Teachings of Buddhism

Buddism began with the birth of the Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama was born about 2500 years ago. He was born into a royal family and was sheltered throughout his childhood (and into his early adult life) from pain, death, sickness, and suffering. When he saw these painful things present in the world, he began to wonder about the "true meaning of life." In order to more fully understand these things, he left the palace and his family (his wife and newborn son) behind. He chose to follow the traditional Indian path of the wandering holy man, a seeker of the truth, "the meaning of life."

He meditated under several different teachers. He then took up ascetic practices, which were based on te belief that one could free the spirit by "denying the flesh". He practiced this so determinedly, that he almost starved to death. After these practices failed to  enlighten him (on the meaning of life), "he abandoned this way, and looked instead into his own heart and mind." "He decided to trust his intuition and learn from direct experience." He sat underneath a pipal tree and vowed to remain there until he gained enlightenment. He stayed there forty days and finally on the full moon in May, Siddhartha (the Buddha), attained "Ultimate Freedom". For the remainder of his life, the Buddha traveled through Northern India, and spread his understanding and teachings.                                                                                                               
Teachings:
-3 Jewels:
Buddhists see life as "a constant change". They believe that "one can change for the better". "The ideals at the heart of Buddhism are collectively known as the "Three Jewels", (also known as "the Three Treasures".). The three jewels are:
1.) The Buddha (the yellow jewel)
2.) The Dharma (the Blue Jewel)
3.) The Sangha (the Red Jewel)
By having these central principles in your life, you become a Buddhist.



- The Threefold Way:
The threefold way  is another formulation of the path, and it is comprised of:
1.) Ethics
2.) Meditation
3.) Wisdom
This path provides "an indispensible basis for meditation". In the Buddhist religion,  meditation is "the ground on whcih wisdom can develop". Meditation is necessary in order for a person to grow in their faith, and in th religion of Buddhism.

- Four Noble Truths:
1.) All existence is Dukkha:
The word Dukkha means "suffering", "anguish", "pain", or "unsatisfactoriness". The Buddha saw that "our lives are a struggle, and we do not find ultimate happiness or satisfaction in anything we experience". He stated that this was the  problem with existence.
2.) The cause of Dukkha is craving:
It is our "natural human tendency" to blame our difficulties on outside influences. Th Buddha teaches that "our actual root is to be found in the mind itself".
3.) The cessation of Dukkha comes with the cessation of craving:
While we are the cause of our suffering, we are also the solution. We cannot change the things that happen to us, but we can change our responses (We cannot control the situations in our lives, but rather we can choose how we respond to those situations when we meet them.).
4.) There is a path that leads from Dukkha:
Although responsibility is placed on the individual, the Buddha taught certain methods "through which we can change ourselves". One example is the Noble Eightfold Path.

-Noble Eightfold Path:
The Noble Eightfold Path is a "further unpacking" of (an expansion of ) the Threefold Way. This path is the most widely known of the Buddha's teachings. It is ancient, and highly vallues as a "treasury of wisdom and practical guideance on how to live our lives". They are also in a "mutual relationship" with one another, and are each "essential elements" in the intigrated approach to Dharma.  The components of the path are:
1.) Right Understanding or Perfect Vision
2.) Right Judgement or Perfect Emotion
3.) Right Speech or Perfect Speech
4.) Right Action or Perfect Action
5.) Right Livelihood or Perfect Livelihood
6.) Right Effort or Perfect Effort
7.) Right Mindfulness or Perfect Awareness
8.) Right Meditation or Perfect Samadhi.




         

Hinduism Chapter Review

Hinduism:
1.) Explain the meaning of the term Moksha.
Moksha means "liberation". A Hindu can achieve moksha through good karma. You strengthen your karma through darma (your "ethical duty".).

2.) What doctrine says that all reality is ultimately one? Give an analogy that describes it.
Monism is the doctrine that states that all reality is ultimately one. One analogy of monism is that rivers, lakes, ponds, and oceans appear quite different, however they are all made up of water.

3.) Define Brahman and Atman. How are the two related?
Brahman is the "essence of all things". Brahman is the ground of a Hindu's existence, and the "source of the universe". Similarly, Atman is the "eternal self". It is the "ultimate reality" within a Hindu.
4.) What is the general function of Hinduism's many deities?
Hindu's believe that all 330 million deities are extensions of one ultimate reality. ("many names for one ocean, many "masks for one God".).

5.) Give a brief explanation of the doctrine of Samsara.
Samsara means "wheel of rebirth". It is the doctrine that states that the individual is reincarnated from one life- form to another.

6.) What is the name of Hinduism's most popular, sacred text?
The most popular, sacred text in Hinduism is the Rig- Veda. It is over 4,000 years old (it is from about 1500 B.C.).

7.) According to Hinduism, what are the two principles that connect the divine to this world? Briefly explain each.
The two divine principles that connect the divine to this world are karma and dharma. Karma means "action" or "deeds". It determines all the particular circumstances and situations of one's life. Dharma is a Hindu's "ethical duty", based on the divine order of reality. Dharma is "the complete rule of life".

8.) Name the four classes of the caste system, and describe the people who belong to each:
        1.) Brahmins: made up of the wealthy/ Priests
        2.) Kshatryias: made up of knights/ soldiers and administrators
        3.)Vaishyas: made up of producers, such as farmers, merchants, and artisans.
        4.) Shudras: composed of servants and laborers.

9.) In the Bhagavad- Gita, why does Krishna encourage Arjuna to engage in war?
Krishna encourages Arjuna by telling him that noen of the people that he will fight actually  exist. He tells Arjuna that although he fears fo the lives of his family members and friends on the opposing side, no harm will actually come to them, as their souls are unbreakable. Even if their physical beign falls in this life, their soul remains intact, and is able to return to Earth in a different form.

10.) Identify and briefly explain the four stages of life:
        1.) The Student- studies the Veda (intense study of the Vedas).
        2.) The Housekeeper- assigned the tasks of pursuing a career, and raising a family.
        3.) The Forest Dweller-  marked by the birth of the first grandchild, the individual retreats from worldly bonds in order to engage fully in a soiritual quest.
        4.) Sannyasin- the individual becomes a "wandering ascetic", and (if he chooses) returns to society after being apart for the "Forest Dweler" stage.


11.) Name and briefly describe the four goals of life:
        1.) Sensual Pleasure- Karma
        2.) Material Wealth- Artha
        3.) Doing your Duty- Dharma
        4.) Bliss- Moksha

12.) Identify the three paths to liberation. Which person is best suited for each path?
        1.) Karma- Those who do work. Thoser who actively do good.
        2.) Bhakti Marga- Those who are devoted.  People who devote themselves to a particular god.
        3.) Jhana Marga- Knowledge. Those who pursue Hindi philosophy.

13.) What are the three most important schools of Hindu philosophy? What is the basic task that concers all three?
        1.) Vedanta
        2.) Sankhya
        3.) Yoga

The basic task that contains all three is Maya ("cosmic illusion").

14.) Identify three important gods or goddesses of Hinduism:
        1.) Vishnu
        2.) Shiva
        3.) Kali


15.) What is an avitar? Name two important Hindu figures identified as avitars.
An avitar is an incarnation of a diety. Two important Hindu avitars are:
        1.) Krishna
        2.) Rama

16.) What Hindu text is most closely associated with bhakti- marga?
The jnana marga is the most closely associated text witht the bhakti- marga.

17.) Identify three aspects of Hindu devotional life:
        1.) Household and Villiage rituals
        2.) Holy places
        3.) Veneration of the ever present and much adored sacred cows.

18.) How did Mahatma Gandi influence Hinduism?
Gandi served as a social and political reformer fo the Hindu people. He is also well known for his prominent role as a relligious reformer. He mae many efforts to stand up to oppression through non- violence and civil disobedience.


19.) What significant changes in the caste system took place in the twentieth century?
In 1948, the Indian government "officially forbade discrimination against outcastes" (untouchables).

20.) What  is sati? What is it's status today?
Sati is the Indian practice of burning a widoe, after her husband dies. Sati does still occur, although (luckly) it is a very rare occurance.

21.)  What significant development occured in relations between Hindu and Muslims in 1947?
In 1947, the partition of India separated Hindu's and Muslims into two separate nations. Hindu's were allowed to remain in India, while Muslims were forced to move into Pakistan, separating the Indian people into two separate nations.