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The two major schools of Buddhism? Where? What?
- Mahayana: China - Buddha as god (search for compassion)
- Theravada: Thailand - Buddha as teacher (search for wisdom)
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Buddhism in relation to Hinduism:
- Accepts the basic concepts of Hinduism
- Rejects the caste system
- Belief not centered around relationship b/w humanity and god
- Sometimes referred to as philosophy, not religion
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What does Buddhism teach? How do they worship?
- Teaches selflessness, compassion and wisdom
- Sets a standard of tolerance, gentleness, and love of nature
- Buddhist do not pray, but meditate
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What is Suffering?
- Universal problem of the world is suffering
- Cause of suffering is desire
- Constantly in a state of wanting, and when expectations not met = suffering
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The four noble truths
- 1. All life is suffering
- - not supposed to be pessimistic but realistic
- 2. Suffering is caused by desire
- - discontent with what you have/get (greed, hatred, delusion)
- 3. Suffering can be extinguished and desire can be eliminated
- - state of being free from desire = Nirvana
- - true happiness can be obtained
- 4. To eliminate desire one must live a virtuous life by following the eightfold path (middle way)
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Notions of suffering include:
- Jealousy
- Sickness/illness
- Betrayal
- Pain, sorrow, misery
- Frustration, competition, distress
- Change
- Fear, violence
- Death
- Anxiety
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The eightfold path
- Right....
- Views
- Resolve
- Speech
- Action
- Livelihood
- Effort
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
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Threefold path to spiritual awakening
- Morality/Ethics: Speech, action, livelihood
- Meditation: effort, minfulness, meditation
- Wisdom: views, resolve
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What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism?
to acheive Nirvana
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Three buddhist teachings:
- 1. Karma
- - actions have consequences, lives influenced by past actions
- 2. Liberation from Karma
- - follow buddhas path, escape cycle of craving/suffering and acheive nirvana
- 3. Rebirth
- - consciousness continues after death and finds expression in future life
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What is Nirvana? How do you attain it?
- Ultimate goal
- Release from the round existence with its inherent suffering
- Enlightened state in which greed, hatred, and ignorancce have been eliminated
- Peace and happiness
- Follow eightfold path to attain nirvana
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