BUDDHISM

THE ESSENCE of BUDDHISM

Buddhism began in India and became a major religion.
The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.”
2,500 year old tradition.
The 3 jewels of Buddhism:
Buddha, the teacher.
Dharma, the teachings.
Sangha, the community.
 Siddhartha Gautama credited for founding Buddhism
 Born in 563 B.C.
 Born in the Brahmin
Caste (he was a prince)
 He led an extremely sheltered life in the royal compound
 At the age 25 he left the walls of the palace
 He saw 4 men
 Old man
 Sick man
 Dead man
 Poor man
 This made him understand that every living thing experiences
old age, sickness and death.
BUT! ONLY religious life can save someone from suffering.
For the next 6 years he wandered the forests of India looking
for ENLIGHTENMENT
Enlightenment means wisdom.
He becomes Buddha.
Four Noble Truths

Suffering and unhappiness are a part of human life. No one

can escape sorrow.
Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material
goods.
People can overcome desire and ignorance and reach nirvana,
a state of perfect peace.
People can overcome ignorance and desire by following an
eightfold path that leads to wisdom, enlightenment, and
salvation.
EIGHTFOLD PATH
Within the fourth noble truth is found the guide to the end of
suffering: the noble eightfold path. The eight parts of the path to
liberation are grouped into three essential elements of Buddhist
practice—moral conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. The
Buddha taught the eightfold path in virtually all his discourses,
and his directions are as clear and practical to his followers today
as they were when he first gave them.
Right View - Realizing the Four Noble Truths
Right Intention - Commitment to mental and Ethical
growth
Right Speech - One speaks in a non hurtful, not
exaggerated, truthful way
Right Action - Wholesome action, avoiding action that
would hurt others
 Right Livelihood - One's job does not harm in any way oneself or
others; directly or indirectly (weapon maker, drug dealer, etc.)
 Right Effort - One makes an effort to improve
 Right Mindfulness - Once you've beaten your physical self into
submission, you have to start working on your mental state,
seeking the ability to think clearly and see things as they really
are.
 Right Concentration - Focus, focus, focus! (and meditate)! The path
is only complete when you have refined your mind into a state of
total focus on reality
THE MIDDLE PATH
The Middle Way or Middle Path is often described as the
practice of non-extremism; a path of moderation away
from the extremes of self-indulgence and opposing self-
mortification
Two main sects of Buddhism
 Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada
and Mahayana.
Members of the Theravada followed the
Buddha’s teachings exactly.
Members of the Mahayana believed that
individual interpretation was important.
Theravada Buddhism
The oldest school of Buddhism.
The “Way of the Elders” or the “Small Vehicle.”
Found in southern Asia.
The monastic life is the best way
to achieve nirvana.
Focus on wisdom and meditation.
Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or “Enlightened One.”
Over 100,000,000 followers today.
Mahayana Buddhism
The “Great Vehicle.”
Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan).
Buddhism “for the masses.”
Seek guidance from Boddhisatvas, wise beings.
Goal: Not just individual escape from the wheel, but the
salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those
enlightened few.
OTHER SECTS of BUDDHISM

Tibetan Buddhism
Zen Buddhism
TIBETAN Buddhism
The “Diamond Vehicle.” [Vajrayana]
Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE.
A mix of Theravada and Mahayana.
Boddhisatvas include Lamas, like the
Dalai Lama.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead [Bardo Thodol].
ZEN Buddhism
The “Meditation School.”
Seeks sudden enlightenment [satori] through meditation,
arriving at emptiness [sunyata].
Use of meditation masters [Roshi].
Beauty, art, and aesthetics:
Gardens.
Archery.
Tea ceremony.
Calligraphy.