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Introduction to Buddhism

Introduction to Buddhism. (II I ) Dr. Robert C L Law Buddhist Lodge of Laity January, 2008. Vajrayana 金剛乘. Vajra—the thunderbolt of Indra , transformed into a d iamond scepter.

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Introduction to Buddhism

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  1. Introduction to Buddhism • (III) • Dr. Robert C L Law • Buddhist Lodge of Laity • January, 2008.

  2. Vajrayana 金剛乘 Vajra—the thunderbolt of Indra , transformed into a diamond scepter. Emphasis on visualization , symbols and ritual . Visualization : perceive having the body, speech , and mind of a deity Symbols and rituals ---- help to cut one loose from ordinary perception to see the true nature of things. Fully developed in Tibetan Buddhism

  3. Vajrayana ( Cont’d) • “The proper way is to develop faith” • Complete Faith ( after due investigation); Faith in the inconceivable truth : Faith in the lineage, vajrayana path, and the Vajra master. • Such complete faith in the Vajra master (Guru) –terrifying and claustrophobic ? Like Islam?

  4. Vajrayana ( Cont’d II) • Tantric Rituals--- psychological empowerment? • Initiation rituals ---- Unorthodox breaking of orthodox perception drinking impure things, sex with consort • Problem with faulty Guru

  5. Three Dharma Seals (三法印) • Dukkha苦 • Impermanence 無常 • No-self 無我

  6. Impermanence 無常 • Nothing is the same from one moment to another . • All objects of our perception • Not pessimistic --- no change would be possible without it . • Should not be a source of suffering – rather, it is wanting things to be permanent that causes suffering

  7. No-self ( Non-self)無我 • The most difficult concept in Buddhism • What is the self ? • Hindu ------ An Essence , goal --- to • be one with Brahman • Soul -----Greek Soul • Christian Soul • Chinese Soul ?

  8. Buddhist concept of a person • Five Aggregates ( skandhas)五蘊 : • form 色 --- body,sense organs • feelings 受 ---- pleasant , unpleasant , neutral • perceptions 想 – conceptualizing • mental formation 行 --- fear etc (51 categories) • consciousness 識 ---- stored consciousness , • the matrix with seeds in it. • None of the above is permanent, so where is the self ? • Craving for a permanent soul is a source of suffering

  9. No-self ( Cont’d) • Traditional thinking hard to change • Difficult to understand and accept • Apparent contradiction with other teachings. • As a strategy to alleviate suffering ? • Need intense meditation to transform one’s mind

  10. Problem with No-self . • If no-self , who attains enlightenment ? • If no-self , who goes into the next life ? • The story of Sati • The story of Vacchagota

  11. In spite of these………….. • The Alaya consciousness阿賴耶識 • Apparent “Re-incarnation” in Tibetan Buddhism .

  12. A most vexing question • How it is possible to have rebirth without a self ? • Buddhist monks have struggled with this problem for over 2000 years. • One must understand the principle of Dependent Origination 緣起法

  13. Dependent Origination 緣起法 • “ This is,because that is ; This is not, because that is not . This comes to be , because that comes to be. This ceases to be , because that ceases to be” • “ He who sees Dependent Origination sees my teachings “ • “ My teacher (the Buddha)’s teaching is all about • Dependent Origination”

  14. Dependent Origination • All teachings are based on it . If a teaching is not in accord with it , then it is not the teaching of the Buddha • Impermanence is implicit in this teaching. • Main implication : we think we are an independent entity , but we are , in fact , not.

  15. The Twelve Links of D O • Ignorance 無明 • Volitional action 行 • Consciousness識 • Mind/Body名 • Six senses/objects六入 • Contact觸 • Feeling受 • Craving愛 • Grasping取 • Coming to be有 • Birth 生 • Old Age/Decay老死

  16. No linear , all inter-related

  17. The T L of D O ( Cont’d) • Not always 12 links . • Some overlap , e.g. ignorance and volition exist in consciousness ; the six senses are already in the body/mind . • Thus sometimes the Buddha teaches 9 links , sometime 10 links ( omitting ignorance and volition) • Not linear , all interrelated, all are causes and effects at the same time. • Not used to explain birth and death .

  18. Dependent • Origination • Your health and the • farmers in China

  19. Dependent Origination • Pollution • Greenhouse • Effect

  20. Dependent Origination ( Cont’d) • - More examples : • - people in this room - your children.

  21. Dependent Origination ( Cont’d) • Sariputta : It is so clear and easy to understand • Buddha : Don’t say that . It is through not being able to comprehend Dependent Origination , that people are entangled like a ball of cotton, and not being able to see the Truth ………….

  22. Dependent Origination ( Cont’d) • May not be easy to accept : Child labour in India ? A dead miner in the diamond mine in Africa? How about a mugger in Hong Kong ?

  23. Dependent Origination ( Cont’d) • A butterfly flaps its wings in Africa…… • Thich Nhat Hanh : We are all inter-beings , we are all inter-are” • One must understand this concept in order to understand the Buddhist idea of Karma and Re-birth

  24. Importance of Dependent Origination • Helps to explain all phenomena in this world. • Help one to understand Kamma and Rebirth .

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