1. Main Points and 2 Schools
Tues. Nov. 29, 2011
Mr. Paulson
Bible

2. Spark # 22
1. According to the buddha, upon what does one’s happiness depend?
2. What were the 3 poisons of which the buddha taught?
3. According to the buddha, why do humans ask questions like…
“what happens when we die?”
Or…
“is there more than this?”

3. Agenda
Spark # 22
Business Items
4/8 Recap
2 Schools

4. 4 Noble Truths / 8 Fold Path Recap
4 Noble Truths Recap
Suffering exists
- Dukkha – bigger than English “suffering”
“joined w/things we dislike”
“Separated from things we like”
“not to get what you want”
Even good things are temporary – they come and go --- they are therefore DUKKHA also

5. 4 Noble Truths / 8 Fold Path Recap
4 Noble Truths Recap
2. Origin of Suffering
arises because of “desire,” or “craving”
If you crave riches – poverty is discomfort
If you crave comfort – discomfort will trouble you
3 Main Types –
Sense pleasures – money, comfort, sex, etc.
Existence – ignorance of 5 aggregates – silly humans thinking we exist and possess a continuing self
Non-Existence – Craving ANYTHING is the problem
Karma – willful action – produces “onward effect”
Good = good , bad = bad --- but all things are temporary – so even good karma is tragic
Without craving action accumulates no karma – no rebirth - this is the goal

6. 4 Noble Truths / 8 Fold Path Recap
4 Noble Truths Recap
3. The end of suffering
Suffering disappears when you get rid of desire/craving
Nirvana – blowing out or extinction
Not a heavenly place, not peaceful state of mind
Realization that self doesn’t exist
Cessation of all craving/desire
Able to act in this world with COMPLETE DETACHMENT – WITH NO DESIRE
Not positive or negative – it’s just the “truth”
Fully realized at death, but attainable in life
Buddha said this doesn’t happen upon first hearing – there is a journey, a path that must be taken

7. 4 Noble Truths / 8 Fold Path Recap
4 Noble Truths Recap
4. The Path to end suffering
this is the “eightfold path” or “eight basic habits”
3 Essential Categories
Wisdom – habits 1 and 2
Ethical Conduct – 3 thru 5
Mental Discipline – 6 – 8

8. Eightfold Path highlights
1. Understanding - has to come from buddhist scriptures
2. Aim – no random thoughts, direct your thoughts
3. Speech – no lying, slander, rudeness – this avoids “craving”
4. Action – act honestly, no illegitimate sexual contact, no killing (creatures too), no alcohol

9. Eightfold Path highlights
5. Livelihood – your profession must not harm others, or creatures, alcohol promotion, etc.
6. Effort – cannot just drift along in the buddhist life, you must be diligent/intentional
7. Mindfulness – aware of EVERYTHING going on around you – sounds, smells, fleeting thoughts, EVERYTHING – in doing so we realize it’s all fleeting - a passing illusion
8. Concentration – meditation – not just transcendental style
1. In and out breathing – sit upright, legs crossed
2. Awareness of all daily conduct and thought

10. Overview Not much about prayer Not much about worship of deity
No ceremonies
Buddhists therefore prefer not to call it a religion
All about attaining realization of the way things ALREADY are

11. 2 Schools or Interpretations
2 most common modern interpretations of how this is meant to be lived out
1. Theravada – “School of the Elders”
“classical buddhism” (Laos, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia)
1. Small collection of scriptures
2. Everything is within you – individual human effort, no outside help or god or mystical power
3. No gods or worship – atheistic – siddhartha is perfect man but just a man
4. Monks and laymen – distinction – only monks can fully attain detachment to realize nirvana

12. 2 Schools or Interpretations
2. Mahayana – “Great Vehicle”
Tibet, China, Japan, Korea
Developed later ( years after B’s death)
1. Lots more scripture (more than just teachings of B himself – meant to be ongoing)
2. A “celestial” buddha – the man WAS an incarnation of celestial or heavenly buddha who exists throughout time – is eternal
This time buddha is able to intervene in lives today
Offerings to statues as worship
3. Delaying nirvana – the bidhisattva path
Though qualified to escape rebirth, these people put off nirvana to be reborn and guide others
Vow with three pledges – to buddha, to teachings, to community
Dalai Lama is one of these

13. Summary
Though there are 2 schools/interpretations with minor differences…
All agree on the 4/8