Hold firm to the truth as a lamp and a refuge, Hold firm to the truth as a lamp and a refuge, and do not look for refuge to anything and do not look for refuge to anything besides yourself. A monk becomes his own besides yourself. A monk becomes his own lamp and refuge by continually looking on his lamp and refuge by continually looking on his body, feelings, perceptions, moods and ideas body, feelings, perceptions, moods and ideas in such a manner that he conquers the in such a manner that he conquers the cravings and depressions of ordinary men cravings and depressions of ordinary men and is always strenuous, self possessed, and and is always strenuous, self possessed, and collected in the mind. collected in the mind.

Whoever among my monks does this, either Whoever among my monks does this, either now or when I am dead, if he is anxious to now or when I am dead, if he is anxious to learn, will reach the summit.”learn, will reach the summit.”

Buddhism 101Buddhism 101FoundedFounded: : 66thth century BCE century BCE

FounderFounder: : Siddhartha Gautama, Siddhartha Gautama,

otherwise known as the otherwise known as the Buddha “Enlightened Buddha “Enlightened One”One”

Place of OriginPlace of Origin:: IndiaIndia

Sacred BooksSacred Books: : oldest and most oldest and most

important scriptures are important scriptures are the Tripitaka, (The Three the Tripitaka, (The Three Baskets of Wisdom)Baskets of Wisdom)

Number of AdherentsNumber of Adherents:: approximately 200 million approximately 200 million

close adherents, although close adherents, although some estimates surpass the some estimates surpass the 600 million mark. Precision 600 million mark. Precision is impossible…is impossible…

DistributionDistribution: : predominant faith in Burma, predominant faith in Burma,

Ceylon, Thailand and Indo-Ceylon, Thailand and Indo-China. It also has followers in China. It also has followers in China, Korea, Mongolia and China, Korea, Mongolia and Japan.Japan.

Buddhists in CanadaBuddhists in Canada:: upwards of 10, 000upwards of 10, 000

Sects:Sects: two principal schools are two principal schools are

Mahayana and Theravadin Mahayana and Theravadin (or Hinayana) Buddhism(or Hinayana) Buddhism

•Attempts to give answers to life’s questionsAttempts to give answers to life’s questions

•Emphasis on “things to do” rather than “things to Emphasis on “things to do” rather than “things to believe”believe”

•Avoid speculative questions (creation, Supreme Avoid speculative questions (creation, Supreme power, afterlife) since there was little possibility of power, afterlife) since there was little possibility of definitive answers = instead spend time attempting to definitive answers = instead spend time attempting to deal with the harsh realities presented by life here and deal with the harsh realities presented by life here and nownow

•Tolerant to any religion that allows a person to find Tolerant to any religion that allows a person to find “truth” of himself/ herself. Believe that setting an “truth” of himself/ herself. Believe that setting an example which others may emulate.example which others may emulate.

•ULTIMATE GOALULTIMATE GOAL= end suffering and attain absolute = end suffering and attain absolute peace and joypeace and joy

Buddhism BasicsBuddhism Basics

SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMASIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA

Siddhartha Gautama Siddhartha Gautama born 563 BCE into born 563 BCE into Kshatriya caste in Kshatriya caste in present day Nepalpresent day Nepal

Kingdom of GautamaKingdom of Gautama

Siddhartha had a Siddhartha had a legendary birth, life legendary birth, life and deathand death

Prophecy given to his Prophecy given to his father…father…

BUDDHA= ENLIGHTENED ONE

Miracles, miracles, Miracles, miracles, miracles…miracles… Immaculate conception - Immaculate conception -

Siddhartha descended from Siddhartha descended from Heaven and entered mother’s Heaven and entered mother’s (Queen Maya) womb in form of (Queen Maya) womb in form of baby white elephant (purity)baby white elephant (purity)

Queen Maya carried Queen Maya carried Siddhartha for 10 months and Siddhartha for 10 months and could see him in the wombcould see him in the womb

Gave birth from her side with Gave birth from her side with assistance from tree branchesassistance from tree branches

Water poured from the skyWater poured from the sky

At birth Siddhartha took 7 At birth Siddhartha took 7 steps and said “this is my last steps and said “this is my last birth”birth”

Four SightsFour Sights King wanted to King wanted to

shelter Siddhartha shelter Siddhartha from from unpleasantness of unpleasantness of lifelife

At 29, Siddhartha At 29, Siddhartha visited the city visited the city with Channa and with Channa and saw four sights:saw four sights:

1)1) Old manOld man2)2) Sick manSick man3)3) Dead manDead man4)4) Ascetic monkAscetic monk

FOUR SIGHTSFOUR SIGHTS

These sights These sights compelled him compelled him totoreflect upon:reflect upon:

• sufferingsuffering• deathdeath• meaning of meaning of life life • ultimate fate ultimate fate of manof man

and inspired him to find a spiritual solution to problems of human life

He left his palace and for 7 years search for the ultimate truth of life

Studied Hindu scriptures but found them lacking

Tried raja yoga (meditation) but sensed his sacrifices were not great enough

turned to asceticism and scourged and starved himself (1 grain of rice a day)= but no deep insight came

Determined best course was the MIDDLE WAY (path between both extremes; a lifestyle of moderation)

ENLIGHTENMENT OF ENLIGHTENMENT OF BUDDHABUDDHA Under a Bodhi tree (tree of Under a Bodhi tree (tree of

Wisdom) he meditated Wisdom) he meditated Remembered all of his Remembered all of his

previous livesprevious lives Resisted the combats of Resisted the combats of

Mara (Evil One), who tried Mara (Evil One), who tried many temptationsmany temptations

Removed craving and Removed craving and ignorance for himselfignorance for himself

At dawn of his 35At dawn of his 35thth birthday, birthday, his mind “pierced the his mind “pierced the bubble” of the universe, bubble” of the universe, enabling him to realize the enabling him to realize the essential truth about life and essential truth about life and the path to salvationthe path to salvation

Achieved Achieved NIRVANANIRVANA and was and was released from released from samsarasamsara

Stayed in this state for 7 Stayed in this state for 7 daysdays

NIRVANA= state of supreme realization and enlightenment=understand truth of life and freedom from ignorance=state of total liberation, truth, tranquility, peace

ENLIGHTENMENT > ENLIGHTENMENT > NEW RELIGIONNEW RELIGION

After achieving enlightenment, Buddha wanted to share his After achieving enlightenment, Buddha wanted to share his experiences and insights with others and traveled to Benares and experiences and insights with others and traveled to Benares and encountered five ascetics. encountered five ascetics.

Deer Park SermonDeer Park Sermon: outlined his enlightened thoughts and : outlined his enlightened thoughts and converted five ascetics as his first disciplesconverted five ascetics as his first disciples

Founded the Founded the SANGHASANGHA, the monastic brotherhood of Buddhism, the monastic brotherhood of Buddhism

Argued that no rituals, gods or any type of outside power could Argued that no rituals, gods or any type of outside power could save man. The only save man. The only salvationsalvation lies in the realization of the lies in the realization of the Four Four Noble TruthsNoble Truths and the diligent pursuit of the and the diligent pursuit of the Eight Fold PathEight Fold Path

Within years, Buddhist Within years, Buddhist monasteries monasteries were emerging throughout were emerging throughout India, establishing Buddhism as a religionIndia, establishing Buddhism as a religion

The Buddha died in 486 BCE and achieved The Buddha died in 486 BCE and achieved paranirvanaparanirvana (complete (complete nirvana)nirvana)

Hinduism vs Hinduism vs BuddhismBuddhism

Born to Kshatriya casteBorn to Kshatriya caste Believed to be incarnation of Vishnu Believed to be incarnation of Vishnu

(avatar)(avatar) Buddha rejected Hindu belief that human inequality was Buddha rejected Hindu belief that human inequality was

based on hereditary distinctions and that salvation can only based on hereditary distinctions and that salvation can only be achieved by elite few be achieved by elite few

Same conceptsSame concepts: reincarnation, samsara, karma, dharma, : reincarnation, samsara, karma, dharma, nirvana, raja yoga (meditation which held the key to nirvana, raja yoga (meditation which held the key to enlightenment and the salvation of nirvana)enlightenment and the salvation of nirvana)

Rejected conceptsRejected concepts: caste system, Hindu rituals and : caste system, Hindu rituals and offerings to gods, theories, language of Sanskrit (he used offerings to gods, theories, language of Sanskrit (he used Pali), nirvana only if Brahmin caste, refusal to accept Pali), nirvana only if Brahmin caste, refusal to accept authority of Vedas and Upanishadsauthority of Vedas and Upanishads

Buddhism view of Women: more equal in stance compared to Buddhism view of Women: more equal in stance compared to Hinduism; women may endure more “suffering” (ie. Hinduism; women may endure more “suffering” (ie. childbirth). Buddha allowed either men or women from any childbirth). Buddha allowed either men or women from any caste to become monks or nuns and join the Sangha caste to become monks or nuns and join the Sangha (brotherhood)(brotherhood)

3 Characteristics of 3 Characteristics of ExistenceExistence

AnnicaAnnica= impermanence = impermanence (world in constant flux)(world in constant flux)

DukkhaDukkha= dissatisfaction= dissatisfaction(all humans and animals (all humans and animals experience suffering)experience suffering)

AnattaAnatta= no self = no self (no separate, eternal (no separate, eternal unchanging self)unchanging self)

DUKKHA

ANATTA

ANNICA

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHSFOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

4. Path toExtinction of Suffering

-to overcome desire, one must follow the

Middle Way and8 fold Path

3. Extinction of Suffering-way to end suffering

is by overcoming desire (tanha)

2.Origin of Suffering

-root of sufferingis desire (tanha)

1. Suffering-all life consists of

suffering (dukkha)

4 NOBLE TRUTHS

Fundamental Ethicsof Buddhism is theEightfold Path.

Buddhist scriptures are filled with storiesillustrating compassion,Charity and non-violence

FIVE PRECEPTSFIVE PRECEPTS

1)1) Abstain from killing or Abstain from killing or harming living beingsharming living beings

2)2) Abstain from stealingAbstain from stealing3)3) Abstain from Abstain from

improper sexual improper sexual conductconduct

4)4) Abstain from false Abstain from false speechspeech

5)5) Abstain from taking Abstain from taking alcohol and harmful alcohol and harmful drugsdrugs

More Numbers and More Numbers and Concepts…Concepts…

Triple Jewel or Three RefugesTriple Jewel or Three Refuges: Buddha : Buddha (guide), Dharma (path), Sangha (teachers)(guide), Dharma (path), Sangha (teachers)

Six PerfectionsSix Perfections: giving, morality, patience, : giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation and wisdomvigour, meditation and wisdom

BodhisattvaBodhisattva: person who has attained : person who has attained nirvana but chooses to be reborn within nirvana but chooses to be reborn within samsara in order to help others on path of samsara in order to help others on path of enlightenmentenlightenment

NirvanaNirvana: escape from cycle of rebirth (based : escape from cycle of rebirth (based on karma, 8-fold path, enlightenment) to on karma, 8-fold path, enlightenment) to attain perfect freedom and blissattain perfect freedom and bliss

Practices Practices

Meditation- lotus posture Meditation- lotus posture Bowing (three times)Bowing (three times) Offerings & Chanting Mantras: “Offerings & Chanting Mantras: “Om Mani Om Mani

Padme Hum” which means “Hail, the jewel Padme Hum” which means “Hail, the jewel in the lotus”in the lotus”

KarmaKarma PujaPuja Dana (donations)Dana (donations) Mudras Mudras Monastic IdealMonastic Ideal

SymbolsSymbols

Wheel of LifeWheel of Life MandalaMandala Lotus FlowerLotus Flower StupaStupa Temples Temples SwastikaSwastika Buddhapada Buddhapada

Sacred WritingsSacred WritingsTripitaka (Three Baskets)Tripitaka (Three Baskets)

~ almost 10 000 pages long and principal ~ almost 10 000 pages long and principal source for the life and teachings of Buddha source for the life and teachings of Buddha ~ considered to be the most accurate of ~ considered to be the most accurate of Buddha’s teachings which consist of:Buddha’s teachings which consist of:

Vinaya- Pitaka: Basket of DisciplineVinaya- Pitaka: Basket of Discipline (rules (rules for Sangha or monks)for Sangha or monks)

Sutta- Pitaka: Basket of DiscourseSutta- Pitaka: Basket of Discourse (discourses between Buddha and his (discourses between Buddha and his disciples = main body of Buddhist belief)disciples = main body of Buddhist belief)

Abidhamma- Pitiaka: Basket of FurtherAbidhamma- Pitiaka: Basket of Further Teachings (views on the nature of the Teachings (views on the nature of the universe)universe)

Spread of Buddhism

• During Buddha’s lifetime,Buddhism gained a significant foothold in India• emergence of hundreds of monasteries further spread the message of Buddha•Expansion of Buddhism increased with the acceptance in 3rd century BCE by India’s emperor Ashoka•Spread towards Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos•By 6th century BCE, spread to Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea

Schools of BuddhismSchools of Buddhism Sects emerged due to disputes over Sects emerged due to disputes over

translation and interpretation of Buddha’s translation and interpretation of Buddha’s teachings, but share common belief of the teachings, but share common belief of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold PathFour Noble Truths and Eightfold Path

1)1) Theravada or HinayanaTheravada or Hinayana: conservative, : conservative, key virtue is wisdom and Buddha is key virtue is wisdom and Buddha is revered as a teacher / saint (Burma, Laos, revered as a teacher / saint (Burma, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia)Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia)

2)2) MahayanaMahayana: liberal, ideal is the : liberal, ideal is the bodhisattva who follows example of bodhisattva who follows example of Buddha and remains in world to serve his Buddha and remains in world to serve his fellows (China, Vietnam, Korea)fellows (China, Vietnam, Korea)

3)3) VajrayanaVajrayana: Trantric Buddhism- emphasis : Trantric Buddhism- emphasis on rituals, mantras and visual mandalas; on rituals, mantras and visual mandalas; Dalai Lama (god-kings) living incarnations Dalai Lama (god-kings) living incarnations of previous holy beings (Tibet, Bhutan, of previous holy beings (Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal)Nepal)

4)4) Zen Buddhism: emphasis on meditation Zen Buddhism: emphasis on meditation to achieve inspiration (satori) which brings to achieve inspiration (satori) which brings enlightenment; less emphasis on enlightenment; less emphasis on scripture, rituals, worship (Japan)scripture, rituals, worship (Japan)

Religion or Philosophy?Religion or Philosophy?ReligionReligion Attempts to examine the Attempts to examine the

meaning of life and meaning of life and universeuniverse

Provides an ethical Provides an ethical standard and an overall standard and an overall goal beyond this lifegoal beyond this life

Despite Buddha’s wishes, Despite Buddha’s wishes, he was defied after his he was defied after his death by some of his death by some of his followersfollowers

Buddhism has taken on Buddhism has taken on rituals, sacrifices, temple rituals, sacrifices, temple worship, elaborate worship, elaborate scriptures and complex scriptures and complex doctrinesdoctrines

PhilosophyPhilosophy No sacrifices, worship, No sacrifices, worship,

prayers, ritualsprayers, rituals Rejected the principle of Rejected the principle of

authority in religious authority in religious mattersmatters

No god personified father No god personified father figure who created and figure who created and presided over the universepresided over the universe

Buddha- not proclaimed as Buddha- not proclaimed as a god but stated that he a god but stated that he was “awake” and could was “awake” and could point the way for an point the way for an individual towards individual towards salvationsalvation

The 14The 14thth Dalai Lama Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso aka Teshe Norbu meaningTenzin Gyatso aka Teshe Norbu meaning

“Kundun- The Presence” “Kundun- The Presence”

Dalai Lama means “Ocean of Wisdom”Dalai Lama means “Ocean of Wisdom”

Manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, AvalokiteshvaraAvalokiteshvara

Recognized at age 2Recognized at age 2

Assumed full political power at age 16Assumed full political power at age 16

Resides in Northern India leading organization Resides in Northern India leading organization called the Tibetan Government in Exilecalled the Tibetan Government in Exile

Established educational, cultural and religious Established educational, cultural and religious institutions to preserve Tibetan identity and institutions to preserve Tibetan identity and heritageheritage

Reputation as a scholar and man of peaceReputation as a scholar and man of peace

Received Nobel Peace Prize in 1989Received Nobel Peace Prize in 1989

Impact of BuddhismImpact of Buddhism Buddhism elevated the level of religious life and Buddhism elevated the level of religious life and

thought in most Asiathought in most Asia Forced Hinduism to remedy some of its abuses and Forced Hinduism to remedy some of its abuses and

revitalize its teachingsrevitalize its teachings Major effect upon philosophy, education, literature Major effect upon philosophy, education, literature

and art of south Asia, India (Gupta period), China and art of south Asia, India (Gupta period), China (T’ang Dynasty) and Japan (Zen Buddhism)(T’ang Dynasty) and Japan (Zen Buddhism)

However, many argue Buddhism has discouraged However, many argue Buddhism has discouraged social progress (since it accepts life as full of social progress (since it accepts life as full of suffering and does not produce a great concern or suffering and does not produce a great concern or solutions regarding poverty, illiteracy, illness, solutions regarding poverty, illiteracy, illness, pollution etc.)pollution etc.)

Spread of Communism (Communist takeover of Spread of Communism (Communist takeover of China in 1949) led to nationalization of monasteries China in 1949) led to nationalization of monasteries and all revenues) > government in exile in Tibetand all revenues) > government in exile in Tibet