Buddhism

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• Buddhism
• Unit Five

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Introduction

• Buddhism has become very popular in the west as
  people try to find themselves and search for
  the meaning of life.
• It emphasizes things to do rather than things to
  believe, and does not recommend that anyone
  accept its teachings without experimentation.
• A central idea of its teachings is that everyone
  has the right to find truth for his or herself,
  even if its outside of Buddhism.

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• This tolerance and general calmness and serenity
  of Buddhism may explain why many in the west are
  turning to it for answers.
• The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to end suffering
  and thereby attain absolute peace and joy.
• In the west we try to achieve happiness by
  acquiring material possessions, but we see
  unhappiness and suffering everywhere.
• Buddhism offers another way to end suffering.

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At the end of this unit you should be able to

• Explain the origins of Buddhism and significant
  events in its history.
• Identify key figures in the development of
  Buddhism.
• Evaluate key concepts like nirvana and
  enlightenment.
• Identify key passages from the Tripitaka.
• Examine the importance of sacred writings in
  Buddhism.
• Show the origin and significance of Buddhist
  practices, rituals, symbols and festivals.
• Review the impact of Buddhism on various
  cultures.
• Analyze the role of women in Buddhism.
• Understand the difference between Buddhism and
  Hinduism.
• Buddhism in Canadian society.

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The Origins Of Buddhism

• Founded approximately 2500 years ago in India.
• The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was born into the
  Kshatriya caste, in the kingdom of Shakya, around
  563BCE. His father was King Shuddhodana.
• The kingdom was located in the foothills of the
  Himalayas, in present day Nepal.
• The story of the Buddhas early life varies from
  one Buddha tradition to another and was not
  recorded until hundreds of years after his death.

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Buddhas Early Life

• The Buddhas birth was a miracle. His mother,
  queen Maya, conceived when Siddhartha descended
  from heaven and entered his mothers womb in the
  form of a baby white elephant, a symbol of
  purity.
• She carried him for 10 months and could see the
  baby in her womb.
• She gave birth from her side while standing and
  holding on to a tree. ( some believe the tree
  helped with the delivery) His mother died a week
  later and he was raised by his aunt.
• After he was born he immediately took seven steps
  and said, This is my last birth. This meant he
  would be a great ruler or religious teacher. His
  father wanted him to be a great ruler and
  discouraged the suggestion that he would become a
  religious leader. So he spoiled his son, making
  his life as pleasant as possible.
• At age 16, Siddhartha married Princess Yasodhara,
  and they had a son, Rahula.

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The Four Sights

• Siddhartha craved spiritual satisfaction. His
  father feared that he would leave home for a
  religious life and had the streets filled with
  healthy people so Siddhartha would not see any
  unpleasantness.
• When he was 29, Siddhartha visited the city
  four times and experienced what Buddhists refer
  to as the four sights. He saw an old man leaning
  on his staff, a sick man lying by the roadside, a
  corpse being prepared for cremation and a Hindu
  monk with his shaven head and tattered robe,
  holding a bowl.
• These sights inspired Siddhartha to find a
  spiritual solution to the problems of human life.
  He then decided to leave the palace and his
  privileged life, to become a homeless beggar.
• He became a wandering seeker of spiritual
  knowledge and after trying meditation and self
  denial, soon discovered that the best course was
  the Middle way, that the best lifestyle was one
  of moderation.

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Enlightenment

• While meditating, Siddhartha saw all of his
  previous lives in detail. He realized that good
  deeds brought a better life after rebirth, while
  bad deeds brought unpleasantness.
• In this moment he achieved nirvana, a state of
  supreme realization that is also described as
  truth, tranquility and peace, and enlightenment,
  an understanding of the truth of life and the
  freedom from ignorance.
• By attaining these things he experienced the end
  of suffering and the endless cycle of rebirth. He
  had attained perfect wisdom and absolute truth.
• Siddhartha stayed in this state for seven days,
  then decided to make public his teachings and
  ideas, the dharma, to the world.

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The Mahabodhi Temple

• This temple commemorates the enlightenment of
  Siddhartha Gautama and is one of Buddhisms most
  sacred sites.
• It was built at the site of the Bodhi tree under
  which Buddha attained enlightenment and therefore
  is considered the birthplace of the religion.
• Today the temple is an active pilgrimage sight
  and learning center.

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The First Sermon

• Siddhartha became Buddha, which means the
  enlightened one, or one who has awakened.
• In Sarnath, India, he preached his first sermon,
  an event known as, setting in motion the wheel
  of the dharma. Five Hindu ascetics accepted his
  insights and became Buddhist monks, the start of
  the Buddhist community.
• After five years an order of monks called the
  sangha was established.
• For the next 45 years Buddha traveled all over
  India preaching his philosophy.
• Buddha died in 486BCE and upon his death reached
  parinirvana, or complete nirvana, releasing him
  from the cycle of rebirth.

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Buddhist Beliefs

• The ultimate goal of Buddhism is the end of human
  suffering.
• When studying Buddhism ask yourself these
  questions..How happy am I? What are the most
  important goals in my life? What makes us suffer?
  How do humans deal with suffering?
• You are responsible for your own salvation!
• All Buddhist teachings show the way to end
  samsara, the endless cycle of rebirth.
• Achieving nirvana is therefore a Buddhists
  salvation.
• Women and men are considered equal as we all have
  had past lives as males and females.

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• Buddha identified three characteristics of
  existence
• Anicca or impermanence, which represents the
  world as in total flux, where nothing stays the
  same for long.
• Dukkha or dissatisfaction, where all humans and
  animals experience suffering.
• Anatta or no-self, which is connected to the idea
  that we cannot point to any one thing in
  ourselves and call it self. We are the sum of all
  our parts, which together make us a person.

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• Buddhists follow the five precepts for lay people
  to follow to avoid suffering
• Abstain from killing or harming living beings.
• Abstain from stealing.
• Abstain from improper sexual conduct.
• Abstain from false speech, eg., telling lies.
• Abstain from alcohol or drugs.
• For Buddhist monks there are an additional five
  precepts abstain from eating after noon, abstain
  from looking at dancing, singing or drama,
  abstain from the use of perfumes or things that
  beautify or adorn, abstain from using comfortable
  beds and abstain from accepting gold and silver.
  In some monasteries there could be as many as 200
  precepts to follow.

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• Buddha observed that no one could escape death
  and unhappiness. As Buddha looked at the cause of
  unhappiness, the result was The Four Noble
  truths.
• The Noble Truth Of Suffering to live is to
  suffer.
• The Noble Truth Of The Origin Of Suffering the
  cause of suffering is negative desire.
• The Noble truth Of The Extinction Of Suffering
  the goal of Buddhism is to end suffering.

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• 4. The Noble truth Of The Path Leading To The
  Extinction Of Suffering adopt the middle way
  and follow the Noble Eightfold Path.
• Adopting this path is to live the Buddhist way of
  life, a life of self-improvement.
• When giving his first sermon Buddha put in motion
  the wheel of the dharma, the eight-spoke wheel
  that represents the eight steps of the path. The
  center is nirvana, the only fixed point.

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• The Eight Steps Of the Noble Path Include
• Right view know the four noble truths.
• Right thought free the mind from sensuous
  desire, ill-will and cruelty.
• Right speech dont lie, curse, criticize or
  gossip.
• Right conduct or right action, be aware that
  you are judged on your behavior.
• Right livelihood earn without harming living
  things. Dont be a butcher, money lender or trade
  in weapons, liquor or poison.

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• 6. Right effort conquer all evil thoughts and
  strive to have good thoughts. Do your best at all
  times and have goodwill towards others.
• 7. Right Mindfulness full attention must be
  paid to proper thoughts, words and deeds.
• 8. Right concentration focus on one thought or
  object at a time. Deep meditation will lead to
  enlightenment.

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The Three Refuges (The Triple Jewel)

• A refuge is a place of safety from danger. In
  order to make it easier to follow his teachings
  and take refuge from a difficult existence, the
  Buddha established the Three Refuges. They
  include
• The Buddha the guide
• The Dharma the path
• The Sangha companions and teachers.
• For a Buddhist, taking refuge is the first step
  to enlightenment.

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The Six Perfections

• A Bodhisattva is a person who has attained
  nirvana but chooses to be reborn within samsara
  in order to help others on their path to
  enlightenment.
• They practice the six perfections giving,
  morality, patience, vigor, meditation and wisdom.
• Wisdom is most important because it indicates
  full awareness.

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Practices, Rituals, Symbols and Festivals

• Puja, the honoring of holy beings.
• Bowing to show respect. You bow three times to
  images of Buddha, one for each refuge.
• Offerings, such as flowers, are common. Flowers
  wilt and fade showing the notion of impermanence.
• Burning incense to symbolize the Buddhas odor of
  sanctity.
• Light a candle to symbolize Buddhas
  enlightenment.

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Meditation

• Meditation leads to wisdom, which in turn leads
  to the end of suffering.
• Its purpose is to improve concentration, calm the
  mind, and clear yourself of bad thoughts caused
  by greed, hatred and ignorance.
• It can also improve confidence, as well as
  general mental and physical health.
• To properly meditate one should be in the lotus
  position, back straight, tongue touching back of
  your upper front teeth and eyes downcast with
  lids partially closed.
• The meditator concentrates on breathing and the
  movement of the diaphragm. They meditate on a
  object or idea, identified in Buddhist manuals.

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Good Karma

• Karma is much the same as it is for Hindus.
• Giving alms or donations to the sangha gives good
  karma. A ceremony called a Dana, is an occasion
  where lay people can donate food, robes,
  medicines, etc. It often takes place outside a
  temple but can also occur in private homes. Here
  the monks arrive about 10 am., have their feet
  washed (ancient symbol of hospitality) and the
  monks then chant Buddhist teachings which help
  purify the mind.
• All who are present gain merit!

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The Life Of A Monk

• Awake at 3am. to the sound of a bell-shaped
  instrument called a moktak.
• Wash, put away bedding and go to the main hall
  for chanting.
• After chanting, meditating monks go to the
  meditation hall, students go to the study hall
  and working monks go to their place of work.
• At 1030 am. more chanting and the offering of
  rice, to mark the Buddhas habit of only eating
  once a day.
• At noon they eat lunch and chant to remind
  themselves that food is for sustaining the body
  and not for greed. After lunch Monks return to
  their activities. At 6pm. a bell announces more
  chanting, which is followed by quiet study or
  meditation. The day ends at 10pm.

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Symbols

• Buddha images are respected but not worshipped.
  He is either standing, sitting in the lotus
  position or reclining. He is often dressed as a
  monk with his left shoulder covered and his right
  bare. Elongated earlobes are a regular feature.
  They do not always show Buddha as being fat!!

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• Mudras are hand gestures that symbolize different
  states of mind. The idea is that we can often
  tell someones state of mind by looking at their
  stance or gestures.

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• Stupas are domed shaped mounds that were built to
  house the relics of the Buddha or other holy
  figures. You walk around them three times to show
  your devotion.

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• The Lotus flower refers to the Buddhas vision of
  the human race as a bed of lotus flowers. Some
  were bogged in mud, some were emerging from it
  and others were about to bloom, as humans have
  the potential to rise from a undesirable life.

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• Buddhapada are representations of Buddhas
  footprints. They are usually carved in stone and
  feature 32, 108 or 132 signs of the Buddha.

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Festivals

• Buddha Day full-moon day of May, celebrates the
  birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
• Dhamma Day full-moon day of July, commemorates
  the first sermon.
• Sanhga Day full-moon day of March, celebrates
  the proclamation of the basic teachings of
  Buddhism and a sermon called the Basis for
  success
• Songkran Thai festival celebrated in mid-April,
  symbolizes the observance of the First precept.
• Festival of Floating Bowls Thai festival held
  on the full-moon night of the 12th lunar month.
  They place bowls in the river and as they float
  away so does your bad luck.

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Becoming A Monk

• Stage One when a boy is seven or eight years
  old he enters a monastery as a novice. He
  undertakes the ten precepts and usually acts as
  an assistant to a senior monk. The senior monk is
  responsible for teaching the boy Buddhist
  rituals, philosophy and scripture.
• Stage Two ordination, occurs when the young man
  has reached the age of 20 and is able to read,
  write and chant a few simple texts. He must shave
  his head, take a religious name and wear the
  traditional robes.

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Weddings and Funerals

• When a couple gets married they go to a monastery
  and feed the monks in order to receive a
  blessing. The monks never attend the wedding
  itself.
• If not enough wood is available for cremation, a
  burial is permitted. Usually involves a
  procession, prayers, water-pouring rituals,
  cremation and a shared meal. Similar services are
  held after three months and after a year.

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Sacred Writings

• The main written source of Buddhas wisdom is the
  Tripitaka or three baskets. Its called this
  because the palm leaf manuscripts were kept in
  three different baskets.
• Called the Vinaya-Pitaka, the Sutta-Pitaka and
  the Abhidhamma-Pitaka, they are considered the
  most accurate record of Buddhas teachings.
• Vinaya-Pitaka basket of discipline, consists of
  five books that address the rules of monastic
  life and codes of conduct.

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• Sutta-Pitaka basket of discourses, incorporates
  the teachings of Buddha. Considered the most
  important by Buddhists.
• Abhidhamma-Pitaka basket of further teachings,
  discusses the nature of consciousness and
  technical explanations of the Sutta-Pitaka.

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Three Forms of Buddhism

• 1. Mahayana School aka northern school, found
  in China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan. Considered
  the new school, less conservative.
• 2. Theravada School aka southern school, found
  in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
  Considered the old school, more conservative.
• 3. Vajrayana School aka esoteric school, found
  in Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal. More emphasis on
  rituals, mantras and visualization. Combined with
  Tibetan BON

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Buddhism In Canada

• There are many Buddhist sanghas, temples and
  centers in Canada.
• Some universities have student Buddhist
  organizations.
• Many schools offer courses in Eastern Studies and
  there has been a growth in courses on Buddhism.
• The Chandrakirti Buddhist Center in Toronto
  offers instruction in Buddhist philosophy and is
  a place for meditation and prayer.