The Buddha

Siddhartha GautamaBorn c. 563 BCE in Lumbini, today in NepalDiedc. 483 BCE (aged 80) in Kushinagar, today in India

Life

The Tale of the Buddha

The Four Passing Sights

The “Going Forth”

1) Raja Yoga

2) Asceticism

There is a Middle Way

The Four Noble Truths

1) Life is suffering (dukkha)

2) The cause of suffering is desire (tanha)

3) The cure for suffering is in overcoming desire

4) The way to overcoming suffering is the eight-fold path

The eight-fold path

1) Right views

2) Right Intent

3) Right speech

4) Right conduct

5) Right livelihood

6) Right effort

7) Right mindfulness

8) Right Concentration

Is Buddhism a Religion?• Characteristics of Religion:1)Authority2)Ritual3)Speculation4)Tradition5)Supernatural help6)Mystery • Buddha rejects all of these things!

Basic Buddhist Concepts

THE THREE MARKS OF EXISTENCEDukka - Suffering

Anicca - The doctrine of impermanence.

Anatta - The doctrine that there is in humans no permanent, underlying substance that can be called the soul.

THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF BUDDHISM

Nirvana- The extinction of desire, hatred, and ignorance and, ultimately, of suffering and rebirth. Literally, it means “blowing out” or “becoming extinguished,” as when a flame is blown out or a fire burns out.

What does “No-Self” mean?• Common view • Buddhist View

Common View Buddhist View

Subject/Perceiver Perceptions -- Thoughts -- Feelings Perceptions -- Thoughts -- Feelings

Perceptions --- thoughts ---- feelings

Subject/self/ perceiver

Perceptions --- thoughts --- feelings

Theravada (Hinayana) vs. Mahayana

TheravadaHuman beings are emancipated by self-

effort, without supernatural aid.

Key virtue: Wisdom

Attainment requires constant commitment, and is primarily for monks and nuns

Ideal: The Arhat who remains in nirvana after death

Buddha a saint, supreme teacher, and inspirer

Minimizes ritual

Practice centers on meditation.

MahayanaHuman aspirations are supported by divine

powers and the grace they bestow

Key virtue: Compassion

Religious practice is relevant to life in the world, and therefore to laypeople.

Ideal: the boddhisattva

Buddha is a savior

Elaborates metaphysics

Emphasizes ritual

Includes petitionary prayer

Types of Mahayana Buddhism

Pure Land

Zen

Hotei (Laughing) Buddha

Vajarayana: Tibetan Buddhism