Buddhism Preface to the Four Noble Truths The
Buddhism
Preface to the Four Noble Truths: The Middle Path Two extremes to be avoided: (1) Hedonism (2) Asceticism This Middle Path is the Noble Eightfold Path, namely, Right Views, Right Intent, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. . By avoiding these two extremes, we discover a Middle Path, a path which opens the eyes, which bestows understanding, and which leads to peace of mind, to wisdom, to full enlightenment, to Nirvana.
1. The Noble Truth of Suffering
2. The Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering *Some traditions make (c) a craving for prosperity or for personal happiness.
3. The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
4. The Noble Truth of the Path that leads to the cessation of suffering
Elaboration of the Noble Eightfold Path Wisdom (prajna) • Right thought (Samma ditthi) • Right understanding (Samma sankappa) Morality (sila) Meditation (samadhi) • Right speech (Samma vaca) • Right conduct (Samma kammanta) • Right livelihood (Samma ajiva) • Right mental attitude (Samma vayama) • Right mindfulness (Samma sati) • Right concentration (Samma samadhi)
After the Buddha…
• The Buddha did not choose a successor • Preferring for his followers to choose a path & search for enlightenment within themselves • A council of monks convened to resolve differing views on the direction of faith • Many sects of Buddhism emerged —in part because of disputes over monastic disciplines • Buddha’s teachings were written down 400 years after his death. Most popular known as the Triptaka or Pali Canon
2 Schools of Buddhism THERAVADA MAHAYANA “Doctrine of the Elders” “Greater Vehicle” • Emphasizes a solitary life of personal religious discipline • Reveres the way of renunciation— rigorous, purifying lifestyle for the sake of spiritual goals • Arhat: holy person who attains enlightenment thru solitude & ascetic practices • Buddha-hood can be obtained without necessarily renouncing the world • Nirvana can be brought into existence in the present moment • Focuses more on the importance of compassion & service to others • Badhisattva: one who deserves Nirvana but postpones entry until all sentient beings are rescued from Samsara
Vajrayana Buddhism • Known as the “Diamond Vehicle” • Originated in 500 CE in India • Came out of the Mahayana School • Quickly immigrated to Tibet • Led by gurus or lamas • The most famous of which the Dali Lama
What is Zen? • It is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes wisdom attained through experience. • Zen is often thought of as a religion though it has no sacred scriptures, texts, dogma, or divine being. • To know Zen is to experience and practice it, not study it. Zen is practiced through meditation.
Zen is an experience • A Zen experience is one where you are completely focused and the rest of the world fades away.
A Zen Story (Koan) …is a story, dialogue, question, or statement, which is used in Zen practice to provoke the "great doubt" and test a student's progress in Zen practice.
Zazen (literally) seated meditation. It is a meditative discipline that is typically the primary religious practice. The precise meaning and method of zazen varies from school to school, but in general it can be regarded as a means of insight into the nature of existence. —
Zen does not hold that… • there is a god apart from the universe that created the universe and man to enjoy and master it. In Zen, the universe and man are one indissoluble existence like sugar added and stirred to coffee. Every human act of individuality is only a temporary manifestation, or better yet, each person is a cell to the functioning of the body/universe.
“We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize. ” --Thich Nhat Hanh
12 Essentials to Living Zen taken from zenhabits. net • • • Do one thing at a time. Do it slowly & deliberately Do it completely Do less Put space between things Develop rituals • • Designate time for certain things Devote time to sitting Smile and serve others Make cleaning & cooking meditation • Think about what’s necessary • Live simply
“Before enlightenment chop wood & carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood & carry water. ” --Wu Li
Haikus • Short poems notable to Zen, which are 3 lines long. • The first and third lines are both 5 syllables in length, while the second is 7 syllables. • The structure is not absolute. Ex: All the rains of June: And one evening, secretly, Through the pines, the moon.
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