1. Buddhist teachings

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. Nirvana vs. Final Nirvana
Wait…The Buddha obtained Nirvana by becoming enlightened. For the next 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.

14. 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.