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Introduction to Buddhism
Dr. Mary Ann Clark
Life of the BuddhaBorn to the Sakya clan, warrior casteSage predicted he would be either a great king or a great holy manFather attempted to prevent him leaving the palace and kingshipMarried and had an infant son
Life of the Buddha (cont)Saw an old person, a sick person, a corpseDecided to follow path of ascetic renunciationFasted to the point of emaciation
Fasting BuddhaPushed limits of his enduranceRefused least possible nurishmentPushed himself to brink of self-eradication
Temptation "Up, up, O noble
prince! Recall the duties of your caste and abandon this dissolute quest for disengagement.”
EnlightenmentThe cause of suffering in this world, and endless reincarnations, is selfish craving!A teaching ministry begins, first with his 5 friends, then throughout Asia
The Middle WayHigh way
asceticism, mortification, complete renunciation of ALL things worldly
Low wayeat, drink, be merry, if it feels good, DO IT!
Middle Waytakes the best of both ways
Four Noble TruthsWhat is suffering?How does it arise?Can it be ended?How do we end it?
What is Suffering?Sanskrit term duhkha, unsatisfying quality of experienceSuffering arises from
Physical or emotional painChangeExistence itself
Wheel of LifeHeld by Shenje, the Lord of the DeadBuddha outside the wheel, escaped obstructions to NirvanaCenter: cock (lust), snake (hatred/fear), pig (ignorance/illusion)
Realm of Gods
Realm of Demi-Gods
Realm of Hell Demons
Realm of Hungry Ghosts
Realm of Animals
Realm of Human Beings
What is the Origin of Suffering?Suffering arises from emotional reactivity:
Attraction/LustAversion/FearIllusion/Ignorance
Can We End Suffering?How can we disengage from reactivity?Sense of self “I” basis of emotional reactions“I” doesn’t existThere is a false duality between subject and object
End of SufferingWhen we cease identifying with what we are not, with the non-existent “I”When we cease falling into the conditioned reactions that cause suffering
Who am “I”?We don’t exist in the way we habitually think, feel and perceive we doReactive patterns keep us from experiencing the presentConditioned responses maintain the world of illusion (maya)
How to End SufferingDevelop high level of attentionRest in the mystery of beingExperience not existing without fear and with clarity
Buddhist Ethics A skilled mind
a mind that is skilful avoids actions that are likely to cause suffering or remorse
Moral conduct for Buddhists differs according to whether it applies to the laity or to the clergy (Sangha)
Avoiding any actions which are likely to be harmful
MudrasNon-verbal communicationGestureal communicationInvoke ideas symbolizing divine powersExternal expression of “inner resolve”
Bhumisparsa MudraCalling Earth to Witness Enlightenment
Vitarka MudraGesture of DebateExplaining the Buddha’s Teaching
Dharmacakra MudraTeaching Gesture
Abhaya MudraFearlessness gestureAlso renunciation
Buddha ImagesFrom Gupta, IndiaStanding Buddha (L)The First Sermon (R)
Beautiful BodhisattvaAjanta, India (north)Cave Fresco1st-5th cent CE
Seated BuddhaKushan, India