Buddhism Teachings PDF

THE TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES Buddhism  THE ESSENTIALS OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha when he was awakened to the Four Noble Truths while meditating under the Bodhi tree. The Buddha called his view The Middle Way. Middle Way:...

THE TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES Buddhism  THE ESSENTIALS OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha when he was awakened to the Four Noble Truths while meditating under the Bodhi tree. The Buddha called his view The Middle Way. Middle Way: Do not hurt your physical self (self -mortification); and do not live a life only concerned with pleasure (self-indulgence). The Middle Way is a life of self-discipline toward denying the self in order to break away from pleasure and end suf fering. The goal of Buddhism is to end samsara and gain nirvana (ultimately parinirivana).  THE ESSENTIALS OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING The Middle Way: The Four Noble Truths  The First Noble Truth is that suffering is inherent in life. ▪ (All is dukkha, which is a word that generally translates to suffering but can also mean disappointment). ▪ Much broader than western understanding of suffering. ▪ Buddha’s first three sights (old man, sick man, and dead man) showed him the suffering inherent in life.  The Second Noble Truth is that the cause of suffering is desire. ▪ Suffering (dukkha) occurs because we desire things we cannot have or obtain. ▪ However it also occurs when we get what we want because the search is over and that thing did not bring us enlightenment. ▪ We are always thirsting for more.  THE ESSENTIALS OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING The Four Noble Truths  The Third Noble Truth is that there is a way to put an end to desire and suffering. ▪ However, the good news is that there is a way to end our suffering. ▪ It is like Moksha, but this is a new way that leads to an end of suffering, literally nirvana. ▪ Nirvana is not really heaven but a cessation of all suffering. ▪ This can only occur if one has progressed to the point of understanding that they have no -self (anatman) and know their past lives. Also, realizing because of this they have no need to return again. ▪ A person who has gained nirvana in this life will gain parinirvana at the end of physical life (they will cease to exist). ▪ Instead of rejoining ultimate reality (atman becomes brahman) like in Hinduism, Buddhists believe that they will no longer exist (anatman).  The Fourth Noble Truth is that the way to end desire is follow the Eightfold Path.  THE ESSENTIALS OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING The Noble Eightfold Path  It is referred to as the Triple Practice because the Eightfold Path can be divided into three areas of practice.  Study (cultivating wisdom) ▪ Right Understanding = understand the four noble truths.  Conduct (cultivating correct moral conduct) ▪ Right Intention = not the same as karma more about ethical conduct. ▪ Right Speech = refrain from gossiping, lying, slander, instead you should speak kindly to others. ▪ Right Action = Five Precepts: refrain from murder, lying, stealing, sexual abuse, and the use of alcohol. ▪ Right Livelihood = foster the well-being of others and in yourself.  Concentration (cultivating the discipline of the mind) ▪ Right Effort = giving attention to positive thoughts while actively removing negative ones. ▪ Right Concentration = regular meditation to sharpen our awareness of the world and ourselves by closely attending to the features of ordinary life at the present moment and without judgment (pure observation). ▪ Right Mindfulness = taking meditative awareness into daily life. Attentiveness and non-attachment. If you keep yourself attached to the things of this world, you will never be able to gain nirvana.  THE ESSENTIALS OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING Nirvana  The “extinguishing” of desire and suffering.  Buddhist believe that the state of nirvana is beyond description.  It is a pure bliss.  Nirvana is the only goal of Buddhism. ▪ If you gain nirvana in this life, then when you die you will have parinirvana. ▪ Parinirvana is the end of the samsaric cycle. ▪ You will have extinguished your existence in this realm. Dharma  Buddha claimed that following The Middle Way is the proper Dharma.  Broadly it means: All of nature and nature’s laws.  More narrowly it means: The body of the Buddha’s teaching.  THE ESSENTIALS OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING  Buddhism is a very practical religion.  Buddha argued that one should not worry themselves about specific metaphysical truths of how the universe works.  If you spend too much time on these matters, then you might lose sight of the only goal: nirvana. ▪ You would be forced to live another life and try again.  Buddha said all that really matters are the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.  When asked about deep metaphysical truths, Buddha would often reply with the simple statement: “I am awake.” ▪ Buddha thought solving problems like whether there are deities, an afterlife, heaven/hell, rules of logic or rationality is not important to reaching nirvana. Only things that could help you get there should be considered important and everything else is a mere distraction.  THE ESSENTIALS OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING  There is a good stor y that Buddha told in order to demonstrate the supposed error of worr ying about non-essential things. It demonstrates the practical focus of the religion. ▪ The Buddha was sitting in the park when his disciple Malunkyaputta approached him. Malunkyaputta had recently retired from the world and he was concerned that so many things remained unexplained by the Buddha. Was the world eternal or not eternal? Was the soul different from the body? Did the enlightened exist after death or not? He thought, 'If the Buddha does not explain these things to me, I will give up this training and return to worldly life'. ▪ He put these questions to the Buddha who replied, "Now did I ever say to you that if you led a religious life you would understand these things? It is as if a man had been wounded by an arrow thickly smeared with poison, and his friends, companions relatives were to get a surgeon to heal him, and he were to say, 'I will not have this arrow pulled out until I know who wounded me, of what caste he is, what his name is, whether he is tall, short or of medium height, what color his skin is, where he comes from, what kind of bow I was wounded with, what it was made of, whether the arrow was feathered with a vulture's wing or a heron's or a hawk's…..' Surely the man would die before he knew all this." ▪ "Whether the view is held that the world is eternal or not, Malunkyaputta, there is still re-birth, old age, death, grief, suffering, sorrow and despair - and these can be destroyed in this life! I have not explained these other things because they are not useful, they are not conducive to tranquility and Nirvana. What I have explained is suffering, the cause of suffering, the destruction of suffering, and the path that leads to the destruction of suffering. This is useful, leading to non -attachment, the absence of passion, perfect knowledge."  THE ESSENTIALS OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING  Even though Buddha did not give much advice on metaphysical matters we can still infer some things from his teachings.  Buddha’s views are a clear response to the Vedas, just like the Upanishads were responses to the Vedas. ▪ However, the Buddha rejects much of the teachings of the Vedas, but he does accept some teachings from the Upanishads.  He clearly accepts that samsara is real. We are all going through a process of being born, living, growing old, dying, and being reborn again.  Buddha also accepts that samsara is a bad thing that must be overcome. ▪ He calls it nirvana instead of moksha because the process is different.  Buddha also seems to accept some form of karma, but he rigidly rejected the caste system. ▪ This is what made Buddhism so popular with regular people. ▪ Hinduism was mainly just for the higher caste people, but anyone could gain nirvana.  THE ESSENTIALS OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING Interdependent Origination  The coming-into-existence of all things depends upon other things.  No thing has an identity or existence independent of other things. The Three Marks of Existence  Impermanence  Suffering (dukkha)  No-Self (anatman) Karma and Rebirth  The Buddha’s teaching on rebirth is uncertain.  Somehow, one’s karma brings about a new life, a new combination of skandhas. Gods in Buddhism?  The Buddha said little about the gods, who know nothing about the end of suffering.  Buddha is not a god in Buddhism. He said so himself: “I am no god. I am awake!”  THE ESSENTIALS OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHING  The Middle Way promotes criticism (no reliance on authority of any kind ). ▪ Buddha said that you should not rely on teachers, methods, texts, sayings, or even logic when seeking the truth. ▪ You are responsible for knowing it yourself. ▪ However, it is unclear how one gets here if you are not relying on Buddha’s teachings.  Buddhism may seem to be a very negative religion, but it actually is one of hope. ▪ A hope to overcoming the pain and disappoint of the world. ▪ It is sort of a reverse existentialism: it realizes that you will die, but says that should be the main goal. You need to prevent yourself from living again.  This is very convenient from most perspectives. ▪ It also demonstrates the pragmatic nature of Buddhism. ▪ It is not really about philosophy, or ethics, or even truth, it is primarily about breaking the cycle of samsara by relieving suffering.  The only truth not denied is that you are in the cycle of eternal birth, death, and re -birth until you find a way to break free.  WHO IS A BUDDHIST? Buddhists:  Recite the Three Refuges ▪ The Buddha, the fully enlightened one. ▪ The Dharma, the teachings expounded by the Buddha. ▪ The Sangha, the monastic order of Buddhism that practice Dharmas.  Follow the Five Precepts ▪ Refrain from murder and bodily assault on other breathing beings, ▪ Refrain from lying and gossiping about others, ▪ Refrain from stealing and taking what does not belong to you, ▪ Refrain form sexual abuse and sexual misconduct, and ▪ Refrain from the use of alcohol.  DIVISION OF THE BUDDHIST COMMUNIT Y  If you recite the Three Refuges and follow the Five Precepts in front of Buddhist monks, they may allow you to join the Sangha. ▪ However, you do not have to be a member Sangha to be Buddhist or follow Buddha’s teachings. ▪ You only need to be a member if you want to be a monk or nun.  There are three divisions in Buddhist communities: ▪ 1) Monks (which are men only), ▪ 2) Nuns (which are women only), and ▪ 3) Lay-persons (which can be either men or women and make up the majority).  Different ways to become monks in different regions.  Some regions nuns are not allowed.  Monks often will beg for food in Theravada dominated areas and the lay people will provide it for them because this is how they can gain good positive karma.  FACTIONS OF BUDDHISM  There are three main views of how to follow the Buddha’s teachings and gain Nirvana.  Buddhists call them vehicles because they are method of getting you to your goal.  The Three Vehicles :  Theravada (the “Lower Vehicle”) ▪ It is called the Lower vehicle because fewer people follow it. It is difficult. ▪ You have to be a monk or a nun to have any real hope of gaining nirvana.  Mahayana (the “Higher Vehicle”) ▪ It is called the Higher vehicle because it has many more followers.  Vajrayana (the “Diamond Vehicle”) ▪ It is called the Diamond vehicle because it makes heavy use of the Diamond Sutra. ▪ The Diamond Sutra is an important Buddhist text but is very metaphysical and esoteric.  THERAVADA BUDDHISM The “Way of the Elders”  Also known as Hinayana (“Lesser Vehicle”)  Predominant form of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Burma.  It is the oldest of the Buddhist factions (one of the original 18 schools).  Emphasizes the individual’s effort in seeking an end to suffering.  Emphasizes monasticism. (It wants you to become a monk or nun).  There is a strict adherence to the Eightfold Path. Theravada Texts  Tripitaka (Pali Canon) ▪ Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules) ▪ Sutra Pitaka (teachings of the Buddha) ▪ Abhidharma Pitaka (higher teachings) Theravada: Pali Canon One of many marble slabs containing text and commentary from the Pali Canon, Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma).  MAHAYANA BUDDHISM The “Greater Vehicle”  Predominant form of Buddhism in East Asia and parts of Southeast Asia  The Buddha is thought of as an expression of ultimate reality.  This faction has a complex cosmology (understanding of nature) that is not discussed in Theravada.  This faction of Buddhism introduces a new notion: Bodhisattvas Bodhisattvas  bodhisattva = “enlightenment being”  Originally, bodhisattva was a term used to refer to the Buddha in the lives he lived prior to his enlightenment.  Later, bodhisattvas were those who have taken the “bodhisattva vow” to assist others in attaining enlightenment. Mahayana: Bodhisattva “Manjushri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom” appearing with the flaming sword of discrimination and a copy of the Prajnaparamita Sutra in the blooming lotus of enlightenment. Kopan monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal.  MAHAYANA BUDDHISM  Mahayana Buddhism might have included Bodhisattvas as a way to compete with Hinduism. ▪ The Bodhisattvas gave lay persons beings they could look up to for guidance and help, like Hindus looked to the gods.  Two Important Mahayana Schools ▪ They are both Chinese so we will discuss them in more detail during that lecture ▪ Pure Land ▪ Chan (Zen) Important Mahayana Texts  Perfection of Wisdom Sutra  Diamond Sutra  Lotus Sutra  Lankavatara Sutras  Pure Land Sutras  VAJRAYANA BUDDHISM “Diamond Vehicle”  Predominant form of Buddhism in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and Mongolia  Tibetan Buddhism is the most common form of this faction.  Influenced by Mahayana  Influenced by Tantric Texts ▪ These were popular during the Gupta period and influence both Hinduism and Buddhism. ▪ They are deeply metaphysical, emotional, and sexual (tantric sex comes from these texts).  This faction is often thought of as the mystical component of Buddhism. ▪ It has a large esoteric (hidden wisdom) component. ▪ You have to be taught what the strange, deeply metaphorical, and often contradictory sutras truly mean. Vajrayana Texts  Pali Canon (especially, the Diamond Sutra)  Buddhist Tantras  Hidden Texts MANDALA W hile mandalas are used in Hinduism, where they also function as cosmological diagrams used for meditation, some Buddhists utilize them in other wa ys. In Vaj r a yan a Buddhism monks spend weeks constructing sanda mandalas such as the Avalokiteshvara Mandala shown here. The sacred image will then be swept toward the center and destroyed as a reminder that art, like all other things, is impermanent.  SACRED PLACES AND OBJECTS OF VENERATION Pilgrimage Destinations:  Site of Buddha’s Birth  Site of Buddha’s Enlightenment  Site of Buddha’s First Sermon  Site of Buddha’s Death Relics of the Buddha and Buddhist Saints ▪ In Theravada, the importance of these relics is typically replaced with a focus on the teachings of the Buddha in the texts. ▪ Mahayana and Tibetan are the ones who make use of the relics. ▪ The relics are usually contained within Stupas.  Stupa ▪ This is a famous stupa in Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan. ▪ Most stupas are very simple and not elaborate or beautiful like this one.  HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS  Vesak is the most important holiday in Buddhism. ▪ It is often called Buddha Day. ▪ The festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment (Buddhahood), and death (Parinirvana) of Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha). ▪ Buddhists believe all those events occurred on the same day of the year. ▪ Typically, it is celebrated during Spring. (This year it is on May 7th).  Asala ▪ It is a Theravada Buddhist festival which typically takes place in July, on the full moon of the month of Asadha. ▪ It celebrates the first sermon that Buddha gave in the Deer Park. ▪ In other words, it celebrates the forming of the Sangha. Buddhism Today Buddhists offer alms to monks during a celebration of Vesak in Chiang Mai, Thailand.