PHILOSOPHY OF MAN

BY THE WAY OF ANALOGY

WHAT PHILOSOPHY IS?

1. 1. PHILOSOPHY IS LIKE A CANDLELIGHT IN A DARK ROOM.

2. PHILOSOPHY IS LIKE A CHILD.

3. PHILOSOPHY IS LIKE A BIRD FREE BEING FLYING OVER PLACES AND SEEING THINGS FROM THE HORIZON.

WHAT PHILOSOPHY IS NOT?

1. PHILOSOPHY IS NOT A MONSTER TO BE FEARED.

2. PHILOSOPHY IS NOT A BROKEN GLASS.

3. PHILOSOPHY IS NOT UNINTERESTING.

FORMAL DEFINITION

PHILOSOPHY comes from the Greek words PHILOS and SOPHIA. Translate to love of wisdom. - It is science that tries to investigate all things in their ultimate causes, reasons and principles through human reason alone.

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN THE DEFINITION

1. Philosophy is a science because it is a unique realm for investigating things.

2. Philosophy is not an exclusive science.

3. Philosophy investigates things inside and outside of the phenomena.

4. Philosophy uses the mind by necessity.

ACTIVITY
Individual Work: 1. Raise a specific problem or issue in one of the following areas: a. Economy b. Education c. Transportation d. Communication 2. Rationalize or criticize the problem or issue you have chosen and come up with an attainable solution.

ASSIGNMENT
Bring the following drawing materials: -Bond paper -Crayons/colored pens

Define the following: Trishnas Dvesha Avidha Dharma Nirvana Sammavaca Suffering Chanting Mantra Noble

THE RELEVANCE OF BUDDHISM IN ST THE 21 CENTURY

BUDDHISM TODAY -Play a vital role in peoples efforts to live in a normal life and understand how life should be lived meaningfully. -It is adopted by those who wish to use the enormous potential of the mind. -At present, There is so much interest in learning how to meditate to deepen ones spiritual consciousness.

Buddism is a universal and timeless philosophy. - Its teachings are relevant today as they were during the time of Siddtharta Gautama Buddha.

World problem are innumerable and overwhelming. Nevertheless, all these problems cannot overpower the mind. According to Dalai Lama, Much depends on time, will, determination, and wisdom. - If one has determination and wisdom , the point then is to train the mind.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

The present educational system focuses much on the brain and not on ones spiritual problems. This means that one must have a good and compassionate heart. As the Dalai Lama puts it, If one has a compassionate heart, it automatically brings inner one becomes happier and more open-minded, thus making more society in the society.

-The spiritual cultivation of a person must not be taken as a religious activity. -It does not pertain to rituals or ceremonies, rather it means the education of the heart for it to become good compassionate. -A compassionate heart is necessary, because it is the only way for one to have inner strength. Such inner strength leads one to have a proper disposition someone who distrusts less and does not panic easily.

-Inner strength means a calm and stable mind, which is not brought about taking medicine, drugs or alcohol. -It is neither derived from having received gifts or magic nor a result of rituals or ceremonies. -The stability of mind suggests discipline. -By having stable mind , problems at the family or social levels are reduced. Thus, discipline or good values must be the core of every curriculum.

SIZE OF FAMILY

-Another social problem that needs Buddhist emphasis in the size of family, which essentially considers the number of children. -With fewer children , there will be proper affection, cultivation and care in thefamily. - The incidence of boys and girls growing up without proper attention will also be reduced , thereby lessening the risks of having men and women in society with negative concepts of themselves. - When children grow up unattended , they develop the idea that they are alone. Such tragedy extends to the social level. - With fewer children the value of compassionate heart can be easily instilled in them.

MEDIA

 Various form of media play a vital role most especially in democratic societies. Freedom from the press, for one, is important. The problem with media, however , is that they are legally provide with so much power that they could become the culprit in the corruption of peoples minds.

 In the midst of the difficulties and harshness of life today, the media focus on so much distress, tribulation and mistrust. Often, they curb the truth and project negative values. Seen daily on TV are many acts lawlessness such as murder, kidnapping, robbery and rape.

 The media deliver the message with so much stress on the issues and less on the lessons one could learn from them.

 HOW MANY ACTS OF HUMAN KINDNESS AND AFFECTION ARE FEATURED BY THE MEDIA EVERYDAY?