Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Four Passing Sights
The Fourth Noble Truth
The last noble truth is journey to the end of sufering. This journey is called the Eightfold path. The Eightfold path is a journey with eight steps on how one can obtain peace or Nirvana. These eight simple steps are: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mind, and right concentration. The eight steps all depend on eachother in order to reach Nirvana. In order to reach Nirvana, a person must obtain all these different traits.
The Third Noble Truth
After Siddhartha discovered what was ailing the people, he found a way to cure it. The third noble truth is the end of the suffering. It is called the Niordha. Niordha means the end of the suffering. Buddha said that in order to end our sufferings, we must put and end to our desires and cravings. We must learn not to be so attached. If people can do this, than they can go to an eternal peace called Nirvana. In order to get to Nirvana, people must meditate and practice Buddhism. Meditating helps strive towards no troubles and worries. People should also learn to follow Siddhartha and his teachings and they can obtain this peaceful life.
The Second Noble Truth
When Siddhartha was exploring the world, he noticed why the people were suffering. People suffer because of thir cravings and desire, or in other words, a personal attachment. These people suffer from a longing that is gone, or can no loger be obtained. This ails the people. So the second noble truth is the cause of suffering. This second noble truth is known as the Tahna. People are attached to things that they should let go of and that is what is causing them all the pain.
Turning the Wheel of Dharma
The Four Seals of Dharma:
All phenomena are impermanent
All phenomena are suffering
All phenomena are selfless
Nirvana alone is peace
These four teachings, became the number one reason for the first turning of the wheel of Dharma taught by Buddha Shakyamuni, which took place in Varanasi.
The second turning of the wheel of Dharma came from the teachings of Mahayana or great vehicle( one of the branches of Buddhism) . This turning took place in the Indian City of Rajgir, at an area which is known as the Vulture Peak.
The third turning was presented to an audience of 
bodhisattvas in Shravasti and area located in India. Buddha made out the difference between the meaning of the Dharma and the commonly held meaning, in third and final turning.
*For what I have read the Dharma means law. The Dharmachackra is translated to the wheel of Dhrama, which is a symbol which represents Buddhist teaching. It is presented as a cartwheel in which the circular rim suggests perfection and the eight spokes the eightfold way to enlightenment. The story of have Buddha Shakyamuni recieved the cartwheel is a rather interesting one that begins with a man named Brahma, the greatest sovereign of the unvirse, and another man named Indra,the lord of the gods and angels. Brahma offered Buddha Shakyamuni a thousand spoken golden wheels, and Indra offered him the most rare clockwise spiraling conch shell. Thankful for what they offered him, they both insist though that Buddha turn the Wheel of Dharma. In response all three of them consented into turning the Wheel of Dharma. Over the course of the rest of his life, Buddha Shakyamuni set in motion what are known as the three great turnings of the wheel of Dharma, the wheel of the teachings. ( Buddha Shakyamuni is the Buddhism name for Siddhartha Gautama.) *
Source: http://www.kbi.coa.au/cgi-bin/engine.pl?Page=page.html&Rec=61
The First Noble Truth
The first noble truth is that life is filled with pain and suffering. These sufferings are like sicknesses and depression. When Siddhartha left his palace, he was wandering aroud and exploring the real world. He noticed that people were in pain. he came to the conclusion that all people suffer from pain and sickness. This first noble truth is called the Dukkah. The Pali term Dukkah translates to "bad wheel." This bad wheel is the never-ending cycle from birth, life, death, over and over again.
Bibliography
"Basic Points of Buddhism - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. 2004. Web. 21 July 2011. http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/basic_points.htm .
"Basics of Buddhism." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 21 July 2011. http://www.pbs.org/edens/thailand/buddhism.htm .
"Buddhism." Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. 2011. Web. 15 July 2011. http://www.school.eb.com/all/comptons/article-9273390?query=buddhism .
"Buddhism." Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Web. 21 July 2011. http://www.school.eb.com/all/comptons/article-197934 .
"Buddhism." Religion for Schools. Web. 21 July 2011. http://www.world-faiths.com/Buddhism/buddhism.htm .
"Buddhism: The Different Forms of Buddhism." FindingDulcinea | Online Guides | Internet Library | Web Resources. 2011. Web. 21 July 2011. http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides/Religion-and-Spirituality/Buddhism.pg_00.html#00 .
"Buddhist Scripture - Buddhism Scriptures - Buddhist Classic Scriptures." Buddhist Temples India, Buddhist Pilgrimage in India, Buddhism Origin, Buddhism Religion, Buddhist Temple Tours, Buddhist Pilgrimage Travel India, Information on Buddhism. Web. 21 July 2011. http://www.buddhist-temples.com/buddhism-facts/buddhist-scripture.html .
"The Four Noble Truths." BuddhaNet - Worldwide Buddhist Information and Education Network.Web.
21 July 2011. <http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm >.
Odell -Hein PhD, Eric. "All Religions Are Exclusive." Columbia Evangelical Seminary. 2008. Web. 21
July 2011. <http://www.columbiaseminary.edu/coffeetalk/147.html >.
The Wheel of Dharma
The Wheel of Dharma, the teachings of Buddha, which includes the Sutra of the Four Noble Truths and, the teachings of the Hinayana, or Lesser Vehicle, of Buddhism. Later, Buddha taught the second and third Wheels of Dharma, which include the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras and the Sutra Discriminating the Intention. In the Hinayana teachings, Buddha explains how to to get liberation from suffering for oneself alone. In the Mahayana teachings he explains how to get full enlightenment, or Buddhahood.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Noble Eightfold Path
The Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths were created by Buddha. These Four Noble Truths were to help and inspire others. The first noble truth is that life is awful and is filled with suffering and pain. Some examples of suffering and pain are depression and physical pain or a sickness. This first truth is known as dukkah in the language Pali. The second truth is that suffering has a cause and a craving. These cravings are for a desire. The second truth also seeks the cause of suffering. This is the tanha. The third truth is that this craving or desire can be overcome and can lead to happiness. This is the niordha. The last noble truth is achieving this pain and suffering by the Eightfold Path.
Rule # 5: Thirty-Seven qualities
In Buddism,bodhipakṣa dharma is the qualities of the dhamma related to (pakkhiya) Enlightenment (bodhi).
In the Pali, the use bodhipakkhiya dhamma is used to refer to the seven sets of such qualities mentioned by the Buddha. In those seven sets of Enlightenment qualities, there are a total of thirty-seven individual qualities
These seven sets of qualities are used by the two branches of Buddhism which are, Theravada and Mahayana Buddhists as sources of the Buddhist Path to Enlightenment.
Rule # 4: Dukkha
The Buddha himself on Dukkha:
This, bhikkhus, is the Noble Truth of Dukkha: Birth is dukkha, aging is dukkha, sickness is dukkha, death is dukkha. Presence of objects we loathed is dukkha; separation from what we love is dukkha; not getting what is wanted is dukkha. In short, the five clinging-aggregates are dukkha.— SN 56.11
Apparently, dukkha can make reference to many unpleasant events in different degrees. From what I read it can range from discomfort to suffering.
Source:
- ^ MN 63, trans. Thanissaro Bhikkhu, retrieved from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.063.than.html
- ^ SN 22.86, trans., Thanissaro Bhikkhu, retrieved from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn22/sn22.086.than.htm
* Some of the phrasing of the words have been changed to be worded in my own words*
Proselytism in Buddhism
Proselytism is the act or attempt of converting one into a different religion. In Christianity there is a belief in converting. However, buddhists think differentlty than this. Buddhists do not believe in converting. They believe that everyone is allowed to practice any religion they choose.
Systematized
After researching for hours, my partner and I were unable to find any record or source of systematizing being used in the Buddhism religion. But what we were able to find was a book called Indian Buddhism, by Hajime Nakamura which tackles the issue with systematizing in chapter 6 PG 321. Unfortunately we are unable to obtain this book.
The Scriptures of Buddhism
The Buddhist religion has several scriptures. Scriptures are sacred writings of religion. The buddhist scriptures are divided into two divisions: Canonical and Non-Canonical. The Canonical texts are the words of Buddha himself. The Canonical texts are also known as the Sutras or the Suttas in differen places. The Non - canonical texts include part of the Canonical texts and the Dharma. Other buddhist scriptures are the Triptaka, the Mahayana Sutras and the Tibetan Book of the Dead. The Triptaka is large as it is still being added to. It was originally written on leaves. The Mahayana Sutras was written during 200 BCE and 200 CE. It is extremely large consisting of over two thousand different Mahayana Sutras. The most prominent Mahayana Sutras are the Lotus Sutras ans the Heart Sutras. The Tibetan Book of the Dead is written from the prospective of a Buddhist monk. It expalins the time between death and the rebirth.
Rituals
The ritual calendar of Buddhism includes events that are celebrated with other religions and or even national traditions. For instances, the New Year is the biggest holiday of the year in many Asian countries, and activities can last for a week or more.Some traditions are followed, that are specifically related to Buddhism. Special foods are prepared, and some Buddhist temples will offer food to their people.On New Year's Eve in Japan, at midnight, Buddhist temples ring the temple bell 108 times, at the larger temples, a huge crowds of people will attend this event. Buddha's birthday is probably the most widely observed Buddhist holiday, but what is interesting is that it is celebrated on different days, with different rituals, and in different countries. At some temples there will be a statue of the Buddha over which visiting followers can pour water or a special tea. Even some temples will kindly offer a free vegetarian meal to all visitors. Buddhists can make charitable donations on this day, or they can even purchase any animals from slaughterhouses,then release them, and provide for their future. Some Buddhist countries also celebrate "Sangha Day," which honors a day in the life of the historical Buddha, when the monks gathered to honor him. On this day, people bring food and gifts to the local temples. There are many other holidays that honor Buddha, such as his death is celebrated in some Buddhist countries. Many Asian countries have some form of Buddhist pilgrimage that one can do at any time of the pilgrim's choosing. From what I have read that pilgrimage sites in China are Putuo Shan, whish is an island on the east coast of China. Other popular Chinese pilgrimage sites are Buddhist sacred mountains. Japan also from what I have read has a number of popular pilgrimages too, such as the pilgrimage to the thirty-three temples of Kannon ( sacred place). Families or individuals must visit one of these temples on a weekend over the course of several years.
A God of Buddhism?
In religions such as Catholicism and Judaism there is a belief in one god. In religions like what was practiced in Ancient Greece, there was a belief in multiple gods. Buddhism falls into neither of these categories. Buddhists do not believe in a god. When a religion doesn't believe in a god, it is called atheism. Buddhism is atheist because Buddha believed buddhists don't have to rely on one god to help them. Also, Buddha believed that there is no reasonable explanation to explain the creation and existence of a god. Lastly, Buddha believed that the whole idea of having a god is unnecessary. So this is why the Buddhist religion does not have a god.
The Creed of Buddhism
A creed is a series of rules of beliefs written down that a religion has to follow. Some catholic creeds are the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed which are fairly famous throughout the Catholic faith. The Buddhist religion doesn't have a creed. Instead, Buddhistsfollow and live by the Dharma. The Dharma consists of Buddha's teachings. The Dharma is something that Buddhists believe in.
Buddhism Divisions
Theravada - Theravada Buddhism is the oldest form of Buddhism, it was established in India, home of the Buddha. It is sometimes referred to as Hinayana by other Buddhist branches, but the meaning of this branch means "lesser or smaller vehicle." It focuses on individual realization or awakened being.
Mahayana - Mahayana Buddhism evolved later than Theravada, around the 1st century CE in India. Mahayana means "great vehicle" and this refers to the fact that most Mahayana schools place the compassionate will to free all human being from suffering. The Mahayana branches vary widely in philosophy and practices.
Zen and Tibetan - Two of the most widely practiced forms of Buddhism in the West, and are considered Mahayana traditions. Other schools of thought are Pure Land, Nichiren, Shingon, and Tendai. Mahayana, which is mostly practiced in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Tibet, and the Tibetan throughout India and the West. Each Mahayana school has many branches; such as , the primary lineages of Zen are Rinzai and Soto, and Tibetan Buddhism has four main lineages, which are Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug. They all have distinct scriptures and practices.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Death and Afterlife
Buddha accepted the basic Hindu ideas of reincarnation and karma, as well as that the ultimate goal of the religion is to escape the cycle of death and rebirth. Buddha asserted that what keeps us bound to the death and rebirth process is desire, desire in the sense of wanting or craving anything in the world. The goal of not repeating the process of reincarnation involves freeing oneself from desire. For example, Nirvana, one of the Buddhist temples literally means extinction, and it refers to the extinction of all craving. Karma basically doing what is wrong verbally or physically and paying the high price in the end.
Monotheistic or Polythestic
Buddhism does not depend on the existence of a God, or who created the universe. Instead Buddhism chooses to focus upon practical ways of life that can mean living a life of peace. But what from I have read, Buddha did not rule out the existence of a God or gods altogether.So essentially though Buddha was a teacher not a god. In other words, neither.
Syncretism in Buddhism
Buddhism was started in the second century BCE in acncient India. It was started by Siddhartha Gautama also known as Buddha. Over the 2,500 years that have passed from the founding and today, the religion has changed quite a bit. The changing of Buddhism or any other religion over time is called syncretism. Buddhism has added several branches to the one religion. These branches include Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhism is a newer religion than the other three and it is based off of Mahayana. So while changing over the years, Buddhism has created four smaller branches that are based off of Buddhism.
Inclusive or Exclusive?
Many religions such as Christianity are exlusive. The definition of exclusive is not allowing everybody to practice a religion. On the other hand, some religions such as Hinduism are inclusive. Inclusive is the opposite of exclusive meaning inlcuding and welcoming anyone to practice a certain religion. Buddhism is an example of an inclusive religion. Buddhists allow people to join the religion even though they might also have an alternate religion they are practicing at the same time. Because anyone can be a buddhist, this makes Buddhism an inclusive religion.
Religious Pluralism
The earliest reference to Buddhist views on religious pluralism in a political sense is found in the Edicts of Emperor Ashoka, which are a collection of 33 inscriptions of the Pillar of Ashoka, made by Emperor Ashoka during his reign from 269 BCE to 231 BCE.
- "All religions should reside everywhere, for all of them desire self-control and purity of heart."
- "Contact (between religions) is good. One should listen to and respect the doctrines professed by others. Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, desires that all should be well-learned in the good doctrines of other religions." Rock Edict Nb12 (S. Dhammika)
What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is an Asian religion or philosophy, founded by Siddhartha Gautama in northeastern India in the 5Th century BC. A brief history of Buddhism is that it spanned through 6Th century BC to the present day, on the day of birth of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama on an India Subcontinent. The religion evolved as it spread from the northeastern region of the Indian subcontinent through Central, East, and Southwest Asia. The history of Buddhism is very fascinating. Buddhism is one of the oldest religions practiced today.
Buddhism Beliefs: Basic Points
- The Buddha is our only Master: Buddha's followers only follow the teachings of Buddha no one else.
- We take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha: The Pali formula which translates to this-Buddham saranam gacchami (I go to the Buddha for refuge) Dhammam saranam gacchami (I go to the Dhamma for refuge) Sangham saranam gacchami (I go to the Sangha for refuge)
Other points:
- 1. We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by a God
- 2. Following the example of the Buddha, who is the embodiment of Great Compassion (mahaa-karunaa) and Great Wisdom (mahaa-prajnaa), we consider that the purpose of life is to develop compassion for all living beings without discrimination and to work for their good, happiness, and peace; and to develop wisdom leading to the realization of Ultimate Truth.
- 3. We accept the Four Noble Truths, nameley Dukkha, the Arising of Dukkha, the Cessation of Dukkha, and the Path leading to the Cessation of Dukkha; and the universal law of cause and effect as taught in the pratiitya-samutpaada(Conditioned Genesis or Dependent Origination).
- 4. We understand, according to the teaching of the Buddha, that all conditioned things (samskaara) are impermanent (anitya) and dukkha, and that all conditioned and unconditioned things (dharma) are without self (anaatma).
- 5. We accept the Thirty-seven Qualities conducive to Enlightenment (bodhipaksa-dharma) as different aspects of the Path taught by the Buddha leading to Enlightenment.
- 6. There are three ways of attaining bodhi or Enlightenment, according to the ability and capacity of each individual: namely as a disciple (sraavaka), as a Pratyeka-Buddha and as a Samyak-sam-Buddha (perfectly and Fully Enlightened Buddha). We accept it as the highest, noblest, and most heroic to follow the career of a Bodhisattva and to become aSamyak-sam-Buddha in order to save others.
- 7. We admit that in different countries there are differences with regard to the life of Buddhist monks, popular Buddhist beliefs and practices, rites and ceremonies, customs and habits. These external forms and expressions should not be confused with the essential teachings of the Buddha. Source:http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/basic_points.htm
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