BUDDHISM

By: Sandra Davis

Mid-Continent University
Introduction to Christian Worldview
09/09/09
Bro. Don Embry
BUDDHISM
 Buddhism
 Buddhism upholds the virtues of
benevolence, perseverance, self-
discipline, and charity. On a deeper
level, Buddhism is a philosophy, a way
of life, and the cultivation of one’s
mind. In fact, Buddhists believe that
harmony stems from the mind.
 Overview

 Buddhism is a major
world religion, or in a
better sense,
philosophy.
 It is the 4th largest
religion of the world,
and has about
300,000,000
followers.
 It explains the purpose
of life, injustices and
inequality in the
world.

● Developed in India 2500 yrs


ago


 Based on many of the core

concepts of Hinduism


 The essence of Buddhism

is the attainment of
enlightenment


 Points to a way of life that

avoids self-indulgence
and self-denial.

Buddhist Populations
The three truths of existence are dukkha,
anicca, and anatta – suffering,
impermanence, and the absence of an
eternal self. According to Buddhist
teachings, no phenomenon in this world
is permanent or real. There is no
permanent self or "soul", for human
beings are constantly changing under
the influence of our surroundings and
actions. Our minds are deluded to the
true nature of the world, however, and
we still try to hold onto our thoughts,
bodies, wealth, and other earthly
possessions. Trapped in the samsara of
lives and deaths, with our attachment to
these fleeting things, we suffer. Thus,
the cause of suffering is the
unenlightened mind.
The First Noble Truth is that life is suffering
You can’t live without death, frustration, etc.

The Second Noble Truth is that suffering is caused by

craving and aversion
Getting what you want doesn’t guarantee happiness, it deprives you of
it

The Third Noble Truth is that suffering can be overcome,

and true happiness can be attained
If we stop craving useless things, and live each day at a time (not living
in the past or the future) we will be happy and free.

The Fourth Noble Truth is that the Noble Eight-Fold Path

leads to the end of all suffering
 The Eight-Fold
Path
Wisdom
1)Right View – know the truth
3)Right Intention – resist self-centeredness

Ethical Conduct
3)Right Speech – refrain from unkind, negative speech
5)Right Action – respect all life
7)Right Livelihood – work for the good of others

Mental Discipline
6)Right Effort – exert oneself in freeing the mind of evil
(egocentric thought)
8)Right Awareness – elevate one’s thoughts beyond the haze of
emotion and mood
8) Right Meditation – practice the discipline of
meditation
3. Reincarnation
A concept that one must go through
many cycles of birth, living, and
death
After many such cycles, if a person
releases their attachment to desire
and the self, they can attain:

Nirvana - a state of liberation and

freedom from suffering.
Nirvana can be achieved by
meditating and following the
guiding principles of Buddhism,
such as the Four Noble Truths and
the Eight-Fold Path
All of one’s actions have
consequences, determined by the
person’s intentions. If we are
motivated to hurt others by greed,
for instance, our actions will
produce negative results. In
Buddhism, those outcomes may not
occur immediately after the actions,
or even in this lifetime. The
consequences of our actions could
affect us through subsequent lives,
and the universal law that governs
those actions and their
consequences is Karma.
Daily Practices
1.Live by this moral code:
• Do not take the life of anything
living
• Do not take anything not freely
given to you
• Abstain from sexual misconduct
and sensual overindulgence
• Refrain from untrue speech
• Do not consume intoxicating
substances Do not lose
mindfulness

2.Meditation:
Training the mind to empty it of
thoughts. When this happens what is
important becomes clear.
 SYMBOLS
Wheel of Life: Represents the endless cycle of
life through reincarnation. Each of its eight
spokes represents one of the teachings of the
Eightfold Path.

Lotus Flower:

A lotus is a water lily that grows in murky

ponds and takes its roots in the black soil.
Just as the beautiful lotus blossom grows
from the mud, human beings can also
detach themselves from suffering, to rise
above the earthly and blossom as Buddhas

The lotus symbolizes purity and divine

birth. The different color lotus flowers
have specific meanings: for example, the
red lotus signifies the qualities of the heart
while the purple lotus is the mystic lotus.
 Buddhist Spiritual Leaders

Monks

Dalai Lama
 Teach this triple truth to all:
A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of
service and compassion are the things which
renew humanity.
- Buddha

The mind is everything.

What you think you become.
- Buddha
References

Halverson, D, (1996).The Compact Guide To World Religions. Bloomington: Bethany

House

http://www.buddhisttemple.ca/buddhism/philosophy.php accessed on 09/08/09