Buddhism Summarized

Buddha questions suffering. 

Siddhartha-goal is to eliminate suffering

2500 years ago he gave up everything looking for enlightenment, takes 35 years to reach nirvana, and then spends 40 years teaching others,

In Buddhism you make the rules/goals no authority, no rituals

Four Noble Truths

1. Suffering Exists
2. Suffering arises from attachments to desires
3. Suffering ends when attachment to desires ceases
4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the 8 fold path

The Noble 8 fold path

1. Wisdom:
   • Right view: the understanding of the 4 noble truths
   • Right thinking: following the right path in life
2. Morality:
   • Right Speech: no lying, no criticism, no condemning, no gossip, no cuss
   • Right Conduct: following the 5 precepts
     1. Do not kill: absence of violence
     2. Do not steal: economic exploitation
     3. Do not lie: name calling, gossiping
     4. Do not misuse sex: sexual harassment, adultery
     5. Do not consume alcohol or other drugs: clear the mind

Right Livelihood: do not harm anyone in the way you support yourself

1. Meditation:
   • Right Effort: promote good thoughts, conquer evil thoughts
   • Become Aware: Aware of your mind, body, feeling
   • To meditate: to achieve a higher degree of consciousness

Purpose of Meditation is to achieve Harmony

Reincarnation: come back based on previous life, go higher or lower

Buddhism Rebirth- lives in many lives and go through suffering, but that isn't necessarily your true self. Rebirth is not exactly the same person.

Nirvana bypasses rebirth.

Buddha does not write about God.

Mahayana= Polytheistic- purpose= become a buddisatva, person of wisdom, then help others reach enlightenment

Theravada=atheistic- purpose= become an arhat, escape the cycle of rebirth to Nirvana

Karma is the law of the conversation of moral energy (we are senders and receivers of spiritual energy)

Six Realms of Existence

1. Hell= beings
2. Hungry ghosts
3. Animals
4. Humans
5. Demi-gods
6. Gods

Buddha Was Critical Of:

• Blind reliance on authority
• Belief in efficacy of ritual works
• Windy debate about unanswerable questions
• Tradition
• Supernatural

Buddhist want to be able to control their minds and stop the automatic flow

Conquer Three Delusions:

1. Ignorance
2. Desire
3. Anger/Hatred

Five Powers to Conquer Three  Delusions:

1. Faith & Confidence
2. Energy & Effort
3. Mindfulness
4. Samadhi: a stat of consciousness where you concentrate on one thing and become one with it
5. Wisdom

Five Hindrances of Five Powers:

1. Craving of the sense
2. Anger or ill will
3. Sloth laziness
4. Restlessness/Worry
5. Doubt

Six Perfections: Must Be Able To Do These

1. Concentration
2. Effort
3. Ethical behavior
4. Patience
5. Wisdom

Mara=temptation= evil