Basic
Teachings of Buddhism
By: Lindsay Harrison
What is Buddhism?
o
2,500 year old religion that began when Siddhartha Gotama (Gautama) was enlightened
o
300 million people in the world are Buddhist
o
Buddhism explains a purpose to life,
explains injustice, suffering, pain and provides a code of practice that leads
to true happiness.
o
Also a philosophy or way of life for those who
follow the Buddhist path of:
1. leading
a moral life
2. being mindful and aware of
thoughts and actions
3. developing
wisdom and understanding
Who was the Buddha?
o
A man named Siddhartha Gotama
born in 563 BC, in the area now know as
o
Born into a Royal family, grew up with riches,
luxuries, never exposed to death, disease, poverty or hardship
o
Ventured outside the palace and
discovered immeasurable human suffering and became dedicated to finding the
answer for how to overcome human suffering.
o
Began to meditate until the answers came to him
*
conquered all temptations
* found
the "middle path" of enlightenment
o
Spent rest of his life teaching the principals of
Buddhism called the Dhamma- or truth
What did the Buddha Teach? – basic concepts
A. The Four Noble Truths
1.
Life is suffering
2.
Suffering is caused by craving
3.
Suffering can be overcome and happiness achieved
4. The Noble Eightfold path is
the path that leads to the end of suffering
B. Eightfold Path
*
Being Moral
* Develop Wisdom- focus on the
mind and being aware through meditation
* This will lead to having
compassion for others
C. The Five Precepts – The moral code of
Buddhism
1.
Not to take a living life
2.
Not to take anything not freely given
3. To abstain from sexual
misconduct and overindulgence
4.
To refrain from untrue speech
5.
Avoid intoxication or losing mindfulness
What is the goal of Buddhism?
= Reaching
Nirvana
o
Achieving the highest realm of existence
o
Nirvana means the cessation of passion, ignorance
and aggression
o
The cessation of the willingness to prove one's
existence in the world
o
Absolving the mind of wants, speculation and
entertainment and being absorbed in the current moment (awareness)
Important Points about Buddhism
o There is
no savoir or almighty God, liberation of the self is the responsibility of the
individual (self-cultivation)
o The
Buddha is seen as a "teacher" or "guide" not a God
o The teachings
of Dhamma Truths exists regardless of whether or not
there is a Buddha
o Re-birth
and Karma are key doctrines of Buddhism
o No
holy-war concept
o Vegetarianism
is recommended
o There is
no "hell" but 6 realms of existence, "Samsara"
being the most undesirable
o A belief
in endless rounds of rebirth among the six realms that ends when one attains
nirvana
o The idea
of sin has no place in Buddhism