His mother died when he was just 7 years old. -Raised by his aunt (Maha Pajapati). -According to Buddhist tradition, he was raised in a palace, surrounded by luxury. -His father (Suddhodana) kept in mind the prophecy that was made about Siddhartha shortly after his birth: Siddhartha would either grow up to be a great king or become a holy man. -His father shielded Sidhartha from any pain, disappointment, sadness or suffering that Siddhartha might experience in his life. -Suddohana didn't want Siddhartha to seek religion and become a holy man but instead wanted him to follow in his own footsteps and become a great king.

Who was Siddhartha Gautama?

-It is believed that Siddhartha was born around 500 CE in Lumbini in southern Nepal, close to the border with India. -Most Buddhists take their source of inspiration from him, who lived and taught in Northern India some 2,500 years ago. After he was enlightened, he became known as the Buddha which is a title meaning "the enlightened one" or "the awakened one". It is a title given to a being who has attained great wisdom and understanding through their own efforts.

What is Buddha-hood?

-Mahayana Buddhists aim to achieve Buddha- hood: to become a Buddha (enlightened being) -Mahayana Buddhists believe that everyone has the potential to achieve this and also the potential to become a Buddha because of their inherent Buddha - nature.

Mahayana views on the Buddha

-Mahayana Buddhists believe that the Buddha remains active and can influence the world. - He can be encountered through visions and meditation and can manifest himself in many other different forms, times and places.

What is the Middle Way?

-Neither luxury nor an ascetic lifestyle had given Siddhartha any real answers. -This led him to develop a "Middle Way" between the two extremes he had experienced.

The Four Sights

-Old age, illness, death and a holy man. These four sights led the Buddha to leave his life of luxury in the palace. They were recorded in the Jataka

When and why did the Buddha begin practicing Meditation?

-Siddhartha met and studied with various holy men. In particular, he began his practicing of meditation with two ascetics, Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta. -It is said that the reason the Buddha meditated was because it gave him a sense of bliss and peace. -However, meditation did not offer Siddhartha a permanent solution to the suffering that people experienced.

Why did Siddhartha (the Buddha) stop being an ascetic?

-Siddhartha was sitting by the River Nairanjana when he was offered food. -He accepted the food because he became too weak to even meditate Siddhartha's strength was restored by the food and he decided to stop his ascetic practices because he was no closer to the truth of why people suffer and how to get rid of suffering. -His ascetic practices taught him discipline and willpower, but no cure for suffering.

What is an Ascetic?

-Someone living a simple and strict lifestyle with few pleasures of possessions; someone who follows ascetic practices (For example. meditation)

Explain the Second Noble Truth

-Suffering is caused by greed, hatred and ignorance.(Samudaya) (Identifying the causes of suffering) -We always want more e.g money, pleasure etc... when we don't get it, we feel frustrated and unhappy -The 3 root causes of suffering are known as The Three Poisons: Moha (delusion, confusion) ignorance Lobha (greed, sensual attachment) greed Dosa (Anger, hatred , aversion , ill will) anger -These are symbolized in Buddhist art by a Cockerel (greed), a Pig (ignorance) -The Three Poisons are the 3 things that keep sentient beings in the cycle of rebirth (Samsara) -Buddhists believe each poison has an opposite; these opposites are essential to liberation (enlightenment) which are: Prajna (wisdom) Dana (generosity) Metta (loving kindness)

How were Buddhist scriptures collected?

-The Buddha never wrote anything down; all teaching was done by word of the mouth. Bhikkhus committed his words to memory. -

What are The Four Noble Truths?

-The Four Noble Truths contain the essence of the Buddha's teachings. It was these four principles that the Buddha came to understand during his meditation under the Bodhi tree. 1. All life involves suffering (Dukkha) 2. The cause of suffering (Dukkha) is craving (Tanha) 3. The way to overcome Dukkha is to overcome Tanha 4. The way to overcome Tanha is The Middle Way

What is Enlightenment?

-The gaining of true knowledge about the self or the nature of suffering, usually through meditation and self-discipline -In Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu traditions, gaining freedom from the cycle of rebirth.

Explain the Third Noble Truth

-The truth of the end of suffering (Nirodha) -If craving ceases, suffering will also cease. -The Third Noble Truth is that there is an end to suffering. Buddhism teaches it is possible to end a person's suffering through their own actions and efforts and that this can lead to enlightenment. -Buddhists believe that the Buddha achieved this, therefore anyone can achieve it because the Buddha was not a supernatural being like God, but a human like us. -This Noble Truth is important because it teaches that it is possible to achieve happiness and that although suffering is an unavoidable part of life, it is also possible to overcome it. -"Nibbana" means the extinction or snuffing out of a flame - in this case, the extinction of The Three Poisons of greed, ignorance and hatred. -The Buddha said after his enlightenment he knew he was entirely free of these 3 poisons. -The Buddha taught that we should stop craving. This means we do not have to abandon all material possessions completely, but only accept and recognize that they can't last. -People should enjoy things without craving them or becoming attached to them

What were the records of Siddhartha Gautama?

-There are many sources that tell us about the life of the Buddha. Some of these were written hundreds of years after his death. -This means sometimes it is hard to distinguish between fact and legend. -Even so, for Buddhists these legends express important, spiritual truths

Theravada views on The Buddha

-Therevada Buddhists see the Buddha as the main focus of commitment and is one of the Three Jewels. -He is a guide, an example for others to follow and a teacher, but he is NOT considered to be a God or supernatural being. - Theravada Buddhists focus particularly on Meditation. They believe that commitment to the Buddha (and the Eightfold Path) will bring good merit or Karma.

What are the Nidanas?

12 factors that illustrate the process of birth, death and rebirth.

What was the Fourth Sight?

A Holy Man (Ascetic): - Walking calmly through the city was a man dressed in rags and carrying an alms bowl. -The peaceful expression on this mans face impressed Siddhartha very much. -He felt inspired to be like this holy man and to become a wandering truth seeker. -This was perhaps the beginning of Siddhartha's quest to search for the answer to the problem of why people suffer, and how to stop that suffering.

What is Karma?

A person's actions; the idea that skillful actions result in happiness and unskillful ones in suffering.

What is Meditation?

A practice of calming and focusing the mind, and reflecting deeply on specific teachings to penetrate their true meaning

What is Buddhism?

A religion founded around 2500 years ago by Siddhartha Gautama

What is the Dhammopada?

A sacred text of the pali tradition with 426 verses.

What is a Buddha?

A title given to someone who has achieved enlightenment; usually used to refer to Siddhartha Gautama

What are the Three Marks of Existence?

ANICCA: - Impermanence, everything changes, nothing lasts, all experience is in a constant state of flux, everything in a constant state of birth and death -Anicca can be taught in 3 different ways: 1. It affects living things. For example, birth is followed by growth, then decay and finally death. 2. It affects non-living things. For example, a temple will eventually erode and turn into ruins if it is not repaired. 3. It affects our minds. Our thoughts, feelings, morals, longings and ideals change frequently throughout our lives. ANATTA: - Anatta was developed in contrast to the belief in a soul of unchanging self. -Anatta is translated as "No-self", but it does not mean that Buddhists believe there is no concept of "I" or "Me", just that the self is not fixed or permanent. -The Buddha taught that there is no fixed part of a person that does not change. DUKKHA: -Fundamental concept in Buddhism, many different meanings but is best translated into English as suffering, dissatisfaction. -Buddhists try to reduce sufferings for themselves by gradually increasing their understanding of reality and through right action and right understanding. -Eventually they venture to break the cycle of Samsara and achieve Nibbana.

What is the Tibetan Wheel of Life?

An image that symbolizes Samsara, often found in the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and Temples.

What are the Three Jewels or Three Refuges?

Buddhists take refuge (seek safety) in "The Three Jewels" which are seen as wholesome places to escape suffering... 1. The Buddha - the enlightened or awakened one. Your absolute mine (divergent view) 2. The Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha and the path to enlightenment. 3. The Sangha - The Buddhist community

What was the Third Sight?

Death: -Siddhartha saw a dead man being carried through the streets in a funeral procession. -Some say that this Third Sight struck Siddhartha even more deeply. It was, after all, the first time he had seen death.

What was the Second Sight?

Illness: -Some stories say that Siddhartha asked Channa to take him back to the palace, and he saw the other three sights on separate visits to the city. -Other stories say that Siddhartha saw all four sights on his first and only visit to the city. Siddhartha also saw someone lying on the road in agony. -This disturbed him as he had never seen sickness or illness before, and he began to understand that illness was a reality of life.

What is Nirvana?

Nirvana is a place of perfect peace and happiness, like heaven. In Hinduism and Buddhism, nirvana is the highest state that someone can attain, a state of enlightenment, meaning a person's individual desires and suffering go away.

What was the First Sight?

Old Age: - Siddhartha first saw a frail old man, something he had never witnessed before in his life. -He was shocked by what he saw as it was his first real experience of old age.

Explain The Fourth Step of The Eightfold Path

RIGHT ACTION - You should not act in a way that encourages you to believe in the self. You must not spend your time acting in a way that gives the false impression that the creature you call yourself is important and real. You must instead act in the understanding that there are no real differences between you and others.

Explain The Sixth Step of The Eightfold Path

RIGHT EFFORT -If the illusion of the self is to be extinguished, then the mind must be disciplined; -Get rid of self-believing thoughts -Prevent these thoughts from ever arising -Preserve states of mind that help you see through the illusion of the self -Encourage these states of mind to arise

Explain The Fifth Step of The Eightfold Path

RIGHT LIVELIHOOD - Do not earn your living in a way that encourages you to believe in the self. You must not work in jobs that encourage you to glorify yourself or that encourage you to treat other beings as less value to yourself.

Explain The Eighth step of The Eighthfold Path

RIGHT MEDITATION -Disciplining the mind should also involve meditation, when this is achieved - said the Buddha, together with the previous seven steps, then the illusion of the self will be shattered and disappear and you will see clearly what is real, for you will have attained Nirvana.

Explain The Seventh Step of The Eightfold Path

RIGHT MINDFULNESS -Mental discipline can be encouraged by being mindful of the body's activities (e.g breathing). -Become aware of how there is nothing permanent about them. -Gradually understand that there is nothing about them that is real.

Explain The Second Step of The Eightfold Path

RIGHT MOTIVE -You must be 100% certain that you want to escape from the unsatisfactory life that you lead, said the Buddha. You must make sure that you are not still living for this creature you call yourself and the real motive behind all your thoughts and actions is to get rid of this illusion and to find what is real.

Explain The Third Step of The Eightfold Path

RIGHT SPEECH -You must not speak in a way that encourages you to believe that the self is real. You must not spend your time boasting, bragging or showing off about yourself. You should not speak to others as if they are inferior to you.

Explain The First Step of The Eightfold Path

RIGHT UNDERSTANDING - The Buddha said you should understand the Four Noble Truths about life in this world, when these truths are accepted, said the Buddha, you will have a right understanding of problems to overcome.

What are the 5 Skandhas (or 5 aggregates)?

The Buddha taught that people are made up of five parts. These parts are called the 5 aggregates (Skandhas), they are: 1. Form (our bodies) 2. Sensation (our feelings) 3. Perception (our recognition of what things are) 4. Mental formation (our thoughts) 5. Consciousness (Our awareness of things) - The Buddha said that these 5 things are constantly changing. Therefore the "self" - which is a sum of all these parts - is also constantly changing. -According to the Buddhist teaching, death is followed by rebirth. But if there is no fixed, independent "self" or "soul" then what is reborn? How is someone's identity taken forward into their new body? For Buddhists, the answer is that there is a continuation of karmic energy, which means that the energy that is a person's Karma passes on into another being.

What is the Jataka?

The Jataka tales are popular stories about the lives of the Buddha

What is Dependent Arising?

The idea that all things/beings arise in dependence upon conditions.