Introduction to Buddhism

1. Intro to BuddhismIntro to Buddhism
 Buddhist chanting:Buddhist chanting: http://http://
www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=B2rZNsqS-aw=B2rZNsqS-aw

2.  Hold firm to the truth as a lamp and a refuge, and doHold firm to the truth as a lamp and a refuge, and do
not look for refuge to anything besides yourself. Anot look for refuge to anything besides yourself. A
monk becomes his own lamp and refuge bymonk becomes his own lamp and refuge by
continually looking on his body, feelings,continually looking on his body, feelings,
perceptions, moods and ideas in such a manner thatperceptions, moods and ideas in such a manner that
he conquers the cravings and depressions of ordinaryhe conquers the cravings and depressions of ordinary
men and is always strenuous, self possessed, andmen and is always strenuous, self possessed, and
collected in the mind.collected in the mind.
 Whoever among my monks does this, either now orWhoever among my monks does this, either now or
when I am dead, if he is anxious to learn, will reachwhen I am dead, if he is anxious to learn, will reach
the summit.”the summit.”

3. Introduction to BuddhismIntroduction to Buddhism
HRT 3M1 – Unit 3HRT 3M1 – Unit 3

4. Buddhism 101Buddhism 101
 Number of Adherents:Number of Adherents:
approximately 200 millionapproximately 200 million
close adherents, although someclose adherents, although some
estimates surpass the 600estimates surpass the 600
million mark. Precision ismillion mark. Precision is
impossible…impossible…
 Distribution: predominant faithDistribution: predominant faith
in Burma, Ceylon, Thailandin Burma, Ceylon, Thailand
and Indo-China. It also hasand Indo-China. It also has
followers in China, Korea,followers in China, Korea,
Mongolia and Japan.Mongolia and Japan.
 Buddhists in Canada: upwardsBuddhists in Canada: upwards
of 10, 000of 10, 000
 Sects: two principal schoolsSects: two principal schools
are Mahayana and Theravadinare Mahayana and Theravadin
(or Hinayana) Buddhism(or Hinayana) Buddhism
 Founded: 6th century BCEFounded: 6th century BCE
 Founder: SiddharthaFounder: Siddhartha
Gautama, otherwise knownGautama, otherwise known
as the Buddha “Enlightenedas the Buddha “Enlightened
One”One”
 Place of Origin: IndiaPlace of Origin: India
 Sacred Books: oldest andSacred Books: oldest and
most important scripturesmost important scriptures
are the Tripitaka, (Theare the Tripitaka, (The
Three Baskets of Wisdom)Three Baskets of Wisdom)

6. Buddhism BasicsBuddhism Basics
 Attempts to give answers to life’s questionsAttempts to give answers to life’s questions
 Emphasis on “things to do” rather than “things to believe”Emphasis on “things to do” rather than “things to believe”
 Avoid speculative questions (creation, Supreme power,Avoid speculative questions (creation, Supreme power,
afterlife) since there was little possibility of definitive answersafterlife) since there was little possibility of definitive answers
= instead spend time attempting to deal with the harsh realities= instead spend time attempting to deal with the harsh realities
presented by life here and nowpresented by life here and now
 Tolerant to any religion that allows a person to find “truth” ofTolerant to any religion that allows a person to find “truth” of
himself/ herself. Believe that setting an example which othershimself/ herself. Believe that setting an example which others
may emulate.may emulate.
 ULTIMATE GOAL= end suffering and attain absolute peaceULTIMATE GOAL= end suffering and attain absolute peace
and joyand joy

7. Siddhartha GautamaSiddhartha Gautama
BUDDHA = ENLIGHTENED ONEBUDDHA = ENLIGHTENED ONE
 Siddhartha GautamaSiddhartha Gautama
born 563 BCE intoborn 563 BCE into
Kshatriya caste inKshatriya caste in
present day Nepalpresent day Nepal
 Kingdom of GautamaKingdom of Gautama
 Siddhartha had aSiddhartha had a
legendary birth, life andlegendary birth, life and
deathdeath
 Prophecy given to hisProphecy given to his
father…father…

8. Siddhartha GuatamaSiddhartha Guatama
 Life of Buddha:Life of Buddha:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=a3qlkuR8cogv=a3qlkuR8cog
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Xw_FQvtCtxUv=Xw_FQvtCtxU

9. Miracles, miracles, miraclesMiracles, miracles, miracles
 Immaculate conception -Immaculate conception -
Siddhartha descended fromSiddhartha descended from
Heaven and entered mother’sHeaven and entered mother’s
(Queen Maya) womb in form of(Queen Maya) womb in form of
baby white elephant (purity)baby white elephant (purity)
 Queen Maya carried SiddharthaQueen Maya carried Siddhartha
for 10 months and could see himfor 10 months and could see him
in the wombin the womb
 Gave birth from her side withGave birth from her side with
assistance from tree branchesassistance from tree branches
 Water poured from the skyWater poured from the sky
 At birth Siddhartha took 7 stepsAt birth Siddhartha took 7 steps
and said “this is my last birth”and said “this is my last birth”

10. The Four SightsThe Four Sights
 King wanted to shelterKing wanted to shelter
Siddhartha fromSiddhartha from
unpleasantness of lifeunpleasantness of life
 At 29, Siddhartha visited theAt 29, Siddhartha visited the
city with Channa and sawcity with Channa and saw
four sights:four sights:
1. Old man1. Old man
2. Sick man2. Sick man
3. Dead man3. Dead man
4. Ascetic monk4. Ascetic monk

11. The Four SightsThe Four Sights
These sights compelledThese sights compelled
him to reflect upon:him to reflect upon:
 sufferingsuffering
 deathdeath
 meaning of lifemeaning of life
 ultimate fate of manultimate fate of man
 and inspired him to findand inspired him to find
a spiritual solution toa spiritual solution to
problems of human lifeproblems of human life

12.  He left his palace and for 7 years search for theHe left his palace and for 7 years search for the
ultimate truth of lifeultimate truth of life
 Studied Hindu scriptures but found them lackingStudied Hindu scriptures but found them lacking
 Tried raja yoga (meditation) but sensed his sacrificesTried raja yoga (meditation) but sensed his sacrifices
were not great enoughwere not great enough
 turned to asceticism and scourged and starvedturned to asceticism and scourged and starved
himself (1 grain of rice a day)= but no deep insighthimself (1 grain of rice a day)= but no deep insight
camecame
 Determined best course was the MIDDLE WAYDetermined best course was the MIDDLE WAY
(path between both extremes; a lifestyle of(path between both extremes; a lifestyle of
moderation)moderation)

13. Enlightenment of BuddhaEnlightenment of Buddha
 Under a Bodhi tree (tree of Wisdom) he meditatedUnder a Bodhi tree (tree of Wisdom) he meditated
 Remembered all of his previous livesRemembered all of his previous lives
 Resisted the combats of Mara (Evil One), who triedResisted the combats of Mara (Evil One), who tried
many temptationsmany temptations
 Removed craving and ignorance for himselfRemoved craving and ignorance for himself
 At dawn of his 35th birthday, his mind “pierced theAt dawn of his 35th birthday, his mind “pierced the
bubble” of the universe, enabling him to realize thebubble” of the universe, enabling him to realize the
essential truth about life and the path to salvationessential truth about life and the path to salvation
 Achieved NIRVANA and was released from samsaraAchieved NIRVANA and was released from samsara
 Stayed in this state for 7 daysStayed in this state for 7 days

14. Enlightenment > New ReligionEnlightenment > New Religion
 After achieving enlightenment, Buddha wanted to share his experiencesAfter achieving enlightenment, Buddha wanted to share his experiences
and insights with others and traveled to Benares and encountered fiveand insights with others and traveled to Benares and encountered five
ascetics.ascetics.
 Deer Park SermonDeer Park Sermon: outlined his enlightened thoughts and converted: outlined his enlightened thoughts and converted
five ascetics as his first disciplesfive ascetics as his first disciples
 Founded the SANGHA, the monastic brotherhood of BuddhismFounded the SANGHA, the monastic brotherhood of Buddhism
 Argued that no rituals, gods or any type of outside power could saveArgued that no rituals, gods or any type of outside power could save
man. The only salvation lies in the realization of the Four Noble Truthsman. The only salvation lies in the realization of the Four Noble Truths
and the diligent pursuit of the Eight Fold Pathand the diligent pursuit of the Eight Fold Path
 Within years, Buddhist monasteries were emerging throughout India,Within years, Buddhist monasteries were emerging throughout India,
establishing Buddhism as a religionestablishing Buddhism as a religion
 The Buddha died in 486 BCE and achieved paranirvana (completeThe Buddha died in 486 BCE and achieved paranirvana (complete
nirvana)nirvana)

15. Buddha: Hinduism vs. BuddhismBuddha: Hinduism vs. Buddhism
 Born to Kshatriya casteBorn to Kshatriya caste
 Believed to be incarnation of VishnuBelieved to be incarnation of Vishnu
(avatar)(avatar)
 Buddha rejected Hindu belief that human inequality was based onBuddha rejected Hindu belief that human inequality was based on
hereditary distinctions and that salvation can only be achieved byhereditary distinctions and that salvation can only be achieved by
elite fewelite few
 Same concepts: reincarnation, samsara, karma, dharma, nirvana,Same concepts: reincarnation, samsara, karma, dharma, nirvana,
raja yoga (meditation which held the key to enlightenment and theraja yoga (meditation which held the key to enlightenment and the
salvation of nirvana)salvation of nirvana)
 Rejected concepts: caste system, Hindu rituals and offerings toRejected concepts: caste system, Hindu rituals and offerings to
gods, theories, language of Sanskrit (he used Pali), nirvana only ifgods, theories, language of Sanskrit (he used Pali), nirvana only if
Brahmin caste, refusal to accept authority of Vedas and UpanishadsBrahmin caste, refusal to accept authority of Vedas and Upanishads
 Buddhism view of Women: more equal in stance compared toBuddhism view of Women: more equal in stance compared to
Hinduism; women may endure more “suffering” (ie. childbirth).Hinduism; women may endure more “suffering” (ie. childbirth).
Buddha allowed either men or women from any caste to becomeBuddha allowed either men or women from any caste to become
monks or nuns and join the Sangha (brotherhood)monks or nuns and join the Sangha (brotherhood)

16. Three Characteristics of ExistenceThree Characteristics of Existence
 Annica= impermanenceAnnica= impermanence
(world in constant flux)(world in constant flux)
 Dukkha= dissatisfactionDukkha= dissatisfaction
(all humans and animals(all humans and animals
experience suffering)experience suffering)
 Anatta= no selfAnatta= no self
(no separate, eternal(no separate, eternal
unchanging self)unchanging self)
Annica
Dukkha
Anatta

17. Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths
 There is suffering.There is suffering.
 Suffering has an origin.Suffering has an origin.
 Suffering can cease.Suffering can cease.
 There is a path out of suffering.There is a path out of suffering.

18. The Buddha was enlightened only after heThe Buddha was enlightened only after he
understood the Noble Truths and theunderstood the Noble Truths and the
Eightfold PathEightfold Path
 FundamentalFundamental
EthicsEthics
of Buddhism isof Buddhism is
thethe
Eightfold Path.Eightfold Path.
BuddhistBuddhist
scripturesscriptures
are filled withare filled with
storiesstories
illustratingillustrating
compassion,compassion,
 Charity and non-Charity and non-
violenceviolence

19. Five PreceptsFive Precepts
 Abstain from killing orAbstain from killing or
harming living beingsharming living beings
 Abstain from stealingAbstain from stealing
 Abstain from improperAbstain from improper
sexual conductsexual conduct
 Abstain from falseAbstain from false
speechspeech
 Abstain from takingAbstain from taking
alcohol and harmfulalcohol and harmful
drugsdrugs

20. More numbers and concepts…More numbers and concepts…
 Triple Jewel or Three Refuges: Buddha (guide),Triple Jewel or Three Refuges: Buddha (guide),
Dharma (path), Sangha (teachers)Dharma (path), Sangha (teachers)
 Six Perfections: giving, morality, patience, vigour,Six Perfections: giving, morality, patience, vigour,
meditation and wisdommeditation and wisdom
 Bodhisattva: person who has attained nirvana butBodhisattva: person who has attained nirvana but
chooses to be reborn within samsara in order to helpchooses to be reborn within samsara in order to help
others on path of enlightenmentothers on path of enlightenment
 Nirvana: escape from cycle of rebirth (based onNirvana: escape from cycle of rebirth (based on
karma, 8-fold path, enlightenment) to attain perfectkarma, 8-fold path, enlightenment) to attain perfect
freedom and blissfreedom and bliss

21. PracticesPractices
 Meditation- lotus postureMeditation- lotus posture
 Bowing (three times)Bowing (three times)
 Offerings & Chanting Mantras: “Om Mani Padme Hum”Offerings & Chanting Mantras: “Om Mani Padme Hum”
which means “Hail, the jewel in the lotus”which means “Hail, the jewel in the lotus”
 KarmaKarma
 PujaPuja
 Dana (donations)Dana (donations)
 MudrasMudras
 Monastic IdealMonastic Ideal

22. Spread of BuddhismSpread of Buddhism
 During Buddha’s lifetime,During Buddha’s lifetime,
Buddhism gained a significantBuddhism gained a significant
foothold in Indiafoothold in India
 emergence of hundreds ofemergence of hundreds of
monasteries further spread themonasteries further spread the
message of Buddhamessage of Buddha
 Expansion of BuddhismExpansion of Buddhism
increased with the acceptanceincreased with the acceptance
in 3rd century BCE by India’sin 3rd century BCE by India’s
emperor Ashokaemperor Ashoka
 Spread towards Burma,Spread towards Burma,
Thailand, Vietnam, CambodiaThailand, Vietnam, Cambodia
and Laosand Laos
 By 6th century CE, spread toBy 6th century CE, spread to
Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet,Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet,
Mongolia, China, Japan, KoreaMongolia, China, Japan, Korea

23. Religion or Philosophy?Religion or Philosophy?
ReligionReligion
 Attempts to examine theAttempts to examine the
meaning of life and universemeaning of life and universe
 Provides an ethical standardProvides an ethical standard
and an overall goal beyondand an overall goal beyond
this lifethis life
 Despite Buddha’s wishes,Despite Buddha’s wishes,
he was defied after his deathhe was defied after his death
by some of his followersby some of his followers
 Buddhism has taken onBuddhism has taken on
rituals, sacrifices, templerituals, sacrifices, temple
worship, elaborateworship, elaborate
scriptures and complexscriptures and complex
doctrinesdoctrines
PhilosophyPhilosophy
 No sacrifices, worship,No sacrifices, worship,
prayers, ritualsprayers, rituals
 Rejected the principle ofRejected the principle of
authority in religiousauthority in religious
mattersmatters
 No god personified fatherNo god personified father
figure who created andfigure who created and
presided over the universepresided over the universe
 Buddha- not proclaimed as aBuddha- not proclaimed as a
god but stated that he wasgod but stated that he was
“awake” and could point the“awake” and could point the
way for an individualway for an individual
towards salvationtowards salvation