Unit 2, Lecture 3: The Four Noble Truths and Buddhist Philosophy

The Four Noble Truths: foundational, all believe - Suffering: by nature, world is all filled with suffering o 0.1% of rebirth now enjoying just sliver of human history o Story of man being hunted and almost dying but gets honey --> not get caught by temporary pleasures in dire situations Origin of Suffering: caused by desire (craving, thirst, ignorance, attachment/clinging to an expectation of something) intense and minor mental suffering Cessation of Suffering: Nirvana (extinguishing of flame/suffering, cycle of samsara) blissful positive or neutral end) --> negative - Path to the cessation of suffering: The Eightfold Path o What is the disease, what is the origin, prognosis of the disease, medication Buddhist Philosophy Carmina Burana song: -> The Wheel of Fortune: fate/fortune is wheel that is constantly turning, mixture that can suddenly be top (good) or bottom (bad) - Ultimately a bad thing as can never rest - The Wheel of Rebirth: of being The (wheel of) Dharma: - “Wheel turning Kings” -> emperor in motion transferred to Buddha The Simile of the Poisoned Arrow: - Worried attached to Buddhist teachings itself (hypocritical) The universe always existence or has beginning? Relationship of soul and body? What happens to Buddha after death? o Buddha refuses to answer the monk as never promised to answer them, but about the 4 Noble Truths of Suffering o Questions like being shot from a poisoned arrow, before medicine ask abt type or arrow and who shot -> the man will die before all idle teachings answered -> teachings are medicine, not meant to answer all questions The Simile of the Raft - Use teachings to cross river of Samara -> don’t carry around raft when hit land o Teachings meant to fair you across, leave teaching attachment behind Mediation and Merit-Making Sutra on the Foundations of Mindfulness: discourse/sermon of the Buddha The Sangha (The Monastic Order): - Monastics: monks, nuns -> Sangha is community of monastics o Goal: reach Nirvana by the Eightfold Path - Laypeople/Laity: others o Goal: a good rebirth by merit-making (good karma through “right”, supporting monks as they only beg for food to gain merit -> symbolic relationship) Both use ethics, wisdom, but both don’t mediate much/at all (laypeople), but present-day mediation widely practice, Orange saffron robes - Temporary Monastic: spending 1 season as Monk before life (mature man) Merit making: · ethics: "right" doing from path · charity: supporting Sangha · worship: temple o Truvada: take off shoes, namaste to central Buddha picture, light incense, prayers (buddha is gone to Nirvana, doesn't answer prayers like Hindu) No self: have sense of self from day to day -> why can’t remember past lives