Buddhist Beliefs

• The four noble truths are the teachings about suffering and how to overcome it. They are an essential teaching as the Buddha said 'What I teach is suffering and the cessation of suffering'
• The first noble truth is Dukkha, the fact that suffering exists.

  There are four types of physical sufferings: birth; sickness; old age; death

  There are three types of mental suffering: separation from what you love; contact with unpleasant things; not being able to fulfill dreams
• The second noble truth is samudaya, the causes of suffering.
• Tanha means craving and this causes suffering (samudaya)

  There are three types of craving: to please the senses; to become what you are not; to not be.

  Craving is rooted in ignorance of people, world and reality. Craving in turn leads to hatred and greed
• The three poisons are ignorance, greed and hatred.
• The third noble truth is nirodha, there is an end to suffering.

  Buddha said don't avoid cravings but enjoy and pleasure things whilst recognising they will end.
• The fourth noble truth is magga, the cure to suffering. This is the path for enlightenment as teaches the middle way, the idea of moderation.

  This reflects Buddhas two 'lives', one of luxury in the palace and the ascetic lifestyle, neither was good.
• The eightfold path/ threefold way is a Buddhist path to enlightenment. It is magga in practice
• ethics - sila

  this consists of right speech, action and livelyhood.

  eg living in a way that doesn't harm others is right livelyhood
• Meditation - samadhi

  This is right effort, mindfulness and concentration
• Wisdom - panna is the third part of the eightfold path although it isn't necessarily followed in a direct order.

  This is right understanding and right intentions.
• Dhamma

  1. the truth of the nature of existence
  2. path of training to reach enlightenment
  3. universal law
• Three watches:

  1. knowledge of previous lives
  2. understood: samsara, kamma and anatta
  3. understood attachment and desire create suffering and suffering is overcome through enlightenment
• Mara sent 4 things:


  His daughters -> Buddha kept meditating

  His armies arrows -> they turned to lotus flowers

  control of his kingdom

  questioned Buddhas right to enlightenment -> Buddha called the earth to witness and it shook in acknowledgement
• dependent arising - paticcasamuppada


  everything depends on supporting conditions

  ' all events in life are so intimately linked with the fates of others' - Dalai Lama
• parinirvana


  nirvana after death
• nirvana


  not being reborn after having achieved enlightenment
• anicca

  impermanence-> the story of Kisa Gotami
• anatta


  no self -> the stroy of Nagasena and the chariot
• sanga


  community

  one of the three refuges
• the soul is not reborn but kammic energy is
• Theravada 


  Humans are made of the 5 aggravates

  arhat is the goal
• Mahayana 


  everyone has Buddha nature

  Bodhisattva is the goal
• Pure Land


  believe in the Amitabha Buddha

  want to reborn into Sukhabati, the land he created because it is easier to reach enlightenment there

  Having faith in Amitabha is more important then actions
• form 


  someones body or objects in the world
• sensation


  feelings that occur when you come into contact with things

  physical or emotional
• perception


  how people recognise things based on their previous experiences
• mental formations 


  thoughts and opinions

  includes likes and dislikes
• consciousness


  general awareness of the world