This document discusses several key principles of Buddhism presented in a university lecture, including: The Four Noble Truths that explain the nature of suffering. The Eightfold Path, which comprises right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration, provides a framework for ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom to eliminate suffering. Other concepts covered include the five precepts, meditation, wisdom, compassion, and how Buddhism functions in societies through mind cultivation, conflict resolution, education, and cultural preservation.

1. The University ofThe University of
CambodiaCambodia
RLG101: IntroductionRLG101: Introduction
to Religionsto Religions
Buddhism: Principles &Buddhism: Principles &
BeliefsBeliefs
LecturedLectured By: Mut SomoeunBy: Mut Somoeun
(M.Ed)(M.Ed)

3. Do Buddhist
worship Idols?
Why are so many
Buddhist countries
stricken with
poverty?
What did the
Buddha Teach?
Was the Buddha a
God?
http://www.utilitarianism.com/gautama-buddha.html

4. Is Buddhism a Religion?Is Buddhism a Religion?
 ““Religion” is often synonymous with “faith.”Religion” is often synonymous with “faith.”
 Buddhism is very much practice and works based,Buddhism is very much practice and works based,
as opposed to faith basedas opposed to faith based
 Many do not believe in the same ideas on theMany do not believe in the same ideas on the
hereafterhereafter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

5. Is Buddhism a Religion?Is Buddhism a Religion?
 Dictionary.comDictionary.com
definitions of religion:definitions of religion:
 By first definition, No,By first definition, No,
Buddhism is not a religion,Buddhism is not a religion,
but rather a philosophy.but rather a philosophy.
 By second definition, Yes,By second definition, Yes,
Buddhism is a religion.Buddhism is a religion.
 More or less, it’s open toMore or less, it’s open to
interpretation – there isinterpretation – there is
no right answerno right answer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

6. First Noble TruthFirst Noble Truth
Second Noble TruthSecond Noble Truth
Third Noble TruthThird Noble Truth
Fourth Noble TruthFourth Noble Truth
The Four Noble Truths

7. Only the NobleOnly the Noble
Eightfold PathEightfold Path
can eliminate thecan eliminate the
sufferingssufferings
Fundamentals of BuddhismFundamentals of Buddhism

8. Eightfold Paths are Into 3 DomainsEightfold Paths are Into 3 Domains
 Ethical Conduct (Sila):Ethical Conduct (Sila):
 Right Speech;Right Speech;
 Right Action;Right Action;
 Right LivelihoodRight Livelihood
 Mental Discipline (Samadhi):Mental Discipline (Samadhi):
 Right Effort;Right Effort;
 Right Mindfulness;Right Mindfulness;
 Right ConcentrationRight Concentration
 Wisdom (Panna):Wisdom (Panna):
 Right Thought;Right Thought;
 Right UnderstandingRight Understanding

9. Five Precepts (Ethical Conducts)Five Precepts (Ethical Conducts)
 Fundamentals of Human Rights:Fundamentals of Human Rights:
 No harmful acts against living beings/ no killingNo harmful acts against living beings/ no killing
 No stealing other’s properties/ exploitationsNo stealing other’s properties/ exploitations
 No sexual misconducts/ sexual violationsNo sexual misconducts/ sexual violations
 No telling lie/ cheating , bad word, hurting word...No telling lie/ cheating , bad word, hurting word...
 No drinking any intoxicants/ illegal drugs...No drinking any intoxicants/ illegal drugs...

10. Right speechRight speech
 Abstaining from:Abstaining from:
 (1) Telling lies;(1) Telling lies;
 (2) Backbiting and slander that may bring about(2) Backbiting and slander that may bring about
hatred, enmity, disunity and disharmony amonghatred, enmity, disunity and disharmony among
individuals or groups of people;individuals or groups of people;
 (3) Harsh, rude, impolite, malicious and abusive(3) Harsh, rude, impolite, malicious and abusive
language;language;
 (4) Idle, useless and foolish babble and gossip(4) Idle, useless and foolish babble and gossip

11. Right ActionRight Action
 Abstaining from:Abstaining from:
 Destroying life;Destroying life;
 Stealing;Stealing;
 Dishonest dealings;Dishonest dealings;
 Illegitimate sexual intercourse;Illegitimate sexual intercourse;
 Discouraging others to lead a peaceful & honorable lifeDiscouraging others to lead a peaceful & honorable life

12. Right LivelihoodRight Livelihood
 Abstaining from:Abstaining from:
 Making one’s living through a profession that bringsMaking one’s living through a profession that brings
harm to others, such as:harm to others, such as:
 Trading in arms and lethal weapons;Trading in arms and lethal weapons;
 Intoxicating drinks or poisons;Intoxicating drinks or poisons;
 Killing animals;Killing animals;
 Cheating, etc.,Cheating, etc.,

13. Right EffortRight Effort
 The energetic will:The energetic will:
 (1) to prevent evil and unwholesome states of mind(1) to prevent evil and unwholesome states of mind
from arising;from arising;
 (2) to get rid of such evil and unwholesome states(2) to get rid of such evil and unwholesome states
that have already arisen within a man;that have already arisen within a man;
 (3) to produce, to cause to arise, good and(3) to produce, to cause to arise, good and
wholesome states of mind not yet arisen;wholesome states of mind not yet arisen;
 (4) to develop and bring to perfection the good and(4) to develop and bring to perfection the good and
wholesome states of mind already present in a man.wholesome states of mind already present in a man.

14. Right MindfulnessRight Mindfulness
 To be diligently aware, mindful and attentiveTo be diligently aware, mindful and attentive
with regard to:with regard to:
 (1) the activities of the body;(1) the activities of the body;
 (2) sensations or feelings;(2) sensations or feelings;
 (3) the activities of the mind;(3) the activities of the mind;
 (4) ideas, thoughts, conceptions and things(4) ideas, thoughts, conceptions and things

15. Right ConcentrationRight Concentration
 Right Concentration is focusing all of one's mentalRight Concentration is focusing all of one's mental
faculties onto one physical or mental objectfaculties onto one physical or mental object
 It represents an intensification of a mental factorIt represents an intensification of a mental factor
present in every state of consciousness.present in every state of consciousness.
 One-pointedness of mind has the function of unifyingOne-pointedness of mind has the function of unifying
the other mental factors in the task of cognition.the other mental factors in the task of cognition.
 It is the factor responsible for the individuating aspectIt is the factor responsible for the individuating aspect
of consciousness, ensuring that every mind or act ofof consciousness, ensuring that every mind or act of
mind remains centered on its object.mind remains centered on its object.

16. Right ThoughtRight Thought
 Right Thought or Intention means clear visionRight Thought or Intention means clear vision
leading to clear thinking.leading to clear thinking.
 It leads to the elimination of harmful thoughts andIt leads to the elimination of harmful thoughts and
developing such positive states of mind such as Mettadeveloping such positive states of mind such as Metta
(loving-kindness), which is opposed to hatred, ill-will(loving-kindness), which is opposed to hatred, ill-will
or aversion and developing thoughts of harmlessnessor aversion and developing thoughts of harmlessness
or compassion which are opposed to cruelty andor compassion which are opposed to cruelty and
callousness.callousness.

17. Right UnderstandingRight Understanding
 The understanding of things as they are, and itThe understanding of things as they are, and it
is the Four Noble Truths that explain things asis the Four Noble Truths that explain things as
they really are.they really are.
1.1. All existence is subject to dukkhaAll existence is subject to dukkha
2.2. All things are impermanent (not permanent, beingAll things are impermanent (not permanent, being
in a state perpetual change) – aniccain a state perpetual change) – anicca
3.3. There is no permanent soul of self in a being -There is no permanent soul of self in a being -
anatta.anatta.

18. What is Wisdom?What is Wisdom?
What is Compassion?What is Compassion?
Wisdom and Compassion

19. Knowledge Vs. WisdomKnowledge Vs. Wisdom
 KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE is gathered from learning andis gathered from learning and
education, while most say thateducation, while most say that WISDOMWISDOM isis
gathered from day-to-day experiences and is agathered from day-to-day experiences and is a
state of being wise.state of being wise.
 KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE is merely having clarity of factsis merely having clarity of facts
and truths, whileand truths, while WISDOMWISDOM is the practical abilityis the practical ability
to make consistently good decisions in life.to make consistently good decisions in life.

20. Three Buddha’s TeachingsThree Buddha’s Teachings
(Summarized into 3 main verses)(Summarized into 3 main verses)
 AVOIDING FROM DOING ANY BAD ACTSAVOIDING FROM DOING ANY BAD ACTS
(Vinaya = code of conduct refraining doing bad)(Vinaya = code of conduct refraining doing bad)
 TRYING TO DO ALL GOOD ACTSTRYING TO DO ALL GOOD ACTS
(Suttra = principle to encourage to do good acts)(Suttra = principle to encourage to do good acts)
 TRYING TO PURIFY MINDTRYING TO PURIFY MIND
(Abhidharma = cleanse and polish all evil thought)(Abhidharma = cleanse and polish all evil thought)

21. 21
Inner
Peace
Mind
Societ
y
Outer
Peace
Why PracticeWhy Practice
Buddhism?Buddhism?

22. How to buildHow to build
inner peace =inner peace =
MeditationMeditation

23. Advantages
of Meditation:
-Lengthens life
-Gives one strength
-Drives out discontent
-Softens the mind
chakrameditationtoday.com

24. Progressive Steps
of Meditation:
-Restraint of senses
-Understanding of how the
senses cause bondage
-Solitary Meditation
-Concentration and the
forsaking of idle thoughts
www.rogerlewin.com

25. Two Aspects of
Meditation:
Calm Meditation
and
Insight Meditation

26. Calm Meditation:
-return to clarity
-suppression of defilements
-understanding of mind’s nature
-stilling the mind
-overcoming the mind’s tendencies
-object of contemplation
-access concentration
www.jjgallaher.blogspot.com

27. Insight Meditation:
-after calm meditation
-achieves understanding that all things are:
-impermanent and unstable
-unsatisfactory and imperfect
-not self
www.sodahead.com

28. Seven
Purifications:
-Consciousness
-Conduct
-View
-Crossing over doubt
-Knowing and seeing what is
the path and not the path
-Knowing and seeing the
way
-Knowing and seeing
www.bethanyoverseas.wordpress.com

29. 29
Buddhism to Human SocietiesBuddhism to Human Societies
(Cambodia)(Cambodia)
Functions & Roles
of Buddhism
Mind Cultivation
Skill training
Conflict resolution
Harmonizatio
n
Education opportunity
Social infrastructure
Health
Treatment
Bank of
Culture

30. 30
Why MindWhy Mind
Cultivation?Cultivation?
Peaceful Mind
Compassion
Loving-kindness
Honesty
Generosity
Forgiveness
Humility
Acceptance See the truth

31. Health TreatmentHealth Treatment
 Herbal treatment (plant medicines...)Herbal treatment (plant medicines...)
 Mantra treatment (magic heal/ protection)Mantra treatment (magic heal/ protection)
 water purifyingwater purifying
 magic thingmagic thing
 magic waist-stringmagic waist-string
 prayer of blessingprayer of blessing
 mind powermind power

32. Skills TrainingSkills Training
 Building house........Building house........
 ArtsArts
 DrawingsDrawings
 PaintingsPaintings
 SculptingSculpting

33. Roots of Conflict &Roots of Conflict &
SolutionsSolutions
Giving
Greed
Compassion
Anger Ignorance
Wisdom

34. o Non-violent InteractionsNon-violent Interactions
- harmonious mediation, compromising, fair judge- harmonious mediation, compromising, fair judge
(monk)(monk)
o Dharma talk/ giving sermonDharma talk/ giving sermon
- compassion, loving-kindness, forgiveness, and- compassion, loving-kindness, forgiveness, and
acceptanceacceptance
o Reducing anger and greedReducing anger and greed
- harmonizing, making friend, giving ,......- harmonizing, making friend, giving ,......
o Sharing, respecting, and acceptingSharing, respecting, and accepting
- doing good to & help each other, valuing each- doing good to & help each other, valuing each
other.......other.......
Conflict ResolutionsConflict Resolutions
(continued)(continued)

35. 35
Human HarmonizationHuman Harmonization
Friends
Everyon
e
Putting your heart filled with
love, compassion, forgiveness,
and respect to everyone as
friends and family members.

36. Education OpportunityEducation Opportunity
PagodaPagoda
 a center of poor/ no-parent childrena center of poor/ no-parent children
 a center of study facilitationa center of study facilitation
 a center of hopeless people to stand upa center of hopeless people to stand up
 a center of traininga center of training
MonkMonk
 a teacher of morality, language, culture.....a teacher of morality, language, culture.....
 restoring religion, national culture, traditions,restoring religion, national culture, traditions,
norms, language, and artsnorms, language, and arts
 sponsors to poor/ no-chance students tosponsors to poor/ no-chance students to
continue/ back to school........continue/ back to school........

37. http://peterandraes.com/files/2010/10/Buddhist-monk-teaching-novi.jpg

38. Bank of National Culture,Bank of National Culture,
Tradition......Tradition......
Buddhis
t
Monks
People/ citizens
State/
Gov’t
Buddhist
Temples
Every time pagodas are theEvery time pagodas are the
place to survive andplace to survive and
maintain the nationalmaintain the national
language, culture, traditionlanguage, culture, tradition
from any destruction.from any destruction.

39. Social Infrastructure DevelopmentSocial Infrastructure Development
 Based one Buddhists' belief, lay peopleBased one Buddhists' belief, lay people
contribute their energy and properties for socialcontribute their energy and properties for social
affairs and physical infrastructures:affairs and physical infrastructures:
 building bridges, schools, hospitals....building bridges, schools, hospitals....
 building sacred/ devoted placesbuilding sacred/ devoted places
 donating money/ materials for social activities..........donating money/ materials for social activities..........

40. Buddhism to Spouse’s LifeBuddhism to Spouse’s Life
Four principles of happy spouse:Four principles of happy spouse:
o Devotion/ givingDevotion/ giving (())
o Loyalty and loveLoyalty and love (())
o Understanding &Understanding &​​ adviceadvice (())
o Patience and/ forgivenessPatience and/ forgiveness (())

41. Economic Principles in BuddhismEconomic Principles in Buddhism
 Trying to earn/ finding properties in right wayTrying to earn/ finding properties in right way
 Maintaining the earned propertiesMaintaining the earned properties
 Balance expense with four equal proportionsBalance expense with four equal proportions
 oneself, the beloved, society, and future worldoneself, the beloved, society, and future world
 Having good relations and making friends withHaving good relations and making friends with
the others (good networks/ socialization)the others (good networks/ socialization)

42. Success Principles in Buddhism​Success Principles in Buddhism​
 Strong wish and loveStrong wish and love (())
 Effort and struggleEffort and struggle (())
 Strong commitmentStrong commitment ((== ))
 Finding solutions to achieveFinding solutions to achieve ((=​=​ ​​))

43. 43
Thank You!Thank You!
Q & AQ & A