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A) History:
In the year 624 BC, Prince Siddhattha was born at Lumbini
Garden (Nepal). His parents were King Suddhodana and Queen Mah Maya at Kapilavatthu.
After his mother passed away later, he was bought up by Queen Mah Pajpat Gotam. He
married Princess Yasodhar at the age of 16. Their son was Rhula.
After seeing the four signs/omens- aged person, sick one, dead one, ascetic, he
renounced the world at the age of 29. He became an ascetic who practised austerities. Later
became the Buddha at the age of 35 at Bodhgaya, India. His teachings are called Dhamma
(Truth, Natural Phenomena, States). He is called Gotama Buddha, or Sakyamuni Buddha. At
the age of 80 (544 BC), He attained parinibbna (final passing away) at Kusinr (Kushinagar).
B) Buddhists
1) Take refuge in Triple Gem (Tiratana)
a) Buddha,
b) Dhamma (Buddhas Teaching)-Tipiaka, i.e. Vinaya (rules for monks and nuns),
Suttanta (Discourse), Abhidhamma (Higher Teaching).
c) Sagha (Community of monks and nuns)
who are practice the training of morality, concentration and wisdom,
or practice for enlightenment (Nibbna), or
to be Arahant (Pure one) or Bodhisatta (Buddha-to-be).
2) Believe in the law of Kamma
3) Observe five training rules (precepts)
C) BUDDHAs Teachings
1. Avoid Evil -that is based on three evil roots (greed, hatred/aversion, delusion)
2. Do Good -that is based on three good roots(non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion)
3. Purify the Mind - by Calm (Samatha) meditation and Insight (Vipassan) practice
These are the teaching of all Buddhas
Calm meditation focuses on one object and leads to calmness.
Insight meditation focuses on many objects and leads to wisdom and enlightenment, as well
as calmness.
F) Five Precepts
1)
2)
3)
4)
10 Wholesome actions
1. Generosity
2. Morality
3. Meditation/Cultivation of mind
4. Reverence/Respect
5. Services/Volunteering/Helping
6. Transference/Sharing of merits
7. Rejoicing of merits
8. Hearing the Dhamma
9. Expounding/teaching the Dhamma
10. Straightening ones view
.
*Rejecting kamma and its effect, result of donation, ascetics and brahmins who are practicing holy life,
gratitude of parents