Buddhism

1. Siddhartha Gautama
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Birth/prophecy
Four Passing Sights
Four Councils
Dies at age 80 from food poisoning
Doesnt leave any writings

 Dharma= Teachings of Buddha

Purpose of Four Councils
Unify Buddhist Scriptures
Codify Monastic Disciplines
Expansion of Buddhism
Separation of Buddhism into:
Theravada
Mahayana
Zen Buddhism- japan
Vajranyan Buddhism in Tibet

Sacred Stories & Sacred Scriptures

Scriptures of Theravada Buddhism:
Tripitaka also known as Pali Canon

Tripitaka- the three baskets (contains the

words of the Buddha

Scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism

Lotus Sutra is most important text
Lotus Sutra- the final teachings of the Buddha
which makes enlightenment available to
everyone
Perfection of wisdom- a treatise on how to
achieve the perfection of wisdom of a
bodhisattva

Scriptures of Vajrayana Buddhism

Tantric Scriptures = From India or China;
writings concerned with rituals and
meditations to gain enlightenment
Mandala= sacred geometric symbols of
universe
Mantra= sacred word that aids meditation
Tibetan Book of the Dead= most popular

Beliefs and Practices (Dharma)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Four noble truths

Noble eightfold path
Three marks of existence
Five precepts
Nirvana

The Four Noble Truths

Dukkha(suffering or dis-ease of life)
Trauma of birth, sickness, aging, process, fear of
death, losses

Tanha(desire or attachments)
This is the root of all dis-ease

Nirodha(the cessation of suffering)

Magga(the cure to the end of suffering)
The eightfold path

The Eightfold Path

Right thought
Right understanding
Right speech
Right conduct
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right concentration

 Morality- right speech, right livelihood, right

conduct
Meditation right effort right mindfulness and
right concentration
Wisdom- right understanding, right thought

The Three marks of existence

Dukkha (Suffering)
Life has become disordered

Anicca (impermanence)
The realization of change

Anatma (no-self)
All things change, including the Self. There is no
permanent self although people act like there is

The Five Precepts

All Buddhists (Sangha) are to refrain from

Destroying life
Dont Steal
Sexual misconduct
No lies
Avoid intoxicants

Nirvana
Nirvana means to blow outthe flames of
desire
It is possible to achieve nirvana in this lifetime
Selfishness brings about bad karma, which
keeps the individuals in samsara

Sacred Time

Offerings to Buddha
Meditation- most important
Puja
Visakha Buddha Day

Celebrating Sangha
Celebrating the Buddhist lifecycle

Puja
Worship at home or in monasteries
Offerings are made to revere, respect and honor the Buddha
Flowers- initially offering beauty, they whiter and die, pointing to
impermanence
Fruit- a reminder of what good conduct brings
Water- A sign of purity, which is the example of the Buddha and
goal for all
Incense- Its sweet odor is a reminder of what good conduct brings
Candlelight- Dispels darkness of delusion and ignorance
Shoes are removed as a sign of respect and gratitude to the Buddha
Prayers, Five Precepts, Three Jewels may be recited

Sacred Places and Sacred Spaces

Temples- used for religious devotions and to
enshrine images of Buddhas
Pagodas-large stupas
Stupas- hold important relics of the Buddha or
other important figures

Places of Pilgrimage
Lumbini Gardens- traditional site of the birth
of Siddhartha Gautama near Nepal
Bodh Gaya- The place Gautama became
enlightened
Sarnath- where Gautama preached his first
sermon about the Four Noble Truths
Kushinara- Traditional place of the death of
Gautama

Divisions of Buddhism
Hinayana / Theravada
Mahayana
Vajrayana / Tibetan
Chan / Zen

Theravada way of the Elders

Follows Tropitaka- original doctrines of the Buddha

Monastic
Wisdom is important virtue
Arhat= attains Nirvana in present life but only for
those who heard teachings of Buddha

 Mahayana Buddhism-Largest group

Focus on life of the Buddha
Ultimate virtue is compassion
Ideal person is bodhisattva one whose essence is
perfect wisdom because they have attained
nirvana and guide others
Practice centers on ritual and meditation

Tibetan / Vajrayana

Vehicle of the Diamond

Practices in Tibet
Official hierarchy: Iamas teachers
Goal is to fight desires by focusing on good
desires through:
Mantras: monotonous, hypnotic, repeated phrases
Mudras: choreographed hand movements
Mandala and thangkas: artistic symbols used to excite
the senses

Zen / Chan Buddhism

Quietude
Began in China in 520 CE with the monk,
Bodhidharma
Preaches acceptance of the world as it is with no
preconceived notions
Focus on meditation and present moment living
Scriptures contain almost illogical sayings known
as KOANS: what is the sound of one hand
clapping? (Goal is to shock the mind out of its
everyday patterns of thought)

Buddhism through Catholic Lens The

Buddha and Jesus Christ
Similarities

Unusual births
Both had followers
Forgave the person that killed them
Faced three temptations
Few Christians in Palestine/Israel
Few Buddhists in India

Differences
Jesus was God
Buddha: only human
Born into royalty/ Married
Message: how to end suffering

Jesus: human and divine

Born of humble means of royal lineage/not married
Message: Kingdom of God

Suffering
Hinduism
Bad Karma
Follow Dharma

Buddhism
Desire
Eightfold path

Catholicism
Sin/misuse of free will
Part of life, trust God, untie with Jesus