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BUDDHISM• Buddhism is a religion?

Atheistic?• Buddhism is

pessimistic?• Buddhism and

happiness• Buddhism and

existentialism• Buddhism and

psychology, logic and metaphysics

• Buddhism, Creation & Science

Einstein says,“The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend a personal God, avoid dogmas and theology. Covering both the natural and the spiritual, it should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all things natural and spiritual as a meaningful unity. Buddhism answers this description. If there is any religion that could cope up with moderns scientific needs, it would be Buddhism.”

Buddhism

What does the Buddha Dharma

offer to us?Buddhism does not impose its

beliefs on anyone. It only offers a way out of human difficulties, suffering and misery. Aside from this,

Buddhist also learn to deal with life and to relate to

others for the benefit of all. All people are invited to learn

and use Buddhist principles of thinking and acting without

necessarily converting to the Buddhist faith.

While other teachers taught people to be good, the Buddha taught people why and how to be good. Where others have spoken of mysteries, the Buddha penetratingly analyzed situations and conditions for people to understand the nature of things. While tribes and nations invented myths to explain the forces of nature, the Buddha showed clearly how individuals can free themselves from damaging beliefs ungrounded in truth. Where others have becomes subservient to gods and ideologies, Buddha’s thoughts empowered individuals to be the masters of theirs lives.

Hi I’m Siddharta

GautamaJust call me Buddha…

Do you want to

know my brief

history and some

of my teachings?

Just sit back and relax…

And And ALWAYS ALWAYS

wear a wear a SMILE…SMILE…

To do no evil; To cultivate good;

To purify one's mind: This is the teaching of

the Buddhas. --The Dhammapada

Introduction:

The Dhammapada (Pali, translated: The path of Dharma. Also Prakrit/Sanskrit Dharmapada) is a Buddhist religious scripture, containing 423 verses in 26 categories. According to tradition, these are the answers to questions posed to Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, most of them deal with ethics.

Part of the Tipitaka, the Dhammapada is considered to be one of the most important pieces of Theravada literature.

Although the Pali edition is most well known, a Gandhari edition written in Kharosthi and a seemingly related text in Sanskrit text known as the Udanavarga have also been discovered.

LIFE OF THE BUDDHALIFE OF THE BUDDHA

1.1 Born around 563 B.C. in Kapilavastu

1.2 Given name: Siddhartha Family name: Gautama1.3 Father: Suddhodana, prince of the

Sakya clanSiddhartha’s mother dreamed of

the future Buddha entering her womb shaped as white elephant with flowers blooming.

1.4 A sage foretold he would be a wanderer or a great king; He would be a wanderer when he

will witness four signs

1.5 Childhood: He lived in seclusion, in luxury, and protected by father from learning the sorrows and frustrations

of the outside world.

1.6 One day, Siddhartha got away from the palace, chanced upon four men:

An old man, a leper, a corpse, and a beggar-monk. He was deeply puzzled. He decided then to look for the meaning of life.

1.7 He became a wandering ascetic for six to seven years… sought hermits

and sages. He then tried the ascetic denial of bodily demands… he

almost starved to death… he was convinced that it was not the right path.

1.8 He sat under a tree… and got the illumination under the Bodhi tree. 

1.9 He journeyed to the sacred city of Benares, at Sarnath before Benares… he preached his first sermon… gathered his disciples… for 40 years, he proclaimed his message.

1.10 At 80 years of age, he passed away.

1.11 “Buddha”: The Awakened One.

Other namesSakyamuni; Prophetic sage of the Sakyas.

“Tathagata”: Perfect One, “he who has fully come through”.

PERSONALITYPERSONALITY 1.1 Combination of rich and responsive

human sympathy, patience, strength, gentleness, good will.

1.2 Sharp intelligence, independent inquiry, practical

“Believe in nothing because a wise man said it,

Believe in nothing because it is generally held,

Believe in nothing because it is written,

Believe in nothing because it is said to be divine,

Believe in nothing because someone else believe it,

But believe only what you yourself judge to be true.”

Buddha said,

BACKGROUND OF BACKGROUND OF BUDDHISM: BUDDHISM: HINDUISMHINDUISM

3.1 Problem: Transcending Illusory Existence3.2 Solution: Union with the Brahman3.3 Brahman: Origin and End of all things.

“Sat-chit-ananda”: Source and Embodiment of Reality, Knowledge

and Bliss3.4 Atman: the Self or the Soul3.5 Moksa: release or liberation by identity of Atman and

Brahman3.6 Jivatman: soul, not identified with the Brahman3.7 Samsara: continued transmigration of the soul in the

ocean of births and rebirths determined by the Law of Karma.

THE THE HUMAN SITUATIONHUMAN SITUATION IN BUDDHA’S TIMEIN BUDDHA’S TIME

4.1 There are unbridgeable gap and war between princes and clans

4.2 The practice of caste system is so rigid

4.3 The Vedas taught as collection of authoritative texts rather than

living truths to be tested.

4.4 The emphasis on rites and ceremonies are also rigid

4.5 There are many competing dogmas that oppose to each other

4.6 Religion is straying people away from poignant practical needs… thus they are not leading them to true

fulfillment and happiness in life…

SOURCES: PALI-SOURCES: PALI-CANON: Three (3) CANON: Three (3)

PITAKAS (Baskets)PITAKAS (Baskets)

5.1 Viraya Pitaka: Discipline Basket

5.2 Dhamma Pitaka: Discourse Basket

5.3 Abhidhamma: “Exposition Basket” where schism between Theravada (Hinayana) and Mahayana

Buddhism began.

Theravadas view Buddha’s thoughts only as propositional knowledge, while Mahayanists considered writings as sacred.

DEVELOPMENT OF DEVELOPMENT OF BUDDHISMBUDDHISM

6.1 Asoka was the first Buddhist emperor

6.2 Declined in India, moved to Ceylon, Burma, Thailand, China, and Japan

6.3 Branched out into:

6.3.1 Hinayana (“small vehicle”) or Theravada (“Doctrine of the Fathers” or “Way of the Elders”) Buddhism

6.3.2 Mahayana (“larger vehicle”) Buddhism

FOUR-NOBLE TRUTHSFOUR-NOBLE TRUTHS

1. There is a suffering.

2. Suffering arises from attachment to worldly desires.

3. Suffering ceases when attachment to worldly desire ceases.

4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path.

FOUR-NOBLE TRUTHSFOUR-NOBLE TRUTHS1. Life is

Dukkha.

1.1  “An axle that is off center in a wheel.”

1.2 Misery… pain that seeps at the depths of human existence

1.3 Buddha is not pessimistic in saying that there is also joy in this life, but this joy is superficial.

1.4      Life’s dislocation:1. Trauma of birth2. Pathology of sickness3. Morbidity of decrepitude4. Phobia of death5. To be tied to what one abhors6. To be separated from what one

loves

1.5       Five Skandas (Body, Senses, Ideas, Feelings, and Consciousness) are all painful.

1.6 Buddha is looking for the solution to the hazards of existence

1.7 Major hazards of existence: Birth, Decay, Death and Uncertainty with regards to the things of the world.

Ten Fetters of ExistenceTen Fetters of Existence

1. Self-delusion 2. Doubt 3. Clinging to Ritual 4. Sensuous Lust 5. Ill Will 6. Greed for Fine Material

Existence 7. Greed for Immaterial

Existence 8. Conceit 9. Restlessness 10. Ignorance

Fetters -

shackles or

impediments

2. The 2. The Cause of Cause of

Life’s Life’s Dislocation Dislocation is is TanhaTanha..

2.1 Tanha is the desire for one’s own private fulfillment at the expense of other forms of life.

2.2 The cycle of becoming is caused by the craving and grasping or clinging to material and

impermanent things.

2.3 Craving leads not only to suffering here and now but also to

further suffering in the future

in forms of rebirth.

““Annata”Annata” or or “No-Soul”“No-Soul” means “No-means “No-Self”. This is Self”. This is

contra contra Hinduism’s Hinduism’s

Atman (Soul Atman (Soul or Self)or Self)

• IGNORANCE ENCOMPASSES:

1. Forgetting that there is no independent self

2. Forgetting that all phenomena are impermanent

3. Forgetting that all phenomena are sorrow-filled

3. The 3. The CureCure lies in overcoming lies in overcoming our earthly cravings and our earthly cravings and worldly attachments.worldly attachments.

2. The Cause of Life’s 2. The Cause of Life’s Dislocation is Tanha.Dislocation is Tanha.

1. Life is Dukkha.1. Life is Dukkha.

4. The 4. The WayWay to eliminate our to eliminate our earthly cravings and worldly earthly cravings and worldly attachments is by following the attachments is by following the Eight-fold pathEight-fold path..

The EIGHT-FOLD PATHThe EIGHT-FOLD PATH

Wisdom (panna)

1. Right Understanding

2. Right Thought

Morality (sila)

3. Right Speech

4. Right Action

5. Right Livelihood

Meditation (samadhi)

6. Right Effort

7. Right Mindfulness

8. Right Contemplation

1. Right Understanding 1. Right Understanding (Knowledge, Faith, (Knowledge, Faith, View, Perspective)View, Perspective)

To understand the true doctrine,

- that life is suffering;

- that there is a cause to suffering;

- that there is an end to suffering; and

- that there is a means to end this suffering.

2. Right Thought 2. Right Thought (Aspiration)(Aspiration)

Making up our hearts to what we really want.

To have a clear perception of the true doctrine and free oneself from lust, ill will and cruelty.

3. Right Speech3. Right Speech

Watching our speech and being mindful of it

Speech towards charity

Avoiding and abstaining from telling a lie

Speak the truth

Avoid tale-bearing, harsh language and vain talk

4. Right Action 4. Right Action (Behavior)(Behavior)

Do not kill.

Do not steal.

Do not be unchaste.

Do not drink intoxicants.

5. Right Living5. Right Living

To gain livelihood by right means

Do not be engaged in such occupations as:

- butcher,

- person-peddler,

- slave dealer,

- armament-maker, and

- prostitution

6. 6. Right Effort (Exertion)Right Effort (Exertion)

To strive to avoid the arising of evil

Will power and timing

Maintain meritorious conditions that have already arisen

7. Right Mindfulness 7. Right Mindfulness (Attentiveness)(Attentiveness)

To be alert and gain self-knowledge

To be clearly conscious and attentive to objects of completion

Separating authentic and abiding from trivia

8. Right Concentration 8. Right Concentration of Thoughtof Thought

Fixation of mind on a single subject

Similar to Raja Yoga

Right view, right thought, and right speech – rational

Right action, right living, and right effort – volitional

Right mindfulness andright concentration – emotional

Therefore, The Buddha taught that the cure to suffering is to cultivate our wisdom and compassion in order to lead a life unhindered by attachments and ultimately achieve freedom from the fear of natural laws of old age, death, and impermanence.

Eight-fold path is the Eight-fold path is the ethical ethical Middle PathMiddle Path. .

The two extremes are ruled out:

Life of Pleasure and

Life of Misfortuneboth are

unworthy and unreal.

Buddhist Morality Dr. C. George Boeree

Shippensburg University

The Pancha Shila, or

five moral precepts:

1. Avoid killing, or harming any living thing.

2. Avoid stealing, that is, taking what is not yours.

3. Avoid sexual irresponsibility (which for monks and nuns means celibacy).

4. Avoid lying, or any hurtful speech.

5. Avoid alcohol and drugs, which diminish clarity of consciousness.

Doctrine of Dependent Doctrine of Dependent OriginationOrigination

9.1 Patticasamutpada or Pratityasamutpada

9.2 Central teaching of the Buddha: Nothing in a world that does not come within realm of causal laws.

Causality explains the arising and passing away of things

Q: Why is there suffering?A: Because we are born.Q: Why are we born?A: Because there is will to be born.Q: Why should there be a will to be

born?A: Because we cling to objects of this

world.Q: Why do we cling to objects of this

world?A: Because we crave to enjoy objects of

this world.Q: Why do we crave to enjoy objects

of this world?A: Because of sense experience.

Q: Why do we have sense experience?

A: Because of the six sense organs (6th is the mind)

Q: Why do we have the six sense organs?

A: Because of the psychological organism.

Q: Why do we have the psychological organism?

A: Because of the initial consciousness of the embryo.

Q: Why do we have this consciousness?

A: Because of the impressions of karma.

Q: Why do we have these impressions?

A: Because of ignorance.

9.1 The root cause of all suffering is ignorance.

9.2 The way to destroy ignorance is knowledge of the truth, that everything is

impermanent in this world.

Doctrine of Doctrine of MomentarinessMomentariness

10.1 Annica doctrine, corollary to Dependent Origination.

10.2 A thing arises depending upon the cause, so when the cause is

removed, the thing ceases to be, thus momentary.

10.3 All things subject are to destruction.

10.4 Everything in this world is relative, impermanent, thus momentary.

Doctrine of KarmaDoctrine of Karma11.1 Implied in causation is Karma.

11.2 Behavior of man (karma) is determined by three factors:

1. External stimuli2. Conscious motives3. Unconscious motives

11.2.1 Conscious motives: greed or attachment, hate or aversion, and confusion.11.2.2 Unconscious motives: desire to perpetuate life, desire to avoid death.11.2.3 Unconscious motives result from mistaken understanding of nature of human existence.

11.3 While behavior is conditioned by causes, it is followed by consequences.

11.4 Karma is the correlation between action and consequence.

11.5 This is not deterministic: depending on the nature of karma and the circumstances in which the action is committed, there should be appropriate consequences.

KarmaKarma

I feel right when I do right.

KarmaKarma

In lay man’s language, what In lay man’s language, what does ‘karma’ mean?does ‘karma’ mean?Karma = cause and effect

This means:

One event (or thought) causes another event or thought and so on.

In this way one feeling can cause a thought and that thought can cause an action… or event. The event can then cause a feeling and a thought in someone close to us, and their thoughts and feelings lead to more actions and events.

This is Karma.

What are some examples of Karma in our daily lives?

One day, after school you realize your mother had a hard day at home and you want to cheer her up.

You decide you will surprise her by washing the table and sweeping the floor.

When your mother sees how helpful you have been, and realizes how thoughtful you are, she is very happy.

Your kind thoughts and feelings have caused your mother’s feelings of happiness.

Can you think of any examples of karma in your daily life?