BUDDHISM

DEFINITION
Buddhism is a religion to about 300 million people around the world. The word comes from
'budhi', 'to awaken'.

Is Buddhism a Religion?
To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or 'way
of life'. It is a philosophy because philosophy 'means love of wisdom' and the
Buddhist path can be summed up as:
(1) to lead a moral life,
(2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and
(3) to develop wisdom and understanding.
FOUNDER
Siddhartha Gautama (the "Buddha") in the late 6th century B.C.E.

Siddhartha Gautama was the warrior son of a king and queen. According to
legend, at his birth a soothsayer predicted that he might become a
renouncer (withdrawing from the temporal life). To prevent this, his father
provided him with many luxuries and pleasures. But, as a young man, he
once went on a series of four chariot rides where he first saw the more
severe forms of human suffering: old age, illness, and death (a corpse), as
well as an ascetic renouncer. The contrast between his life and this human
suffering made him realize that all the pleasures on earth where in fact
transitory, and could only mask human suffering. Leaving his wife -- and new
son ("Rahula" -- fetter) he took on several teachers and tried severe
renunciation in the forest until the point of near-starvation. Finally, realizing
that this too was only adding more suffering, he ate food and sat down
beneath a tree to meditate. By morning (or some say six months later!) he
had attained Nirvana (Enlightenment), which provided both the true answers
to the causes of suffering and permanent release from it.
Now the Buddha ("the Enlightened or Awakened One") began to teach others
these truths out of compassion for their suffering. The most important
doctrines he taught included the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path.
His first Noble Truth is that life is suffering (dukkha). Life as we normally live
it is full of the pleasures and pains of the body and mind; pleasures, he said,
do not represent lasting happiness. They are inevitably tied in with suffering

since we suffer from wanting them, wanting them to continue, and wanting
pain to go so pleasure can come. The second Noble Truth is that suffering is
caused by craving -- for sense pleasures and for things to be as they are not.
We refuse to accept life as it is. The third Noble Truth, however, states that
suffering has an end, and the fourth offers the means to that end: the EightFold Path and the Middle Way. If one follows this combined path he or she will
attain Nirvana, an indescribable state of all-knowing lucid awareness in
which there is only peace and joy.
HOLY BOOK
1. Tripitaka 2. Sutras
1. The Tripitaka (called Tipitaka in Pali) is the earliest collection of
buddhist writings. The word means "the three baskets," (tri=three,
pitaka=baskets). The baskets are divided by subject matter.
2. Buddhism reveres the Tripitaka as a holy text, they add to it a total of 2184 sacred

writings. Most of these writings go under the name of Sutra.

Contents of Tripitaka

The first basket is the Discipline Basket (Vinaya Pitaka), which

set out the rules and guidelines for living the monastic life of the
sangha. It focuses first on the 227 regulations for monks (Bhikkhus),
which concern everything from basic morality to robe-making, the
additional rules for the nuns (Bhikkhunis), and then on guidelines for
interaction between the monks and nuns and the laity.

The second basket is the Discourse Basket (Sutra Pitaka) and it

contains records of the Buddha's teachings and sermons. These
discourses of the Buddha present matters of theology and moral
behavior for all buddhists.

The third basket is that of the Special Teachings (Abhidharma

Pitaka). It essentially is a miscellaneous collection of short writings
containing everything from songs and poetry to stories of the Buddha
and his previous lives.

One text, the Dharmapada, contains simple discussions of key

buddhist concepts based on the Buddha's daily life.

Contents of Sutra

The most important Sutra is the Lotus Sutra. Its key message is that
Buddha hood--a condition of absolute happiness, freedom from
fear and from all illusions--is inherent in all life. The development of
this inner life state enables all people to overcome their problems and
live a fulfilled and active life, fully engaged with others and with
society

The Heart Sutra also plays an important role in Buddhism. It is short,

only a page or two long, but it sets out the character
of nirvana, Emptiness, and Ultimate Reality.

A Sutra called "Land of Bliss" describes the Pure Land of Amitabha

Buddha. It relates the vow of the buddha that enabled him to create
the Land, and discussed what people must do to enter the Pure Land.

The Sutras of the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajna-paramita) provides

the basis for the understanding of the key notion of "Emptiness."

BUDDHIST PRACTICES

Meditation: Perhaps the key Buddhist practice, it is central to most

traditions, and the only means to enlightenment for some. The benefits
of meditation are many, including physical and mental health,
relaxation, improved relaxation and mental ability, and happiness. It is
primarily the ability to understand and control the mind and its use for
practices that lead to enlightenment that is considered the most
important.

Chanting: There are several different types of texts that are chanted
as part of Buddhist liturgies. Here are some:
The chant may be all or part of a sutra (also called asutta).
A mantra is a short sequence of words or syllables, often
chanted repetitively, thought to have transformative power.
Chanting a mantra mindfully can be a form of meditation. (An
example of a mantra is om mani padme hum, which is associated
with Tibetan Buddhism. The basic English translation of Om mani
padme hum is "Om Jewel in the Lotus Hum" or "Praise to the
Jewel in the Lotus.")
A dharani is something like a mantra, although usually longer.
A gatha is a short verse to be chanted, sung, or recited.

Vegetarianism: The Buddha was not a vegetarian. He did not teach

his disciples to be vegetarians and even today, there are many
good Buddhists who are not vegetarians. But if you eat meat you
are indirectly responsible for the death of a creature.

BUDDHIST BELIEFS

Marriage: The Buddhist views on marriage are very liberal: in

Buddhism, marriage is regarded entirely as personal and individual
concern, and not as a religious duty.
Divorce: Separation or divorce is not prohibited in Buddhism.
Karma: Karma governs the concept of cause and effect, meaning
that all intentional deeds produce results that the doer (you) will
eventual feel.
Reincarnation: Based on his no-soul (anatta) doctrine, the Buddha
described reincarnation, or the taking on of a new body in the next life,
in a different way than the traditional Indian understanding. In
Buddhism, reincarnation is usually referred to as "transmigration."
Nirvana: Nirvana is the state of final liberation from the cycle of death
and rebirth. It is also therefore the end of suffering.

The Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering. They may be
described as:
1. Dukkha: Suffering exists: Suffering is real and almost universal.
Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, the
impermanence of pleasure.
2. Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. It is the desire to have and
control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures;
the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like
fear, anger or jealousy.
3. Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. Suffering ceases with the final
liberation of Nirvana (a.k.a. Nibbana). The mind experiences complete
freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or
craving.
4. Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.

The Buddha's Eightfold Path consists of:

1. Samma-Ditthi Complete or Perfect Vision, also translated as right view
or understanding. Vision of the nature of reality and the path of
transformation.
2. Samma-Sankappa Perfected Emotion or Aspiration, also translated as
right thought or attitude. Liberating emotional intelligence in your life and
acting from love and compassion. An informed heart and feeling mind that
are free to practice letting go.
3. Samma-Vaca Perfected or whole Speech. Also called right speech.
Clear, truthful, uplifting and non-harmful communication.
4. Samma-Kammanta Integral Action. Also called right action. An ethical
foundation for life based on the principle of non-exploitation of oneself and
others. The five precepts.
5. Samma-Ajiva Proper Livelihood. Also called right livelihood. This is a
livelihood based on correct action the ethical principal of non-exploitation.
The basis of an Ideal society.
6. Samma-Vayama Complete or Full Effort, Energy or Vitality. Also called
right effort or diligence. Consciously directing our life energy to the
transformative path of creative and healing action that fosters wholeness.
Conscious evolution.
7. Samma-Sati Complete or Thorough Awareness. Also called "right
mindfulness". Developing awareness, "if you hold yourself dear watch
yourself well". Levels of Awareness and mindfulness - of things, oneself,
feelings, thought, people and Reality.
8. Samma-Samadhi Full, Integral or Holistic Samadhi. This is often
translated as concentration, meditation, absorption or one-pointedness of
mind. None of these translations is adequate. Samadhi literally means to be
fixed, absorbed in or established at one point, thus the first level of meaning
is concentration when the mind is fixed on a single object. The second level
of meaning goes further and represents the establishment, not just of the
mind, but also of the whole being in various levels or modes of
consciousness and awareness. This is Samadhi in the sense of enlightenment
or Buddhahood.
BUDDHIST WORSHIP

Buddhists can worship both at home or at a temple. It is not considered

essential to go to a temple to worship with others.
At home
Buddhists will often set aside a room or a part of a room as a shrine. There
will be a statue of Buddha, candles, and an incense burner.
Temples
Buddhist temples come in many shapes. Perhaps the best known are the
pagodas of China and Japan. Another typical Buddhist building is the Stupa,
which is a stone structure, built over what are thought to be relics of the
Buddha, or over copies of the Buddha's teachings.
Buddhist temples are designed to symbolise the five elements:
Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Sky or Wisdom
All Buddhist temples contain an image or a statue of Buddha. Worshippers
may sit on the floor barefoot facing an image of Buddha and chanting. They
will listen to monks chanting from religious texts, perhaps accompanied by
instruments, and take part in prayers.

COMPARISON WITH CHRISTIANITY

Buddhism is centered upon the life and teachings of Gautama

Buddha, whereas Christianity is centered on the Life and Teachings
of Jesus Christ.

Buddhism is a nontheistic religion, i.e., it does not believe in a

supreme creator being a.k.a. God. Christianity is a
monotheistic religion and believes that Christ Is the Son Of God.
Buddhism has nothing to do with "salvation" while Christians can be
saved through Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
Buddhism sects are Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana, and so
on while Christianity has three major sects which are Catholic,
Protestant, & Orthodox.
Buddhisms Three Jewels are The Buddha, the Dharma, and the
Sangha while Christians Trinity is The Father, The Son and The Holy
Spirit.
Themes of morality, justice, love: These themes are found through
both the Buddha's teaching and the Hebrew and Christian Bible.

Comparison

of
Buddhism
and
Christianity

Submitted to:

Rev. Moises Gabuyo

Submitted by:

Emiliano Jr. A. Dedel