Buddhism 101
Suffering exists
Suffering arises from ignorance (attachment to desires)
Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path
The Eight-fold Path:
| Quality | Eight-fold Path |
| Wisdom (panna) | Right Understanding |
| Right Thought | |
| Morality (sila) | Right Speech |
| Right Action | |
| Right Livelihood | |
| Meditation (samadhi) | Right Effort |
| Right Mindfulness | |
| Right Contemplation |
When the Wisdom aggregate is directly known: we attain two more:
Three Characteristics of Existence
Transiency, impermanence, subject to change (anicca)
Unsatisfactoriness, suffering, Sorrow (dukkha)
Non-self, unsubstantiality, Selflessness (anatta)
Five Aggregates (skandhas)
Form (rupa) - outer components
Feeling (vedana) - Feelings arise when there is contact between the six internal
organs and the six external objects.
Perception (samjna) - related to the six external objects
Impulses (samskara) - Volition, mental formations. The response of the will to the six external objects
Consciousness (vijnana) - grasps the characteristics of the six external objects (Visual, Auditory, Olfactory, Gustatory, Tactile, Mental consciousness)
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Five Hindrances Sensual desire Aversion, ill will, hatred Sloth and torpor Restlessness, worry Skeptical doubt Seven Factors of Enlightenment Mindfulness Investigation of Dhamma Energy Rapture or happiness Tranquillity, calm Concentration Equanimity |
The Ten Transcendental Virtues (paramis) Generosity (dana) Morality (sila) Renunciation (nekkhamma) Wisdom (panna) Energy (viriya) Patience (khanti) Truthfulness (sacca) Resolution (adhitthana) Loving-Kindness (metta) Equanimity (upekkha) |
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Four Boundless States (brahmaviharas) Helpful on the way to Nirvana. They help in dissolving the idea of a separate self. Loving-kindness (metta) - good-will, friendship, unconditional love for all beings. Not selfish love or hatred. Compassion (karuna) - empathy, to feel with someone instead of for someone. Not pity or cruelty. Sympathetic Joy (mudita) - spontaneous joy in response to others success. Not hypocrisy or envy. Equanimity (upekkha) -even-mindedness based on insight into the nature of things. Not indifference or anxiety.
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Ten Fetters of Existence Self-delusion Doubt, uncertainty Clinging to rites and ritual Sensual desire Ill Will, resentment Greed for Material (form) Existence Greed for Immaterial (formless) Existence Conceit Restlessness, agitation |
| Four Boundless States (brahmaviharas) | Helpful on the way to Nirvana. They help in dissolving the idea of a separate self. |
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Loving-kindness (metta) - good-will, friendship, unconditional love for all beings. Not selfish love or hatred. Compassion (karuna) - empathy, to feel with someone instead of for someone. Not pity or cruelty. Sympathetic Joy (mudita) - spontaneous joy in response to others success. Not hypocrisy or envy. Equanimity (upekkha) -even-mindedness based on insight into the nature of things. Not indifference or anxiety.
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Taking Refuge (The Basic Vow)
I take refuge in the Buddha (the one who shows the way)
I take refuge in the Dharma (the way of understanding and love)
I take refuge in the Sangha (the community that lives in harmony and mindfulness)
The Five Precepts:
1. to abstain from killing
2. to abstain from stealing
3. to abstain from sexual misconduct
4. to abstain from lying
5. to abstain from intoxicants
Buddhist Vows
Living beings are limitless, I vow to save them.
Defilements are inexhaustible, I vow to cut through them.
Dharma teachings are immeasurable, I vow to learn them
The Buddha's path is unsurpassable, I vow to realize it
And become the Buddha.
Recommended Books
Introductory:
What the Buddha Taught, by Walpola Rahula. A beautifully clear introduction to Buddhist doctrine, written by a Sri Lankan scholar. Very intelligible, even to non-Buddhists.
Entering the Stream: An Introduction to the Buddha and his Teachings, ed. by Samuel Bercholz and Sherab Chodzin Kohn. London: Rider (1994). An excellent anthology of short writings from a number of different viewpoints. Very accessible to those who have only a casual interest in Buddhism, while also containing much of value for serious students of the teaching. Buddha's Life
Old Path, White Clouds: the life story of the Buddha, by Thich Nhat Hanh. London: Rider (1991). ISBN 0-7126-5417-8. A biography of the founder of Buddhism, written in modern language by a Vietnamese monk who is a long-time activist for peace and human rights. Like being there with the Buddha. (600 pages)
Gautama Buddha: in Life and Legend by Betty Kellen. Graham Brash (1989). A smaller (150 page) biography, though without the insight of Hanh's book.Sutras
The Heart Sutra.
The Heart of Understanding Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra. by Thich Nhat Hanh: Parallax Press
The Diamond Sutra.
The Diamond That Cuts Through Illusion: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Diamond Sutra.by Thich Nhat Hanh Parallax Press
Soto Zen
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, by Shunryu Suzuki. New York: Weatherhill (1970), reprinted in 1980. A Soto Zen classic. A book about life, an awakened, deliberate and meaningful life. Scripture translations and related materials: Buddhist Meditation
Mindfulness in Plain English, by Henepola Gunaratana. Boston: Wisdom (1993). ISBN 0-8617-1064-9 (paperbound). An guide to Vipassana (Insight) meditation. Tibetan Buddhism
Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, by John Powers. Snow Lion (1995). ISBN 1-55939-026-3. The best introduction to Tibetan Buddhism. Covers general Buddhism basics, the history and development of Tibetan Buddhism, Tantra and an outline of the 4 major schools.The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche