buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

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Lesson 2 What Buddhism Is Not

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Lesson 2

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Page 1: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

Lesson 2

What Buddhism Is Not

Page 2: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

What Buddhism Is Not

Essence of the Doctrine

Avoid Evil

Do Good

Purify the Mind

This is the teaching of all Buddhas.

Page 3: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

1. Beware of Preconceived Ideas

Don’t be narrow minded. Study Buddhism with fresh eyes and open mind.

What Buddhism Is Not

Beware of preconceived ideas created by others to discredit Buddhism.

Page 4: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

Don’t judge Buddhism through the beliefs and practices of those ignorant of the teachings.

What Buddhism Is Not

1. Beware of Preconceived Ideas

Do not dismiss any fact as untrue because you cannot understand it as yet.

Page 5: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

2. The Light of Buddhism

First religion which drew people together from a vast spectrum of races, customs, languages and civilization.

What Buddhism Is Not

Its motive is to help mankind forward to its final goal.

Page 6: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

2. The Light of Buddhism

H.G. Wells:

Buddhism has done more for the advance of world civilization and true culture than any other influences on the chronicles of mankind.

Albert Einstein:

If there is a religion that would cope with modern scientific needs, it would be Buddhism.

Prof. Karl Jung:

As a student of comparative religions, I believe that Buddhism is the most perfect one the world has ever seen.

What Buddhism Is Not

Page 7: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

Buddhism:

What Buddhism Is Not

Has no hidden doctrines

Is non-aggressive

Is not blind faith

Is not idol-worshipping or meaningless rituals

Is not reciting prayers

Is not dogmatic and superstitious

Is not pessimistic

Page 8: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

What Buddhism Is Not

No hidden doctrines

No hidden doctrines that are taught to a selected group of disciples.

Buddhist scriptures have no hidden meanings, and can be studied and unambigously understood by all.

Page 9: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

What Buddhism Is NotNon-aggressive

No blood shed in the name of the Buddha.

No forced conversions.

Buddhism spreads because of its intrinsic merit and unsurpassed beauty of its teachings.

No aggression and the conquest of others, even if it is for spreading the religion.

Page 10: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

What Buddhism Is Not

No demand of blind faith from its followers.

Mere belief is dethroned and is replaced by confidence based on knowledge.

A Buddhist does not believe that he can gain purity by mere faith in the Buddha.

Knowledge and understanding, not blind faith are needed to walk the path.

Blind faith

Page 11: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

What Buddhism Is Not

Buddhists are not idol-worshippers. Budddhists pays homage to what the image represents.

The Buddha image symbolises the wisdom, loving-kindness and compassion of the great teacher.

They try to live according to their Teacher’s high standards of wisdom, loving-kindness and compassion.

Not idol-worshipping

Page 12: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

What Buddhism Is Not

Devotional practices such as offerings of lighted candles, lamps, flowers and incense serve to remind devotees about loving-kindness, compassion, purity and the impermanency of human life and all worldly objects.

Not idol-worshipping

Page 13: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

What Buddhism Is Not

Enjoyment of worldly pleasures, happiness and material goods are not discouraged.

He only encouraged Buddhist to do everything in moderation and not to crave for more and more.

The Buddha preached the Four Noble Truths. The first two Noble Truths present the philosophy of worldly sufferings and their causes, the Third Noble Truth declares that suffering can be brought to an end and the Fourth Noble Truths prescribed the path to end the sufferings.

Not pessimistic

Page 14: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

What Buddhism Is Not

A Buddhist does not pray to the Buddha to beg for favours or salvation over others who do not.

The Buddha clearly stated that neither the mere recital of religious books, nor self-torture nor repetition of prayers, hymns can bring salvation.

Not reciting prayers

Page 15: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

What Buddhism Is Not

The Buddha spoke out against the ignorance and superstition.

Buddhism does not claim the monopoly of truth nor does it condemn any other religions.

The Buddha said that if you can find truth in any religion, accept the truth.

The Buddha discouraged meaningless ceremonies and rituals because they are a waste of time and money.

Not dogmatic and superstitious

Page 16: Buddhism for you lesson 02-what buddhism is not

The gift of Dhamma excels all gifts the taste of Dhamma excels all taste, the delight in dhamma excels all delights, The Craving-Freed vanquishes all suffering.

- Dhammapada verse 354

End of Lesson 2