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-1- What the Buddha Taught A series of lecture-discussions sponsored by Oxford Soto Zen Suggested by Les Kaye Led by Jimmyle Listenbee Based on What the.

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Presentation on theme: "-1- What the Buddha Taught A series of lecture-discussions sponsored by Oxford Soto Zen Suggested by Les Kaye Led by Jimmyle Listenbee Based on What the."— Presentation transcript:

1 -1- What the Buddha Taught A series of lecture-discussions sponsored by Oxford Soto Zen Suggested by Les Kaye Led by Jimmyle Listenbee Based on What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula

2 -2- Lecture 8 Chapter 5-C (pp. 49 - 50) The Four Noble Truths The 4th Noble Truth: MAGGA: “The Path”

3 -3- The Four Noble Truths I.Dukkha II.Samudaya, the arising or origin of dukkha III.Nirodha, the cessation of dukkha IV.Magga, the way leading to the cessation of dukkha

4 -4- The 4th Noble Truth: The Way Leading to the Cessation of Dukkha AKA: “The Noble Eightfold Path” “The Middle Way”

5 -5- The Middle Path Avoids two extremes: The search for happiness through the Pleasures of the Senses (“low, common, unprofitable, the way of ordinary [ignorant] people”) The search for happiness through self- mortification (“painful, unworthy, unprofitable, the way of the ascetics”)

6 -6- The Noble Eightfold Path (a composite - not linear - list) 1.Right Understanding 2.Right Thought 3.Right Speech 4.Right Action 5.Right Livelihood 6.Right Effort 7.Right Mindfulness 8.Right Concentration

7 -7- Buddha’s Essential Practice Practical Guide for all Buddhist Practice The 8 divisions of the path are not “stepping stones”, but are to be practiced and developed simultaneously, as far as possible, according to the capacity of the individual. They are all linked together, and each helps the cultivation of the others.

8 -8- The Three Essentials of Buddhist Training & Discipline a)Ethical Conduct (Sila) b)Mental Discipline (Samadhi) c)Wisdom (Pañña) The Eightfold Path aims at perfecting and promoting these. The Eight Divisions of the Path can be grouped under these three headings.

9 -9- Three Headings  Wisdom ①Right Understanding ②Right Thought  Ethical Conduct ③Right Speech ④Right Action ⑤Right Livelihood  Mental Discipline ⑥Right Effort ⑦Right Mindfulness ⑧Right Concentration Today we address Wisdom

10 -10- Buddhist “Perfection” There are two qualities to be developed: Wisdom and Compassion Wisdom underlies and supports each step of the Noble Eightfold Path; Each step of the Noble Eightfold Path underlies and supports Wisdom.

11 -11- Wisdom And compassion are developed through: ①Right Thought ②Right Concentration

12 -12- (1) Right Thought Thoughts of 1Selfless renunciation (detachment); 2Love; 3Non-violence. A lack of wisdom produces thoughts of selfish desire, ill-will, hatred and violence – in all spheres of life: individual, social, and political. Continuing to hold or pursue such thoughts prevents the development of wisdom. DISCUSSION

13 -13- (2) Right Understanding The understanding of Things as they Are. ‘Things as they really are’ is a concept explained through the Four Noble Truths. – See slide 3 Right Understanding therefore is ultimately reduced to the understanding of the Four Noble Truths: “The Highest Wisdom, which Sees the Ultimate Reality”.

14 1Knowledge, or ‘knowing accordingly’ -Accumulated memory, an intellectual grasping of a subject according to certain given data; -Shallow knowledge. 2Penetration or ‘deep understanding’ -Seeing a thing in its true nature, -Without naming or labeling it. -14- What is “Understanding”? According to Buddhism, there are 2 types:

15 -15- As seen from this brief account of the Tao, it is a way of life to be followed, practiced and developed by the individual. It is:  Self-discipline in body, word and mind;  Self-development and Self-purification. It has nothing to do with:  Belief  Prayer  Worship  Ceremony In this sense, not “religious” The Noble Eightfold Path Summary

16 -16- Read p. 50 “In Buddhist countries…gradually along the path.” What about our rituals of bells, chants, bowing, lighting incense, etc.? DISCUSSION Role of Ceremonies & Rituals

17 1To Understand Dukka (suffering) as a fact; 2To discard, eliminate, destroy and eradicate the causes of suffering, ‘Thirst’ and clinging; 3To realize the ultimate reality: the cessation of suffering; 4To follow the Eightfold Path and keep to it. -17- The Four Functions we have to Perform in Regard to the Four Noble Truths are:

18 -18- DISCUSSION


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