Post on 19-Aug-2015
Overview
• Non-theistic
• "Gripped by fear men go to the sacred mountains, sacred groves, sacred trees and shrines"
• Not considered a religion
• Practice and works based, not faith
Thursday, October 31, 13
Origin• 2,500 years ago when an Indian Prince, Siddhartha
Guatma offered simple teachings
• dharma, “truth”
• How to free oneself from suffering (dukkha) through eliminating ignorance (avidyā) or desire
• 3 essential aspects of Buddhism
• Buddha, the teacher.
• Dharma, the teachings.
• Sangha, the community.
Thursday, October 31, 13
The Four Noble Truths• There is suffering in the world.
To live is to suffer. (dukkha)
• The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments. (Tanha)
• The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments. (Nirvana = “extinction”)
• To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path.
Thursday, October 31, 13
Sacred Texts and Temples
• Pali Tipitika (Theravada)
• No set teachings for Tibetan and Mahayana
• Temples
• Prayer
• Meditation
• Singing bowl
• YogaThursday, October 31, 13
The Four Immeasurable
• May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes
• May all sentient beings be free of suffering and its causes
• May all sentient beings never be separated from bliss without suffering
• May all sentient beings be in equanimity, free of bias, attachment and anger
Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity
Thursday, October 31, 13
Controversial Issues and Gender Roles
• Drugs and alcohol
• Abortion
• Suicide
• Women
• 1. Refraining from harming living beings/practising loving kindness
• 2. Refraining from taking the non-given/practising generosity
• 3. Refraining from committing sexual misconduct/practising contentment
• 4. Refraining from false speech/practising truthful communication
• 5. Refraining from intoxicants/practising mindfulness.
Thursday, October 31, 13
Marriage
• Single wife
• Personal and individual concern
• Many monks do not marry for celibacy
• Men and women must have the liberty to separate if they cannot agree with each other.
• Separation is preferable to avoid miserable family life for a long period of time
Thursday, October 31, 13
Tam Bao Buddhist Temple in Baton Rouge
• http://vimeo.com/56875417
Thursday, October 31, 13