Buddhism: 4 8

A way of life based on the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path

Origins (pg.60-63) Founded by Siddartha Gautama (563-

486 B.C) Indian prince of the Sakya clan, raised

as a Hindu. Had all material needs met luxuriously, found no peace. At 29, went on spiritual evaluation (3rd stage of Hindu life)

Studied rituals and ascetic virtues of Hinduism, but seeing that many Hindus’ lives were overcome with evil and suffering, he meditated on its causes

Legend tells that he was seated under a bodhi tree for long hours of meditation and became enlightened about the Four Noble Truths of Life. Hence his name, “The Buddha” or Enlightened One.

The Way of Buddha The pleasure of the world and the penitence

of the priesthood only increased Siddhartha’s arrogance. A life of strict asceticism; severe disciplining of body, mind and soul.

While under the bodhi tree, deep meditation brought about a rejection of these Hindu concepts: Ritual practices of yoga, bathing, offerings Many divine whims of polytheism The wheel of life through karma &

reincarnation Buddhism became the search for self-

enlightenment dictated because of the 4 Noble Truths and by way of the 8 Fold Path

The Four Noble Truths All things in the world bring suffering

and sorrow The cause of suffering is DESIRE or the

craving of life’s pleasures Suffering ends when desire ends; letting

go of all desire is the end of suffering One will attain Enlightenment, the end

of suffering by following the Eightfold Path.

Suffering: The 1st Noble Truth The deep, subtle lack of satisfaction

Suffering can be distinguished in three types: 1. Suffering of suffering: this refers to the most obvious aspects like pain, fear and mental distress. 2. Suffering of change: refers to the problems that change brings, like joy disappears, nothing stays, decay and death. 3. All-pervasive suffering: this is the most difficult to understand aspect, it refers to the fact that we always have the potential to suffer or can get into problematic situations.

"Hundreds of stupid flies gatherOn a piece of rotten meat,Enjoying, they think, a delicious feast.This image fits with the songOf the myriads of foolish living beingsWho seek happiness in superficial pleasures;In countless ways they try,Yet I have never seen them satisfied." -The 7th Dalai Lama

The Causes of Suffering: The 2nd Noble Truth

AttachmentWe just have to think of chocolate or the way people used to catch monkeys in South India, to explain attachment. One takes a coconut and makes a hole in it, just large enough that a monkey can squeeze

its hand in. Next, tie the coconut down, and put a sweet inside. What happens next is pure attachment. The monkey smells the sweet, puts his hand into the coconut, grabs the sweet and ... the hole is too small to let a fist out of the coconut. The last thing a monkey would consider is to let go of the sweet, so it is literally tied down by its own attachment. Often they only let go when they fall asleep or become unconscious because of exhaustion.

AngerAll of our actions have consequences. Doing harm to others will return to us as being harmed. Anger is one of the main reasons we create harm to others, so logically it is often the cause of suffering to ourselves.

Ignorance - The conventional explanation is that because we are not omniscient, we regularly get

ourselves into trouble. We do not realize all the consequences of our actions. Just reflect for a moment how often we think: "If only I had known this earlier..."

- The more complicated explanation refers to the most profound aspect of Buddhist philosophy: the wisdom of emptiness. It takes years of study and meditation to realize the insight into the wisdom of emptiness. To put it very simply: reality is not what it seems to us. As reality is different from our opinions about it, we get ourselves into trouble by wanting impermanent or unreal things.

The End of Suffering: The 3rd Noble Truth

The reasoning behind this Third Noble Truth is the fact that suffering and the causes of suffering are dependent on the state of our own mind

If we can change our own mind, we can also eliminate suffering. The reasons we do actions that cause ourselves and

others harm come from our delusions. When we possess the proper wisdom, we can rid ourselves of delusions, and thus of all our problems and suffering. When this process is complete, we can leave cyclic existence and enjoy the state of Enlightenment, free of problems.

The 4th Noble TruthAt the end of suffering is

ENLIGHTENMENT, by way of the 8 Fold Path

“You only lose what you cling to.” ― Siddhārtha Gautama

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

“There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.”-Dalai Lama

The Eightfold Path: One follows the 8 fold path to the “Right” way of

attaining Enlightenment 1. Views: nothing is permanent, no “ego-self”,

Enlightenment is tranquility 2. Thought: develop positive attitudes free from greed,

anger, & foolishness 3. Speech: No lying or useless speech 4. Conduct: behavior adjustments 5. Livelihood: Never seek more than necessary or have

encumbrances 6. Effort: avoid evil thoughts and do things in the best way 7. Mindfulness: Self-control over desires and loving

kindness prevails 8. Concentration: The highest form of meditation

Kinds of Buddhism Theravada: “Small Vehicle” monastic tradition

follows path linearly and the Pali Canon Mahayana: “Great Vehicle”- for all people,

about self-sacrifice & compassion. One can become a bodhisattva

Chinese Buddhism: believes in karma and rebirth, supported by emperors because it encourages moral and peaceful citizens (pg.76)

Zen: Japanese form based on contemplation (pg.78)

Tantric: combines Mahayana and Tantric “magic” to include the celestial gods (pg.80)

Symbols of Buddhism