Introduction to Buddhism

• (II)

• Dr. Robert C L Law• Buddhist Lodge of Laity

• January, 2008.

The Four Noble Truths 四聖諦 • First sermon he gave after enlightenment.• Includes the most important teachings of the

Buddha accepted by all schools of Buddhism• Suffering 苦

• Cause of Suffering 集• Cessation of Suffering 滅• Path to Liberation 道

The First Noble Truth 苦諦• The basic premise of Buddhism---life is

suffering, dukkha

• “ I teach dukkha and the cessation of dukkha”

• What is the meaning of dukkha ?

The First Noble Truth 苦諦• Dukkha– suffering, unsatisfactory , dislocated

( du-difficult , kha- to endure)

• Types of dukkha associated with • life, sickness and death • failure to achieve and possess • being chained to an unpleasant situation• separation from love ones.• the inherent unsatisfactory nature of life -- all • good things must and will come to an end, • resulting in a sense of perpetual insecurity

Dukkha misunderstood • Not everything in life is suffering.• No dukkha in one’s life ? we tend to ignore

dukkha , not to think about it--- the story of LT• A Middle Path--- neither totally pessimistic nor

totally optimistic• Thich Nhat Hanh -----do not try to prove that life

is full of suffering but rather try to look at the good things in life while recognizing and accepting their impermanent nature)

The Second Noble Truth 集諦 • Tanha --- “thirst” “craving” “attachment”• Examples : attachment to sensual pleasures• attachment to view of eternalism • attachment to view of nihilism• It refers to craving for private fulfillment ,

never ending desire : better cars , better houses etc.

• If we have a proper view of life, we are free

Third Noble Truth 滅諦• “From craving springs grief, from craving springs

fear. For him who is wholly free from craving, there is no grief, whence fear?” ( Dhammapada, 法句經 )

• There is hope . If the cause of suffering in life is tanha ( craving) , if we eliminate it , suffering will disappear .

• But how ? First you must realize it and then……..

The Fourth Noble Truth 道諦• The way to put a stop to suffering is to

follow the Eightfold Path ( 八正道 )

• This can be divided into three sections :

• Morality 戒 , Sila

• Concentration 定 , Samadhi

• Wisdom 慧 , Panna

Morality 戒 Sila• Right Speech 正語 -- no falsehood,

slandering, harsh words, frivolous talks• Right Action (Conduct) 正業 正行– no

killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct, drinking intoxicants ( Five Precepts) -- volition counts

• Right Livelihood 正命 --- no poison peddling, slave trading, prostitution, butchering etc. Any job that requires “wrong” conduct.

Concentration 定 Samadhi• Right Effort (Diligence) 正精進 ( 方便 )–

develop the proper will and determination to follow the way in an appropriate manner—prevent/discard evil , develop/promote good.

• Right Mindfulness 正念 --- proper awareness of the nature of the self and the world --- body, sensations, mind and the world( phenomena)

• Right Concentration 正定– develop “one-pointedness” of the mind in a state of bliss.

Wisdom 慧 , Panna

• Right Understanding 正見 --- a proper understanding of the Four Noble Truths, and the true nature of things ( impermanence and no-self)

• Right Thoughts 正思惟– No lustful desires , benevolent thoughts instead of ill will, harmlessness instead of cruelty.

Nature of the Eightfold Path

Not sequential , but morality, concentration and wisdom are interdependent.

A moral life promotes peace of mind making meditation easier.

Mindfulness allows one to see the true nature of things to develop Wisdom.

Wisdom required to judge what is the proper conduct, etc.

Importance of The Eightfold Path

• Stress on morality and volition.

• Stress on actual practice in everyday life.

• A blue-print for Buddhists ( monks or laymen) as to how to live their lives to attain enlightenment.

• But what is enlightenment ?

What is enlightenment ?• Southern Transmission---Nirvana ( Nibbana) 涅盤• Explained as the extinction of lust, hatred and • delusion. ( 貪 , 瞋 , 癡 )• Not some kind of heaven• Not death • An indescribable state of mind that can only be • experienced ( like drinking a glass of water)• Can be attained in this life --- “In this very one fathom-

long body ,along with its perceptions and thoughts, do I proclaim the world( re:suffering), the cessation of the world, and the path leading to the cessation of the world”.

Questions about Nirvana(Nibbana)

• Where is Nirvana ? ---- the simile of the whereabouts of fire

• Is Nirvana nothingness as it cannot be perceived by the 5 senses ?---- parable of the fish and turtle .

• “ If any teach Nirvana is to cease , • Say unto such they lie• If any teach Nirvana is to live, • Say unto such they err “

What is Enlightenment ( Cont’d)?

• In Mahayana ( including Tantric Buddhism) ----- attainment of Buddhahood .

• But what is Buddhahood ?

• Reside in heaven permanently ?

• A State of mind ?

• Different levels of understanding --- Skilful Means

What about Pureland 淨土 ?• The most popular sect in Asia

• Enlightenment in this life is too difficult, we need to rely on “other power”

• There is an easier way :

• Reciting the name of Amitabha ( 阿彌陀佛 )

• ---- he will come to collect you to pureland for further practice towards Buddhahood

Pureland ( cont’d)

In the Infinite Life Sutra 無量壽經 , 48 vows ----No. 18 –With 10 recitation of the name of Amitabha ( Namo Amitabha ), one is certain to be reborn in Pureland.

• First introduced to China in 3rd Century during

• the warring years prior to Tang Dynasty.• • A real place ? A state of mind ?• -------neither or both ?

What is Enlightenment ( Cont’d)?

• In Mahayana ( including Tantric Buddhism) ----- attainment of Buddhahood .

• But what is Buddhahood ?

• Reside in heaven permanently ?

• A State of mind ?

• Different levels of understanding --- Skilful Means

The Six Paramitas 六度• In stead of Morality, Meditation and

Wisdom, Mahayana teaching of “perfection” allows one to “cross over to the other shore” :

• Generosity 布施• Precepts 持戒• Endurance 忍辱• Diligence 精進• Meditation 禪定• Wisdom 般若 ( 智慧 )

Generosity 布施• A very important aspect in everyday practice in Mahayana

Buddhism

• Probably easiest thing to do , but is it ?

• “Giving forgiveness” to your enemy or people that you do not like

• Give what ? Money , kindness

• Greatest gift of all ---- dharma ( teaching)

• Giving results in a happy state of mind ?

• “ If you know that you are giving , then you are not giving “ ----- Diamond Sutra

Precepts ( 持戒 )

• Five Precepts

• One should not do any evil thing, but do all good things 諸惡莫作 , 諸善奉行

Endurance 忍辱• Endurance of pain ,

• Able to remain “ unmoved” by sensual pleasures

• Able to receive, embrace, and transform

everything

Diligence

• Maintaining a positive attitude

• Continuous effort

• Watering the positive “seeds” in us while keeping a watch on the negative “seeds”.

Meditation

• Samatha ( Shamatha) – concentration to calm our body and emotion

• Vipassana( Vipashyana) --- looking deeply into oneself and into the true nature of things.

• Meditation in everyday life – respond rather than react

Wisdom

• A perfect understanding of the true nature of things :

• Dependent Origination

• No-self

• ( more about these later)

Relationship of the Paramitas• Not Sequential

• Not Independent

• Interrelated . Generosity 布施• Precepts 持戒• Endurance 忍辱• Diligence 精進• Meditation 禪定• Wisdom 般若 ( 智慧 )

• Should we take a break here ?