Buddhism



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www.buddha.cz/

Major facts about Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha's real name) was born into a luxurious family in Northern India around 
562 BCE.  When he was in his twenties, he began to question the unsatisfactoriness of life and desired a 
solution to the problems of life.  This lead him to renounce his life of luxury and travel through India in 
search for answers to his questions.  Around 528 BCE,  Buddha gained his title (Buddha meaning 
"enlightened one") while meditating on a mountain.  Although his ministry is not recorded very well, it 
is known that he traveled around the Gangetic Plains in Northern India.  He never considered himself a 
God or a prophet of God, and it is believed that his writings were unaided. This is known because the 
uniquness of his writing would have been difficult to reproduce.  In his ministry, his followers often led 
a nomadic life throughout most of India, and later spreading throughout the East.  


The Four Noble Truths

(1)
The Truth of Suffering(Dukkha) - This states that anything that unites you with that which is displeasing 
or sepatates you with that which is pleasing leads to suffering.  He also states that any of the five 
aggregates that are subject to clinging lead to suffering.  These five aggregates are those things that 
make up all individual experience(form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness)

(2)
The Truth of the Cause of Suffering(Samudaya) - This states that craving is the main source of suffering 
for everyone.  Some of these are the craving for sensual pleasure, craving for existence, or the craving 
for extermination.

(3)
The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering(Nirodha) - This just states that is is possible to become 
separated from or not relying on those things that bring suffering.

(4)
The Thruth to the Path of Enlightenment(Magga) - The Truth of the Path to Enlightenment - This states 
that is you follow the Eightfold Path it will lead away from suffering and towards Nirvna.


The Eightfold Path

These teachings can be classified into 3 categories. Wisdom, Ethical Conduct, and mental discipline.

Wisdom
(1) - Right View
You should have the correct way of interperating the world and abandon the wrong views that are often 
held by society.

(2) - Right Intention
All intentions, which are the roots of actions, should be as Buddha said, "free from greed and lust, free 
from ill-will, free from cruelty".

Ethical Conduct
(3) - Right Speech
Since speech is the most powerful means of communication, we should move away from lies, harsh 
words, or foolish talk.

(4) - Right Action
People should not kill, steal, or participate in sexual wrong-doings. They should try to move toward 
loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and generosity.

(5) - Right Livelihood
People should find a job that doesn't bring death or suffering to others(anything living). They should 
not participate in dangerous trade, trickery, or lies.

Mental Discipline
(6) - Right Effort
You should have the right frame of mind to accomplany your actions. Just good actions isn't good 
enough.

(7) - Right Mindfulness
You should cultivate an awareness of the world around you.  Only then can you do what is truely good.

(8) - Right Concentration
You must systematically cultivate concentration through meditation to move away from the temptation 
of evil.


Five Precepts of Buddhism

1) Avoid taking the life of beings.
2) Avoid taking things not given.
3) Avoid sensual misconduct.
4) Refrain from false speech.
5) Abstain from substances that cause intoxication/heedlessness.

Three others that are only observed on holy days.

1) Abstain from food from noon until sunrise.
2) Abstain from dance, song, music, or entertainment and the use of perfumes, ornaments, or 
beautifying objects.
3) Abstain from high or luxurious beds.


Other Moral Aspects of Buddhism
--Drinking/Drugs--
Although Buddhism isn't conpletely against these things, they are against using them to the point of 
inebriation or intoxication.

--Sexuality--
Buddhists believe that a craving for sensual pleasure is one of th causes of suffering.  Since Buddhism 
don't endorse any kind of marriage, the accept what is socially/legally acceptable as a marriage 
relationship for the time.

--Honesty--
This is the third part of the Eightfold Path.  Since they see speech as the most powerful means of 
communication, the are strongly against lies, harsh language, or foolish talk.

--The Poor--
The believe it is important to support the poor or needy, but giving to religious people is seen as a 
more meritous action.

--Material Goods--
Buddhists believe that craving material goods causes suffering

--The Human Condition--
The accept that life is suffering.  This is caused by the craving of those things in life that are 
unnecessary or not real.

--The Cause of our Problems--
Buddhisy believe that, since the things that are joyful or pleasureable are finite and incomplete until we 
reach nirvna.  Craving is the root of suffering in the world and that these bad actions cause bad 
concequences through karma.

--The Answer to our Human Condition--
They believe that, through following the Eightfold Path and meditating, you can achieve nirvna and be 
completely separated from the suffering of the physical world.

Key Terms of Buddhism
Nirvna - Often pronounced "nirvana".  It is a state of final release from the suffering of the physical 
worlds.
Karma - This states that good actions result in good concequences and that bad actions result in bad 
concequences.


Sources
http://www.budsas.org/ebud/ebdha104.htm#ch2

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/budethics.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm

Buddhism: Religions and Religious Movements
Edited by: Jeff Hay
Published by Greenhaven Press:New York, 2006