Buddhism
Buddhism is a very diverse philosophy and way of life. Some consider it a religion, others do not.
There are many branches in Buddhism, taking different forms over time and throughout the world. Two major streams, Theravada and Mahayana are the most popular traditions, but the core teachings of the Buddha are expressed in different ways by different cultures.
The Buddha taught four noble truths and an eight-fold path.
There are many branches in Buddhism, taking different forms over time and throughout the world. Two major streams, Theravada and Mahayana are the most popular traditions, but the core teachings of the Buddha are expressed in different ways by different cultures.
The Buddha taught four noble truths and an eight-fold path.
Four Noble Truths
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1. There is Suffering: Everyone suffers.
2. Cause of Suffering. We cause our own suffering. 3. End of Suffering: If something causes suffering, stop it. 4. Path to end Suffering: We can all achieve enlightenment. |
Noble Eight-fold Path
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1. Right Perspective: Viewing life with wisdom and compassion
2. Right Thought: Thinking for oneself, clearly and kindly. 3. Right Speech: Kind and helpful words create respect and trust. 4. Right Conduct: Behaving appropriately and being self-aware rather than judgemental of others. 5. Right Livelihood: Doing work that is helpful not harmful. 6. Right Effort: Putting one's energy toward good will. 7. Right Mindfulness: Being aware of one's thoughts, words, and deeds. 8: Right Concentration: Focusing on one thing at a time. |
Some common practices today are praying, meditating, chanting and vegetarianism.
Theravada Buddhism: Known as the Lesser Vehicle, is more monastic, where the focus is on the teachings of the Buddha and elders and attaining enlightenment through one's own dedication.
Mahayana Buddhism: Known as the Greater Vehicle, highlights the bodhisattva path, where the ideal is to return after achieving enlightenment, to help others attain.
Pure Land Buddhism: A popular form of Mahayana Buddhism in the East, honouring Amitabha or Amida Buddha as an enlightened being who can help people attain enlightenment through grace.
Vajrayana Buddhism: Known as the Tibetan Tantric tradition of Buddhism, grew out of the Mahayana tradition, with influences from Hindu yoga.
Zen Buddhism: A Japanese tradition influenced by Taoism, celebrating intuition and meditation, which grew out of the Mahayana tradition.
Theravada Buddhism: Known as the Lesser Vehicle, is more monastic, where the focus is on the teachings of the Buddha and elders and attaining enlightenment through one's own dedication.
Mahayana Buddhism: Known as the Greater Vehicle, highlights the bodhisattva path, where the ideal is to return after achieving enlightenment, to help others attain.
Pure Land Buddhism: A popular form of Mahayana Buddhism in the East, honouring Amitabha or Amida Buddha as an enlightened being who can help people attain enlightenment through grace.
Vajrayana Buddhism: Known as the Tibetan Tantric tradition of Buddhism, grew out of the Mahayana tradition, with influences from Hindu yoga.
Zen Buddhism: A Japanese tradition influenced by Taoism, celebrating intuition and meditation, which grew out of the Mahayana tradition.
Some links to more information about Buddhism
Why I Love Buddhism
There are many great reasons to be Buddhist or to explore Buddha's teachings and the paths that grew out of them.
- The concept of liberation from reincarnating into a life with suffering, old age and death
- The total possibility for people to achieve enlightenment. In this lifetime.
- The middle path of moderation between luxury and asceticism
- Koans, which are basically riddles meant to awaken the aspirant
- Vipassana, a silent, mindfulness meditation practice, is pretty cool
- There are both monks and nuns in monastic traditions
- The story of the Buddha's life and the storytelling in the teachings
- It's more of a philosophy than a religion.
- The peaceful spread of the teachings throughout history
- That there are so many forms of meditation
- That the teachings are not considered beliefs, and people are encouraged to think for themselves
- There is mutual and self-respect shared between teachers and pupils
- It is a worldly path of positivity and goodness
- The acknowledgement of the spiritual, nonmaterial part of reality that overlaps with the material world.
- The Buddha was fully human, not a god
- That Dalai Lama fellow is a pretty cool guy
- The concept of liberation from reincarnating into a life with suffering, old age and death
- The total possibility for people to achieve enlightenment. In this lifetime.
- The middle path of moderation between luxury and asceticism
- Koans, which are basically riddles meant to awaken the aspirant
- Vipassana, a silent, mindfulness meditation practice, is pretty cool
- There are both monks and nuns in monastic traditions
- The story of the Buddha's life and the storytelling in the teachings
- It's more of a philosophy than a religion.
- The peaceful spread of the teachings throughout history
- That there are so many forms of meditation
- That the teachings are not considered beliefs, and people are encouraged to think for themselves
- There is mutual and self-respect shared between teachers and pupils
- It is a worldly path of positivity and goodness
- The acknowledgement of the spiritual, nonmaterial part of reality that overlaps with the material world.
- The Buddha was fully human, not a god
- That Dalai Lama fellow is a pretty cool guy
Jacki Moss, Spiritual Consultant. Voice Mail: (705) 209-9848 or E-mail: [email protected]