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Understanding Happiness and Suffering ~ an introduction to Buddhism

Delve into the core tenets of Buddhism with an exploration of happiness and suffering. Reflect on what defines these states, examine your own experiences, and ponder the importance of understanding these aspects of life. Engage with reflective questions and deep thoughts to gain a deeper insight into the nature of happiness and suffering, and their relevance to the teachings of Buddha. Discover the significance of the Eightfold Path, the Middle Way, karma, and the concept of man's enslavement to his ego in relation to achieving liberation from suffering. Find the balance between material desires and spiritual enlightenment as you embark on a journey of self-discovery through the lens of Buddhist philosophy.

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Understanding Happiness and Suffering ~ an introduction to Buddhism

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  1. Understanding Happiness and Suffering~ an introduction to Buddhism

  2. Central Questions: What defines “happiness”; what defines “suffering”? Can we truly know genuine happiness and suffering? Why or why not?

  3. Defining Happiness… Reflective Questions • What makes you happy? List 10 things / items. • Imagine yourself 20 years from now… what things do you predict would determine your happiness? Add these to your list and circle the ones that are the same. • How would you measure or determine happiness? • Have you ever suffered? What determined this experience as “suffering”?

  4. Examine your responses: • How many were material? • How many were emotional? • How many were spiritual? • What conclusions can you draw about yourself?

  5. Deep Thoughts… • Is there an answer life’s questions? How? • What is more important: “things to do” or “things to believe”? • What determines happiness: “things that we have” or “things that we know”? • “Ignorance is bliss”. What does this mean? • “Man is slave to his own ego”. What does this mean? • What is more important: understanding happiness or understanding suffering? Why?

  6. How do these questions relate to Buddhism? 8 Fold Path Middle Way enlightenment KARMA suffering

  7. Man is a slave to his ego: as he desires pleasure, wealth, happiness, security, success, long life for himself and loved ones; however pain, frustration, sickness will likely occur and death is inevitable The physical world and the suffering it produces, are real Individuals have been reborn into his present existence because of past karma. His ignorance, which causes him to crave pleasure, wealth and other things of this material world, and to commit evil deeds, is the chain that binds his to the wheel of rebirth Only way we can avoid these evils: is by eliminatingall desires (extinguish our own egos altogether) This is true wisdom, and can be attained by following the Eightfold Path (set of philosophical and ethical guidelines that should be pursued in ascending order) Core of Buddhism“I teach only two things, O disciples, the fact of suffering and the possibility of escape from suffering” ~ Buddha

  8. Finding Our Middle Path • Read: Our Story: Discovering Solitude (on moodle) • Complete: Reflective Practice: Buddhism Right Mindfulness • Having looked at an entire week of your life’s and its patterns (good and bad= the roots of your suffering), evaluate your lifestyle (healthy, balanced, aware etc.).

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