Buddhism

1. Buddhism 7 dimensions

2. 3 marks of existence • Annatta-no self • We are who we are in the now, the self of the past is nonexistent…. • Anicca- impermanence • Existence is constantly changing • Like a river flowing • Dukkha- suffering • A direct result of annatta, and anicca • Life is suffering

3. Four Noble Truths • To live is to suffer • Dukkha, the wheel is not centered on it’s axle • Suffering is caused by desire • Tanha, desire or thirst • Suffering can be brought to cessation • The solution to suffering is the 8 fold Path

4. The Eight fold Path • Right views • Right intentions • Right speech • Right conduct • Right livelihood • Right effort • Right mindfulness • Right meditation

5. 8 Fold Path expanded • Right views • Learn Buddha’s teachings, 4 noble truths • Right intentions • Abandon evil, greed, hatred, delusion • Nurture good, generosity, friendship, insight • Right speech • Avoid vocal wrong deeds, gossip, abusive talk, and idle talk • Right conduct • Live by obeying the 5 Precepts, or 10 for monks/nuns

6. 8 Fold Path expanded • Right Livelihood • Abstain from occupations that harm others • Liquor, butcher, hunting, soldier • Right effort • Maintain mental alertness to control senses, and discriminate between wise/unwise mental activity • Right mindfulness • Careful attention to helpful topics, develop mental focus for meditation • Right meditation • Ascend through 4 levels of trance to reach perfect tranquility, when sense of individual identity has passed away. • NIRVANA attained

7. 5 Noble Precepts • Do Not take life • Do not take what is not given • Do not engage in sensuous misconduct • Do not use false speech • Do not drink intoxicants • For Nuns or monks add: • Do not eat after noon • Do not watch dancing or shows • Do not use garlands, perfumes, or ornaments • Do not use a high or soft bed • Do not accept gold or silver

8. Buddhist teachings • Dharma-the Buddha’s teachings • Samsara-escape to Nirvana/Moksha • Rejected Hinduism • Rituals to gods useless, reflection on human condition-human mind alone can win Nirvana • Brahmin class rejected, accept all-used Pali, common dialect in earliest teachings • 3 marks of existence • Anatta; no-self Anicca; impermanence Dukkha-suffering • Samsara-in Buddhism is transference of eternal energy • Karma-moral law of cause and effect

9. Nirvana • Arhat-still living saint who is awakened, forever transformed, achieved a foretaste of NIRVANA • Full NIRVANA is a snuffing out of the energy of the Arhat • Nirvana-cessation of suffering • Compassion • Achieves full awareness in perfect wisdom through meditation, free from dukkha • Free of attachments • Virtues of compassion • Friendliness, joy, even-mindfulness

10. Three bodies of the Buddha • Theravada-one Buddha in each age who obtain enlightenment on their own. • Mahayana-3 bodies • Earthly body-Sidhartha • Heavenly body-form of buddhas • Bodhisattvas-has postponed enlightenment and nirvana to help others in spiritual quest.

11. Three Rafts for Crossing the River • Crossing the river is path of salvation • Theravada-way of the elders • Follows the earliest text, Buddha's teachings. • 4 Noble Truths, 8 fold Path, meditation • Mahayana-the great vehicle • Over 50% of Buddhists • Celebrates Buddha as divine savior • Reveres Bodhisattvas-buddhas in the making, live outside earthly realm • Bodhisattvas transfer their power to devotees, the ideal type

12. Three Rafts for Crossing the River • Vajrayana-Tibetan Buddhism • Nirvana is possible in the here and now • Introduced a hierarchy of lamas, headed by Dalai Lama • Harness sensual energy of life • Mandalas- visual icons, • mudras-choreographed hand movements, mantras-chants

13. Three Rafts for Crossing the River • All rivers deliver followers to Nirvana • Nirvana is ultimate goal • All rafts must be abandoned to go to shore • Unique • Focuses on the condition of the human being • Denies soul, or self there is no atman • People suffer is understood, life of moderation eliminates suffering=middle way. • Meditation leads to transcendence and NIRVANA

14. Mahayana Buddhism • China, Korea, and Japan • Theraveda-Southeast Asia • Mahayana Buddhism • Pure Land • Zen • Nichiren • Tibetan

15. Zen • Meditation School • Meditation practice of Siddhartha Gautama and his followers, the Buddha • Doctrine of emptiness, sunyata • Bodhidharma (470-543) monk who taught the insight of emptiness in China • Meditated for 9 years • 1st Patriarch of Zen in China

16. Zen • Budshido-code of Samurai warrior • Ultimate truth found in tiniest detail of nature and ordinary activities • Tea ceremony • Ink painting • Haiku poetry • Basho (1644-1694) • “An ancient pond! A frog leaps in; the Sound of water!”

17. Zen worldview Every person has nature of Buddha Goal is to overcome rational thinking, to awaken the pure mind Deceive ourselves by becoming attached to material things of this world, can also become attached to detachment---a dilemma Find the emptiness that is at the heart of everything.

18. Pure land • Pure land-Sanskrit text on heavenly Buddha • Any human can attain enlightenment through belief in Amitabha, the heavenly Buddha • Pureland is rich, fertile, heavenly place with jeweled palaces inhabited by gods and men

19. Nichiren Political school Lotus sutra portrays Buddha as compassionate one who gives mercy to all, who brings peace to the world and joy of nirvana. Buddhism must have a national impact. “hail to the wonderful truth of the lotus sutra” Buddha existed from eternity and will always exist. This age will be replace with an age of cosmic harmony for those who follow the lotus sutra.

20. Zen • Hui-neng (638-713) author of the Platform Sutra, approach of sudden enlightenment-shouts, slaps, physical pain to shock students out of dependence on ordinary thought. • Rinzai-seated meditation on word puzzles, koans • Soto-seated meditation alone

21. Tibetan-the tantric school Padma-Sambhava-from India to Tibet Vajrayana Buddhism-Diamond Vehicle Union of male/female deities overcome the duality of life in samsara. Prayer wheel-drum of written prayers from Buddhist sutras, turn the wheel and energize the words. Mantras Dalai Lama 17th century, Yellow hat school symbol of the nation of Tibet, monasteries, fortresses and monastic centers.

22. Mahayana Buddhism Texts • Lotus Sutra-lotus of the good law • True Buddha is cosmic Buddha who shows compassion for all beings • References to merit, Mahayana true teachings • Diamond Cutter Sutra and the Heart Sutra • Prajna; emptiness of distinctions • Wisdom beyond the Bodhisattva • Garland Sutra • Distinct forms of world as we experience it are a delusion of our minds

23. Life of Gautama • Pampered Prince 563BCE-483BCE • Starving Ascetic • 4 passing sights • Old age, diseased, corpse, ascetic • Going forth • Ascetic, begging bowl-reduced body, did not bring salvation • The Middle way • Indulgence/asceticism-healthy in spirit and body/spirit • Enlightened One • Mara, and daughters tempt him, leave defeated • God of death, discontent, delight, and desire • Distractions of fear and passion

24. Life of Gautama • As enlightened one • Bodhi Tree, tree of wisdom • Nirvana-state of eternal bliss • Compassion, Buddha remains to teach others • Sangha; Buddhist monastic community • Roles for monks, nuns, laity • 3 JEWELS- Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha • Rainy season-3 months in retreat, 9 months in teaching

25. Life of Gautama • Buddha at age eighty dies • Ascended stages of meditation to perfect tranquility-ascends to Nirvana • “all the constituents of being are transitory; work out your salvation with diligence.”

26. History • King Ashoka-N. India • Missionaries carry into central Asia 1 century CE • Monasteries; Zen and pure land • China-7th CE • Korea from China 4th CE-14th CE • Japan from Korea 6th CE-today • Tibet from Nepal 7th CE, several sects, the Yellow sect follows Dalai Lama is prominent