ORIGIN AND BASIC TEACHINGS OF BUDDHISM

Buddhism in the World Today• 1 Billion Under influence of Buddhism (365 million self-proclaimed Buddhists)• Thailand & Japan 90+% Buddhist• 3 Major Schools – Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana (Tibetan)• Some basic teachings true for all Buddhists• Majority of Buddhists practice Buddhism together with various local beliefs• Buddhism’s ability to adapt to indigenous traditions is a key reason for its dominance in Asia.

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Spread of Early Buddhism in India Spread of Theravada & Mahayana Schools

Origin of Buddhism• Founder – Siddharta Gautama• Born 6th century BC (Buddhist calendar counts from 543 BC traditional birthdate)• Born in Lumpini, Nepal into a royal Hindu family• Mother dreamed of white elephant with lotus = child will be great warrior or religious leader• Parents protected Siddharta in palace so not become religious leader• Married cousin as teenager

The Four SightsSiddharta left palace for first time and went on an excursion with his chariot driver.The sheltered prince was greatly disturbed by four things that he saw:

1. An old man – old age is destroyer of beauty, vigor2. A sick man3. A dead man4. A forest dweller (ascetic in meditation)

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1st Great RenunciationSiddharta shocked by the four sights and leaves his wife, children, family, home to seek for the answer. Wheel of Samsara (circle of life & reincarnation) is disturbing to him and he is not satisfied that it is not possible to break free from the wheel of Samsara.

2nd Great RenunciationSiddharta goes to study with ascetics, focusing on fasting, meditation, self-denial but not find his answer. Extreme asceticism does not lead to enlightenment & peace

The Middle WayRejection of both great wealth and extreme asceticism lead Siddharta to adopt a Middle Way.Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.

Buddhism and HinduismBuddhism was protest movement that came out of Hinduism.Many similar beliefs (karma, reincarnation) but also key differences.

Hinduism BuddhismBrahman – Ultimate Reality No Ultimate Reality – No Deities or SpiritsAtman – existence of the self Anatman – no selfCaste System No Castes – Spiritual Upward MobilityNo Escape from cycle of Reincarnation Nirvana – escape from reincarnation cycle

Basic Buddhist Beliefs• The Buddha proclaimed that he had gained the self knowledge necessary to break free from his

karma and the endless cycles of rebirth. • He said that he cannot save others, but can point the way for followers to save themselves. • Explained man’s condition with the Four Noble Truths• Eight-Fold Path is the application of the Fourth Noble Truth - the way to nirvana.

The Four Noble Truths - the condition, cause and cure of universal suffering:1. All is suffering. 2. The cause of suffering is desire. 3. Cessation of Desire is the key to extinguishing the ego and putting out the flame of desire.4. There is a path which leads to the cessation of suffering (the Eight-fold Path).

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The Eight-Fold PathAccording to the Buddha, the only way to escape the suffering caused by our desire is through our self-effort until we are “Enlightened”. We have to “earn” our freedom by following the eight-fold path (the “Way”) to eliminate our desires, and thus our sufferings.

The “Way” can be seen as: • Wisdom: Understanding the problem • Ethical Conduct: Morality• Mental Discipline: Rigorous Effort

Wisdom: Understanding the problem1. Right knowledge or understanding2. Right attitude, purpose and thought

Ethical Conduct: Morality3. Right speech4. Right conduct5. Right way of living, occupation

Mental Discipline: Rigorous Effort6. Right effort7. Right awareness8. Right composure/meditation.

Denial of Reality of the Material World & the Self• Buddhism teaches that the only ultimate reality is karma, the law of cause and effect. • The world does not really exist, you do not exist, no gods or spirit exists.• Everything is impermanent and transitory.

Karma - the law of cause and effect. • If you do something bad, you will receive something bad in return.• If you do something good, you will receive something good in return.• Karma is NOT a system of merits and demerits that cancel each other out.• All bad karma that is sown must eventually be paid for – there is no forgiveness.• The result is fatalism.

Nirvana• Nirvana is the ultimate goal of the Buddhist (in theory)• Nirvana is the end of suffering and the lack of existence (NOT Buddhist heaven)• Nirvana is achieved through enlightenment – the realization that nothing exists, including

yourself, therefore there is nothing to be desired. • The enlightened man no longer desires anything and therefore no longer suffers

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Buddhism Compared with Christianity

Buddhism ChristianityNo Ultimate Reality – No Gods One Eternal Self-Existent Creator GodNo Self – People do not really exist Immortal SoulKarma – no escape from punishment for sin Mercy – God forgives sinTheravada: no saviorMahayana: perhaps bodhisattva can save but their existence is uncertain

Historical Incarnation of Jesus the Messiah who saves people from their sin

Attain Nirvana through self-effort, good works Attain salvation by grace through faithUltimate Hope: Nirvana – non-existence, death Ultimate Hope: dwell with God forever, life

Misery only does not exist, but none miserableNo doer is there, nothing but the deeds are foundNirvana is, but not the man who seeks itThe 8-fold path exists, but not the traveler on it

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The Buddha said, “I am not the way, but only one who points the way”

Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)