Buddhism Introduction

1. Life of Gautama Buddha

  • Siddhartha Gautama born in 563 BC at Kapilavastu.
  • He belonged to Gautama family and Shakya clan.
  • His father was Shuddhodhana,  chief of  Shakya clan.
  • His mother was Mahamaya.
  • He married Yashodhara and had a son named Rahula.
  • At  age of 29, he left his family and became an ascetic. This is called Mahabhinishkramana (Great Departure).
  • At the age of 35, he attained enlightenment at Gaya, under a Peepal/Bodhi tree.
  • After enlightenment, he was called Buddha, meaning “ Enlightened One.”
  • His first sermon was delivered at Sarnath. It is known as Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (“Turning of the Wheel of Dharma”).
  • His first disciples included Kaundinya
  • Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar around 483 BC

2. Four Noble Truths

1. Dukkha — Suffering

  • Life involves suffering.
  • Pain, illness, old age, death, separation, etc. cause suffering.

2. Samudaya — Cause of Suffering

Desire and attachment are  main causes of suffering.

3. Nirodha — End of Suffering

  • Suffering can be ended.
  • By overcoming desire and attachment, a person can attain Nirvana/Nibbana.

4. Magga — Path to End Suffering

Way to end suffering is Noble Eightfold Path.

3. Noble Eightfold Path

Eightfold Path is the way to overcome suffering and attain enlightenment.

  1. Right View — Understand reality correctly.
  2. Right Intention — Have good and peaceful intentions.
  3. Right Speech — Do not lie, abuse or gossip.
  4. Right Action — Do good actions and avoid harming others.
  5. Right Livelihood — Earn a living through an honest occupation.
  6. Right Effort — Make effort to develop good qualities.
  7. Right Mindfulness — Be aware of your thoughts, feelings and actions.
  8. Right Concentration — Develop a focused and calm mind.

4. Main Ideas of Buddhism

  •  main aim of Buddhism is enlightenment.
  • Buddhism teaches a Middle Way — avoid both:
    • excessive pleasure/self-indulgence
    • extreme self-denial
  •  ultimate goal is Nibbana/Nirvana.
  • Nibbana is an experience/state of liberation, not a physical place.
  • Buddhism does not depend on belief in a creator God.
  • Buddha taught people to overcome desire, attachment and ignorance.
  • Buddhism emphasizes ethical conduct, meditation and wisdom.

5. Five Precepts (Pancasila)

Buddhist lay followers are taught to avoid:

  1. Violence/killing
  2. Stealing
  3. Sexual misconduct
  4. False speech
  5. Intoxicants

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