Joe Hoffmann
1/23/07
Mr. Sciuto
Buddhism
Major Facts about Buddha:
No complete biography of Siddhartha Gautama was compiled until centuries after his death but most scholars was agree his birth around 563 BC and he lived until 483 BC. Siddhartha translates into “He who achieves his Goal.” It is said that a sage of his tribe predicted him to be either a Great King or a great religious teacher. At an older age he was named The Buddha which means “the enlightened one.” In his childhood Buddha was kept from the harsh realities of life. He was never exposed to death or suffering until he was 29. The story goes that one day he was venturing outside of his palace when he witnessed an old man and was shocked to see people grow old. When he ventured further he saw a crippled man, a diseased man, a decaying corpse, and an ascetic. After seeing these sights Buddha left his life at the palace and led his new life as a monk.
Four Noble Truths:
- The first noble truth is Suffering(Dukkha). There are five aggregates that go along with suffering. Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, sickness is suffering, death is suffering, union with that which is displeasing; separation with that which is pleasing is suffering, and not getting what you want is suffering.
- The second Noble Truth is the Origin of suffering. The origin of suffering is our craving for renewed existence. The fact that death is inevitable haunts our thoughts. Craving for sensual pleasure is also a source of our suffering.
- The third Noble Truth is the Cessation of Suffering. This is unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. Ending all forms of clinging and attachment will cease suffering.
- The final Noble Truth is the Path to the Cessation of Suffering. This path is the Eightfold path. The Eightfold path is the gradual path to self improvement. It is the middle way between self indulgence and self mortification.
The Eightfold Path:
As listed above, the eightfold path is the Path to the Cessation of Suffering. It is the guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing you from attachments and delusions.
1. The first way on the path is to have Right view. Right View means to see and understand things the way they really are. Right view is attained through intuitive insight that all beings are subject to suffering.
2. The second part of the Eightfold path is Right Intention. Right intention is the intention of goodwill and harmlessness.
3. The third is Right Speech. This is the first principle of ethical conduct in the eightfold path. There is a great importance of Speech while speaking in Buddhist context. Words can break or save lives, make enemies or friends, start war or create peace. Saving lives, making friends, and peace helps to eliminate suffering.
4. The fourth way of the path is Right Action. Right action means to use your body as a natural means of expression. Right action means to abstain from harming other living beings, stealing, deception, lying and many more immoral actions.
5. The Fifth way of the path is Right Livelihood. Right livelihood means that one should live their life ethically and gain their wealth legally and peacefully.
6. The Sixth way of the Eightfold path is Right Effort. Without effort nothing can be achieved while misguided effort can distract us from the task at hand. Right effort is often a prerequisite for other parts of the path.
7. The seventh part of the Eightfold path is Right Mindfulness. Right Mindfulness is the ability to see things as they are. If we have right Mindfulness we can sense thoughts and impressions immediately. We are able to understand what is implied.
8. The last part of the eightfold path is Right Concentration. This is the development of a mental force that occurs in natural consciousness. Right concentration is the ability to focus in on one particular thing.
Five Precepts of Buddhism:
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from…
1 …harming living beings.
2 …taking things not freely given.
3 …sexual misconduct.
4 …false speech.
5 …intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness.
Key Terms:
Dharma- Teachings of “the awakened one”
Buddha- “The enlightened one”
Nirvana- Mode of being that is free from mind contaminants
Panna- Wisdom which purifies the mind
Bodhi- Awakening or enlightenment Refers to the understanding of new knowledge
Middle Way- a path of moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and opposing self-mortification
Other Helpful definitionsWhat does Buddhism say about:
Alcohol/Drugs- The fifth Precept specifically says to avoid drugs and alcohol. Also under Right Livelihood it states that selling alcohol and drugs for income is not a good way of life.
Sexuality: The Third Precept says to abstain from sexual misconduct. Sexuality is good in a loving, long term relationship. People are obligated to protect the young and defenseless against sexual misconduct. Sexuality outside of relationships often breaks up marriages and causes conflict.
Honesty: Through many parts of the eightfold path we can see that honesty is important. Right speech is one of the parts of the eightfold path that states the importance of honesty. Honesty is implied in many others such as Right action and Livelihood.
The Poor: In Buddhism it is important to serve the poor and the needy. Giving support the Buddhist people, however, was a very merit worthy deed.
Material Goods: According to Right Livelihood material goods are ok as long as they were attained morally and by following the law.
Human Condition: Buddha described the human condition in very harsh terms:
Behold this painted body, a body full of wounds, put together,
diseased, and full of many thoughts in which there is neither permanence nor
stability. This body is worn out, a nest of diseases and very frail. This heap
of corruption breaks in pieces, life indeed ends in death. What delight is
there for him who sees these white bones like gourds cast away in the autumn?
Of the bones a citadel is made, plastered over with flesh and blood, and in it
dwell old age and death, pride and deceit.
Buddha did not look highly upon the human condition because of all of the suffering that went along with it.
Cause of our Problems: Buddha says the fundamental cause of our problems is our suffering. To avoid suffering we can follow the Eightfold path and the Four Noble Truths.
Answer to our Human
Condition:
Questions about the universe and the existence of a soul do
nothing but take our focus off the real problem which is escaping
suffering. We should only focus on
our one real problem which is escaping suffering.
SOURCES:
Encyclopedia of Buddhism, Volume 2
Robert E Buswell. Editor in Chief
New Catholic Encyclopedia Second Edition