From core Text: Tripitaka - Sutta Pitaka

Five moral Precepts

To refrain from:
1. Harming living things
2. Taking what is not given
3. Sexual misconduct
4. Lying or gossip
5. Taking intoxicating substances (drugs, drink)

Four Noble truths
1. The truth of suffering
2. The truth of the origin of suffering
3. The truth of cessation of suffering
4. The truth of the path which leads to the cessation of suffering

The Eightfold Path (towards Enlightenment)
1. Right understanding Wisdom
2. Right thought
3. Right speech Conduct
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort Meditation
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration

Three marks of existence
1. Dukka- suffering
2. Anicca- impermanence
3. Anatta- no soul

Three Jewels
1. Buddha (the founder and example)
2. Dharma (totality of Buddhas teachings)
3. Sangha (complete Buddhist community)
Theravada
~ Mainly found in Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia and Thailand
~ It is the most orthodox school of Buddhism and focuses on goal of obtaining
enlightenment, like Buddha. However, this variant places more emphasis on
the sacred text Pali Canon than Buddha himself since they believe they
can only attain enlightenment through assistance from the wise members of
the sangha (Buddhist community)

Mahayana
~ Most prominent in Tibet, China and Japan
~ Emphasises on bodhisattva a figure whose path to nirvana requires them
to help others escape from samsara (cycle of rebirth as a result of karma)
Vajrayana
~ Mainly present in India
~ Built on the teachings of emptiness and the idea of potential Buddhahood,
asserting that it is the recitation of religious verses and the visualization of
the images of those already enlightened that brings forth the enlightening
knowledge

- Born: Tenzin Gyatso, 1935 (which means Ocean of Wisdom)
- Leader of Tibetan Buddhism (Vajarana variant)
- Escaped Tibet 1959 following Chinas invasion and set up government
in exile in Dharamasala India



Preserved Tibetan Buddhism
Established education system whilst in exile (over 200 monasteries)
Translated the Tibetan Book of The Dead in 1951 (Sacred text for Vajarana)
which instructs one in the art of dying and tells the dead what to expect
during the 49 days in which man stays on earth before reincarnation occurs
Quote Tibetan Book of The Dead: In reality, your body is of the nature of
voidness; you need not be afraid

Impact
Ensured the survival of Tibetan Buddhism
Made Buddhism more accessible and understandable (reduction of language
barrier, Translation of Tibetan Book of The Dead)
LRT: Australian Buddhism increased from 1.1% in 1996 to 1.9% in 2001 and
has become the fastest growing religion for those under 40 years
Broadened tolerance (diversity)
LRT: Indian Hindus mixing with Tibetan Buddhists


Interfaith Dialogue
Visited 46 countries
Spoke at interfaith conferences
LRT: Interfaith Event to be held in the USA on October 25 2014
Meetings with leaders from other traditions - For example, the DL met with
Pope John Paul II a total of eight times before his death, and claimed: My
main sort of interest, or main purpose or goal is promotion of human values
and promotion of religious harmony. Thus, the Dalai Lama has assisted in
the breaking down of cultural, ethnic and religious barriers within the
international community, through tolerance and acceptance of the
differences that separate us.
Quote: The most promising avenue for global peace is therefore in a deep
appreciation of our common humanity
Quote: I always believe that it is much better to have a variety of religions,
a variety of philosophies, rather than one single religion or philosophy. This
is necessary because of the different mental dispositions of each human
being.

Impact
raised a greater awareness of Buddhism as a holistic religion
increased understanding and appreciation of Buddhist teachings and
practices
LRT: meditation in Christianity in a Christian context without any threat to
their tradition
Different faiths can now relate to each other more effectively


Promotion of world peace
Promoted peace through his tireless efforts for the freedom of Tibet
Promotes non-violence through his bravery and determination to be
peaceful and not fight for the return of the land through violent means. The
DLs courage to manage the desires of revenge, mistrust and hatred also
sets an example for adherents and, thus, evidences his aim to destroy these
particular desires which are so prevalent in humanity
Nobel Peace Prize 1989
Proposed the Five Point Peace Plan for the freedom of Tibet in 1987 based
on B teachings (e.g. dont harm sentient beings, right mindfulness)
Quote: Its not the role of world leaders to achieve world peace, but its up
to individuals to develop inner peace that will lead to world peace
Quote: internal peace is an essential first step to achieving peace in the
world

Impact
increased possibility of world peace
models a deep sense of peace and tranquillity through applying Buddhist
teachings to global concerns
Quote: if you are unable to exchange your happiness for the suffering of
others, you have no hope of Buddahood
Quote: when we have inner peace, we can have peace around us
Quote: There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies.
My brain and heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness (links to
Right Mindfulness)
LRT: in 2014 his enduring impact can be gauged by the multiple websites
and YouTube clips where the DLs work is discussed and used by
contemporary Buddhists


Sets an example for adherents
The Dali Lamas actions reflect his words and beliefs and, thus, he becomes
an example for all Buddhist people
The fact that he is the enlightened one furthers this idea and highlights the
possibility of reaching enlightenment for all adherents



Environmental ethics: the study of the relationship between humanity and the
environment in which we live.

All things are interconnected; therefore humans are encouraged to live in
harmony with the environment and act with loving kindness (metta)
towards all forms of life
Evidence: 1
st
and 2
nd
moral precept (refrain from: harming living things /
taking what is not given)
LRT: Vegetarian - minimising harm, remaining faithful to interconnectedness
Quote: Destruction of nature and natural resources results from ignorance,
greed and lack of respect for the earth's living things
The DL explains that human suffering is caused by desire to be separate or
in disharmony with the environment, as evidenced in the Tripataka: With
desire the world is tied down. Thus, by freeing oneself from desire through
purifying the mind (links to right thought 8FP), Buddhists effectively create
harmony with the environment.
LRT: Dharma Gaia Trust (Australia based project group) raise funds for
Buddhist inspired ecological activities in Asia, predominately Theraradan
Buddhists, such as its Temple Forest project in Sri Lanka.
The interconnectedness between man and nature is also seen through the
Path of Threefold learning (Samiriti - contemporary Buddhist writer and
environmentalist) which is based on ancient Biblical teachings
LRT: 4
th
(right action) and 6
th
from the teachings on the 8FP (right effort) can
be evidenced through the 1991 tree ordination ceremony in Thailand (by
Phrakhuru Pitak)
Buddhists are further encouraged to do the right thing by the environment
through their strong belief in karma where the effects of deeds create
present and future positive (in the case of good deeds) or negative (in the
case of bad deeds) experiences for the individual. If the individual does only
good deeds they will be released from the cycle of Samsara (birth, life,
death and rebirth) and may reach the ultimate goal of nirvana (a
transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of
self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of
death and rebirth) whilst bad deeds lead to continued rebirth, increased
pain and suffering
Wesak: annual celebration of Buddhas birth, death and enlightenment
(parinirvana)
Morning session: raising of the Buddhist flag. The blue in the flag represents
Metta (loving kindness) and therefore symbolises essential values that
underpin the Buddhist community
Puja (prayer) service and meditation (8
th
of 8 FP) reinforces Buddhists
spiritual identity and encourages them to grow as a group
Afternoon: circumambulation the stupa three times, tales from Jakata, giving
to the poor and a candle lit procession. These features of the practice aim to
reinforce the significance of Buddhist beliefs to achieve enlightenment and
to support adherents on their journey towards the ultimate goal of
enlightenment


Makes present principle beliefs
Candles are lit to symbolize Buddhas enlightenment
flowers represent impermanence (annica) even as these flowers do fade,
so does my body come to destruction
making offerings to the shrine represents giving oneself
meditation links to the idea of trying to find oneself
Freeing of birds and other animals from cages symbolises freedom from the
reincarnation cycle. It is believed that the captors receive good karma for
capturing the animals because they give people the opportunity to purchase
the animal, while the person who releases the animal also has good karma
by freeing the captive animal
people are involved in public acts of washing and cleaning, symbolizing
purification of the mind from ignorance
Chanting the 3 Jewels reinforces the true possibility of enlightenment, whilst
reminding the adherent of available support (Sangha)

Consolidates / strengthens / enhances community identity
Links an individual to their Buddhist community (support)
enhances social cohesion
assists spread of the tradition (generation to generation)
LRT: over 350 million Buddhist worldwide - 6% of worlds population
provides structure to life

Enhances opportunity for enlightenment
Enhances prayer life - the most significant source of renewal of Buddhists
life
Fulfils the search for meaning that religion provides and reinforces their
belief in their ability to achieve their ultimate goal in life (enlightenment)

Acronym
B: Principle beliefs (candles, flowers, freeing birds, chanting 3 jewels)
E: enlightenment (potential), fulfills search for meaning, ultimate goal
G: generation to generation (spread, preserve)
S: strengthens community identity (6% world population, structure to life)