Revision SlidesRevision Slides

BuddhismBuddhism

DukkhaDukkha Dukkha is the first of the Four Noble Truths: Life is Dukkha is the first of the Four Noble Truths: Life is

suffering. suffering. It is one of the three marks of conditioned existence. It is one of the three marks of conditioned existence. It is part of the Buddha’s analysis of the human condition It is part of the Buddha’s analysis of the human condition it is generally translated as unsatisfactorinessit is generally translated as unsatisfactoriness There are three different levels of dukkhaThere are three different levels of dukkha First is ordinary suffering and includes: birth, death, grief, First is ordinary suffering and includes: birth, death, grief,

physical pain mental anguish etc.physical pain mental anguish etc. Not getting what we want and the limits of human Not getting what we want and the limits of human

existence are dukkhaexistence are dukkha Dukkha is caused by craving or attachment to impermanent Dukkha is caused by craving or attachment to impermanent

thingsthings

The Three Root PoisonsThe Three Root Poisons The poisons are emotions: greed, hatred and The poisons are emotions: greed, hatred and

ignoranceignorance Represented by three animals a pig an snake and Represented by three animals a pig an snake and

a cockerel a cockerel They are depicted at the centre of the Wheel of They are depicted at the centre of the Wheel of

Life or samsaraLife or samsara They are like the axel of the wheel; they keep it They are like the axel of the wheel; they keep it

turningturning Being attached to the 3 poisons will mean that Being attached to the 3 poisons will mean that

beings remain trapped in the cycle of samsarabeings remain trapped in the cycle of samsara They are depicted biting each other’s tails to They are depicted biting each other’s tails to

show that they feed each othershow that they feed each other

TanhaTanha Tanha translates as thirsting or cravingTanha translates as thirsting or craving It is the root cause of dukkha and is the second It is the root cause of dukkha and is the second

Noble TruthNoble Truth Tanha binds the unenlightened to samsaraTanha binds the unenlightened to samsara All things are impermanent and will pass away All things are impermanent and will pass away Nothing lasts forever, but ignorance of the true Nothing lasts forever, but ignorance of the true

nature of reality causes the unenlightened to nature of reality causes the unenlightened to cling and hold on to things wishing that they will cling and hold on to things wishing that they will lastlast

AniccaAnicca The Doctrine of Impermanence The Doctrine of Impermanence All things change, nothing at all stays the sameAll things change, nothing at all stays the same Change can be seen on different levels because some things Change can be seen on different levels because some things

change quickly while others change so slowly that we cannot see change quickly while others change so slowly that we cannot see the changethe change

We change from babies to toddlers, to adolescents then to adultsWe change from babies to toddlers, to adolescents then to adults Cells change all the time, we are not the same as we were Cells change all the time, we are not the same as we were

yesterday and we will be different tomorrowyesterday and we will be different tomorrow The sun seems to stay the same but it too is constantly converting The sun seems to stay the same but it too is constantly converting

helium to hydrogen and will one day cease to existhelium to hydrogen and will one day cease to exist The Buddha said that there is nothing that comes into existence The Buddha said that there is nothing that comes into existence

which does not have within it the capacity to decaywhich does not have within it the capacity to decay As soon as we are born we are heading towards deathAs soon as we are born we are heading towards death

AnattaAnatta The doctrine of no selfThe doctrine of no self It can be said that it is anicca applied to humansIt can be said that it is anicca applied to humans There is nothing that continues from one life to the nextThere is nothing that continues from one life to the next Nagasena explains anatta to King Milinda with the Chariot Nagasena explains anatta to King Milinda with the Chariot

analogyanalogy There is no part of the chariot that is called chariotThere is no part of the chariot that is called chariot Sentient beings are comprised of the Five Skhandas: body, Sentient beings are comprised of the Five Skhandas: body,

feelings, sensations, mental formations and consciousnessfeelings, sensations, mental formations and consciousness At death the skhandas are shattered, nothing remains At death the skhandas are shattered, nothing remains

except kamma and consciousnessexcept kamma and consciousness

Anatta 2Anatta 2

Holding on to the belief in a self means that one Holding on to the belief in a self means that one cannot be free from the cycle of Samsaracannot be free from the cycle of Samsara

They will act in a selfish way and not for the sake They will act in a selfish way and not for the sake of othersof others

For lay Buddhists, not accepting anatta will affect For lay Buddhists, not accepting anatta will affect future rebirthsfuture rebirths

If they act from a selfish perspective they will If they act from a selfish perspective they will have a less favourable rebirth in the futurehave a less favourable rebirth in the future

The illusion of a self means that the person goes The illusion of a self means that the person goes through life focussed on the self, they ignore through life focussed on the self, they ignore other more important things that will bring them other more important things that will bring them closer to enlightenmentcloser to enlightenment

SamsaraSamsara

The cycle of birth, death and rebirthThe cycle of birth, death and rebirth The wheel of lifeThe wheel of life Release from samsara is possible by following the Release from samsara is possible by following the

Noble eight Fold PathNoble eight Fold Path The state of dependent originationThe state of dependent origination The aim is to live in such a way as to ensure a The aim is to live in such a way as to ensure a

better rebirth especially for lay Buddhistsbetter rebirth especially for lay Buddhists Rebirth depends on kammaRebirth depends on kamma A flow of ever changing consciousnessA flow of ever changing consciousness Six states of existence all dependent on karmaSix states of existence all dependent on karma

KammaKamma kamma or karma means action kamma or karma means action The law of karma is the law of cause and effect related to The law of karma is the law of cause and effect related to

intentional actionintentional action Karma can be good or badKarma can be good or bad The motivation behind the action causes either good or bad karmaThe motivation behind the action causes either good or bad karma If the motivation is to do good the kamma will be positiveIf the motivation is to do good the kamma will be positive If the motivation is to cause harm, the karma will be negativeIf the motivation is to cause harm, the karma will be negative Kamma affects rebirthKamma affects rebirth the consequences of one’s actions may not be felt in this life but the consequences of one’s actions may not be felt in this life but

in future livesin future lives Bad circumstances in this life can be seen as a result of bad Bad circumstances in this life can be seen as a result of bad

kamma from a previous lifekamma from a previous life Kamma is not a punishment for wrong it is the consequence of our Kamma is not a punishment for wrong it is the consequence of our

actionaction Kamma is not administered by a god, it is a natural law of cause Kamma is not administered by a god, it is a natural law of cause

and effectand effect

The Three JewelsThe Three Jewels Sometimes referred to as the Three RefugesSometimes referred to as the Three Refuges The Three Jewels are the Buddha, dhamma and sanghaThe Three Jewels are the Buddha, dhamma and sangha All Buddhists accept the Three Jewels, they are the foundation All Buddhists accept the Three Jewels, they are the foundation

of Buddhismof Buddhism A Buddhist takes refuge in the Jewels when he/she is ordained A Buddhist takes refuge in the Jewels when he/she is ordained

into the monastic sanghainto the monastic sangha

I take refuge in the Buddha: the Buddha was the first to become I take refuge in the Buddha: the Buddha was the first to become enlightened and he shows what is possible. He is a role model enlightened and he shows what is possible. He is a role model and inspiration to others. The Buddha revealed the dhamma, and inspiration to others. The Buddha revealed the dhamma, he created the sangha which pass on the dhamma. The Sangha he created the sangha which pass on the dhamma. The Sangha keeps the dhamma alive by teaching it to new generations. The keeps the dhamma alive by teaching it to new generations. The dhamma is the teachings of the Buddha. The dhamma is not dhamma is the teachings of the Buddha. The dhamma is not the source of enlightenment but a guide, individuals have to the source of enlightenment but a guide, individuals have to make the effort. The Three Jewels are inseparable as the basis make the effort. The Three Jewels are inseparable as the basis of Buddhismof Buddhism