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Introduction to Buddhism

Dr. Mary Ann Clark

Life of the BuddhaBorn to the Sakya clan, warrior casteSage predicted he would be either a great king or a great holy manFather attempted to prevent him leaving the palace and kingshipMarried and had an infant son

Life of the Buddha (cont)Saw an old person, a sick person, a corpseDecided to follow path of ascetic renunciationFasted to the point of emaciation

Fasting BuddhaPushed limits of his enduranceRefused least possible nurishmentPushed himself to brink of self-eradication

Temptation "Up, up, O noble

prince! Recall the duties of your caste and abandon this dissolute quest for disengagement.”

EnlightenmentThe cause of suffering in this world, and endless reincarnations, is selfish craving!A teaching ministry begins, first with his 5 friends, then throughout Asia

The Middle WayHigh way

asceticism, mortification, complete renunciation of ALL things worldly

Low wayeat, drink, be merry, if it feels good, DO IT!

Middle Waytakes the best of both ways

Four Noble TruthsWhat is suffering?How does it arise?Can it be ended?How do we end it?

What is Suffering?Sanskrit term duhkha, unsatisfying quality of experienceSuffering arises from

Physical or emotional painChangeExistence itself

Wheel of LifeHeld by Shenje, the Lord of the DeadBuddha outside the wheel, escaped obstructions to NirvanaCenter: cock (lust), snake (hatred/fear), pig (ignorance/illusion)

Realm of Gods

Realm of Demi-Gods

Realm of Hell Demons

Realm of Hungry Ghosts

Realm of Animals

Realm of Human Beings

What is the Origin of Suffering?Suffering arises from emotional reactivity:

Attraction/LustAversion/FearIllusion/Ignorance

Can We End Suffering?How can we disengage from reactivity?Sense of self “I” basis of emotional reactions“I” doesn’t existThere is a false duality between subject and object

End of SufferingWhen we cease identifying with what we are not, with the non-existent “I”When we cease falling into the conditioned reactions that cause suffering

Who am “I”?We don’t exist in the way we habitually think, feel and perceive we doReactive patterns keep us from experiencing the presentConditioned responses maintain the world of illusion (maya)

How to End SufferingDevelop high level of attentionRest in the mystery of beingExperience not existing without fear and with clarity

Buddhist Ethics A skilled mind

a mind that is skilful avoids actions that are likely to cause suffering or remorse

Moral conduct for Buddhists differs according to whether it applies to the laity or to the clergy (Sangha)

Avoiding any actions which are likely to be harmful

MudrasNon-verbal communicationGestureal communicationInvoke ideas symbolizing divine powersExternal expression of “inner resolve”

Bhumisparsa MudraCalling Earth to Witness Enlightenment

Vitarka MudraGesture of DebateExplaining the Buddha’s Teaching

Dharmacakra MudraTeaching Gesture

Abhaya MudraFearlessness gestureAlso renunciation

Buddha ImagesFrom Gupta, IndiaStanding Buddha (L)The First Sermon (R)

Beautiful BodhisattvaAjanta, India (north)Cave Fresco1st-5th cent CE

Seated BuddhaKushan, India