Buddhist beliefs

• Dhamma (or Dharma)


  The Buddha's teachings
• Meanings of Dhamma


  • The "truth" about the nature of existence the Buddha realised when he became enlightened
  • The path of training for enlightenment, including the Eightfold Path
  • A universal "law", as in a law of nature/the way things are
• The three refuges (or jewels) of Buddhism

  The Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha
• Buddhists go to the three refuges to get shelter from suffering and seek guidance
• Dependent Arising (Paticcasamupada)


  Everything depends on supporting conditions

  Everything is interconnected

  Everything affects everyone

  Nothing is independent
• Treating others with loving kindness (Metta) will bring Buddhists closer to achieving Nibbana
• "All events and incidents in life are so intimately linked with the fate of others that a single person on his or her own cannot even begin to act.": Dalai Lama
• The Tibetan Wheel of Life shows how the concept of dependent arising is applied to Samsara
• The Tibetan wheel of life depicts how human beings are subject to a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, which can continue for many lifetimes
• By following the Buddhist path (particularly through breaking the habit of craving), the person can break free of the cycle and may achieve enlightenment and Nibbana
• Paticcasamuppada


  The concept of dependent arising
• The Three Marks of Existence


  • Anicca - impermanence

  Anatta - no fixed soul or self

  Dukkha - suffering or unsatisfactoriness
• Anicca


  Impermanence. Everything constantly changes.
• Anatta


  The idea that people do not have a fixed soul or self
• The Five Aggregates


  • Form

  Sensation

  Perception

  Mental formations

  Consciousness
• Dukkha

  Suffering, dissatisfaction or unsatisfactoriness
• The Three Types of Dukkha

  • Ordinary suffering

  Suffering because of change

  Suffering because of attachment
• The Seven States of Suffering

  • Birth

  Aging

  Sickness

  Death

  Sorrow

  Lamentation

  Despair
• Through dukkha, Buddhists understand that suffering is a natural part of life, and it comes in many forms.
• Through anicca, Buddhists gain an understanding that nothing ever stays the same, and this means that they should learn to let go and be less attached to material possessions, even when loved ones die.
• Theravada Buddhism is one of the oldest schools of Buddhism, practised mainly in Southeast Asia.
• Theravada Buddhists dedicate their lives to achieving enlightenment and Nibbana.
• Some Buddhists believe that they can share their good fortune, or merit, with others, especially when someone has died.
• Theravada Buddhism teaches that all humans are made up of five aggregates.
• What Theravada Buddhist monks do

  1. Become ordained

  2. Follow strict rules

  3. Focus on Meditation

  4. Commitment to the Buddha

  5. Follow the Eightfold Path
• Some Buddhists believe they can share their good fortune, or merit, with others
• When someone has died

  The family gather around the deceased person, hoping to transfer their merit to them so they can have a favourable rebirth
• Five aggregates (skandhas)

  The five parts that make up a person's identity and personality
• The five aggregates

  • Form
  • Sensation
  • Perception
  • Mental formations
  • Consciousness
• Mahayana Buddhism is the term used for a number of different Buddhist traditions that share overlapping characteristics
• Mahayana Buddhist traditions

  • Pure Land Buddhism
  • Zen Buddhism
  • Tibetan Buddhism
• Main locations where Mahayana Buddhism is practised

  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
• Sunyata

  Emptiness: the idea that nothing has a separate, independent "soul" or "self"
• Realising that everything depends on everything else can change a person's behaviour to be more compassionate, selfless and trusting
• Realising that everything is impermanent makes people less attached to things, and this reduces suffering
• Buddha-nature (Mahayana)

  The idea that everyone has the seed, or the essence or nature of a Buddha within them
• Arhat (Theravada)

  A "perfected person" who has overcome the main sources of suffering, or Three Poisons (greed, hatred and ignorance)
• Bodhisattva (Mahayana)

  An enlightened being who sees their own enlightenment as being bound up with the enlightenment of all beings
• Six Perfections

  • Generosity
  • Morality
  • Patience
  • Energy
  • Meditation
  • Wisdom
• Mahayana Buddhists believe there are both earthly and Transcendent Bodhisattvas