Buddhism Profile
By Sriram Palepu - Period 7
Founder
Major Beliefs
4 Noble Truths
- Dukkah - Truth of Suffering - the truth that life is full of sadness and suffering
- Samudaya - Cause of Suffering - the truth that suffering originates from human desire and craving of materialistic gratification
- Nirodha - End of Suffering - the truth that it is possible to end suffering by being aware of our desires and putting an effort in ending them
- Magga - Truth of Path - the truth that controlling the mind and body, as well as adherence to the 'Middle Way' and 'Eightfold Path' will lead to lasting peace
Middle Way - a path that avoids extreme self-indulgence as well as extreme asceticism by following the 'Noble Eightfold Path'
Noble Eightfold Path - the path to overcome human suffering and achieve self-awakening that calls for:
- Right Understanding
- Right Thought
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Work
- Right Effort
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Concentration
Five Precepts - act as a basic code of ethics for Buddhists
- Abstain from killing or harming other humans or animals (ahimsa)
- Abstain from stealing; only taking what is given
- Abstain from unkind speech and slander
- Abstain from over stimulation
- Abstain from alcoholic beverages and drugs that cause thoughtlessness.
Concepts such as the caste system and Brahmanism were excluded from Buddhist teachings as they promoted segregation and materialism through a hierarchical social structure.
Deitys
Scriptures & Writings
Mahayana Sutras - originally passed down through oral tradition, the Mahayana Sutras is used exclusively by Mahayana Buddhists and details specific rituals, incantations, and interpretations of the Tipitaka
Tibetan Book of the Dead - a funerary text that is used by Tibetan Buddhists. It details the experiences a soul has during the period between death and rebirth as well as rituals and prayers.
Zen Buddhist Literature - Zen Buddhism developed a intricate written tradition that was based on different interpretations of Buddhist teachings, poems and songs about enlightenment and nature, and discourses of Zen masters. The most common Zen texts were the Koans, Platform Sutra, and Shobogenzo.
Photo Credits
Image 2: http://www.soaringweb.org/japan.html
Image 3: http://www.himalayanart.org