U3LG2.5 - Buddhism

Unit 3: Learning Goal 2: Describe the major political, religious/philosophical and cultural influences of classical China including the origins and central ideas of Buddhism(TEKS/SE’s 3A,19B, 23A, 25A,1B)

What is my goal?How am I going to achieve this goal?

Buddhism’s Central Ideas

• Buddha’s Life• 3 Jewels• 4 Noble Truths• 8-fold Noble Path

• Siddhartha Gautama

• Aka

• The Buddha

4 Noble Truths1. Life is Suffering2. Desire creates Suffering3. Cessation of Suffering4. Path to Cease Suffering

The Four Noble Truths.

1. Life = SufferingTo live means to suffer, because the human nature is not perfect and neither is the world we live in. During our lifetime, we inevitably have to endure physical suffering such as pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, and eventually death; and we have to endure psychological suffering like sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment, and depression. Although there are different degrees of suffering and there are also positive experiences in life that we perceive as the opposite of suffering, such as ease, comfort and happiness, life in its totality is imperfect and incomplete, because our world is subject to impermanence.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

The reasons for suffering are desire, passion, pursuit of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and popularity, or in short: craving and clinging. Because the objects of our attachment are transient (temporary), their loss is inevitable, thus suffering will necessarily follow.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

(it is possible to stop suffering)

- Suffering can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing the cause of suffering. Attaining and perfecting dispassion is a process of many levels that ultimately results in the state of Nirvana. (Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it).

4. The path to the cessation of 4. The path to the cessation of suffering is to follow the Eight suffering is to follow the Eight Fold Path to Nirvana.Fold Path to Nirvana.

•Right FaithRight Faith (do you truly (do you truly understand. It does not deal with understand. It does not deal with ‘reason’.)‘reason’.)

•Right Resolve to Resist EvilRight Resolve to Resist Evil

•Right Speech Right Speech (not just what you (not just what you say, but what you think – you say, but what you think – you should do)should do)

•Right Action Right Action (how do you conduct (how do you conduct yourself)yourself)

•Right LivingRight Living

•Right Effort Right Effort (does you head, heart, (does you head, heart, and body work as one?)and body work as one?)

•Right ThoughtRight Thought (intentions, (intentions, attitudes, aspirations)attitudes, aspirations)

•Right Meditation Right Meditation (concentration. (concentration. Whether it be breathing, or letting Whether it be breathing, or letting go to where there is nothing but go to where there is nothing but silence)silence)

» According to Buddha, man would go through several rebirths before he would be able to overcome his desires. Those who finally rid themselves of all desires would reach Nirvana.

In Nirvana, man’s soul would stop it cycle of

rebirth and would become one with the universe.

Buddhism is the only religion to begin in India’s Ganges River Valley area, but it is #4 in India behind Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity.

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Buddhism Video