Buddhism

The Middle Way of Wisdom & Compassion

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC)

Born in Nepal (NE India) and raised in great luxury to be a kingAt age 29 he rejected his luxurious

life to seek enlightenment and the source of suffering

Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 yearsEventually rejected this extreme

lifestyle and sat in meditationFound nirvana and became “The

Enlightened One” at age 35.

Nirvana“No suffering for him

Who is free from sorrowFree from the fetters of lifeFree in everything he does

He has reached the end of his road…

Like a bird invisibly flying in the skyHe lives without possessions

Knowledge his food, freedom his world

While others wonder…

He has found freedom –Peaceful his thinking, peaceful his

speechPeaceful his deed, tranquil his mind.”

What is the fundamental cause of all suffering?

Therefore, extinguish the self, and don’t obsess about yourself, you will reach nirvanaNirvana: lasting peace and

enlightenment

The “Three Jewels” of Buddhism

1. Buddha – the teacher

2. Dharma – the teachings

3. Sangha – the community

The Four Noble Truths

1. There is suffering in the world; to live is to suffer. (Dukkha)ImperfectionIllnessHatefulnessSeparation

The Four Noble Truths

2. The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments to worldly things. (Samudaya)Grasping for pleasureGrasping for becomingGrasping for sensual

delightGrasping for what we

don’t have

The Four Noble Truths

3.Suffering will stop when desires are stopped (Nirodha)When the

‘grasping’ stopsElimination of

passions

The Four Noble Truths

4.There is a way to get to this point: by following the Middle Way or the Eightfold Path

The Middle Way: The Eightfold Path

Wisdom:1. Right understanding:

have faith in Buddha’s view of the universe

2. Right motives and thoughts: uncover ‘unwholesome’ emotional roots that guide our thinking

The Middle Way: The Eightfold Path

Moral Discipline:3. Right speech: do not

participate in vain talk, gossip, harsh words, or lying

4. Right actions: do not kill, steal, participate in immorality, do not lie or use intoxicants

5. Right livelihood: do not work jobs that go against the teaching of Buddha

The Middle Way: The Eightfold Path

Mental Discipline:6. Right effort: have a good

attitude toward achieving all Buddhist goals

7. Right mindfulness: being in touch with your mental and physical health

8. Right meditation: focus the mind inward in order to find spiritual awareness

So what exactly do Buddhists believe?

• Rebirth (reincarnation) results from attachments (karma)to this earth

• Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of mind

• Achieving Nirvana means escape from the cycle of rebirth

• Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher

Yoga• A physical, mental, and spiritual

discipline, originating in ancient India. • Goal of yoga is the attainment of a

state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility.• The Sanskrit word yoga has the

literal meaning of "yoke", meaning to join, to unite, or to attach.