Buddhist Spirituality

James A. Van Slyke

Buddhism4th Largest Religion in the World350 million practice the religionRegional forms of BuddhismTheravada

Thailand; Burma; CambodiaMahayana (East Asian)

China, Japan, Korea, VietnamTibetan

Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal

History of Buddhism

Founder of Buddhism

• (560-480 BC)• Grew up as a prince with a life of

privilege• Later saw that life was really about

suffering and pain• Left his family and possessions to

search for enlightenment• Looked to philosophy and an

ascetic lifestyle

Siddhartha Gautama

History of BuddhismExperience of Enlightenment (Buddha)

• Realized that ascetic lifestyle was not the answer

• Sought enlightenment through mediation

• Desire or Craving (Tanha) leads to suffering– Must release our attachment to

desire– Must follow the middle way between

extreme indulgence and extreme asceticism

Siddhartha Gautama

History of Buddhism• Began in India during the 6th

century BCE• Outgrowth of the Hindu religion• Some forms of Buddhism are non-

theistic; other elements still include spiritual beings

• Foundation of Buddhism; Three Jewels– Buddha– Dharma (Teachings)– Sangha (Community)

Dharma: The Four Noble Truths

• Truth #1 Life is Difficult– Our lives are flawed and imperfect– Not pessimistic, but honest; realistic view of life

• Truth #2 Cravings make life difficult– Our cravings can never be fully satisfied– Control cravings rather than let cravings control

you

Dharma: The Four Noble Truths

• Truth #3 Detachment from Craving (Nirvana)– Inner Peace; internal freedom– Transformation of Desire

• Truth #4 Eight-fold Path to Enlightenment– How to purify one’s heart and mind– Following the Dharma day by day

Eight-Fold Path: Wisdom Training

•Right View•Challenging our distortions of reality•Every moment is a chance for transformation

•Right Intentions•Purify thoughts and attitudes•Develop compassion towards others

Eight-fold path: Ethics Training• Right Speech– Speak gently and clearly– Words have power; use them wisely

• Right Action– Karma – what we do to others comes back to us– Compassion to others brings compassion to us

• Right Livelihood– Avoid vocations that harm others– Our work should be an extension of our dharma

Eight-fold path: Meditation Training

• Right Effort– Sincere Spiritual Effort– Directing our energies toward enlightenment

• Right Mindfulness– Conscious presence in the here and now– Cultivating awareness to action and thought

• Right Concentration– Unification of spiritual intentionality– Integrating spiritual disciplines and focusing

attention