Buddhism Basics: Creeds and Doctrines

Doctrines and Creeds

• The Creeds: The Triratna (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) is central to Buddhist teachings and worship.
• Triratna means "Three Gems" or "Three Jewels", comprising:
  • Buddha - the teacher and goal to be attained
  • Dharma (Sanskrit) or Dhamma (Pali) - Buddha's teaching and path to be realized
  • Sangha - the community of faithful and advanced practitioners of the Dharma

The Four Noble Truths

• The Four Noble Truths are the foundation of Buddha's teaching:
  • The Noble Truth of Dukkha (suffering, dissatisfaction, anxiety, etc.)
  • The Noble Truth of the Cause of Dukkha (desire for sentient material possessions or intellectual gratification)
  • The Noble Truth of the End of Dukkha (freedom from Dukkha is possible by eliminating desire)
  • The Noble Truth of the Path leading to the End of Dukkha (the Middle Way, or the Noble Eightfold Path)

The Noble Eightfold Path

• The Noble Eightfold Path is the path to inner peace and tranquility:
  • Right knowledge - understanding of the Four Noble Truths
  • Right intention - true desire to free from attachment, ignorance, and hatred
  • Right speech - abstaining from lying, gossiping, and hurtful talk
  • Right conduct - abstaining from hurtful behaviors such as killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct
  • Right means of livelihood - making a living through honest means without hurting anyone
  • Right effort - abandoning bad while nurturing good qualities
  • Right mindfulness - focusing on one's body, thought, and feeling to overcome craving, hatred, and ignorance
  • Right concentration - meditating to realize the true meaning of imperfection

Buddhist Worship

• Every act of Buddhist worship begins with the recital of the homage formula:
  • "Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the fully Enlightened One"
• Next comes the recitation of the Three Refuges:
  • "I go to the Buddha as my Refuge; I go to the Dharma as my Refuge; I go to the Sangha as my Refuge"
• The Five Precepts are renewed:
  • I undertake to abstain from destroying life
  • I undertake to abstain from taking things not given
  • I undertake to abstain from fornication/adultery or immoral misconduct
  • I undertake to abstain from false speech
  • I undertake to abstain from intoxicants

Traditions

• There are three main traditions of Buddhism:
  • Theravada (Way of the Elders, or Hinayana - Small Vehicle)
  • Mahayana (Great Vehicle)
  • Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle) or Tibetan Buddhism
• Each tradition has its own geographical and linguistic characteristics:
  • Theravada: Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia; Pali Canon
  • Mahayana: Eastern Asia, China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Tibet, and Mongolia; Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, and Tibetan Canons
  • Vajrayana: Northern Asia, Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Mongolia; Tibetan Canon

Theravada Buddhism

• Theravada Buddhism is known as the "orthodox" wing of the movement.
• The central figure is the monk, whose ideal is to attain nirvana.
• Monastic discipline and solitary meditation are the rule.
• The daily routine of a monk includes:
  • Chanting and meditating
  • Begging for food
  • Eating breakfast and last meal of the day in a communal dining room
  • Afternoon scripture reading and meditation
  • Final assembly at sunset

Mahayana Buddhism

• Mahayana Buddhism is a form of Buddhism that is dominant in North, Central, and East Asia.
• It is characterized by a more liberal attitude towards nirvana.
• Mahayana Buddhists believe that an individual may aspire to nirvana without accepting the homeless state of a monk.
• The eternal Buddha essence is believed to be incarnated in Siddharta, who is worshipped as a manifestation of the Buddha.
• Examples of Mahayana Buddhist sects include:
  • Pure Land
  • Ch'an/Zen

Vajrayana Buddhism

• Vajrayana Buddhism, also known as Tibetan Buddhism, is a form of Buddhism that is dominant in North, Central, and East Asia.
• It is characterized by a growth of Buddhist tantra, influenced by Mahayana and Hinduism.
• The goal of Vajrayana Buddhism is to attain Buddhahood through Tantric practices.
• Tantric practices are more ritualistic and emphasize the visualization of holy beings and the use of mantras or sacred words of power.
• This tradition is dominant in Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Mongolia.

Understand the fundamental principles of Buddhism, including the Triratna and the Four Noble Truths. Learn about the Three Gems and the core teachings of Buddha.