Man as an Embodied

Spirit: Buddhist Philosophy

of Man

JOHN PAUL O. CAGADAS, LPT

Subject Teacher
 Objectives of the Lesson
1. Discuss what a human person is from the point of view of the Eastern and the Western
philosophers;
2. Differentiate the idea of the different philosophers on the issue of man as an embodied
spirit;
3. Recognize how the human body imposes limits and possibilities for transcendence;
4. State the importance of knowing that the human person is an embodied spirit; and,
5. Evaluate own limitations and possibilities for transcendence.
What is Man?

Retrieved from: https://lithub.com/what-is-a-philosopher-a-

laughingstock-an-absentminded-buffoon/
 Hinduism as the Foundation of the
Eastern Philosophy
• Emerita Quito: It was in Asia where the first thinkers
asked about the nature of the cosmos. It was in Asia
where the first ‘seers’ witnessed or experienced the
Supreme Being in their own way.
• Quito held: there is no dichotomy between a way of
life and a way of thinking in Asia. As one thinks, so
one lives.
• Religion is a way of Life. Philosophy is a way of
thinking.

Retrieved from: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hind/hd_hind.htm

 Hinduism as the Foundation of the
Eastern Philosophy
• Wisdom is a means for the human person to liberate
one’s self from the sin.
• A human person must obtain:
* greater understanding on the basis of
morality
* nature and function of man and the society
* means of obtaining valid knowledge
* principle of logic
* relation between appearance and reality
• How to overcome pain and suffering in life?
* self-discipline and self-control
* Darshana = Philosophy of Life

Retrieved from: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hind/hd_hind.htm

 Hinduism as the Foundation of the
Eastern Philosophy
• Brahman – the All-Pervading Reality
• Atman (Sanskrit: Manah) = Soul (One’s breathing,
thinking, being, consciousness, and all other
activities)
• Atman is inside the body in order to enter into a
purificatory process.

People should not devote to either sensual pleasure or

worldly success because their atman will be dragged
down into the physical world where pain and suffering
abound.

Retrieved from: https://nagpalrohit.com/2023/03/04/the-cosmic-vibe-

of-brahman-a-multiverse-beyond-human-worship/
 Hinduism as the Foundation of the
Eastern Philosophy
• Nirvana – a state of life wherein people are freed
from samsara.
• Samsara – the cycle of birth and re-birth; the state of
nothingness.

Retrieved from: https://www.yesvedanta.com/what-is-samsara-and-

cause/
 Hinduism as the Foundation of the
Eastern Philosophy
• Moksha – Humanity’s basic goal in life. Liberation of
jiva (spirit)
• Karma – God allots rewards and punishments to all
beings according to their actions.
• Vedas – temple worship and ritual sacrifices
• Upanishads – union with the Divine Essence; one
must be able to obtain wisdom

Retrieved from: https://www.yesvedanta.com/what-is-samsara-and-

cause/
 The Buddhist Philosophy
• Buddhism - reform movement or reaction against
the state of Hindu doctrines.
• Established a way to human liberation and salvation
through effort and discipline.
• Siddharta Gautama (c. 563 -483 BCE; Lumbini)
* Sakyamuni (the sage of the Sakya tribe)
* Bhagavat (the Blessed One)
* Buddha (the Enlightened One, the
Awakened One, the One who Knows)

Retrieved from: https://myhero.com/Buddha_dnhs_US_2010

 The Buddhist Philosophy
• From the old man – he found that everyone is liable
to become old and that nobody can escape from it.
• From the sick man – all of us are liable to become
sick and nobody can be exempted from sickness.
• From the dead man – death afflicts everyone.
• From the ascetic man – there is a need to go forth on
a religious quest towards contentment. Man should
free himself from suffering.

Retrieved from: https://myhero.com/Buddha_dnhs_US_2010

 The Buddhist Philosophy
-convinced that the way of escape from pain and
misery lay in the transformation of one's mind

-Liberation could come only with a sloughing off of all

vain clinging to the things of this life.

The Dharma Wheel

Dharmachakra
 The 4 Noble Truth

(1) life is full of suffering;

(2) suffering is caused by passionate desires, lusts, cravings;
(3) only as these are obliterated, will suffering cease;
(4) such eradication of desire may be accomplished only by following the Eightfold Path of earnest endeavor.
The 4 Noble Truth
 Buddha’s Eightfold Path
1. Right view/ understanding - right belief in and acceptance of the "Fourfold Truth;
2. Right intention/ thought - right aspiration for one's self and for others;
3. Right speech - right speech that harms no one;
4. Right action - right conduct, motivated by goodwill toward all human beings;
5. Right livelihood - right means of livelihood, or earning one's living by honorable means;
6. Right effort - right endeavor, or effort to direct one's energies toward wise ends;
7. Right mindfulness - right mindfulness in choosing topics for thought; and
8. Right contemplation/ concentration - right meditation, or concentration to the point of
complete absorption in mystic ecstasy.
 The Sangha
(The Order Buddhist of Monks and Nuns)
1. Refrain from destroying life;
2. Refrain from taking what is not given;
3. Refrain from a misuse of the senses;
4. Refrain from wrong speech (do not lie or deceive); and
5. Refrain from taking drugs or drinks that tend to cloud the mind (abstain from intoxicants; eat
moderately and not after noon; do not look on at dancing, singing, or dramatic spectacles; do not
affect the use of garlands, scents, or ornaments; do not use high or broad beds; and do not accept
gold or silver).