6572244 What is Buddhism

8/3/2019 6572244 What is Buddhism

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What is Buddhism?



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Buddhism is«

a religion, philosophy, soteriology anda religion, philosophy, soteriology and

way of life that was developed in Northway of life that was developed in North--

Eastern India from the teachings of a manEastern India from the teachings of a mancalled Siddartha Gautama, born about 624 called Siddartha Gautama, born about 624

BCE as a prince in a Hindu royal familyBCE as a prince in a Hindu royal family

called Sakyamuni, who after hiscalled Sakyamuni, who after his

enlightenment became known as Buddha,enlightenment became known as Buddha,

the Enlightened One.the Enlightened One.



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Various Pictures of Buddha

Baby Buddha Amitabha Buddha Amitabha Buddha Quan Yin

Thai Buddha Medicine Buddha Medicine BuddhaBuddha Mind



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Main Events in the Life of Gautama Buddha

Birth (Lumbini)Birth (Lumbini) -- 624 B.C.E.624 B.C.E.

Marriage (Kapilavastu)Marriage (Kapilavastu) -- 608 B.C.E608 B.C.E -- at 16at 16

Renunciation (Kapilavastu)Renunciation (Kapilavastu) -- 595 B.C.E595 B.C.E -- at2

9at2

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Enlightenment (BodhEnlightenment (Bodh--Gaya)Gaya) -- 589 B.C.E589 B.C.E -- at 35at 35

First Sermon (Sarnath)First Sermon (Sarnath) -- at 35at 35

Teaching DharmaTeaching Dharma -- the Middle Waythe Middle Way -- for 45 yearsfor 45 years

Death / Parinirvana (Kushinagar)Death / Parinirvana (Kushinagar) -- 544 B.C.E544 B.C.E -- at 80at 80



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The Four Sights

1. Old man1. Old man

2. Sick man2. Sick man

3. Dead man3. Dead man

4. Ascetic4. Ascetic



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The Buddhist Sutras

Buddha¶s teachings were originally transmitted orally, by him and his disciples.Buddha¶s teachings were originally transmitted orally, by him and his disciples.

After Buddha¶s death, his teachings were recited by his disciple Ananda to aAfter Buddha¶s death, his teachings were recited by his disciple Ananda to aBuddhist Council and then recorded in various documents (in Sanskrit, Pali,Buddhist Council and then recorded in various documents (in Sanskrit, Pali,Chinese and Tibetan language), calledChinese and Tibetan language), called sutrassutras..

Some of the most important independent sutras areSome of the most important independent sutras are

Lankavatara SutraLankavatara Sutra

Amitabha SutraAmitabha Sutra

Brahma Net SutraBrahma Net Sutra

Vimalakirti SutraVimalakirti Sutra

PrajnaPrajna--Paramita SutrasParamita Sutras Hrdaya / Heart SutraHrdaya / Heart Sutra

³Form is no other than emptiness, emptiness is form´³Form is no other than emptiness, emptiness is form´

Vajracchedika / Diamond SutraVajracchedika / Diamond Sutra



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The Four Noble Truths

1.1. All life involves sufferingAll life involves suffering

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.2

. The cause of suffering is desire and attachmentThe cause of suffering is desire and attachment

3.3. Desire and attachment can be overcome, andDesire and attachment can be overcome, andthis state is called Nirvanathis state is called Nirvana

4.4. The way to end suffering is through followingThe way to end suffering is through followingthe Eightfold Paththe Eightfold Path



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What is Nirvana? NirvanaNirvana is the ³heaven´ of all Buddhism, beyond all ³heavens´.is the ³heaven´ of all Buddhism, beyond all ³heavens´.

Total extinction of desire & suffering.Total extinction of desire & suffering.

A state of ineffable peace and liberation fromA state of ineffable peace and liberation from

the world of space & timethe world of space & time

all craving and repulsionall craving and repulsion

birth, death and rebirth birth, death and rebirth

all passionall passion

all that is transientall that is transient

Uncompounded state, made of nothing at all; one cannot say of Nirvana that itUncompounded state, made of nothing at all; one cannot say of Nirvana that it

arises or it does not arisearises or it does not arise

is to be producedis to be produced

is in the past, present or futureis in the past, present or future

is cognizable by mind, or perceivable by any sense«is cognizable by mind, or perceivable by any sense«



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Buddhist Definitions of Enlightenment

The spiritual condition of a Buddha or aThe spiritual condition of a Buddha or aBodhisattva, caused by Prajna (Wisdom) andBodhisattva, caused by Prajna (Wisdom) andKaruna (Compassion).Karuna (Compassion).

Enlightenment or Boddhi is the highest state of Enlightenment or Boddhi is the highest state of Samadhi (Self Samadhi (Self--absorption) in which the mind isabsorption) in which the mind isawakened and illuminated.awakened and illuminated.

The achievement of Buddhahood.The achievement of Buddhahood.



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Varieties of Enlightenment

Enlightenment as EscapeEnlightenment as Escape

Enlightenment as EmptinessEnlightenment as Emptiness

Enlightenment as Eternal LifeEnlightenment as Eternal Life Enlightenment as Realization of Buddha NatureEnlightenment as Realization of Buddha Nature

Enlightenment as NonEnlightenment as Non--DualityDuality

Enlightenment as ImpassivityEnlightenment as Impassivity Enlightenment as FaithEnlightenment as Faith

Tantric EnlightenmentTantric Enlightenment



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The Triple Gem & Three Refuges

Buddhists are united in their belief in the:Buddhists are united in their belief in the:

BuddhaBuddha

DharmaDharma (Buddha¶s teachings)(Buddha¶s teachings)

SanghaSangha (Buddhist community)(Buddhist community)

Because these are also the sources of help and support to the believers, they are alsoBecause these are also the sources of help and support to the believers, they are also

known as theknown as the Three Refuges:Three Refuges:

I go to theI go to the BuddhaBuddha as my refugeas my refuge

I go to theI go to the DharmaDharma as my refugeas my refuge

I go to theI go to the SanghaSangha as my refugeas my refuge



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The Three Universal Truths

1.1. Annica:Annica: Everything in life is impermanentEverything in life is impermanent

and constantly changing.and constantly changing.

2.2. Dukkha:Dukkha: Because nothing is permanent, lifeBecause nothing is permanent, life

is unsatisfactory and full of suffering.is unsatisfactory and full of suffering.

3.3. Anatta:Anatta: There is no eternal soul or There is no eternal soul or

permanent self; ego permanent self; ego--lessness; nonlessness; non--ego.ego.



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The Three Mind Poisons

GreedGreed

HateHate

IgnoranceIgnorance



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Basic Concepts in Buddhism (1)

AnnicaAnnica = impermanence= impermanence

DukkhaDukkha = unsatisfactoriness or suffering= unsatisfactoriness or suffering

Annata or AnatmanAnnata or Anatman = no Atman, no permanent or = no Atman, no permanent or unchanging self or soulunchanging self or soul

AhimsaAhimsa = non= non--violence, harmlesnessviolence, harmlesness

SunyataSunyata = emptiness, voidness, no= emptiness, voidness, no--thingnessthingness



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Basic Concepts in Buddhism (2)

SamsaraSamsara = the belief in rebirth as a potentially endless series of = the belief in rebirth as a potentially endless series of worldly (and illusory) existences in which every being is caught up,worldly (and illusory) existences in which every being is caught up,and only the entry to Nirvana can bring to an end.and only the entry to Nirvana can bring to an end.

Nirvana = tNirvana = the aim of all Buddhist religious practice is to be rid of thehe aim of all Buddhist religious practice is to be rid of the

delusion of ego, thus freeing oneself from the fetters of this mundanedelusion of ego, thus freeing oneself from the fetters of this mundaneworld. One who is successful in doing so is said to have overcome theworld. One who is successful in doing so is said to have overcome theround of rebirths and to have achieved enlightenment.round of rebirths and to have achieved enlightenment.

K armaK arma (Sanskrit: karman; Pali: kamma; literally ³act,´ or ³deed´) = (Sanskrit: karman; Pali: kamma; literally ³act,´ or ³deed´) = the belief that good conduct brings a pleasant and happy result andthe belief that good conduct brings a pleasant and happy result and

creates a tendency toward similar good acts, while bad conduct bringscreates a tendency toward similar good acts, while bad conduct bringsan evil result and creates a tendency toward repeated evil actions. Thisan evil result and creates a tendency toward repeated evil actions. Thisfurnishes the basic context for the moral life of the individual, and for furnishes the basic context for the moral life of the individual, and for the belief in reincarnation among many Buddhists.the belief in reincarnation among many Buddhists.



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Theory of Dependent Origination

According to this theory, things arise from conditions, andAccording to this theory, things arise from conditions, and

one thing arises out of another, or a group of others«one thing arises out of another, or a group of others«

It provides a sense of purpose;It provides a sense of purpose; It provides a basis for ethics, since things have consequences;It provides a basis for ethics, since things have consequences;

It does away with the need for either god above or aIt does away with the need for either god above or a

metaphysical substratum below, behind or beyond«metaphysical substratum below, behind or beyond«



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Theory of Inter-dependent Co-arising

Source of All, Transcendental Unity or Being, Tao, Creator God,

Buddha Nature, The Source, Universal or Buddha Mind,

Field of Infinite Possibilities, Void, Creative Vacuum, Silence, etc

± behind, beyond, below or above

~ ~ ~

According to this theory, things arise together, only appear separateAccording to this theory, things arise together, only appear separate

but allegedly are part of One, Nonbut allegedly are part of One, Non--Dual, InterDual, Inter--dependent Whole,dependent Whole,

God, Universal or Buddha Mind, Field of Inf inite Possibilities,God, Universal or Buddha Mind, Field of Inf inite Possibilities,

Void, Creative Vacuum, Tao, Silence...Void, Creative Vacuum, Tao, Silence...

This belief may result in a lack of individual purpose or responsibility;This belief may result in a lack of individual purpose or responsibility;in fatalism, quietism and inactivity, appeal to ³Other Power´«in fatalism, quietism and inactivity, appeal to ³Other Power´«



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Varieties of thought ³patterns´

Thoughts of an ³ordinary man´Thoughts of an ³ordinary man´

confusedconfused

orderlyorderly

ThoughtsThoughts of an ³enlightened man´of an ³enlightened man´

Arising into full consciousness out of and ³returning back to´

Omni-Present Silence, Void, Field of Infinite Possibilities,

CreativeV

acuum, Universal Mind, Zero Point Energy«



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10 Precepts / Virtues

1. No killing any living beings1. No killing any living beings

2. No taking what has not been given2. No taking what has not been given

3. No sexual misconduct3. No sexual misconduct

4. No lying4. No lying

5. No drinking of liquor 5. No drinking of liquor

6. No wearing or adornments and perfume6. No wearing or adornments and perfume

7. No enjoying singing & dancing7. No enjoying singing & dancing

8. No sleeping in large, raised beds8. No sleeping in large, raised beds 9. No eating after noon9. No eating after noon

10. No possessing of gold, silver and other 10. No possessing of gold, silver and other precious metals precious metals



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10 Wholesome Courses of Action

1.1. Generosity (Dana)Generosity (Dana)

2.2. Morality (Sila)Morality (Sila)

3.3. Meditation (Bhavana)Meditation (Bhavana)

4.

4. ReverenceReverence

5.5. ServiceService

6.6. Transference of meritTransference of merit

7.7. Rejoicing in other¶s meritRejoicing in other¶s merit

8.8. Hearing the Doctrine / DharmaHearing the Doctrine / Dharma

9.9. Expounding the DoctrineExpounding the Doctrine

10.10. Straightening of one¶s own viewsStraightening of one¶s own views



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10 Unwholesome Courses of Action

1.1. KillingKilling

2.2. StealingStealing

3.3. Sexual misconduct & abuse of the sensesSexual misconduct & abuse of the senses

4.4. LyingLying5.5. SlanderingSlandering

6.6. Harsh speechHarsh speech

7.7. Frivolous talk Frivolous talk

8.8. CovetousnessCovetousness9.9. IllIll--willwill

10.10. False viewFalse view



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The Main Schools of Buddhism

TheravadaTheravada

MahayanaMahayana Pure LandPure Land

Ch¶an / ZenCh¶an / Zen

Vajrayana / TibetanVajrayana / Tibetan



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The Spread of Buddhism in Asia

Vajrayana / Tibetan



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Timeline of the Spread of Buddhism in Asia

Spreading from India to Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan,Spreading from India to Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan,Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of theBuddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of the

Eastern world, and during the 20th century also spread to the West.Eastern world, and during the 20th century also spread to the West.

It is estimated that there are over 500It is estimated that there are over 500--million Buddhists in the world today.million Buddhists in the world today.



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Map of Buddhist Population in India (1991)



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Buddhist Soteriology

LIBER ATION (MOKSHA)

NON-DUALITY (ADVAITA)ENLIGHTENMENT (SATORI)

EMPTINESS, VOIDNESS (SUNYATA)

R EALISATION OF NO-SELF (ANATTA)

Going beyond the mind, witnessing the mind

PUR E CONSCIOUSNESS, I, TRUE SELF, SILENCE

ATTR ACTION

Craving

Lik ing

Clinging

Seek ing

Hoping

Loving

R EPULSION

Rejecting

Dislik ing

Resisting

Avoiding

Despairing

Hating

DEFILEMENTS (K ILESAS)DUE TO UNCONSCIOUS IDENTIFICATIONOF SELF WITH THE MIND - BODY

MANIFESTING AS SELFISHNESS, ILLUSION (MAYA), DUALITY (DVAITA)R ESULTING IN SUFFERING (DUKHA)

QUENCHING OF DEFILEMENTSBY CONSTANT MINDFULNESS

Bringing Unconsciousness

to Consciousness

QUENCHING OF DEFILEMENTS

BY CONSTANT MINDFULNESS

Bringing Unconsciousness

to Consciousness

CONFUSION& DELUSION

The µWitness¶ or µNirguna

Brahman¶ of Vedanta,µFather¶ of Christianity,

µBuddha-mind¶ of Ch¶an,

µOne¶ of Mysticism,

µAbsolute¶ or µNoumenon¶

of Philosophy, etc.

R E L A T I V E

A B S O L U T E

Buddha¶s Way of ³Salvation´, Liberation and Transcendence of Dualities



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³Steps´ to Enlightenment, Satori,

Knowledge of Self, Vidya, Jnana Ordinary, unenightened person, ajnaniOrdinary, unenightened person, ajnani

I am my name, gender, nationality,I am my name, gender, nationality, personality, body, emotions, mind, personality, body, emotions, mind,intellect, soul, ego; feeling and thinkingintellect, soul, ego; feeling and thinking³I´ & ³mine´ (selfishness) v. ³others´«³I´ & ³mine´ (selfishness) v. ³others´«

Deliverance, Enlightenment, Satori,Deliverance, Enlightenment, Satori,

Self Self--Realisation, Moksha, Liberation«Realisation, Moksha, Liberation«

I am noI am no--thing; there is no ³i´; nothing; there is no ³i´; no--self self

I am / is not a thing or object«I am / is not a thing or object«

Enlightened person, jnaniEnlightened person, jnani

I am NothingI am Nothing--Everything, Self, One,Everything, Self, One,One Self, OneOne Self, One--withwith--All, Love, Witness,All, Love, Witness,Just Being«Just Being«

Zero

Point

one,

self,

ego,

i

I,

Self,One,

Paradox(Nothing-in-and

as-Everything)



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Quotes from Buddhism (1)

T he One Mind alone is the Buddha, and there is noT he One Mind alone is the Buddha, and there is nodistinction between the Buddha and sentient being, only that distinction between the Buddha and sentient being, only that

sentient beings are attached to form and so seek to attain sentient beings are attached to form and so seek to attain Budhahood externally. By the very seeking they lose it, for Budhahood externally. By the very seeking they lose it, for

that is using the Buddha to seek Buddha, and using thethat is using the Buddha to seek Buddha, and using the Mind to grasp Mind. Mind to grasp Mind. -- Huang PoHuang Po

I f you run away from the Void, you can never be free from I f you run away from the Void, you can never be free fromit; if you search for the Void, you can never reach it.it; if you search for the Void, you can never reach it.

-- Niu Niu--tou Fatou Fa--YungYung

I f you are afraid, you are in error. I f you know how to calm I f you are afraid, you are in error. I f you know how to calm your spirit and keep still in all circumstances, you are in your spirit and keep still in all circumstances, you are intruth.truth. -- BoddhidharmaBoddhidharma



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Quotes from Buddhism (2)

In the Diamond Sutra, Subhuti asks Buddha aboutIn the Diamond Sutra, Subhuti asks Buddha about

his enlightenment. The Buddha¶s response washis enlightenment. The Buddha¶s response was

very simple and yet profound:very simple and yet profound:

³³T hrough the consummation of incomparableT hrough the consummation of incomparable

enlightenment, I acquired not even the least thing;enlightenment, I acquired not even the least thing;

therefore it is called ³the consummation of therefore it is called ³the consummation of

incomparable enlightenment.´incomparable enlightenment.´



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Why are you so unhappy?

Why are you so unhappy?Why are you so unhappy?

Because 99,9 per cent Because 99,9 per cent

of everything you think of everything you think and everything you doand everything you do

is for yourself is for yourself² ²

and there isn¶t one.and there isn¶t one.

From Ask the Awakened by Wei WuWei



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Thank YouThank You

Ivan FrimmelIvan FrimmelCell: 082Cell: 082--454454--03110311

EE--mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

6572244 What is Buddhism

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