Buddhism

Take Home Messages…

•Main beliefs of the religion (Four Noble Truths)•Major symbols of the religion• Important rituals of the religion•Where the religion is practiced•Continuity and Change of the religion

Buddha.“As a child, Siddhartha the Buddha, was troubled by some of the same thoughts that children today have. They wonder about birth and death. They wonder why they get sick and why grandfather died. They wonder why their wishes do not come true. Children also wonder about happiness and the beauty in nature.Because the Buddha knew what was in the hearts of children and human kind, he taught everyone how to live a happy and peaceful life. Buddhism is not learning about strange beliefs from faraway lands. It is about looking at and thinking about our own lives. It shows us how to understand ourselves and how to cope with our daily problems.”

http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm

Main Beliefs…

Nirvana The Four Noble Truths • There is suffering. Nothing is permanent. Everything changes,

including the self.• Suffering is caused by desire.• Suffering can be eliminated when desire and selfishness are

eliminated.• The Eightfold Path can eliminate desire and selfishness.

Main Beliefs…Nirvana The Eightfold PathThe greatest…1. … achievement is selflessness.2. … worth is self-mastery.3. … quality is seeking to serve others.4. … precept is continual awareness.5. … medicine is the emptiness of everything.6. … action is not conforming with the worlds ways.7. … magic is transmuting the passions.8. … generosity is non-attachment.9. … goodness is a peaceful mind.10. … patience is humility.11. … effort is not concerned with results.12. … meditation is a mind that lets go.13. … wisdom is seeing through appearances.• Atisha (11th century Tibetan Buddhist master)

Symbols…

Symbols…Symbol Explanation

Dharma Wheel • The Buddha is known as the wheel-turner• Represents each of the 8-Fold Path• Buddha, Dharma, Sangha• Discipline (hub), Wisdom (spokes), Concentration

(rim)Dalai Lama • Spiritual head of religion

• Formerly political head of exiled Tibbetan government

• ReincarnationLotus Flower • Lalitavistara: "the spirit of the best of men is

spotless, like the lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere to it.”

Rituals…• Monasticism • Pilgrimage • Veneration of Buddhas and

Deities • Meditation• Mantras• Mudras• Prayer Wheels

Geography…

Geography…

Geography…

Continuity and Change…

Gandhi…1. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.2. What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?3. The only tyrant I accept in this world is the still voice within.4. It may be long before the law of love will be recognized in international affairs. The machineries of government stand between and hide the hearts of one people from those of another.5. As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious. There is no such thing as religion over-riding morality. Man, for instance, cannot be untruthful, cruel or incontinent and claim to have God on his side.6. There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.7. We must be the change we wish to see.8. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.9. The moment there is suspicion about a person's motives, everything he does becomes tainted.10. Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering and is transmuted into an ineffable joy.