EASTERN PHILOSOPHY

BUDDHISM
 BUDDHISM
 From The Brill Dictionary of
Religion

‘Buddhism’ is the term used to

denote the religion descending from
the ascetic movement founded by
Gautama Buddha.
 BUDDHISM
 From The Essentials of Philosophy and
Ethics
Buddhism is a blend of
philosophy, religious belief and
educational principles that
focuses on personal spiritual
development.
 BUDDHISM
Buddhism is a system of beliefs based
on the teachings of Gautama Buddha, a
Lumbini (in modern day Nepal) Prince and
philosopher, later known simply as the
Buddha - one who is Awake, derived from
the Sanskrit 'bud', 'to awaken'.
 Four
Noble Truths:
1. Dukkha: All worldly life is unsatisfactory,
disjointed, containing suffering.
2. Samudaya: There is a cause of suffering,
which is attachment or desire (tanha) rooted
in ignorance.
3. Nirodha: There is an end of suffering, which
is Nirvana.
4. Marga: There is a path that leads out of
suffering, known as the Noble Eightfold Path.
Noble Eightfold Path
Right Understanding or Right View
• seeing the world and
everything in it as it really is, not
as we believe it to be or want it to
be.
“I must state clearly that my teaching is
a method to experience reality and not
reality itself”
 Right Intent
• Right Intent must come from
the heart and involves
recognising the equality of alllife
and compassion for allthat life,
beginning with yourself.
Right Intent means persistence and a
passion for the journey.
 Right Speech
• Involves recognition of the
truth, and also an awareness
of the impact of idle gossip
andof repeating rumours.
By resolving never to speak unkindly, or in
anger, a spirit of consideration evolves which
moves us closer to everyday compassionate
living.
 Right Action
• Recognises the need to
take the ethical approach
in life, to consider others
andthe world we live in.
Also encompasses the five precepts which were
given by the Buddha, not to kill, steal, lie, to avoid
sexual misconduct, and not to take drugs or other
intoxicants.
 Right Livelihood
• Certain types of work
werediscouraged by the Buddha, in
particular those whereyou deal in
harmful drugs and intoxicants,
those dealing in weapons, and
those harmful toanimal orhuman
life. Also implies that a Buddhist who is able, will undertake
some work, either as part of a Buddhist community, orin
the workplace, or,alternatively, do home-based or
community service
 Right Effort
• means cultivating an
enthusiasm, a positive
attitude in a balanced
way.
In order to produce Right Effort, clear andhonest
thoughts should be welcomed, and feelings of
jealousy and angerleft behind. Right Effort equates
to positive thinking, followed by focused action.
 Right Mindfulness
• means being aware of the
moment, and being focused
in that moment.
Right Mindfulness asks us to be aware of
the journey at that moment, and to beclear
and undistracted at that moment.
 Right Concentration
• Right Concentration is
turning the mind to focus on
an object, such as a flower,
or a lit candle, ora concept
such asloving compassion
CONFUCIANISM
CONFUCIUS • Confucius was a Chinese
philosopher and politician of the
Spring and Autumn period. The
philosophy of Confucius, also
known as Confucianism,
emphasized personal and
governmental morality,
correctness of social
relationships, justice, kindness,
and sincerity.
CONFUCIANISM
• Confucianism is a moral ideology or
social tradition fathered by the Chinese
philosopher Confucius and his disciples
in the sixth and fifth centuries B.C.
• It is concerned with the principles of
civil conduct, common sense, and
proper social relationships.
The Analects
• is a short collection of his
discussions with disciples,
compiled posthumously. These
contain an overview of his
teachings.
Basic Doctrine of Confucianism
 1.Human-heartedness (jen/ren)
2.The ideal of the “ Superior Person”
3.The role of ritual (li) and culture (wen)
4.The rectification of names
5.The five constant relationships
(and their attendant virtues)
 • character is combination of “two” and
“human being”.
Jen/Ren
• Goodness; human- heartedness;
benevolence; love.
• The basic virtue in Confucianism:
• “If a man sets his heart on benevolence
[ren], he will be free from evil.”
[Analects, 4.4]
• Entails a doctrine of reciprocity: “do not
do unto others what you would not want
others to do unto you” (“The Silver Rule”)
 The ideal of the
“ Superior Person”
• Has wisdom, compassion and
courage: The Master said,
• “There are three things
constantly on the lips of the
gentleman none of which I have
succeeded in following:
• “A man of benevolence never
worries; a man of wisdom is never
in two minds; a man of courage is
never afraid.”

Always strives for the good “Make it

in your guiding principle to do your
best for others and to be trustworthy
in what you say.”
• The Master said, “A noble person
covets the reputation of being slow
in words but prompt in deed.”
• Thinks broadly The Master said, “A
noble mind can see a question from
all sides without bias. Small minds
are biased and see a question only
from one side.”
The role of ritual (li) and
culture (wen)
• Ritual: Li – also means propriety. There is a
proper way to comport one’s self in all
situations.
• Culture: Wen - “the arts of peace” –
music, art, poetry.
• “If terms be no correct, language is not in
accordance with the truth of things.
The rectification of names
• “If terms be no correct, language is not in
accordance with the truth of things. If
language is not in accordance with the truth
of things, affairs cannot be carried out to
success… Therefore a superior person
considers it necessary that the names he uses
be spoken appropriately. What the superior
person requires is that in his words there be
nothing that is incorrect” (Novak, 126).
The five constant relationships
(and their attendant virtues)
• 1. Ruler- minister
• 2. Father – son
• 3. Husband – wife
• 4. Elder brother – younger brother
• 5. Elder friend – younger friend
HINDUISM
 HINDUISM ( noun Hin·du·ism ˈhin- , dü-ˌi-zəm )

 The main religion of India which includes the worship of

many gods and the belief that after you die you return
to life in a different form.
 Hinduism is a collective term applied to the many
philosophical and religious traditions native to India.
 Hinduism has neither a specific moment of origin nor a
specific founder. Rather, the tradition understands itself
to be timeless, having always existed.
Hindu God and Goddesses
Brahma, the Creator
Brahma is the first member of the
Hindu Trinity and is “the Creator”
because he periodically creates
everything in the universe.
Vishnu, the Preserver
Vishnu is the second member of the
Hindu Trinity. He maintains the order and
harmony of the universe, which is
periodically created by Brahma and
periodically destroyed by Shiva to
prepare for the next creation.
Shiva, the Destroyer

Shiva is the third member of the Hindu

Trinity, tasked with destroying the
universe in order to prepare for its
renewal at the end of each cycle of time.
Ganapati, the Remover of Obstacles
Ganapati, also known as Ganesha, is
Shiva’s first son. Lord Ganapati, who has
an elephant head, occupies a very special
place in the hearts of Hindus because
they consider him the Remover of
Obstacles.
Avatars of Vishnu
The literal meaning of the word avatar is
“descent,” and it’s usually understood to
mean divine descent. Avatars are savior
forms of a god that descend to earth to
intervene whenever help is needed to
restore dharma (moral order) and peace.
Rama
Rama is one of the most beloved Hindu
gods and is the hero of the Hindu epic
called the Ramayana.
Krishna
Hindus identify Krishna as the teacher of
the sacred scripture called the Bhagavad
Gita and as the friend and mentor of
prince Arjuna in the epic the Mahabharata.
Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning

Saraswati is the consort of Brahma the

Creator and is worshipped as the
goddess of learning, wisdom, speech,
and music.
Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the goddess of good fortune,
wealth, and well-being. As the consort of
Vishnu, she plays a role in every
incarnation.