Basic Beliefs and Practices

1. Basic Beliefs and Practices • The basic doctrines of early Buddhism, which remain common to all Buddhism, include the four noble truths.

2. The Three Refuges(Jewels) • The Buddha • The Dharma (teachings, doctrine) • The Sangha (the Order)

3. The Teachings of the Buddha The Four Noble Truths

4. Preface to the Four Noble Truths:The Middle Path 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. 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 . . . . http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

5. 1. The Noble Truth of Suffering Dukkha http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

6. 2. The Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering Tanha *Some traditions make (c) a craving for prosperity or for personal happiness. http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

7. 3. The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering Nirvana http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

8. 4. The Noble Truth of the Path that leads to the cessation of suffering Astapada http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

9. Elaboration of the Noble Eightfold Path Wisdom (prajna) • Right views (Samma ditthi) • Right intent (Samma sankappa) • Right speech (Samma vaca) • Right conduct (Samma kammanta) • Right livelihood (Samma ajiva) • Right effort (Samma vayama) • Right mindfulness (Samma sati) • Right concentration (Samma samadhi) Morality (sila) Meditation (samadhi) http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

10. (Eightfold Path, continued) Wisdom 1. Right Views • The Four Noble Truths • The doctrine of no-self (anatta, anatman) • Transitoriness (anicca): impermanence • The Five Components or Aggregates (skandhas) of human personhood • Interdependent Origination • Karma & Samsara (rebirth) • Nirvana (what is it?) http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

11. (No-self, cont’d) The Five Components (skandhas) of personhood Body (rupa) Person Sensation (vedana) Consciousness (vinnana) Perception (sanna) Volition (sankhara) Mind (nama)

12. (No-self, cont’d) The doctrine ofInterdependent Origination(Paticca Samuppada) The interdependence & relativity of all things No separate beings No distinct individuals No eternal essences No "own-natures" http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

13. (Eightfold Path, continued) 2. Right Intent(Resolution) Wisdom Right intent or resolution is the intent or resolution to live & act in accordance with right views. http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

14. No lying No slander No harsh or rude talk No profanity No impolite or abusive language No idle or foolish chatter Strive to use language meaningfully & usefully Learn to maintain “noble silence” (Eightfold Path, continued) 3. Right Speech Morality http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

15. No harming & killing No stealing No lying & deceitfulness No sexual immorality No use of intoxicants Eat moderately & not after noon. Stay away from dancing, singing, & dramatic spectacles. Do not use garlands, scents, unguents, or ornaments. Do not use high or broad beds. Do not accept gold or silver (money in general?). (Eightfold Path, continued) 4. Right Conduct Morality The Five Precepts (for everybody) & the Ten Precepts (for monks & nuns) http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

16. (Eightfold Path, continued) Morality 5. Right Livelihood(Vocation) • Choose professions that promote life, peace, & spiritual progress (especially life in the • Specifically prohibited professions: poison peddler, slave trader, prostitute, butcher, manufacturer & trader of liquor & other intoxicants, weapons manufacturer & trader, tax collector, caravan trader. http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

17. (Eightfold Path, continued) 6. Right Effort(purification of the mind) • Preventing evil & unwholesome states of mind from arising • Getting rid of such states of mind that may already exist • Bringing about good & wholesome states of mind • Developing & perfecting good & wholesome states of mind that are already present Meditation http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

18. Meditation 7. Right Mindfulness (Eightfold Path, continued) • Activities of the body (breathing, walking, sitting, eating, heartbeat, etc.) • Feelings (anger, fear, joy, pleasure, pain, etc.) • States of mind (thoughts, ideas, etc.) • Ways of conceptualizing things (the Four Noble Truths, the Wheel of Becoming, etc.) Focusing of attention on: http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt

19. The highest level of Meditation One-pointed concentration The four absorptions: Detachment from all sense objects & from negative states of mind; thought processes accompanied by joy Cessation of all mental activities; internal calm, peace of mind, joy to the point of great elation Cessation of all passions & prejudices; continued sense of joy Cessation of joy; total tranquillity & equanimity -- Nirvana (& arhatship) (Eightfold Path, continued) 8. Right Concentration Preliminary concentration on the Four Sublime Moods: love, compassion, cheerfulness, & impartiality http://www.bergen.edu/faculty/gcronk/Buddhism.ppt