The Human Condition

1
The Human Condition

• Samsara /
• Dependent Origination

2
Samsara

• Buddhists have taken on the Hindu law of samsara,
  and changed it slightly
• It still means the cycle of life, death, and
  rebirth
• However, in the Hindu system rebirth is
  reincarnation. Your soul (atman) is reborn.
• In Buddhism, there is no reincarnation as there
  is no soul to be reborn.
• Rebirth in Buddhism is more like a transfer of
  energy, sometimes energy that carries with it a
  memory (see Tibetan Buddhist idea of Tulkus /
  Dalai Lama etc)

3
Introduction to kamma

• The energy that is passed on in Buddhist rebirth
  is kammic energy.
• Kamma is the NATURAL law of cause and effect.
  You accumulate positive or negative effects
  throughout your life, and this affects your
  rebirth
• Your kammic energy at the end of your life
  ignites the next one.
• This is like transfer of momentum in pool balls.
  One ball moves another, but nothing of the first
  ball is attached to the second.

4
Dependent Origination

• According to Buddhism, everything that exists
  does so because of what has gone before (cause
  and effect)
• Everything depends on other thing for their
  existence
• Dependent Origination was a way for the Buddha to
  teach his followers that they are agents of
  their own fortune just because you are here
  because of what has gone before does NOT mean you
  are not in control.
• You are here because of previous events and
  choices, but you always have the power to choose
  the next step. You are always in control of
  where you are going!

5
Wheel of Life

• Symbolic representation of dependent origination
  (what life is really like)
• Three Poisons in centre
• 6 realms of rebirth are the slices
• 12 nidanas / stages of life are the sections
  round the edge
• The Buddha pointing to the moon represents the
  possibility of freedom / Nibbana
• Yama is the Lord of Death in control of samsara.

6
Quick Tasks

• Briefly explain samsara
• Briefly explain the law of kamma.
• What does the Buddha use to explain how you are
  in control of your life?