Buddhism

MISCONCEPTION

The Fat or Laughing Buddha

Representation of a Buddhist monk that lived

in the early 900s .Saintly monk known as Hotei a

Budai. Symbolizes luck, happiness and wealth.

Introduction to Buddhism

Buddhism- a major global religion, emphasizes

the path to enlightenment and the relief from

suffering through ethical conduct, meditation,

and wisdom.

- Began in India 6th century BCE and its tradition

spread on from South Asia to Southeast and East

Asia (like Cambodia and Thailand).

Rooted in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama

(the Buddha), it encompasses diverse traditions

and practices across the world.

-Followers of Buddha, believes that each person

needs to find balance, marked by a moderately

discipline lifestyle, in order to find the Middle

Way.

The Life of Siddhartha Gautama

Siddhartha Gautama(Founder of Buddhism)

Known as the Buddha, was born as a prince in

Lumbini, present-day Nepal. At the age of 29, he

encountered the realities of old age, sickness,

and death, which led him to renounce his

luxurious life in search of spiritual

enlightenment. He was born into a wealthy family

and prophecies stated that if he stayed at home

he will become a king, and if he left home he will

become a spiritual leader. Gautama felt that the

world has so much more to offer than his home,

so at the age of 29 he suck out.

In his time outside, he realized that the world

outside was the opposite from what he was used

to at home. In there, he experience what Buddhist

now call the FOUR PASSING SIGHTS.

He first sees an old man, then a sick man, then a

corpse, followed by a holy man who seemed to be

at peace with himself. He decided then that his

mission in life would be to find inner peace and

freedom from the suffering in the world.

After 49 DAYS of meditation and asceticism,

Siddhartha attained enlightenment (perfect

understanding of the world), earning the title

“The Enlighten One” otherwise know as The

Buddha. He then spent the rest of his life

teaching the principles of Buddhism to others.

The image for this section will be a serene

illustration of Siddhartha Gautama One night in

Bodh Goya in the Northeast of India, Gautama

was meditating under the Bodhi tree, depicting a

peaceful and contemplative atmosphere with

soft, golden light filtering through the leaves.

Mara- god of desire and death appeared to him

tried to temp him to go back to the palace and to

his life pleasure.

45 MORE YEARS- Buddha preached the Middle

Way and died at the age of 80 near Varanasi.

According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha

entered the state beyond the cycle of rebirth or

samsara, called paranirvana.

“Work out your own liberation with diligence”

-Siddharta Gautama

SPREAD OF BUDDHISM

King Ashoka- of the Mauryan Empire, renounce

his violent ways and accepted the teaching of

Buddha.

Become the monarch of northern India and

stayed in powers for 35 years. He sent

missionaries abroad to spread Buddhist

teachings as far as Middle East and

Mediterranean.Expansion greatly began in Sri

Lanka where they succeeded in establishing

shrines and monasteries.Extended throughout,

Myanmar,Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia

and Vietnam.

Different Schools of Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism

• Emphasis on the original teachings of Buddha.

• The kind of Buddhism that spreads in Sri Lanka

and other neighboring countries, through the

efforts of King Ashoka.

• Theravada which means “the way of the elders”

follows the purest form of true message of the

Buddha.

Mahayana Buddhism
• After the death of King Ashoka it gave birth to

thesecond major Buddhist branch known as

Mahayana which means “large vehicle”

• In the context of Indian worldview Mahayana

where the cycle of rebirth is portrayed as a river,

with the bank on the other side portrayed as

liberations.

• In Mahayana terms, Theravada Buddhism is

“Hinayana” or small vehicle or raft.

VajrayanaBuddhism

• Which literally mean thunderbolt or diamond

vehicle.

• Recognized as a sub-branch of Mahayana

Buddhism, it is considered as the esoteric school

and is today known as Tibetan Buddhism or Zen

Buddhism.

The Four Noble Truths

• Suffering (Dukka) : Life is filled with suffering and

dissatisfaction.

• Origin of Suffering; Desire (Tanha):Suffering is

caused by desire and attachment

• Nirvana; The End of Suffering and Desire:

Suffering can cease by eliminating craving and

attachment.

• The Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path

• Right belief

• Right aspiration
• Right speech

• Right conduct

• Right means of livelihood

• Right endeavor

• Right mindfulness

• Right meditation

Can be summarized into the three instruction of

Theravada Buddhist tradition.

1. Morality/Virtue or sila- comprises Right speech,

Right conduct and Right means of livelihood.

2. Concentration or samadhi- comprise Right

endeavor, Right mindfulness and Right

meditation.

3. Wisdom or prajna- comprises Right belief and

Right aspiration.
THE CONCEPT OF KARMA

What is Karma?

Karma is the concept of cause and effect, where

one's actions and intentions have consequences.

It is believed that positive actions lead to positive

outcomes and negative actions lead to negative

outcomes.

Universal Law

Karma is considered a universal law that

operates independently of any deity or divine

intervention. It is a fundamental principle in

Buddhism, emphasizing personal responsibility

and ethical conduct.

THE PRACTICE OF MEDITATION

Mental Clarity
Meditation aims to bring mental clarity and

focus.

Emotional Balance

It helps in achieving emotional balance and inner

peace.

Stress Reduction

One of its benefits is reducing stress and

anxiety.

Spiritual Growth

Meditation fosters spiritual growth and self-

awareness.

The Role of Monks and Nuns

Meditation Practice

Monks and nuns engage in deep meditation,

fostering mindfulness and tranquility.

Community Living They live in close-knit

communities, supporting each other in spiritual

growth.

Rituals and Practices Participate in daily rituals

and practices to honor their faith and teachings.

Buddhist Rituals and Ceremonies

Vesak Celebration

During Vesak, Buddhists commemorate the birth,

enlightenment, and death of Buddha.

Puja Offerings

Devotional offerings like flowers, incense, and

candles are made during puja ceremonies.

Vipassana Meditation

Vipassana meditation, focusing on insight and

awareness, is a key part of Buddhist practice.

Monastic Ordination
Monks and nuns take vows and receive higher

ordination in traditional ceremonies.

BUDDHISM IN MODERN SOCIETY

Integration in Urban Life

Buddhism has seamlessly integrated into modern

urban settings, with monks and practitioners

coexisting alongside the hustle and bustle of city

life.

Diverse Practitioners

Buddhism attracts a diverse range of

practitioners, from different cultural

backgrounds, uniting in spiritual pursuits and

communal practices.

Contemporary Spiritual Spaces

Modern Buddhist centers offer tranquil,

contemporary spaces for individuals to engage

in mindfulness and spiritual practices, reflecting

the relevance of Buddhism in today's world.

CONFUCIANISM AND TAOISM: THE WAYS OF

VIRTUE AND NATURE

Confucianism, an ancient Chinese ethical and

philosophical system, emphasizes the

importance of moral values, family, respect for

elders, and social harmony. It advocates for self-

cultivation, sincerity, and righteousness.

The teachings of Confucius have had a profound

impact on East Asian societies, shaping cultural

practices, governance, and interpersonal

relationships.
The Life of Confucius

Confucius - Was a Chinese teacher, editor,

politician, and philosopher of the Spring and

Autumn period of Chinese history. The

philosophy of Confucius, also known as

Confucianism, emphasized personal and

governmental morality, correctness of social

relationships, justice and sincerity.

The Zhou dynasty – is a time in China where they

saw important religious figures. Confucius was

the famous among them.

Qui Kong- full name of Confucius was born in

September 28 on 551 BCE in small feudal state

on LU now known as Shantung.

50 years old- appointed to high office under the

administration of the Duke of Lu.

497 BCE - left his home state Lu and moved from

state to state hoping that his words and teaching

would be carried out in other parts of the

country. Fourth month of 479 BCE- the death of

Confucius at the age of 73.

● The name "Confucius" was only given by

Catholic missionaries in the 16th century.

● It was the Latin translation of the Chinese

"Kong Fuzi" or Master Kong, the name by

which the great philosopher was known.

● From "Kong", his family name, "fu" was an

honorary addition, while "zi" meant master or

teacher.
 ● Therefore, "Kong Fuzi", or Master Kong, are

just reverent titles for "Kong Qui", Confucius'

original Chinese name.

Traditions

● Five Classics (Wujing)-make up a part of the

Confucian canon. Based on tradition, the

Wujing were written even before the time of

Confucius and were only compiled and edited

by him.

● Four Books (Si Shu)- are four classic texts

that form the other half of the Confucian

canon. They were mainly composed way after

the death of Confucius, during an attempt to

revive his teachings. Therefore, the Si Shu

 are embodiments of the Confucian teachings

and traditions.

● Later on, they were made the core of the

official curriculum for civil service

examinations in China.

The Five Classics

The Classic of Poetry (Shijing) CLASICS OF

CONFUCIUS

*The Classic of Poetry - Also known as the/Shijing

is a collection Songs/Odes/Shih-chingstung, it of

three hundred and five songs compiled around

600 B.C.E which includes four sections of various

themes such as love, courtship, abandonment

and dances. It also includes feast songs or state

chants.
The Classic of History (Shujing)

* The Classic of History Book of Documents

-Also known as the Book of Documents or

Shang-suShangshu, the Book of History is

supposedly a collection organized and

introduced by conventionally attributed to

Confucius by early scholars,

The Classic of Changes (Yijing)

* The Classic of Changes - Also known as the

I-Ching, the book of the changes was believed to

have existed at Time of Confucius and is the

oldest of the Classics. It focuses in short

predictions following a type of divination called

cleromancy where in six random numbers Are

picked and arranged under sixty-four hexagrams.

Classic of Rites (Liji)

* Classic of Rites - Originally the Three Li/ Three

Rites/San Li, the Classic of Rites is a compilation

of ceremonial rituals, administration and social

forms of the Zhou Dynasty.

Spring and Autumn Annals (Chunqui)

* Spring and Autumn Annals - The Spring and

Autumn Annals is an ancient Chinese chronicle

that has been one of the core Chinese classics

since ancient times. The Annals is the official

chronicle of the State of Lu, and covers a

241-year period fram 722 to 481 BC.

These records include the list of marriages,

deaths, and funerals of rulers, battles fought,

won and lost, sacrificial rituals observed, celestial

phenomena and natural disasters

The Four Books (Si Shu)

1. The Great Learning (Daxue)

The Daxue is a chapter which was originally a

part and taken from the Record of Rites. It is

made up of a short main text ascribed to

Confucius and nine other commentary chapters

attributed to Zeng Zi, one of Confucius disciples,

who describes the books as the gateway of

learning.

2. The Doctrine of the Mean (Zhongyong)

The Zhongyong was also originally a part and

taken from the Record of Rites. The text is

attributed to Kong Zi, the only grandson of

Confucius. The book is rich in symbolism and

guidance to perfecting oneself as it deals with

the importance of inner harmony achieved by

avoiding extremes. This harmony is

found in the relationship between humanity and

the moral order.

3. The Book of Mencius (Mengzi)

The Mengzi is a collection of the Mencius, one of

Confucius' principal disciples through Kong Zi.

Mencius' writings was the first attempt to treat

the principles of Confucius in a philosophical

manner. It is composed of conversations between

Confucius and Mencius on morality and politics,

and between Mencius and kings

during his time.

In this book, Mencius profoundly expresses his

concept of the inherent goodness of man. Unlike

Confucius'

short and self-contained sayings, Mencius'

writings are written in extended prose.

4. Analects (Lunyu)

The Analects is arguably the most famous among

Confucius' collection of reputed sayings and

conversations. The analects emphasized the

importance of learning. This book also

emphasizes the importance of good governance,

virtue, filial piety, and ritual. In the Analects,

Confucius thought that the country's progress

depended on its people's morality, starting from

the country's leaders. Another basic idea is that

human beings obtain a sense of virtue through

ren, which is cultivated from a devotion to one's

parents and older siblings. Confucius' goal was to

educate his students and produce ethical and

well-cultivated citizens who would carry

themselves with dignity, speak correctly, and

exhibit absolute integrity in all things.

The Importance of Education in Confucianism

1 Emphasis on Moral

Education Confucianism stresses the

significance of moral education in shaping

individuals with virtuous character.

2 Transmission of Cultural Values

Education in Confucianism aims to preserve and

transmit cultural values, ethics, and traditions to

future generations.
3 Development of Ethical Leaders

The educational philosophy focuses on nurturing

ethical leaders who can contribute to the

betterment of society.

Confucianism's Influence on Chinese Society and

Culture

1 Traditional Values

Confucianism emphasized respect for elders,

loyalty to the family, and harmonious social

order.

2 Government and Bureaucracy

Confucian principles shaped the structure of the

Chinese government and influenced

bureaucratic practices.

3 Educational System
The focus on education and moral development

led to the establishment of Confucian-based

educational institutions.

THE CONCEPT OF FILIAL PIETY

Respect for Elders

In Confucianism, filial piety emphasizes respect

for parents and ancestors as a fundamental

virtue.

Familial Duty

Filial piety involves fulfilling familial obligations

and maintaining harmony within the family unit.

Ethical Behavior

It encompasses ethical conduct, obedience, and

reverence towards one's parents and family

members.
THE FIVE KEY RELATIONSHIPS IN

CONFUCIANISM

1.Ruler and subject: Emphasizes the duty of the

ruler to govern with benevolence, and the

obligation of the subject to demonstrate loyalty.

2. Father and son: Stresses the importance of

filial piety, with the father as a figure of authority

and the son as obedient and respectful.

3.Husband and wife: Focuses on the virtues of

fidelity, harmony, and gender roles within the

marital relationship.

4. Elder brother and younger brother:

Emphasizes respect, care, and support within

sibling relationships.
5. Friend and friend: Highlights the principles of

trust, mutual respect, and loyalty in friendships.

Introduction to Taoism

Taoism, also known as Daoism, is a philosophical

tradition with roots in ancient China. It

emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, or the

Way, and achieving balance in life. The teachings

of Taoism focus on, spontaneity, and the

interconnectedness of all things.

• According to tradition, Taoism was based from

the teachings of Lao Tzu. Taoism was not

originally intended to be a religious movement as

it is known today. Rather, it started as a

philosophical tradition first expressed in the

compilation of poems called the Tao Te Ching,

which means "the classic of the way and its

power.“

• During the Han Dynasty, this was called Tao Jia,

or "the philosophy of the Tao."

• Lao Tzu- Taoism's legendary forefather, was said

to have been born to a virgin, at around 604

BCE. Lao Tzu means "the old Master." Some of the

accounts about Lao Tzu's identity is tainted by

legend or, for others, fantasy.

Origins and history of Taoism

1 Early Developments

Origins of Taoism trace back to ancient China,

influenced by shamanism and folk traditions.

2 Philosophical Foundations
The philosophical aspects of Taoism were shaped

by the teachings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu.

3 Religious Evolution

Taoism evolved into a structured religion during

the Han dynasty, integrating rituals and deities.

Key concepts of Taoism

1 Tao

The concept of Tao, the way, or the path, is

central to Taoism. It represents the harmony and

unifying force of the universe.

2 Wu Wei

Wu Wei, or non-action, is a key concept

emphasizing the way ofbeing, in harmony with

the Tao.

3 Ziran
Ziran, meaning naturalness, is the idea of

embracing spontaneity and simplicity, aligning

with the natural course of events.

The Tao Te Ching

The Tao Te Ching is a foundational text of Taoism,

attributed to the sage Lao Tzu. It consists of 81

short chapters offering profound insights on the

nature of existence and the way of the Tao. This

ancient text explores themes of harmony,

simplicity, and the balance between opposing

forces.

Yin and Yang

Yin

Representing darkness, femininity, and passivity.

Associated with cold, stillness, and intuition.

Yang

Symbolizing light, masculinity, and activity.

Connected to warmth, movement, and rationality.

TAOIST PRACTICES AND RITUALS

Meditation

Taoist monks engage in serene meditative

practices, often in natural surroundings, to

harmonize mind and body.

Rituals

Taoist rituals involve intricate ceremonies,

incense, and symbolic gestures to honor

ancestors and connect with the divine.

Tai Chi
Taoist practitioners embrace the fluid movements

of Tai Chi to cultivate inner energy and achieve

balance and harmony.

Conclusion

• Confucianism is a way of life based on the

principles taught by Confucius to his disciples.

• It was not intended to become a religion, but a

philosophical movement. It was only later in its

history that Confucianism was transformed into a

religion.

• Regardless whether it is a philosophical or

religious movement, its traditions and practices

are based on the Five Classics (Wujing) and the

Four Books (Si Shu).

• Confucianism aims to help people in

self-transformation by emphasizing the

importance of education.

• Taoism originated from the teachings of Lao

Tzu, and was not originally a religious movement.

Be it secular or religious, its teachings are based

on the Tao Te Ching, which is traditionally

attributed to Lao Tzu.

• Taoism revolves around the human person's

aspiration to attain harmony with the Tao. Such

aspiration should be in a manner reflecting the

wuwei, or actionless action.

• In a pragmatic sense, Taoism requires the

human person to simply be who he is and, in that

manner, goodness will be manifested as true and

unforced.