Buddhists Ultimate Goal:
LIKE SIDDHARTA GAUTAMA
TO BECOME A BUDDAH (enlightened one) which leads to
NIRVANA (free from suffering, ie. SALVATION)
Means in Achieving such Goal:
The followers of Buddhism are expectedto
live their lives according to
BUDDHA'S DHARMA.
(it is a way life for Buddhist which consists of Gautama’s
core teachings: 4 Noble Truths, 8 fold Path, 5 precepts)LIVING ACCORDING TO DHARMA:
Every Buddhist must come to realize the 4 Noble
Truths in lite
LHLUMAN CONDITION: SUFFERINGS AREALUTY IN LIFE
(DUKKHA)
2 TYPES OF SUFFERING:
A. j
Birth in this World, Aches & Pains of Deseases, Disability
of Old Age, Death
B.
Union with the Unpleasant, Separation with the Pleasant,
Feeling of Disappointment brought failure of not having
one’s desire, Fear of losing what one possess.
Thus, every human beingis subjected by this life’s
condition, ie. Suffering is a reality in Life.2.CAUSE OF SUFFERING (Samudaya)
ACCORDING TO BUDDHA, THE ROOT CAUSE OF
SUFFERING IS THE TANHA: (craving! selfish desire)
A. This desire springs from one’s EGOCENTRIC SELE that
becomes the reason why one has the tendency to be
self-centered and narcissistic (I, Me, Mine, Myself)
B. Gautama’s Warning:
Selfish desires are dangerous for it will surely affect one’s
relationship with others, which eventually leads to
justto achieve one’s
END (SELFISH DESIRE)A. THIS NOBLE TRUTH IS RELATED TO THE
BELIEF IN THE LAW OF IMPERMANENCE
(ANIKKA),
“which emphasizes that everything is in flux, and thus
nothing would lasts long.”
Hence, suffering can be stopped
B. This noble truth emphasizes the FREEING OF
ONESELF FROM IGNORANCE.
(Ignorance here is understood in relation to living one’s life:
A PERSON IS IGNORANT IF HE LIVES HIS LIFE ONLYBY
MERELY FULFILLING HIS SELFISH DESIRES)GAUTAMA provides a means in putting an end of suffering
through his NOBLE §-FOLD PATH,
1. RIGHT VIEW
It means the awareness of the Law of Karma, and the
four Noble Truths.
2. RIGHT THOUGHT
It means avoiding thoughts of anger, greed, & elicit
desires
3.
It means avoiding lies, unkind speech, and gossips
4.
It means avoiding lifestyles and occupation that harm
oneself and other beings.LIVING ACCORDING TO DHARMA:
5. RIGHT EFFORT
It means doing one’s best in doing good things at the
right time.
6. RIGHT MINDFULNESS
It means learning to be attentive to the present
moment.
Fz
It means training the mind to be focused and calm.
8. RIGHT ACTION
It means avoiding e
EIVE PRECEPTS:
1. The precept to abst
2. The precept to abst.
3. The precept to abst
acts, those that against the
from destroying living beings (killing).
from taking things not given (stealing).
from sexual misconduct.
4. The precept to abstain from false speech (lying).
5. The precept to abstain from anything that causes intoxication
ce (getting drunk or using illeaaldruas.)SUFFERING)
HOWEVER, GAUTAMA ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THAT WHEN ONE LIVES HIS/HER
LIFE ACCORDING TO DHARMA, ONE MUST ALWAYS SEEK THE GUIDANCE
On, ”
(monastic order founded by Buddha that preserves his teachings throughout
generations)
No wonder why Buddhists would always recite their 3
JEWELS in their morning prayer for 3 times:
“1 GO TO BUDDHA FOR REFUGE. ! GO TO DHARMAFOR REFUGE. | GO TO
‘SANGHA FOR REFUGE”Hieuccipmon, «= Gausporsurrenus == _geasapou or sucremuS
SUPrERING IP REAL Tanna [oRANGy FREE PROM SGNORANGE™
RIGHT: UNDERSTANDING, THOUGHT, CONCENTRATION, MINDFULNESS,
SPEECH. EEFORT LIVELIHOOD,
ee " e ncttoes me § PRECEPTS
THEN. ONE WILL BECOME A BUDDHA & EVENTUALLY TAIN SALVATIONQUEST OF CONFUCIUS
-PRIMARY CONCERN-
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LIVE?
-ULTIMATE GOAL-
THE BEST WAY TO LIVE IS TO STRIVE TO
BEA “CHUN TZU”
{Refers to the IDEAL/SUPERIOR PERSON
(gentleman)}
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?:TRAITS OF BEING A CHUN(®T.
ae A key characteristic of what it meansto bea
Chun Tzuis this first trait called
REN
-it refers to human heartedness, goodness,
benevolence, man-to-man-ness; what makes
man distinctively human (that which gives
human beings their humanity).
-it is the sense for the dignity of human life—
a feeling of humanity towards others and
self-esteem for yourself.TRAITS OF BEING A CHUN
BASICALLY, REN IS VIRTUE THAT WHICH MAKES HUMAN
BEING AS A MORAL BEING. ASA PARTICULAR VIRTUE
THIS MEANS NOTHING ELSE BUT
tLOVEs”
He says:
“if a man sets his hearton benevolence (ren), he
will be free from evil”
“Donot do unto others what you would notwant
others do unto YOu” (shu-reciprocity)
THUS, the virtue REN is about LOVE FOR OTHERSTRAITS OF BEING A CHUN TZU
2. We can be a Chun Tzu through i
WHAT IS LI?
- It refers to the “PROPRIETY or proper
conduct” especially in various cultural
practices.
-in simple terms, its about on how one
should actin a community.
According to Confucius there are ways on
how to havea proper conduct:Ways to have proper, conduct:
A. BECTIFICATION OF NAMES.
-Itis about establishing the FIVE
RELATIONSHIPS and to participate
in these relationships WELL.
Confucius definesthe 5 Important Relationships:
- Ruler-Subject
- Parent-Child
- Husband-Wife
- Elder Brother-Younger Brother
- Elder Friend-Younger FriendConfucius believed that:
People are naturally
Good and thus, they are
to treat one another
humanely.
In order to maintain a
harmonious way of living
with other people, every
individual must find, and
accept their proper place
in the society.
Within each relationship,
each member has certain
RESPONSIBILITY
SUPERIOR
{ ruler, husband,
father, elder
brother
takes care of owes
and sets good loyalty and
example tor ‘obadience to
INFERIOR
[
| subject, wife,
son, younger
brotherWays to have proper, conduct:
THUS, CONFUCIUS IS TRYING
TO ESTABLISH SOME SORT OF
ORDER OR STRUCTURE
WITHIN A SOCIETY BY
MAINTAINING THESE
RELATIONSHIPSWays to have proper, conduct:
B. Another aspect of having properconductis
“XIAO”
WHAT IS XIAO?
- itis also known as filial piety.
- It refers to a traditional cultural
imperative which is about having
reverence for family, particularly
“obedience to parents”Ways to have proper, conduct:
FILIAL PIETY implies that:
- ONE must havea sense of
LOYALTY TO THE FAMILY.
- Family must be a priority; honored; and
must be treated with utmostimportance
through:
- respecting one’s parents andancestors
- having profoundrespectfor one’s living
elders (men of wisdom)
Confucius says:
“while your parents are alive, a good son (daughter) does not
wander for a field.”
(Reality Check)Mai PES oy AN -Y IMPORTAN fF?
FOR CONFUCIUS:
He firmly believed that FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS
are the foundation for society.
- the basis of the relationship between children
and their parents is the concept of filial piety.
-this means that children will demonstrate
devotion and dedication to their parents in both
thought and action— beginning in childhood and
lastingin adulthood.
Thus, the role of the family is vital in inculcating children in
proper behaviorto prepare them for life in society that is
based on hierarchy, respect and education.C. Another aspect of having proper conductis
through internalizing the
“DOCTRINE OF THE MEAN”
WHAT IS THIS DOCTRINE ALL ABOUT?
- itemphasizes that people should
live in moderation! Not striving for
excess and to always value compromise.3. (ZHI) WISDOM
It is a virtue that uses one’s innate
knowledge in distinguishing what is
right from wrong. Thus it is a virtue
necessary in the practice of moral
norms.TRAITS OF BEING A CHUN TZU
4. One can bea Chun Tzu throwdgh Cy)
It is a MORAL DISPOSITION to do good and
the fortitude to do one’s duty.
It also refers to preserving one’s integrity,
upholding what is just, taking a stand against
immoral practices.
It is the ability to feel, under the
circumstances whatthe right thing to do.NATURE OF THE 4 CARDINAL VIRTUES
These Cardinal Virtues are internal and not
external to human nature;
And that they are the original nature of
alLhuman beings
Thus,
wt i keels i life
is to allow the
jaieal t £ lf
- itself.Mencius holds that all humans have innate but
incipient tendencies toward benevolence,
righteousness, wisdom, and propriety.
Employing an agricultural metaphor, he refers to
these tendencies as “SPROUTS” (2A6).
The sprouts are manifested in cognitive and
emotional reactions characteristic of the virtues.
However, as Mencius's carefully chosen sprout
metaphorsuggests that,
ii reEero) NAY an 5)
HENCE,
THE FEELING OF COMPASSION IS THE
BEGINNING OF BENEVOLENCE (REN)
THE FEELING OF SHAMEIS THE BEGINNING OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS (YI)
THE FEELING OF MODESTY AND YIELDINGIS
THE BEGINNING OF PROPRIETY (LI)
THE SENSE OF RIGHT AND WRONG IS THE
BEGINNING OF WISDOM (ZHI)MECHANISM IN FULFILING SUCH ULTIMATE CONCERN:
THE BESTWAY TO LIVE ONE’S LIFE IS
IOLIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE TAO
Cihe Way )
What is Tao?
ITIS THE UNDERLYING ORDER THAT GOVERNS
THE UNIVERSE2 WAYS IN LIVING WITH THE TAO
TO EMBRACE WILLINGLY THE YIN YANG
The concept of Yin and Yang refers to the reality of
opposites that does not contradict but
compliment with each other.
And thus, creates harmony and balance.
Yin and Yang is like the reality of breathing; breathing in
and out allows us human beings to continue living.
THUS, It meansthat one must acceptthis reality of
complimentary opposites in life in orderto
maintain harmony in one’s life and creates
00m peace within one self.Pa ey ING WITH THE TAO
TO LIVE IN THE PRINCIPLE OF WU WEI
The principle of wu wei is the heart of whatit
means to follow THE WAY.
ACCORDING TOLAO T2U:
“The Way neveracts, yet nothing is leftundone”
This does not mean “notacting, laziness,
mediocrity, or settling for less”
Rather “effortless acting” by being at peace while
doinga particular task intelligently.2 WAYS IN ed NG WITH THE sTAO
IV
BESILIENCY: like that of the Bamboo that bends when the
wind blows. Thus, it is about learning to adjust always
in every situation espc. when unexpected occurrences
come into play.
SPONTANEITY GOING WITH THE FLOW Jlike that of the
WATER in the river that naturally flows towards the sea.
Thus, it means navigating through the natural flow of the
river instead of trying to control it and swim against its
current.
orderto avoid burning out oneself, anxiety disorders,
alin
depressions, one has to let go of the past and of the future by
ivi it without
focusing entirely on the present moment and living wi
hesitation.