Buddhism research assignment
Part One: Fundamentals of Buddhism
Four Noble Truths
The four noble truths are the ‘facts of life’ according to the Buddha. They are:
1. Life is suffering (dukkha)
2. The causes of suffering is desire (tanha)
3. The way to cure suffering is by overcoming desire
4. The way to overcome desire is by following the Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
Enlightenment
Spiritual enlightenment is the feeling of total peace, when you stop thinking about yourself and become totally free and one with everything. It is the meaning of life. When Siddharta Gautana reached enlightenment he could have left earth but he chose not to do this. He wanted his knowledge to be passed on to others, so he spent the rest of his life teaching other people the right ways to live.
Noble Eightfold Path
The eight basic habits of the Eightfold Path are expressions of the three essential categories of the Buddhist way of life: Wisdom, Ethics and Meditation or Mental Discipline.
Wisdom:
The first step on the Eightfold Path to Enlightenment away from life’s vicious circle of suffering (greed, worry, hatred, doubt and sloth) is Right Knowledge. The right thing to know is the Four Noble Truths. The Truths and the Eightfold Path are interwoven.
The second step is Right Aspiration, which simply means that we must decide what it is we are aspiring to achieve, ie Enlightenment. We must must remain resolved to pursue whatever it is.
Ethics:
3. The third step is Right Speech. Speak the truth and say the the right thing: don’t speak unkindly, unwisely, unthinkingly or inappropriately. , and do listen to what you say. We can understand ourselves by what we hear ourselves say.
4. The fourth step is Right Behaviour. The Buddha’s moral code included no killing, no stealing, no lying, no illicit sexual acts, no drugs and no intoxicants.
5. The fifth step is Right Livelihood. Most of our lives are taken up with earning a living so we should choose carefully what it is we end up doing, in order to not compromise our Right Aspiration. We should engage in occupations that promote life instead of destroying it.
Mental Discipline:
6. The sixth step is Right Effort. No one said overcoming desire in order to cure suffering and achieve Enlightenment is easy.
7. The seventh step is Right Mindfulness. We should be aware of what we are doing and why we are doing it, seeking to act with more virtue in order to further our spiritual advancement.
8. The eight step is Right Meditation. We should spend time meditating in order to develop and purify our spiritual powers and free our minds from all distraction if we are to progress on the path to Enlightenment.
So, the Eightfold Path maps out Buddhist ethics, directing Buddhists to keep the right company, learn the right lessons, and do the right things.
The Five/Ten Precepts
The precepts are a condensed form of Buddhist ethical practise. They are often compared with the ten commandments of Christianity; however, the precepts are different. The precepts are recommendations not commandments. The individual is encouraged to use his/her own intelligence to apply these rules in the best possible way.
The first 5 precepts are mandatory for every Buddhist, although the fifth precept is often overlooked, because it bans the consumption of alcohol. Precepts 6-10 are for those in preparation for monastic life and for devoted lay people unattached to families. The precepts are as follows:
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from …
Harming living being
Taking things not freely given
Sexual misconduct
False Speech
Intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness
Taking untimely meals
Dancing, singing, music and watching grotesque mime
Use of garlands, perfumes and personal adornment.
Use of high seats
Accepting gold or silver
The precepts seem quite vague, outdated and certainly up for interpretation. This is why Buddhist master Thich Nath Hanh formulated the Five Mindfulness Trainings, which are an adaption of the first 5 Buddhist precepts and help make them seem a bit clearer. They are as follows:
-First Training (abstain from harming living beings)
Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.
-Second Training (abstain from taking things not feeling given)
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am committed to practise generosity by sharing my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.
-Third Training (abstain from sexual misconduct)
Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.
-Fourth Training (abstain from false speech)
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy, and hope. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticise or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
-Fifth Training (abstain from intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness)
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practising mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I am committed to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films, and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society, and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger, and confusion in myself and in society by practising a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.
The Three Jewels or Refuges
Many people have beliefs and principles that lead them through life, principles that may or may not come from religious faith. Buddhists place their faith in the Three Jewels. They are
Part Two: Specific Form of Buddhism – Vajrayana Buddhism
Beliefs
Basic practises
Part Three: Buddhism in the Modern World