Buddhism

• The Three Refuges are: Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha
• The Three Marks of Existence: Anicca, Anatta, Dukkha
• Anicca is the concept of impermanence. Example: Story of Kisa Gotami - woman whose child died and Buddha told her to get mustard seeds from a house where nobody died
• Anatta is the idea that humans have no soul or self. Example: Nagasena and the Chariot. Monk Nagasena visited King Milinda. Nagasena said his name is not his real person. Chariot is just a collection of parts, such as wheels + seat.
• Dukkha is suffering. The belief that all life includes suffering and dissatisfaction. Accepting that all life is impermanent and imperfect. Example: Buddha living Ascetic lifestyle, suffered because of starving, craved food physically and mentally. Links to teaching "not to get what one wants is suffering"
• The Four Noble Truths: Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, Magga
• Samudaya is knowing that there are things in life that can cause suffering. Example: craving/desire
• Nirodha is understanding that suffering can be ended if we stop craving
• Magga is knowing that there is a way to end suffering by following The Eightfold Path
• Samsara - the cycle of life, death, and rebirth
• Sangha - The Buddhist community
• The Three Poisons: greed, ignorance, hatred.

  Represented through a pig, snake, and a bird
• The Four Sights: old age, illness, death, a holy man

  
  

  First three can link to painful aspects of human life, expressing the idea of suffering (Dukkha).

  Fourth shows the solution: spiritual answer to suffering.
• Renunciation - letting go. An important aspect of Buddhist life
• The "Anguttara Nikaya" describes how Siddhartha was delicately nurtured, protected from suffering, lived a luxurious life, entertained by female dancers, had lotus ponds of many colours, protected by a sunshade
• Queen Maya dreamed a white elephant came down from heaven and told her she would give birth to a holy child.

  She gave birth to Siddhartha in the Lumbini Gardens.

  Siddhartha could: immediately walk and talk, walked seven steps and lotus flowers appeared under his feet, declared that he would not be reborn.

  Shortly after his birth, prophecy was made that Siddhartha would become a great king or a holy man.
• Siddhartha practised the Ascetic lifestyle:

  He lived in dangerous environments and hostile forests which were too hot in the day and freezing at night

  Slept on a bed of thorns

  He ate so little he looked like a skeleton
• The demon Mara tried distracting Siddhartha from meditating, including:

  sending his beautiful daughters to seduce Siddhartha

  sending his armies to throw arrows and other weapons at him

  offering Siddhartha control of his kingdom
• Siddhartha stayed focused on his meditation:

  he was not swayed by Mara's daughters

  the arrows and other weapons turned to lotus flowers before reaching him
• The importance of the Dhamma:

  one of the three refuges

  reduces suffering

  gives meaning to life

  creates satisfaction and happiness

  improves a Buddhist's relationships with others and the world

  leads Buddhists to become more aware, wiser, and more compassionate
• Dependent arising: everything depends on supporting conditions, nothing is independent. Everything is in a constant process of change
• Nibbana - liberation and a state of complete enlightenment, happiness, and peace
• The Seven States of Suffering:

  birth

  old age

  sickness

  death

  separation from someone or something you love

  contact with someone or something you dislike

  not being able to achieve your desires
• "...what I teach is suffering and the cessation of suffering" - The Buddha in the Majjhima Nikaya, vol 1, p. 140
• Samkhara-dukkha: suffering because of attachment. dissatisfaction with life due to craving and attachment
• Viparinama-dukkha: suffering because of change. caused by losing something good
• Dukkha-dukkhata: ordinary suffering. physical and mental pain.
• The Buddhist Wheel of Life: Represents Dhamma and Buddha.

  The hub of the wheel represents the three poisons, through a pig, snake, and a bird

  The second layer represents concept of Kamma with two half circles - lower realms and enlightenment

  The third layer represents six realms of Samsara (rebirth):

  Upper - God realm, Demi-god realm, the human realm.

  Lower - animal realm, hungry ghost realm, Hell realm.
• The concepts of Anicca and Anatta are shown in the story of Nagasena and the Chariot
• Dhamma - the whole Pali canon. It is the teachings of the Buddha.
• Mahayana Buddhists have 6 perfections they recognise whereas Theravada Buddhists have 10
• "When I understand that the glass is already broken, every moment with it is precious" - quote from Ajaan Chaa

  • This teaches the concept of impermanence and the idea of non-attachment.
  • The glass will eventually break, so we should cherish and appreciate every moment while it lasts
  • The mindset encourages us to be fully present and grateful for what we have, knowing that it won't last forever