A Voyage of Discovery Buddhism Buddhism

The Basics A purpose of Buddhism is to be enlightened about that which is realA purpose of Buddhism is to be enlightened about that which is real Founder: Siddhartha GautamaFounder: Siddhartha Gautama All humans are prone to suffering, born in a state of diseaseAll humans are prone to suffering, born in a state of disease The goal of Buddhism is attaining Nirvana (the extinction of suffering, impermanence, delusion, and all that keeps the life cycle going)The goal of Buddhism is attaining Nirvana (the extinction of suffering, impermanence, delusion, and all that keeps the life cycle going) Two main branches: Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana BuddhismTwo main branches: Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism A purpose of Buddhism is to be enlightened about that which is realA purpose of Buddhism is to be enlightened about that which is real Founder: Siddhartha GautamaFounder: Siddhartha Gautama All humans are prone to suffering, born in a state of diseaseAll humans are prone to suffering, born in a state of disease The goal of Buddhism is attaining Nirvana (the extinction of suffering, impermanence, delusion, and all that keeps the life cycle going)The goal of Buddhism is attaining Nirvana (the extinction of suffering, impermanence, delusion, and all that keeps the life cycle going) Two main branches: Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana BuddhismTwo main branches: Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama: born about 560 BCE and died about 483 BCEborn about 560 BCE and died about 483 BCE born into a Hindu warrior caste, princeborn into a Hindu warrior caste, prince was married at 16 years old and fathered one sonwas married at 16 years old and fathered one son at 19 he encountered four things his father had tried to shield from himat 19 he encountered four things his father had tried to shield from him The Great Going Forth, 29 years oldThe Great Going Forth, 29 years old reached enlightenment by taking up meditation on suffering and the cycle of rebirthreached enlightenment by taking up meditation on suffering and the cycle of rebirth converted many countrymen by preaching that moksha could be attained by the Middle Wayconverted many countrymen by preaching that moksha could be attained by the Middle Way born about 560 BCE and died about 483 BCEborn about 560 BCE and died about 483 BCE born into a Hindu warrior caste, princeborn into a Hindu warrior caste, prince was married at 16 years old and fathered one sonwas married at 16 years old and fathered one son at 19 he encountered four things his father had tried to shield from himat 19 he encountered four things his father had tried to shield from him The Great Going Forth, 29 years oldThe Great Going Forth, 29 years old reached enlightenment by taking up meditation on suffering and the cycle of rebirthreached enlightenment by taking up meditation on suffering and the cycle of rebirth converted many countrymen by preaching that moksha could be attained by the Middle Wayconverted many countrymen by preaching that moksha could be attained by the Middle Way

The Four Passing Sights The Four Sights (what Gautama’s father tried to shield from him): old ageold age illnessillness deathdeath asceticism (renouncing material comforts to live a self-disciplined life)asceticism (renouncing material comforts to live a self-disciplined life) The Four Sights (what Gautama’s father tried to shield from him): old ageold age illnessillness deathdeath asceticism (renouncing material comforts to live a self-disciplined life)asceticism (renouncing material comforts to live a self-disciplined life)

The Middle way A healthy spiritual life depends on a healthy physical life. A healthy spiritual life depends on a healthy physical life. Rejects indulgencesRejects indulgences Rejects extreme asceticismRejects extreme asceticism “A violin string that is pulled to tight snaps when strummed, one that is to loose does not make a sound; It must be strung just right to make the right music”

Gautama Reaches Enlightenment Encounters with “Mara” the god of death who sends his daughters to tempt him with fear and passion Encounters with “Mara” the god of death who sends his daughters to tempt him with fear and passion DiscontentDiscontent DelightDelight DesireDesire Gautama touches the ground, “grounds himself”. He overcomes the distractions of Mara and enters a meditative trance which brings him deep into himself Gautama touches the ground, “grounds himself”. He overcomes the distractions of Mara and enters a meditative trance which brings him deep into himself His own previous livesHis own previous lives The lives of othersThe lives of others The Four Noble TruthsThe Four Noble Truths

Focal Elements of Buddhism The Three Jewels: The Three Jewels: BuddhaBuddha Acknowledge the authority of the Buddha Acknowledge the authority of the Buddha SanghaSangha Acknowledge the authority of the monastic community of monks and nuns Acknowledge the authority of the monastic community of monks and nuns DharmaDharma Acknowledge the authority of the teachings of Buddha on living a moral life Acknowledge the authority of the teachings of Buddha on living a moral life

Comparison to Hinduism Shared cosmology Shared cosmology universe is cyclicalsamsuramoksha/nirvanauniverse is cyclicalsamsuramoksha/nirvana Rejects the institutional aspect of Hinduism Rejects the institutional aspect of Hinduism Accepts deities but holds that only the human mind can win salvation Accepts deities but holds that only the human mind can win salvation Teachings available to everyone Teachings available to everyone No “atman” No “atman” Samsura: In Hinduism the transference of the atman, in Buddhism the transference of energy, one’s KarmaSamsura: In Hinduism the transference of the atman, in Buddhism the transference of energy, one’s Karma Three Marks of ExistenceThree Marks of Existence AnattaAniccaDukkha AnattaAniccaDukkha

Three Marks of Existence Anatta: There is no permanent self. There is no essence, we are constantly changing Anatta: There is no permanent self. There is no essence, we are constantly changing Anicca: All existent things are constantly changing, there is an ongoing flow Anicca: All existent things are constantly changing, there is an ongoing flow Dukkha: Suffering is part of the human condition, a natural result of anatta and anicca. Dukkha: Suffering is part of the human condition, a natural result of anatta and anicca.

Karma As in Hinduism, is the moral law of cause and effect. As in Hinduism, is the moral law of cause and effect. In Hinduism Karma affects the rebirth of the atman In Hinduism Karma affects the rebirth of the atman In Buddhism Karma itself is transferred. At conception a person already has a particular status of Karma In Buddhism Karma itself is transferred. At conception a person already has a particular status of Karma Because of the importance of morality, Buddhism has Five Precepts Because of the importance of morality, Buddhism has Five Precepts

Five Precepts For All Do not take life Do not take life Do not take what has not been given Do not take what has not been given Do not engage in sensuous misconduct Do not engage in sensuous misconduct Do not drink intoxicants Do not drink intoxicants For Monks & Nuns Do not eat after noon Do not eat after noon Do not watch dancing or shows Do not watch dancing or shows Do not use garlands or perfumes Do not use garlands or perfumes Do not use a soft or high bed Do not use a soft or high bed Do not accept gold or silver Do not accept gold or silver Intention is important to immoral action

The Four Noble Truths Life is filled with suffering: both physical and mental Life is filled with suffering: both physical and mental The cause of suffering is desire or attachment The cause of suffering is desire or attachment To cease suffering one must cease desiring To cease suffering one must cease desiring The path to the end of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path The path to the end of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path

RightViews Rightintentions RightSpeech RightConduct RightLivelihood RightEffortRightMindfulnessRightMeditation The Eight Fold Path

Reaching Enlightenment Following the eightfold path to its end is to reach Nirvana, the extinction of desire, suffering Following the eightfold path to its end is to reach Nirvana, the extinction of desire, suffering Still living –arhatStill living –arhat Let go of individual existence Let go of individual existence No longer attached to affairs of the world No longer attached to affairs of the world Compassionate toward all living things Compassionate toward all living things Final nirvana comes with death of the bodyFinal nirvana comes with death of the body Nirvana means “blowing out” Nirvana means “blowing out”

Divisions of Buddhism Three Rafts for Crossing the River Three Rafts for Crossing the River Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism:Mahayana Buddhism: Vajrayana Buddhism:Vajrayana Buddhism:

Theravada Buddhism Prevalent in Southeast AsiaPrevalent in Southeast Asia Orthodox, follows early texts of BuddhismOrthodox, follows early texts of Buddhism Teachings are important, more than the personTeachings are important, more than the person Emphasizes monastic life, hierarchyEmphasizes monastic life, hierarchy Monks Monks Nuns Nuns Laity Laity

Scriptures of Theravada Buddhism: Tripitaka “the three baskets” (contains the words of the Buddha) Tripitaka “the three baskets” (contains the words of the Buddha) Vinaya Pitaka – the code of monastic discipline for monks and nuns Sutra Pitaka – discourses attributed to Gautama Abidharma Pitaka – examines the Buddha’s psychological and Buddhist doctrine Vinaya Pitaka – the code of monastic discipline for monks and nuns Sutra Pitaka – discourses attributed to Gautama Abidharma Pitaka – examines the Buddha’s psychological and Buddhist doctrine

Mahayana Buddhism: Largest division of BuddhismLargest division of Buddhism Focus on Buddha himself, divine saviorFocus on Buddha himself, divine savior Salvation comes from the grace of BuddhaSalvation comes from the grace of Buddha Bodhisattvas- buddhas in the makingBodhisattvas- buddhas in the making

Scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism: Tripitaka(Mahayanaversion)Tripitaka(Mahayanaversion) Lotus Sutra the final teachings of the Buddha which makes Enlightenment available to everyone Lotus Sutra the final teachings of the Buddha which makes Enlightenment available to everyone Perfection of Wisdom a treatise on how to achieve the perfection of wisdom of a bodhisattva Perfection of Wisdom a treatise on how to achieve the perfection of wisdom of a bodhisattva

Vajrayana Buddhism  Predominately in Tibet, often called Tibetan Buddhism  Adherents can achieve nirvana now  Harness sensual energies to fight desire  Mandalas- sight  Mudras- movement  Mantras- sound  Tantricism- sex  Hierarchy of clergy, lamas, Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama Who is the Dalai Lama? A bodhisattva (someone who compassionately refrains from entering nirvana in order to save others and is worshiped as a deity in Mahayana Buddhism)A bodhisattva (someone who compassionately refrains from entering nirvana in order to save others and is worshiped as a deity in Mahayana Buddhism) The head Tibetan Buddhist monastic leaderThe head Tibetan Buddhist monastic leader The political leader of Tibet until the Chinese communist government forced them out of Tibet in 1959The political leader of Tibet until the Chinese communist government forced them out of Tibet in 1959 Who is the Dalai Lama? A bodhisattva (someone who compassionately refrains from entering nirvana in order to save others and is worshiped as a deity in Mahayana Buddhism)A bodhisattva (someone who compassionately refrains from entering nirvana in order to save others and is worshiped as a deity in Mahayana Buddhism) The head Tibetan Buddhist monastic leaderThe head Tibetan Buddhist monastic leader The political leader of Tibet until the Chinese communist government forced them out of Tibet in 1959The political leader of Tibet until the Chinese communist government forced them out of Tibet in 1959

MaterialMaterial Temples used for religious devotions and to enshrine images of buddhas Temples used for religious devotions and to enshrine images of buddhas Stupas hold important relics of the Buddha or other important figures Stupas hold important relics of the Buddha or other important figures Pagodas large stupas Pagodas ScripturesScriptures

Buddhism through a Catholic Lens Similarities Emphasis on peace and compassionEmphasis on peace and compassion Long monastic traditionLong monastic tradition The practice of meditationThe practice of meditation Some parallels between the life of Jesus and BuddhaSome parallels between the life of Jesus and BuddhaSimilarities Emphasis on peace and compassionEmphasis on peace and compassion Long monastic traditionLong monastic tradition The practice of meditationThe practice of meditation Some parallels between the life of Jesus and BuddhaSome parallels between the life of Jesus and Buddha

Buddhism through a Catholic Lens Differences Jesus claimed to be divine, Buddha did notJesus claimed to be divine, Buddha did not Jesus’ message was about the Kingdom of God, Siddhartha’s was about the cessation of sufferingJesus’ message was about the Kingdom of God, Siddhartha’s was about the cessation of suffering The understanding of the meaning and purpose of sufferingThe understanding of the meaning and purpose of sufferingDifferences Jesus claimed to be divine, Buddha did notJesus claimed to be divine, Buddha did not Jesus’ message was about the Kingdom of God, Siddhartha’s was about the cessation of sufferingJesus’ message was about the Kingdom of God, Siddhartha’s was about the cessation of suffering The understanding of the meaning and purpose of sufferingThe understanding of the meaning and purpose of suffering