Buddhism

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Buddhism

• By Erin Bryan, Laura Duff, Candace Orth and
• Jared Mason

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The Absolute

• According to Buddha
• Worshiped no god
• No Anicca (permanent entities)
• Gods are not essential to release from suffering

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The Absolute

• Theravada
• The conservative view
• Emphasizes the practical example of an
  exceptional man (Buddha)
• Deny that Buddha is a god

• Mahayana
• The creative view
• Emphasizes the divine Buddha, who revealed
• Accept many notions of spiritual beings
• The Three Bodies of Buddha

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The World

• An Endless Cycle of Birth and Distruction
• The Cycle
• World of Radiance
• World of Brahma
• Cycles of birth and rebirth
• Earth Evolves until destruction
• Detachment from the world is valued

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The Problem for Humans

• Primary problem is suffering
• Ignorance
• Suffering is caused by ignorance that this world
  is transitory

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Solution for Humans

• Knowledge, obtained by meditation
• Ceasing to grasp
• Attaining Nirvana
• Attainment of enlightenmen
• Theravadian not this or not that
• Mahayanists combined enlightenment and
  compassion

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Solution for Humans

• The Four Noble Truths
• All life is suffering (dukkha)
• The cause of suffering is desire (tanha)
• The end of suffering is getting rid of desire
• The method to overcoming desire is the Eightfold
  Path

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The Solution for Humans

• The Eightfold Path
• Right View
• Right Aim
• Right Speech
• Right Action
• Right Living
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Concentration

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The Solution for Humans

• Ten Precepts Observed by Monks
• Not taking Life
• Not Stealing
• Being chaste
• Not lying
• Not drinking intoxicants
• Eating moderately and not eating after noon
• Avoiding spectacles such as singing or dramas
• Not using flowers, perfumes, or jewelry
• Using simple beds
• Accepting no gold or silver

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Types of Buddhism

• The Therevada The Teachings of the Elders
• Focuses on the life of Buddha and imitating him
  through discipline and practices
• The Mahayana The Great Vehicle
• Much more liberal and are not as grounded in the
  physical aspects of the Buddhas life but rather
  the spiritual insights and multiple ways to be
  released from suffering.
• The Vajrayana The Thunderbolt Vehicle

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Key Terms

• Dhama
• Truth
• An eternal principle that transcends everything
  else
• Karma
• Actions have consequences in this and future
  lives
• Nirvana
• No more attachment to the physical world
• Samsara
• Cycle of death and rebirth

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Holidays

• December 8th Bodhi Day
• February 8th Nirvana Day

• April 13th-16th Songkran/ Thingyan
• May 24th- Vesak (Buddha Day)

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Art, Architecture and Symbols
Mandala The Wheel of Time Mandala
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Art, Architecture and Symbols
Great Stupa at Sanchi
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Art, Architecture and Symbols
Buddha at Sarnath
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Art, Architecture, and Symbols
Wheel of Life
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Meditation
Meditation for a Happy New You
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References

• Matthews, Warren, World Religions (Belmont, CA
  Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2004).
• www.finetuning.com
• www.religoustolerance.org
• www.beliefnet.com