BUDDHISM 4 - Social structure, rituals, symbols and ethics.pptx

buddhis m Social structure, rituals, symbols and ethics  Connection to previous work Today we will continue our analysis of Buddhism. In this lesson, we will focus on the following aspects:  Social structur  The sangha & the laity Buddhism’s organisational structur...

buddhis m Social structure, rituals, symbols and ethics  Connection to previous work Today we will continue our analysis of Buddhism. In this lesson, we will focus on the following aspects:  Social structur  The sangha & the laity Buddhism’s organisational structure varies from region to region but is usually a split between the sangha (monastic community of monks and nuns) and the laity (non-ordained Buddhist practitioners). Monastics (people who live in the monastry, ie monks and nuns) can be distinguished from the laity by outward appearance, such as their shaved heads and donned robes. Watch the clip on the next slide and answer Question 1 (pg. 11) of your worksheet ritual s  The eightfold path The eightfold path is the eight ‘ways of living’ people should try to follow in their everyday lives. The fact they are daily practices can classify them in some part as rituals. However, they are also a part of ethics, as they guide people in how to live, act and behave Buddhists believe that following the Eightfold Path will end the suffering of ‘wanting more’, and thus Will lead to Nirvana. Answer Question 2 (pg. 11)of your worksheet  Ritual: MEDITATION In the Buddhist context, meditation is a tool used to help ‘take control of the mind do it becomes more peaceful and focused, and the adherent more aware of the feelings and intentions the mind become Meditation is to connect both the body and the mind. Meditation will help people stop focusing on the busy-ness of life and become more aware of their own inner thoughts and feelings, and to be more aware of what might be causing their ‘wanting’ Practicing meditation helps adherents in following the Eightfold path There are many different methods of practicing meditation, such as sitting and breathing; reciting mantra’s, completing Answer Question a 3 of your mandala worksheet  Ritual: chanting A key Buddhist (monastic or lay) ritual is chanting. It may occur as part of a broader ritual (for example, chants to prepare the mind for meditation) or as an act of worship in itself (such as showing veneration). Chanting supports ‘right concentration’ and, in turn, the other principles of the Eightfold Path. The contents of the chant may be a Buddhist text, a homage to a text, buddha, or a small mantra. Answer Question 4 of your worksheet (pg. 12) ethic s  Buddhist ethics The Eight-fold path is the basis for Buddhist ethics. They guide adherents in how to act and how to live. All spokes are relevant as they are connected to each other. However, Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood are particularly concerned with ethics. Watch the first 4 minutes of the clip on the next slide and the answer Question 5 on your worksheet.  Buddhist ethics – The five precepts The five precepts are ethical guidelines.They are different to the eightfold path because they speak of what to avoid, rather than what to do. RESEARCH ACTIVITY (pg. 12 in yourhttps://thebuddhistcentre.com/text/ethics Go to: booklet) Use the information on the website to give a one - two sentence outline of each of the five precepts Symbol s  dharma wheel The most iconic Buddhist symbol is the Dharma Wheel. This is symbolic of Buddha’s teachings. The 8 spokes are symbolic of the Eightfold Path. The 3 swirls in the middle symbolize the three jewels of Buddhism: Buddha (teacher), the dharma (teachings), and the sangha (community). Begin Question 8 (pg. 13) of your worksheet  Lotus flower The lotus flower symbolizes enlightenment (which is central to Buddhism) The ideology behind this symbol is that, as it grows in ponds it has to go through the mud and dirt to eventually reach the surface. No matter how murky the waters are, it still grows and blossoms into the most beautiful of flowers. Complete Question 8 of your worksheet