GCSE RS Religions: Beliefs & Teachings -

KEY WORDS: /NIBBANA: BUDDHISM: A religion founded around 2500 years ago by Siddhartha Gautama For Buddhists, the ultimate aim is to break free of the cycle of Samsara, because this is what causes suffering. The cycle is broken by following the BUDDHA: A title given to someone who has achieved enlightenment; usually used to refer to Siddhartha Buddhist path but, more specifically, through breaking the habit of craving (Tanha). For this reason, Buddhist practices focuses on the relationship Gautama between feeling and craving. When someone has an unpleasant feeling , they want to escape i, and when they have a pleasant feeling they become JATAKA: the Jataka tales are popular stories about the live of the Buddha. attached to it. Buddhism teaches that this kind of automatic response is what leads to suffering. Through breaking this response and coming to ASCETIC: Living a simple a strict lifestyle with few pleasures or possessions; someone who follows ascetic understand the Buddha’s teachings in other ways as well, Buddhists may achieve nibbana: a state of liberation, peace and happiness. A state that practice. Siddhartha achieved when he became enlightened and became the Buddha. MEDITATION: A practise of calming and focusing the mind, and reflecting deeply on specific teaching to The greatest of all gains is health, Nibbana is the greatest bliss, The eightfold path is the best of paths For it leads to safety, to the Deathless. MN penetrate their true meaning. 75.21. For monastics the focus is mainly on Mediation. They believe that commitment to the Buddha and the Eightfold Path will bring ENLIGHTENMENT: The gaining of true knowledge about God, self or the nature of reality, usually through good or Kamma. Their goal is to achieve enlightenment and reach Nibbana. They believe that the life you reach nibbana in, is your last and you mediation and self-discipline.; in Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh traditions, gaining freedom from the cycle of will not be reborn again. In contrast, Buddhists aim to achieve : to become a Buddha. They believe everyone has the . potential to do this and to become a Buddha because of their inherent Buddha-nature. Within, Mahayana Buddhism, they believe you can be : A demon that represents spiritual obstacles, especially temptation reborn, even after you reach Nibbana. They believe as it is their duty to remain in Samsara until suffering has ended and only then can THE THREE WATCHES OF THE NIGHT: The three realisations that the night the Buddha made in order to they pass into Parinibbana (NIbbana after death). “However innumerable sentient being are; I vow to save them”. achieve enlightenment. DHAMMA (): The Buddha’s teachings BUDDHISM BY NUMBERS: : The language of the earliest scriptures THE THREE FIRES: Greed, Hatred and Desire - at the centre of the wheel of Samsara, they are the causes of all human suffering. : The language used in the later Indian texts. THE : (No Self), Anicca (), Dukkha (suffering). DEPENDENT ARISING: The idea that all things arise in dependence upon conditions. THE THREE WATCHES OF THE NIGHT: 1) Siddhartha gained knowledge of his previous lives, 2) He came to understand the cycle of life, death and NIDANAS: 12 factors that illustrate the process of birth, life, death and rebirth. rebirth 3) He understands why suffering happens and how to overcome it. Samsara THE THREE REFUGES: Dharma, and Buddha SAMSARA: The repeating cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. THE THREE TYPES OF DUKKHA: Dukkha-Dukkha (ordinary suffering), Viparinama-dukkha (nothing is permanent), Sankhara-dukkha (attachment) KAMMA (KARMA): A person’s actions; the idea that skillful actions result in THE : The truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, the truth of the path leading to happiness and unskillful one in suffering. the end of suffering. NIBBANA: A state of complete enlightenment, happiness and peace. THE FIVE : Form, Sensation, , Mental Formations, Consciousness - 5 things that interact together to make up a person's DUKKHA: Suffering identity. ANICCA: Impermanence; the idea that everything changes. THE SIX REALMS OF SAMSARA: God realm, Demi-God realm, Human realm, Animal realm, Hungry ghost realm and Hell realm. ANATTA: The idea that people do not have permanent, fixed self or soul THE SIX PERFECTIONS: Generosity, Morality, Patience, Energy, Meditation, Wisdom. TANHA: Craving (desiring or wanting something. THE EIGHTFOLD PATH: Right...Understanding, Thought, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Meditation, Concentration.

THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA (SUMMARY): INTRODUCTION: Siddhartha Gautama was said to have been born approximately 2500 years ago in Northern India. After he became enlightened he was known as the Buddha, which is a title meaning ‘the enlightened one’ or ‘the awakened one.’ It is a title given to a being who has attained great wisdom and understanding through their own efforts. It is said that Siddhartha was born around 500 ce in in southern Nepal, close to the border with India. Siddhartha was a prince: his father was King Suddhodana and his mother was Queen Maya. THE BIRTH OF THE BUDDHA: One night, Queen Maya had a dream that a white elephant came down from heaven and entered her womb. The elephant told her that she would give birth to a holy child, and that when he was born he would achieve perfect wisdom. About ten months later, when the baby was almost due, Queen Maya began the journey back to her parents house, where she planned to give birth. On the way, she began to feel contractions, stopped the carriage to give birth to her son. According to legend, he could immediately walk and talk without any support. He walked seven steps and with every step he took, lotus flowers sprang up from the earth beneath his feet. He then stopped and said, ‘No further rebirths have I to endure for this is my last body’. Now I shall destroy and pluck out the roots the sorrow that is caused by birth and death.’ Shortly are Siddhartha’s birth, a prophecy was made that he would become either a great king or a revered holy man. SIDDHARTHA’S LIFE OF LUXURY: Siddhartha’s mother died when he was just was seven days old, and he was raised by his mother’s sister, Maha Pajapati. According to Buddhist traditions, Siddhartha grew up in a palace, surrounded in luxury. His father kept in mind the prophecy that was made, and to ensure he would follow in his footsteps and grow up to be a great king. So he decided to protect Siddhartha from any pain, sadness, disappointment or suffering that he might experience in life. Suddhodana didn’t want his son to seek religion and become a holy man. The king also thought if he provided his son with everything he wanted, he would not want to leave the palace. Siddhartha was therefore supplied with everything he could want. THE : Siddhartha grew curious and wanted to explore outside the palace walls. Aged 29, despite his father’s orders, Siddhartha decided to leave the palace grounds and go with (his charioteer) to the nearby city. Siddhartha the encountered the four sights, which had a profound effect on his life. The story of the fours sights, which has a profound effect on his life. THE FIRST SIGHT: OLD AGE Siddhartha and Channa did not get far before they saw a frail old man, something he had never witnessed before in his life. THE SECOND SIGHT: ILLNESS The new sight Siddhartha saw was someone lying in the road in agony. This disturbed him as he had never seen sickness or illness before, he began to understand that illness was a reality of life. THE THIRD SIGHT: DEATH THE BIRTH OF THE BUDDHA Siddhartha then saw a dead man being carried through the streets in a funeral processions. Some say that this third sight struck Siddhartha more deeply. It was, after all, the first time he had seen death. He realised that death came to everyone. If someone was born, they would go through a process which would involve growing older, illness, suffering and death. There was no escape even for kings. THE FOURTH SIGHT: A HOLY MAN Walking calmly through the city was a man dressed in rags and carrying an alms bowl. The peaceful expression on the face of this holy man impressed Siddhartha very much. He felt inspired to be like this holy man and to become and wandering truth seeker. This was perhaps the beginning of Siddhartha’s quest to search for the answer to the problem of why people suffer, and how to stop that suffering. LEAVING THE PLACE Finding the answer to suffering was not possible if Siddhartha remained in the place. It was said, that on the night his own son Rahula was born, he left the palace for good in search of an answer. He got up, kissed his wife and son goodbye as they slept, woke Channa, and they silently rode away from the palace. When they reached the edge of the wood, SIddhartha dismounted his horse. Took his sword and cut off his hair, swapped his clothes for that of a beggar. He gave all of his rings to give back to his father and Siddhartha disappeared into the forest. By giving up his possessions and the symbols of his previous life, Siddhartha was letting go of the things that he thought were keeping him ignorant and thus resulting in his suffering. Later he was to teach that renunciation, a ‘letting go’, was important to reaching enlightenment. LIVING AS AN ASCETIC Siddhartha tried various methods to learn how to overcome the problem of suffering. He decided to follow ascetic practices for six years. He rejected anything that would give him pleasure and practised self-discipline. He met and studied with various holy men, in particular focusing on meditation, it said that meditation gave him a feeling of bliss but did not offer a permanent solution for suffering. Next, Siddhartha began to ignore his appetite and resided with 5 ascetics. He fasted for long periods of time, becoming increasingly hungry and weak. Stories say, that he became so thin, you could see him spin through his stomach. He looked like a living skeleton and suffered from terrible pain. TURNING AWAY FROM ASCETICISM One day Siddhartha was bathing in the river Nairanjana. When he got out of the water he saw a girl who was herding cows. The girl offered Siddhartha rice pudding, he accepted because at this point he had become too weak to meditate. Siddhartha’s strength was restored by the food and he decided to stop his ascetic practice, because he was no closer to the truth of why people suffer and how to get rid of suffering. Neither luxury nor an ascetic lifestyle had given Siddhartha any real answers. This lead him to develop a ‘’ between two extremes that he had experienced. THE BUDDHA’S ENLIGHTENMENT Siddhartha wondered if meditation was the way to attaining the wisdom and compassion of enlightenment. He was said to have made himself a cushion of grass and sat underneath a Bodhi (peepul) tree. He said there, faced the east and thought: “Let only my sin, sinews and bone remain and let the flesh and blood in my body dry up; but not until I attain the supreme Enlightenment will I give up this seat of meditation”. Then Siddhartha began to meditate. Stories tell how Mara, the evil one, appeared to try to stop him from achieving enlightenment. Mara tried a number of different tactics: i) He sent his daughters down to seduce Siddhartha ii) he sent his army to attack Siddhartha iii) he offered Siddhartha his control of his kingdom. iv) Mara himself tried to attacked Siddhartha. Throughout it all Siddhartha said focused on his meditation. He ignore the daughters, turned the arrows directed at him into flowers before they hit him. Towards the end of the meditations Mara claimed he could not become enlightened without a witness. Siddhartha touched the earth and called upon the earth to witness his right to sit under the tree in meditation. The earth shook in acknowledgement. BECOMING ENLIGHTENED During his meditation Siddhartha was said to have experienced 3 watches: 1) He gained knowledge of all his previous lives, 2) he came to understand the repeating cycle of life, death and rebirth, He understood that all beings were born depending on their Kamma, and he realised the importance of Anatta. 3) He came to understand why suffering happens and how to overcome it. After his enlightenment, Siddhartha became known as The Buddha which means enlightened one or awakened one.

KEY QUOTES: THE DHARMA: THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS: “This being, that comes This is the teachings of the Buddha. The Dharma is the way the universe operates, like ‘cosmic law’. It This teaching flows from the Three marks of Existence, as it explores suffering and impermanence. During his enlightenment, to be; from the arising of existed before the Buddha. The Buddha put it into words and explained it for others to understand. the Buddha realised these Truths. The Four Noble Truths are the essence of the Dhamma. this, that arises; this not So, to Buddhists, it is a form of law. The Buddha’s teachings include the Three Marks of Existence. The The Buddha was known as the ‘great physician’ and the Four Noble Truths can be seen as following a medical model of being, that ceases; from Four Noble Truths and the . diagnosis (First Truth), cause (Second Truth), cure (Third Truth) and prescription (Fourth Truth). the ceasing of this, that 190-191: “He who has gone for to the Buddha, the teaching and his Order, penetrates with cease.” THE NATURE OF REALITY: transcendental wisdom the Four Noble Truths - suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path leading to 1) THE THREE MARKS OF EXISTENCE: These are also known as the Three Universal Truths. The Buddha the cessation (end) of suffering.” “Realising the practicial taught that: FIRST NOBLE TRUTH: Since all existence is impermanent, all existence must involve suffering (dukkha). Three forms of dukkha severe austerities for six a) ANICCA - Everything is IMPERMANENT and illusory. Everything changes and is constantly are everyday pain and unpleasantness, that caused by the experience and realisation of impermanence (anicca/anatta), and years it was to him like a in flux. that caused by what has gone before (our karmic programming). time of intertwining the b) ANATTA - Since everything is constantly changing, there can be no permanent self or Dukkha is caused by desire/craving, poor attitude, and attachment.It is also caused by the Three Poisons (or fires) - gree, sky with knots. Realising soul, as the element which might make this are in constant flux. ignorance and hatred. In Buddhism, there is no value to suffering is endless until a person can cease attachment (and hence the practice of austerities c) DUKKHA - Everything is constantly changing, which causes unsatisfactoriness, which leads achieve enlightenment). was not the path to to suffering. THE SECOND NOBLE TRUTH: Dukkha is caused by craving (tanha). We suffer because we continue to crave - we want bad enlightenment he went 2) DEPENDENT ARISING (Paticca Samuppada): things to stop, we want good things to never end,we want more of what makes us feel good. This may all sound fine, but it about gaining alm in the ‘If this exists, that comes to exist’: Buddhist believe that we have many thousands of rebirths - we are perpetuates the craving, which is itself suffering. Patticca Samuppada (dependent arising) explains how tanha comes about village” THE JATAKA vol 1 each a changing bundle of elements (Skandhas) born into many lifetimes, each time trying to attain because it explains how all things come to exist. ‘He who perceives paticca samuppada perceives the Dhamma’ said the enlightenment. Together these elements (skandhas) born into many lifetimes, each time trying to Buddha. Essentially, our past lives shape our present and future, but in the present life desire and attachment build to keep us “Let only my sins, sinew attain enlightenment. Together these elements are enough to keep the illusion going, but the chain of bound to the cycle of rebirth (samsara). and bones remain and let existence comes from paticca samuppada, or dependent arising (that there are interdependent This is considered to be the linchpin of the Buddha’s teachings and its realisation was the trigger for his enlightenment. the flesh and blood in my events which cause the existence or occurrence of other events - 12 pictures on the outside of the THE THIRD NOBLE TRUTH:End tanha by achieving non-attachment (nirodha) - stop wanting = stop suffering. This is also body dry up; but not until wheel of life). This is usually described as the 12 links: Links 1-2: relate to past existence and are what nibbana (cessation of suffering)-when a person stops being attached to the material world and what is in it, they have the calm I attain the supreme makes the present. Links 3-10: relate to this existence and are shaping the future. Links 11-12: relate of enlightenment and are not affected by the Three Poisons because of non-attachment. Enlightenment will I give to the future, based on links 1-10. Nirodha is described in many ways in Buddhist scripture - the destruction of the Skandhas, supreme happiness and the

up this seat of stopping of becoming, the ending of carving, final destruction of intentions, the end of suffering. It can be seen as a state of meditation” Jataka Vol 1 being (peace, blessing, purity), or a place (the unborn, the unbecoming, the eternal). THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTH: The way to nirodha is by the path (magga). This is BUddhist practice, known as the Noble Eightfold “To the Buddha for Path. It is the Middle Way. Magga has eight elements, all of which are important - a Buddhist cannot focus on just one or two. refuge I go, to the Think of the Buddhist wheel, it has eight spokes, representing the eightfold path. The eight spokes (the 8fp) lead to the hub Dhamma for refuge I go, (enlightenment) and those not following the spokes are on the outer rim (wheel of rebirth, samsara). This is one reason the HUMAN PERSONALITY: To the Sangha for refuge wheel () is such an important symbol for Buddhism. THE SKANDHAS: According to Buddhism, a person is made up of five elements (aggregates), known as I go” Skandhas. These are constantly changing even from second to second - hence Anatta. All Skandhas THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH: Magga - the Fourth Noble Truth - is the Noble EIghtfold Path. It is the eight-part system for living are impermanent, so lead to Dukkha. “My teaching is not a for a Buddhist. The Dharmachakra (‘wheel symbol’ for Buddhism) reflects the idea that we are on the rim of life, but by ● Physical form (rupa) - made up of the elements of air, earth, fire and water. direct philosophy. It is the following the Eightfold Path (spoke) we reach enlightenment (hub). ● Sensation/feelings (vedana) - caused when the eyes sees, ear hears, mouth tastes, nose result of direct Each part of the EIghtfold Path Must be followed as the eight elements are linked. A Buddhist would not try to perfect one smells, body touches, or mind thinks. For example, we taste something (feeling) which we experience...my teaching element at a time, they would be working on all of them. It can also be split three ways: decide is not pleasant (sensation). is a means of practice, 1. WISDOM (panna) - Right Thought, Right View ● Perception () - of sense. not something to hold on 2. MORALITY/ETHICS (sila) - Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood ● Mental formations (samskara) - the decisions - to or worship. My 3. MEDITATION ()Right Effort, Right , Right Concentration. making bit of our brain, which makes us say/think/do teaching is like a raft This is called the Threefold Way and is seen in the Dhammapada 183 -to avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one’s something. used to cross the river. mind - this is the teachings of the Buddhas. ● Awareness/consciousness (vijnana). Only a fool would carry ● Right Understanding/View - This is seeing things as they really are. The Four Noble Truths are the ultimate form of SUNYATA: Means ‘emptiness’. It is skilful (upasala) means by the raft around after he this. which a person distangles themselves from the impurity of already reached the other ● Right Thought/Intention - Having only compassionate and positive thoughts towards others and in all actions. existence and from unsatisfactoriness. To realise sunyata is to shore or liberation” Thich ● Right Speech- Using language kindly includes not lying, not spreading untruths, not gossipings and not using cease attachment and craving. It leads to enlightenment. Nhat Hanh language hurtfulling (e.g. swearing) Meditation is means to that understanding, hence meditation is ● Right Action - Always acting kindly means not hurting others (e.g. not killing), not stealing not taking what is not being able to deliver enlightenment (as for the Buddha). “All events and incidents freely given, and not misbehaving sexually, e.g. not having an affair. ATTAINING BUDDHAHOOD AND THE BUDDHA-NATURE: in life are so intimately ● Right Livelihood - This means avoiding harmful types of work, specifically those dealing with intoxicants, abuse of There are two - THERAVADA and linked with the fate of other living beings, meat poisons. Usury (lending money at high rates of interest) is discouraged. MAHAYANA. In Theravada Buddhism, enlightenment is a personal others that a single ● Right Effort - This is about developing in oneself positive qualities while reducing negative ones. In effect, goal, sought by monks who become (perfected beings). In person on his or her own everything is done in a compassionate but non-attached way. Mahayana, individuals can support others to achieve cannot even begin to ● Right Mindfulness - This is about training one’s mind to be able to recognise what is important, and not be enlightenment. So, while boths forms show everyone can become act”. Tenzin Gyasto distracted from the path. a Buddha (eventually), the journey may be very different. ● Right Concentration - This is meditation, which needs The ultimate goal and ambition is to become Buddha. This can be “...what I teach is discipline and training. It removes/weakens the mental hindrances of done in many ways, particular by following the Buddhist Path, suffering and the sensuality, ill-will, laziness, worry and scepticism. namely living according to the teachings of the Buddha, the path cessation of suffering” How to remember the Eightfold Path: Under The Sea, A Little Elephant of the Dhamma. This means having faith in the Buddha, showing The Buddha Munches Crabs determination to achieve enlightenment and not give up, Understandings, Thought, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, cultivating wisdom in oneself, and perfecting compassion and Concentration. loving kindness towards others. Mahayana Buddhism believes that everyone has Buddha-nature - that is, the potential to become Buddha, to become enlightened. It is the practice of Buddhism which helps us to realise our Buddha-nature for ourselves.