Theravada Buddhism PDF

**ITWR** **MODULE 9 - Theravada Buddhism** - ### ORIGIN - ### GOD - ### SACRED TEXTS 1. Vinaya Pitaka which contains guidance on monastic life; 2. Sutta Pitaka which is a collection of Buddha's sayings and accounts of events in his life; and 3. Abhidhamma Pitaka which is a philos...

**ITWR** **MODULE 9 - Theravada Buddhism** - ### ORIGIN - ### GOD - ### SACRED TEXTS 1. Vinaya Pitaka which contains guidance on monastic life; 2. Sutta Pitaka which is a collection of Buddha's sayings and accounts of events in his life; and 3. Abhidhamma Pitaka which is a philosophical analysis of Buddha's teachings. - ### DOCTRINES 1. *Dukkha* (the truth of suffering) -- life is temporary, imperfect and involves suffering 2. *Samudaya* (the truth of the origin of suffering) -- desire is the cause of suffering 3. *Nirodha* (the truth of the ending of suffering) -- suffering can be ended by isolating oneself from desires and cravings 4. *Magga* (the truth of the path to the ending of suffering) -- the way to stop craving is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path - ### SECTS ### Theravada - **Traditional** -- religions life is a solitary individual journey (monk). - Reaching Nirvana is simply "ceasing to be". - Focus on meditation and personal perfection. - Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka (Ceylon) ### Mahayana - China, Japan, Korea, Tibet - Belief in enlightened beings (bodhisativas) who have perfected themselves to the point they are capable of leaving the cycle of death and rebirth because they have reached nirvana. - Bodhisattvas remain in in human form to help others reach nirvana (perfect contentment, release of attachments, and release from cycle of death and rebirth). ### (Theravada) Buddhism - Atheism - No god; no Brahman - No soul to start with - Gods are not creators of the universe and cannot influence human life. They are subject to the same cycle of rebirth. - Enlightenment is actually possible only for humans. Let's Remember ============== 1. Theravada Buddhism emphasizes attaining self-liberation through one's own efforts. Meditation and concentration are vital elements of the way to enlightenment. 2. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama on 563-483 B.C. 3. Tripitaka or Tipitaka is the traditional term for the Buddhist scriptures. The version canonical to Theravada Buddhism is generally referred to in English as the Pali Canon. 4. The Four Noble Truths is the central doctrine of Buddhism which explains the nature of suffering and how it can be overcome. A. Dukkha -- the truth of suffering B. Samudaya -- the truth of the origin of suffering C. Mirodha -- the truth of the ending of suffering D. Magga -- the truth of the path to the ending of suffering 5. The Noble Eigthfold Path is the path to end all suffering. It summarizes into three basic aspects of Buddhist life. 1. Wisdom -- understanding and commitment A. Right view B. Right intention 2. Virtue -- practical ethics C. Right speech D. Right action E. Right livelihood 3. Concentration F. Right effort G. Right mindfulness H. Right concentration