WORLD RELIGION: BUDDHISM The Human Condition What is the human condition? What is the cause of the human condition? The Goals What are the goals during life? What is the final aim of existence? The Means How are the goals achieved? Which practices help to achieving the goals?

What is the human condition? Higher RMPS: Buddhism The Human Condition What is the human condition? 2

We don’t understand reality and so we are trapped. A Buddhist Response We don’t understand reality and so we are trapped. What is the human condition?

What is the human condition? A Buddhist Response We live, get older and die only to be reborn again and again (forever). What is the human condition?

A Buddhist Response Throughout this time we suffer. Not only this, everyone suffers. What is the human condition?

However… there is a way to escape this curse. A Buddhist Response However… there is a way to escape this curse. What is the human condition?.

Our 1st Focus No belief in God; emphasis on action rather than metaphysical belief The 3 Marks of Existence — Dukkha, Anicca and Anatta; the five skhandas; rebirth as a flow of ever changing consciousness Samsara — the endless round of conditioned existence; only humans are capable of making conscious ethical choices What is the human condition? Unenlightened human beings are caught in a cycle of suffering but there is a way out.

What is the human condition? No belief in God Western/Eastern/Buddhist concept of God differs. No supreme being in control from which everything began. No God(s) making decision about right and wrong… no moral absolutes or heaven/hell punishments. What is the human condition?

What is the human condition? No belief in God Everything we experience is as a result of our human actions- individual freedom exists. Human beings can and must attain enlightenment without a God. Buddha was human. His teachings and example are followed but he is not seen as divine. What is the human condition?

Emphasis on action rather than metaphysical belief “Believe nothing, question everything.” Buddha If it doesn’t work for you, change it! Choice of interpretation of the Dhamma (teachings / truth / way). Not about answering metaphysical questions, it’s about actions. What is the human condition?

Emphasis on action rather than metaphysical belief Belief alone will not attain the Buddhist goal of enlightenment… a practical, not intellectual activity. If you just sit about thinking about things you won’t progress. It is not enough to know the path, you must walk the path. What is the human condition?

Emphasis on action rather than metaphysical belief A famous Buddhist teaching goes something like this: I do no go to the Buddha to hear his teachings, I go to see him tie his shoelaces. What is the human condition?

Emphasis on action rather than metaphysical belief THE POISONED ARROW STORY What is the human condition?

THE POISONED ARROW STORY Questioned one day about the problem of the infinity of the world, the Buddha said, "Whether the world is finite or infinite, limited or unlimited, the problem of your liberation remains the same.“

Another time he said, "Suppose a man is struck by a poisoned arrow and the doctor wishes to take out the arrow immediately. Suppose the man does not want the arrow removed until he knows Who shot it, His age, His parents, Why he shot it. What would happen? If he were to wait until all these questions have been answered, the man might die first." Life is so short. It must not be spent in endless metaphysical speculation that does not bring us any closer to the truth.