TREDONE LECTURE 2

BUDDHISM
-non-theistic, believes in no god
-one of the oldest religions in the world that seeks peace and joy
-believes that the soul is immortal, a Buddhist is reborn after death
-founded by Buddha, the Enlightened One
-a philosophy whose emphasis is on self-effort to attain salvation
-teaches a step by step path to lasting happiness
Siddartha Gautama
-born in 563 B.C. in Lumbini, Nepal, to a royal family during the rise of tyranny of the
upper castes[rulers and warriors] against the lower castes[untouchables] through
exploitation. The rising popularity of Brahmin priests, who formed the ruling class of
each kingdom or republic, collided with the rulers and warriors. Such was the millieu
in which Buddha was born.
-also known as Buddha Shakyamuni; Shakya is the name of the royal family into which
he is born; and Muni means Able one.
-mother died 7 days after his birth; was raised by an aunt, the father’s second wife
-at age 7, he was trained in athletic skills, instructed in spiritual disciplines/standards of
the day
-he was schooled in the Hindu faith and Hindu gods
-at age 16, he was married to a young woman named Yasodhara
-he had a son named Rahula
-as he grew up in the palace of luxury, he came to see outside the palace an old man, a
sick
man, a corpse, and a wandering monk that led him to think of old age, sickness and
death.
-at age 29, he renounced his life of luxury, left his family, to find out the origin of suffering
-mediated under the bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, where he attained enlightenment
-at age 80, he died of dysentery
Holy Book is known as Tripitaka
- texts which is subdivided into 5 books containing Buddha‘s dialogue. The Tripitaka had
been translated into the English language known as Sacred Books of the Buddhists
translated by Mrs. T. W. Rhys Davids, President of Pali Text Society of London
-means three baskets or collections, of Buddhist texts
Goal of Buddhism:
-Nirvana, “blowing out” of the fires of all desires and the absorption of the self into the
infinite
Branches of Buddhism:
-Theravada-the School of Elders, Southern Buddhism, started in Sri Lanka; main goal is to
attain
Nirvana [enlightenment and to study Buddhist’s path to knowledge and wisdom[] or
individual perfection
-Mahayana-the Great Vehicle, Northern Buddhism; the goal is to save all sentient beings
from suffering; their vow is to return to the world of suffering and assist others in
reaching Nirvana and then strive for their own Nirvana
-Vajrayana-The Middle Way, the practice of non-extremism; that Buddhism is to be
practiced by
both monks and the laity; decides to return to the world like the Mahayana tradition
and return to the world in their next reincarnation to help others especially other
Buddhists to reach their own Nirvana. Ex. Dalai Lama of Tibet
Concepts of Buddhism:
-Karma-refers to actions that spring from mental intent that brings consequence; Golden
Rule;
-Samsara-means journeying or a continuous flow of birth, life, death, and rebirth’; constant
rebirth and the attendant suffering; the everyday world of change
-Nirvana-release from suffering and rebirth that brings inner peace; state of enlightenment
attained through Eightfold Path
Four Noble Truths:
-Life is dukkha [suffering]
-Dukkha is caused by craving for happiness
-Dukkha ends when craving ends
-Enlightenment [liberated state] is achieved by following the path laid by Buddha.
The Noble Eightfold Path:
-Right View of the 4 Noble Truths WISDOM
-Right Intention to free self from all attachments
-Right Speech is restraining oneself from lying, gossiping and hurtful talk ETHICAL
-Right Action is restraining from stealing, killing or careless sex CONDUCT
-Right Livelihood is avoidance of dishonesty and hurting people and animals
-Right Effort is exerting oneself of one’s mind MENTAL
-Right Mindfulness is focusing attention to one’s body, feelings thoughts, and
DEVELOPMENT
consciousness
-Right Concentration is meditating to realize true understanding of
imperfection, impermanence, and non-separateness.
The Three Jewels of Buddhism:
-The Buddha, a title for those who have attained Nirvana
-Dharma, the teaching or law of nature
-Sangha, the community; congregation of monastic practitioners; those who have
attained the
four stages of enlightenment
Acts of Devotion of Buddhists:
-Bowing
-Offerings
-Pilgrimage
-Chanting
Ten Precepts of Buddhism or Ten Ethics Laws:
-Refrain from taking life
-Refrain from taking that which is not given
-Refrain from sensual misconduct [practice celibacy]
-Refrain from lying
Five Precepts -Refrain from intoxicants leading to loss of mindfulness
-Refrain from eating at the wrong time
-Refrain from dancing, music, singing and unseemly shows
Eight Precepts -Refrain from using luxurious seats and beddings
-Refrain from using garlands, perfume, ointment to beautify or adorn
Ten Precepts-Refrain from accepting gold or silver.

Buddhist Festivals:
-the most significant celebration Buddha Day also known as Vesak [name of the month
in the Indian calendar],it celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha
on the first full moon day of May
-Buddhist New Year, celebrated for 3 days from the first full moon day in April but varies
according to the country of origin; Chinese, Koreans, and Vietnamese celebrates in
late January or early February according to the lunar calendar; the Tibetans
celebrates one month later.
-Loy Krathong, Festival of Floating Bowls, people bring bowls made of leaves containing
flowers,
candles, and incense sticks and then float them in the water meant to float away
bad luck and to remember the footprint of Buddha on the beach of Namada River in
India. This takes place in Thailand on the full moon night of the 12th Lunar month.
Symbols of Buddhism:
-Dharmachakra-symbolizing the Eight-fold Noble Path divided into three parts, each
representing discipline [hub], wisdom [spokes], and concentration [rim]; the 3
segments in the centre represents Buddha, Dharma [teachings] and Sangha [the
spiritual community].
 -Lion echoes the teachings of Buddha for the four quarters of the world. The wheel
symbolizes
Buddhist law and Asoka’s legitimacy as an enlightened ruler.