Buddhism One thing I teach suffering and the
Buddhism "One thing I teach: suffering and the end of suffering. It is just ill and the ceasing of ill that I proclaim. " -- The Buddha
Origins • Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in approximately 520 BCE in Northeast India.
Origins - Siddhartha Gautama
Siddhartha Gautama
Chinese Zen Master Laughing Buddha Chinese origin
Adherents • Buddhism is the fourth largest world religion with approximately 360 million followers.
Views • Buddhists do not believe that this world is created and ruled by a God. • Buddha urged his followers to focus instead on the Four Noble Truths by which they can free themselves from suffering.
The Four Noble Truths • Suffering Exists.
The Four Noble Truths • Suffering arises from attachment to desires.
The Four Noble Truths • Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases.
The Four Noble Truths • Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold path.
Eight-Fold Path 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Contemplation Right View Right Thought
The Eightfold Path - Morality • Right Speech – Speaking in a non hurtful, not exaggerated, truthful way. • Avoid lies and gossip.
The Eightfold Path - Morality • Right Action – Avoiding harmful actions. • Don’t steal from or harm others.
The Eightfold Path - Morality • Right Livelihood - Not harming in any way oneself or others; directly or indirectly. • Reject work that hurts others.
The Eightfold Path - Meditation • Right Effort – Making constant effort to improve oneself. • Prevent evil and do good.
The Eightfold Path - Meditation • Right Mindfulness - Mental ability to see things for what they are with clear consciousness. • Control your feelings and thoughts.
The Eightfold Path - Meditation • Right Contemplation Being aware of the present reality within oneself, without any craving or aversion. • Practice meditation.
The Eightfold Path - Wisdom • Right View Understanding reality as it is, not just as it appears to be. • Incline towards goodness and kindness.
The Eightfold Path - Wisdom • Right Thought Change in the pattern of thinking. • Believe in the nature of existence as suffering and in the Four Noble Truths.
Views • However, disbelief in a creator God does not mean that Buddhism is atheistic. • Some are atheistic while others are polytheistic (I told you this stuff was confusing!)
Life’s Purpose • In Buddhism, the purpose of life is to end suffering. Buddha = Enlightened One The Middle Way: Correct way to live your life.
Afterlife • Buddhists believe people are reincarnated when they die. • This is different than reincarnation in Hinduism because Buddhists do not believe the soul passes on to the next body.
Afterlife • Nirvana – the candle is “blown out” as you are extinguished from the cycle of death and rebirth and freedom from the effects of karma
General Practices • Meditation • Mantras (sacred sounds)
Holy Text(s) • Tripitaka - is the earliest collection of Buddhist teachings
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