the gradual path of buddhism

The Gradual Path of Buddhism

We all travel at different paces, and we are all at different

stages of progress, at different parts of our lives.

There is NO ‘one-size fits all’ philosophy in Buddhism!

Buddhism is a gradual path of progress that recognizes

people are all different.

One of the great teachings of the Buddha - The Mangala Sutta -

guides us along this gradual path.

Buddhism is a gradual path of progress that recognizes

people are all different.

One of the great teachings of the Buddha - The Mangala Sutta -

guides us along this gradual path.

Get yourself on the right pathCultivate good friendships

Avoid wrongful occupations Follow a code of discipline

Develop the 10 Meritorious Deeds Help others

Take RefugeBe in touch with the Dhamma

Seriously practice the 8 Fold PathBreak the 10 Fetters

The Gradual Path

Get yourself on the right path Cultivate good friendships

Follow a code of disciplineAvoid wrongful occupations

Help othersDevelop the 10 Meritorious Deeds

Taking RefugeBe in touch with the Dhamma

Seriously practice the 8 Fold PathBreaking the 10 Fetters

The Gradual Path

Cultivate good friendshipsMangala Sutta :1st Blessing – Associate not with the foolish.2nd Blessing – Associate with the wise.

The Buddha to Ananda :“Not half, but a person's entire life is established on friendship, companionship and association with the good."

Choose your friends wisely!

The Gradual Path

The Five Precepts

1. Abstain from harming and killing

2. Abstain from taking what is not given

3. Abstain from sexual misconduct

4. Abstain from lying and false speech

5. Abstain from abuse of intoxicants and drugs

The Five Precepts

The Gradual Path

Develop the 10 Meritorious DeedsHelp others

The Gradual Path

KammaThroughout our lives, we are

continually creating good and bad kamma through 3 types of actions :

1. Actions of body

2. Actions of speech

3. Actions of mind

1. Actions of body

3. Actions of mind

1. Actions of body

3. Actions of mind

1. Actions of body

3. Actions of mind

The 10 Demeritorious Deeds

1. Killing2. Stealing Bodily actions3. Sexual misconduct4. Lying5. Slandering Verbal actions6. Harsh speech7. Gossip8. Covetousness9. Ill-will Mental actions10. Wrong view

The 10 Meritorious Deeds

1. Compassion2. Stealing Bodily actions3. Sexual misconduct4. Lying5. Slandering Verbal actions6. Harsh speech7. Gossip8. Covetousness9. Ill-will Mental actions10. Wrong view

1. Compassion2. Generosity Bodily actions3. Sexual misconduct4. Lying5. Slandering Verbal actions6. Harsh speech7. Gossip8. Covetousness9. Ill-will Mental actions10. Wrong view

1. Compassion2. Generosity Bodily actions3. Self-control4. Lying5. Slandering Verbal actions6. Harsh speech7. Gossip8. Covetousness9. Ill-will Mental actions10. Wrong view

1. Compassion2. Generosity Bodily actions3. Self-control4. Truthful speech5. Slandering Verbal actions6. Harsh speech7. Gossip8. Covetousness9. Ill-will Mental actions10. Wrong view

1. Compassion2. Generosity Bodily actions3. Self-control4. Truthful speech5. Kind speech Verbal actions6. Harsh speech7. Gossip8. Covetousness9. Ill-will Mental actions10. Wrong view

1. Compassion2. Generosity Bodily actions3. Self-control4. Truthful speech5. Kind speech Verbal actions6. Pleasant speech7. Gossip8. Covetousness9. Ill-will Mental actions10. Wrong view

1. Compassion2. Generosity Bodily actions3. Self-control4. Truthful speech5. Kind speech Verbal actions6. Pleasant speech7. Meaningful speech8. Covetousness9. Ill-will Mental actions10. Wrong view

1. Compassion2. Generosity Bodily actions3. Self-control4. Truthful speech5. Kind speech Verbal actions6. Pleasant speech7. Meaningful speech8. Sympathetic joy9. Ill-will Mental actions10. Wrong view

1. Compassion2. Generosity Bodily actions3. Self-control4. Truthful speech5. Kind speech Verbal actions6. Pleasant speech7. Meaningful speech8. Sympathetic joy9. Loving-kindness Mental actions10. Wrong view

1. Compassion2. Generosity Bodily actions3. Self-control4. Truthful speech5. Kind speech Verbal actions6. Pleasant speech7. Meaningful speech8. Sympathetic joy9. Loving-kindness Mental actions10. Right view

Follow a code of discipline Avoid wrongful occupations

The Gradual Path

The Guardians of the World

Hiri – Moral ShameThe self-respect to avoid wrongdoing out of a feeling of personal honor.Internal reference.

Ottappa – Moral DreadThe fear to avoid wrongdoing due to blame and punishment by others.External orientation.

“If these two bright guardians were not to protect the world, there would be anarchy, confusion and widespread immorality.

But if these two bright guardians do protect the world, there will be peace, harmony, decency and dignity.”

Hiri Ottappa Sutta, AN 2.9

“If these two bright guardians were not to protect the world, there would be anarchy, confusion and widespread immorality.

But if these two bright guardians do protect the world, there will be peace, harmony, decency and dignity.”

Hiri Ottappa Sutta, AN 2.9

The Gradual Path

Taking Refuge

Good to take refuge in the Triple Gem of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Reaffirms our commitment.

Reinforces our kammic link.

Can be done formally or by ourselves.

Taking Refuge

The Gradual Path

Seriously practice the 8 Fold PathStart to break the 10 Fetters

The Gradual Path

The 10 Fetters

Four stages of development :

1. Stream-enterer - Sotapan2. Once-returner - Sakadagami3. Non-returner - Anagami4. Enlightened being - Arahant

The 10 Fetters

1. Wrong view of self2. Sceptical or irrational doubts 3. Belief in rites and rituals4. Greed for sense pleasures 5. Anger and ill-will 6. Desire for heavenly rebirth 7. Desire for higher heavenly rebirth8. Conceit and pride 9. Restlessness and discontent 10. Ignorance and delusion

The 10 FettersStream-enterer – Sotapan

At most seven more lifetimes before attaining full enlightenment.

They have ‘entered the stream’ to Nibbana.

They will be reborn only in the human or a heavenly realm, and never in a lower realm.

They have eradicated the first three fetters.

The 10 Fetters

1. Wrong view of self2. Sceptical or irrational doubts Sotapan3. Belief in rites and rituals4. Greed for sense pleasures 5. Anger and ill-will 6. Desire for heavenly rebirth 7. Desire for higher heavenly rebirth8. Conceit and pride 9. Restlessness and discontent 10. Ignorance and delusion

Linear concept of Existence

Birth Life Death leading to :

End of existence - Nihilism orEternal life- Eternalism

Eternity Eternity

Cyclical concept ofExistence

Birth Birth

The 10 Fetters

The 10 FettersOnce-returner – Sakadagami

Only one more life in the human or a heavenly realm before attaining full enlightenment.

They have eradicated the first three fetters and weakened, but not yet completely eradicated

the next two (4 & 5).

The 10 Fetters

1. Wrong view of self2. Sceptical or irrational doubts 3. Belief in rites and rituals Sotapan4. Greed for sense pleasures Sakadagami5. Anger and ill-will 6. Desire for heavenly rebirth 7. Desire for higher heavenly rebirth8. Conceit and pride 9. Restlessness and discontent 10. Ignorance and delusion

The 10 Fetters

1. Wrong view of self2. Sceptical or irrational doubts 3. Belief in rites and rituals4. Greed for sense pleasures Sakadagami5. Anger and ill-will 6. Desire for heavenly rebirth 7. Desire for higher heavenly rebirth8. Conceit and pride 9. Restlessness and discontent 10. Ignorance and delusion

The 10 Fetters

The 10 FettersNon-returner - Anagami

A final life in a very high and refined heavenly realm and will gain full enlightenment in

that realm.

They have eradicated the first five fetters.

that realm.

The 10 Fetters

1. Wrong view of self2. Sceptical or irrational doubts 3. Belief in rites and rituals4. Greed for sense pleasures 5. Anger and ill-will Anagami6. Desire for heavenly rebirth 7. Desire for higher heavenly rebirth8. Conceit and pride 9. Restlessness and discontent 10. Ignorance and delusion

The 10 Fetters

The 10 FettersEnlightened being - Arahant

Arahants have successfully eradicated all ten fetters and have become fully enlightened.

They have freed themselves from rebirth and attained Nibbana.

The 10 Fetters

1. Wrong view of self2. Sceptical or irrational doubts 3. Belief in rites and rituals4. Greed for sense pleasures 5. Anger and ill-will 6. Desire for heavenly rebirth 7. Desire for higher heavenly rebirth8. Conceit and pride Arahant9. Restlessness and discontent 10. Ignorance and delusion

The 10 Fetters

Stream-enterer1. Wrong view of self

2. Sceptical or irrational doubts Eradicated

3. Belief in rites and rituals

CharacteristicsHaving the company of good spiritual friends.Unshakeable confidence in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the (noble) Sangha. Consistent in keeping the Five Precepts.

The Gradual Path

The Noble Eightfold Path

Right SpeechMorality – The Foundation of Everything

Right ActionRight Livelihood

Right EffortMental Development

Right MindfulnessRight ConcentrationRight Understanding

WisdomRight Thought

The Six Virtues of the Dhamma1. Svakkhato Bhagavata Dhammo –

Discovered and well expounded by the Buddha.

2. Sanditthiko – Can be directly experienced.

3. Akaliko – With immediate results.

4. Ehipassiko – To be approached to be seen.

5. Opanayiko – Capable of being attained.

6. Paccattam Veditabbo Vinnuhi – To be comprehended by the wise, for himself.

The Buddha :

He who sees me, sees the Dhamma;

He who sees the Dhamma, sees me.

Vakkali Sutta SN 22.87

The Buddha :

The Buddha has shown the way.

We just need to walk the Path!

The Buddha has shown the way.

We just need to walk the Path!

Prepared by T Y Lee

www.justbegood.net

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