1. Buddhism
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2. Overview
• Non-theistic
• "Gripped by fear men go to the
sacred mountains, sacred groves,
sacred trees and shrines"
• Not considered a religion
• Practice and works based, not faith
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3. Origin
• 2,500 years ago when an Indian Prince, Siddhartha
Guatma offered simple teachings
• dharma, “truth”
• How to free oneself from suffering (dukkha)
through eliminating ignorance (avidyā) or desire
• 3 essential aspects of Buddhism
• Buddha, the teacher.
• Dharma, the teachings.
• Sangha, the community.
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4. Thursday, October 31, 13

5. The Four Noble Truths
• There is suffering in the world.
To live is to suffer. (dukkha)
• The cause of suffering is selfcentered desire and
attachments. (Tanha)
• The solution is to eliminate
desire and attachments.
(Nirvana = “extinction”)
• To reach nirvana, one must
follow the Eightfold Path.
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6. The Eightfold Path
• To reach Nirvana and break the cycle
of rebirth
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7. Types of Buddhism
• Theravada
• Earliest teachings
• Mahayana
• Tibetan
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8. Sacred Texts and
Temples
• Pali Tipitika (Theravada)
• No set teachings for Tibetan and Mahayana
• Temples
• Prayer
• Meditation
• Singing bowl
• Yoga
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9. Spiritual Representation
Mandala
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Buddha

10. The Four Immeasurable
Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity
• May all sentient beings have happiness
and its causes
• May all sentient beings be free of suffering
and its causes
• May all sentient beings never be
separated from bliss without suffering
• May all sentient beings be in equanimity,
free of bias, attachment and anger
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11. Controversial Issues and
Gender Roles
• Drugs and alcohol
• Abortion
• Suicide
• Women
• 1. Refraining from harming living beings/practising loving kindness
• 2. Refraining from taking the non-given/practising generosity
• 3. Refraining from committing sexual misconduct/practising contentment
• 4. Refraining from false speech/practising truthful communication
• 5. Refraining from intoxicants/practising mindfulness.
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12. Marriage
• Single wife
• Personal and individual concern
• Many monks do not marry for celibacy
• Men and women must have the liberty to
separate if they cannot agree with each other.
• Separation is preferable to avoid miserable
family life for a long period of time
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13. Holy Days
• Buddhist New Year
• Vesak ("Buddha Day")
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14. Tam Bao Buddhist
Temple in Baton Rouge
• http://vimeo.com/56875417
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