Buddha Taughts

Principles

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

Refuge in The Three Jewels The Four Noble Truths The Noble Eightfold Path The Five Precepts The three marks of conditioned existence Buddha-dhatu ("Buddha-Principle", Buddhanature) Other Principles and Practices Vegetarianism

Refuge in The Three Jewels

The three Jewels the Threefold Refuge are the three main components of the Buddhist creed. In Buddhism, the three jewels are the Buddha, the Dhamma(doctrine or law), and the Sangha (the monastic order, or community of believers). While on the path of becoming a Buddhist, one needs protection of the three jewels or the Three Refuge as they offer protection from the unstable world we live in.

Buddha
The lord Buddha is considered to be the prime source of inspiration and authority for adherents. The literal meaning of the word 'Buddha' means, awakened one, which also suggests that the enlightenment of the Buddha was a 'wake up' sign for the world with more zeal for light and enlightenment with an exemption from ignorance and delusion.

Dhamma
The Dhamma refers to the code of conduct, or the doctrine. The teachings propounded by the Buddha are known as the Dhamma in Pali or Dharma in Sanskrit language. The Dhamma comprises all the essential doctrines of Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths, Samsara, Karmaa, Rebirth or the cycle of birth and death.

Sangha
Another jewel, the Sangha, a monastic community founded by the Buddha is highly revered. A Sangha gives special impetus to the monks and nuns as they make the Buddha's teachings the focus of their lives, devote their lives to meditation and welfare of other beings.

The Four Noble Truths

Life means suffering. The origin of suffering is attachment. The cessation of suffering is attainable. (the Nirodha expresses the idea that sufferings can be eliminated by attaining dispassion) The path to the cessation of suffering.

The Noble Eightfold Path

The eight factors of the Noble Eightfold Path are as follows: 1. Right View. 2. Right Intention 3. Right Speech 4. Right Action 5. Right Livelihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration

The three marks of conditioned existence

Anatta (a Pali word) or Anatman (a Sanskrit word)is basically the concept of a self or Atman or soul. Anicca or Anitva means that nothing is constant. Dukkha is the suffering when we fail, that suffering is known as Dukkha.

The Five Precepts

1. Panatipata Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures. 2. Adinnadana Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given. 3. Kamesu Micchacara Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct. 4. Musavada Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech. 5. Suramerayamajja Pamadatthana Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.

Buddha-dhatu
Buddha Dhatu or Buddha Nature is an important doctrine for many schools of the Buddhism. It is considered to be a real eternal principle, essential for every being to get enlightened and achieve nirvana. The Buddha Dhatu is uncreated, incorruptible, and indestructible, and thereby, has to be created within oneself.

Other Principles and Practices

The Buddha put three wisdoms in sequential order, first hearing or reading, second thinking or investigating and the third practicing. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Therefore, to learn Buddhism in its entirety Before practice, and after hearing or reading and thinking for a long time, one should establish ones right view on every point keeping it in mind

Vegetarianism
Lord Buddha was not a vegetarian and neither he did insist his disciples to follow vegetarianism. He used to eat whatever he received from the villagers in 'bhiksha'. Even before his enlightenment, He had experimented with several diets including a non vegetarian diet, but he gradually abandoned them believing that they did not contribute to spiritual development of a person.

Buddhism
RELIGION Year of Formation Origins Followers Prophet Sacred Book Headquarters Buddhism 480 BC/ 5th century BCE Asia /China 500 million Siddhartha /Buddha Book of scriptures written in Pali None

Essay question
Buddhism is a Philosophy of life and also some people consider it as a religion. According to what you have learned, what would be Buddhism ?and explain why. Use examples to support your answer.