Buddhist teachings

Buddhist teachings Buddhist teachings play the predominant role in defining the religious life of Buddhism rather than the Buddha Buddhist teachings (Dharma) are difficult to understand They are gained through a –profound meditative experience In order to understand them, one must meditate a lot as well Buddhism does not depend on a revelation from the divine for its truths. Buddhist truths were discovered through the inward reflections of a man The Buddha Everything the Buddha discovered is discoverable in oneself Rather than relying heavenly on faith, Buddhism emphasizes the development of wisdom Making Buddhism the most psychologically oriented religion

The 3 Marks of Existence In Hinduism, the goal is to be liberated from Samsara and become one with Brahman- the ultimate reality. The Buddha discovered something else: change: Everything is changing The Buddha summarizes this changing nature of reality by noting Three Marks of Existence: No self (Anatta) Impermanence (Anicca) Suffering (Dukkha)

No-self (Anatta) Anatta (no-self) Anatta means there is no ultimate reality within, no essence underlying existence Rather than finding Atman, the Buddha found “no-self” The essence of Buddhism is, there is no essence Example: where were you 10 years ago? You simply did not exits 10 yrs. ago You simply do not exist now You, in the future, will not be the “you” you are now

Impermanence (Anicca) Anicca means impermanence It focuses on the idea that existence is constantly changing Life is a constant change Nothing we experience in life ever remains the same We get used to things – our own face, family, friends, house, car, neighborhood- that seem to remain the same but that is an illusion for they are changing daily E.g. a river We may perceive the river as a real and unchanging thing, but actually it is an ongoing flow, a constant sequence of change. The same occurs to the self: it appears to be real and unchanging, but in fact it is an ongoing flow

Suffering (Dukkha) Dukkha means suffering or sorrow but also dissatisfaction It refers to the fact that life can never be fully satisfying because of its inescapable change. It is the natural result of anicca and anatta 3 MARKS OF REALITY ACTIVITY

The 4 noble truths are the creed for Buddhism The four noble truths The 4 noble truths are the creed for Buddhism The 4 noble truths lead to liberation/nirvana During the Third Watch of the night of his enlightenment Gautama perceived the Four Noble Truths: To live is to suffer Suffering is caused by desire Suffering can be brought to cessation The solution to suffering is the Noble Eight-fold path

1st Truth: To live is to suffer (Dukkha) Birth, old age, disease, death To live means to experience anxiety, loss, and even anguish Having a body means that we can be tired and sick Having a mind means that we can be troubled and discouraged The past cannot be relived and the future is uncertain

2nd Truth: Suffering comes from desire (Tanha) The Buddha saw that suffering comes from wanting what we cannot have and from never being satisfied with what we do have Tanha can be translated as desire, thirst, craving Some desires are: food, clothing, friendship, beauty Desire is insatiable

3rd Truth: Suffering has an end this truth goes against Western notions Any kind of attachment will bring suffering Material possession Loved ones The shaven head and special clothing of monks and nuns symbolize their radical detachment from worldly concerns The essence of this truth is this: I cannot change the outside world, but I can change myself and the way I experience the world

4th Truth: the solution to end suffering The solution to end suffering is the 8-fold path: The way to inner peace The 8-fold path is represented in Buddhist art by a wheel with 8 spokes The 8 steps of the path form a program that leads to liberation from the impermanence and suffering of reality. The word right in the following list is a translation of a word that might better be translated as correct Right views Right intentions Right speech Right conduct Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right meditation

Nirvana So, if you follow the 8-fold path, and you end all desires, then what? Nirvana literally means “blowing out” (ie like a candle). Nirvana happens when all desires stop. No desires = No more Karma No Karma = No more re-birth.

Nirvana vs. Final Nirvana Wait…The Buddha obtained Nirvana by becoming enlightened. For the next 30-40 years he teaches the dharma, so we know he continued to exist. If Nirvana means the end of Karma, why didn’t the Buddha just disappear after becoming enlightened? Answer: Nirvana simply means you stop producing Karma because he stopped all desires and hence all actions. All individuals who reach enlightenment still have “residual karma” they have to “burn up.” When that residual Karma is “burned up,” then the enlightened being can enter into “Final Nirvana” by dying and not returning to Earth by being reborn.

Buddha dies at age 80 So, what is this “Final Nirvana?” Is it an afterlife? Will you enjoy it? The Buddha specifically refused to answer this and many other philosophical questions concerning God or an afterlife. How could the Buddha describe something he hadn’t yet done? The Buddha promised only two things about final nirvana: It was the end of suffering and the end of re-birth.