Buddhism

1. Buddhism Harrison Martin 10/13/10 Rutsky- 7th Scholar’s Bowl

2. Foundations • Buddhism came into being through the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, THEBuddha… • Traditionally believed to have lived between 560’s- 480’s B.C.E. • Gautama was born into nobility within northern India • As a young man, Siddhartha witnessed the sufferings of the world, and journeyed forth from the bosom of royal privilege

3. Foundations • Gautama endeavored to end the sufferings he saw… • Wanted to understand the dharma, “truth” of his surroundings • Began to meditate to find these answers • After 49 days of meditation beneath what has become known as the Bodhi Tree (India), Siddhartha is said to have achieved enlightenment • Thenceforth, Gautama became known as The Buddha, or “The Enlightened or Awakened One” • Proceeded to instruct others for the remainder of his life

4. Major Tenets • Four Noble Truths: Essence of the Buddha’s teachings • 1. Suffering exists • 2. Suffering has a cause • 3. Suffering has an end • 4. A certain path will lead to the end suffering • Essence is not negative as it would seem • Derides materialism- “Desire” • Truth 4 encompasses the…

5. Major Tenets • Noble Eightfold Path • Path to the end of suffering • Divided into three themes, with several “folds” per theme • 1. Right Thought 5. Right Livelihood • 2. Right Understanding 6. Right Effort • 3. Right Speech 7. Right Mindfulness • 4. Right Action 8. Right Concentration

6. Major Tenets • Rebirth (reincarnation) • Buddhists hold that all beings are subjected to a cycle of rebirth into one of six planes of existence • LOWER PLANES • 1. Hell • 2. Ghosts • 3. Animals • HIGHER PLANES • 4. Humanity- IMPORTANT- able to reach Nirvana!! • 5. Demi-gods • 6. Gods

7. HOW????

8. Major Tenets • Karma! • Good actions vs. Bad actions • Sow the seeds… Five karmic factors: frequent, repetitive action; determined, intentional action; action performed without regret; action against extraordinary persons; and action toward those who have helped one in the past

9. Major Tenets • Nirvana: What is it, exactly? • Enlightenment • Freedom from earthly desires, causes of pain • Highest plain of spiritual being, no generation of new negative karma therefore it’s effects are nulled

10. Major Tenets • Buddha-hood • Gautama not the only Buddha- term simply denotes one who has attained synchronization with the dharma, enlightenment: Nirvana. • Three Classifications of Buddha: • 1. Samyaksambuddha- One who is enlightened through their own efforts, and teaches • 2. Pratyekabuddha- one who does not teach • 3. Śrāvakabuddha- one who is taught

11. Major Tenets • Buddha-hood • Bodhisattvas- Those who are, for all intents and purposes, enlightened, yet refrain from achieving Nirvana and obtaining Buddhahood to aid others • Varying importance placed on their role in practice of Buddhism

12. Major Texts Dhammapada- words attributed to the Buddha Buddhavacana- original sayings of the Buddha Pali Canon- Ancient Theravada scriptures Various Sutras- Mahayana works

13. Schools • Two major divisions within Buddhism that you NEED to know: • Theravada- Oldest surviving sect, prominent in Sri Lanka and southeast Asia. • Mahayana- Larger denomination with a smattering across Asia, “the vehicle”, seeking enlightenment of all beings; includes Zen Buddhism • Tibetan Buddhism: Titular country; led by 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso

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