Science of Thinking and Ethics

(SGDN1043)
 BUDDHISM
 Buddhism is a major world religion that originated in
ancient India and is based on the teachings of
Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha.
 It encompasses a variety of beliefs, practices, and
traditions that aim to alleviate suffering and attain
enlightenment.
LARGE BUDDHIST POPULATION
 Buddhism is predominantly practiced in several
countries. Here are three countries where
Buddhism is the major religion:
 Thailand

 Cambodia

 Sri Lanka
The famous Angkor Wat temple complex, a significant
Buddhist site is found in Cambodia.
 BUDDHISM
 Buddhism teaches the Four Noble Truths, which state
that suffering is inherent in life, the cause of suffering
is desire, suffering can be overcome, and the Eightfold
Path leads to the cessation of suffering.
 Buddhists strive to cultivate moral conduct, meditation,
and wisdom to achieve enlightenment and ultimately
liberate themselves from the cycle of rebirth.
TYPES OF BUDDHISM
 There are several different types of Buddhism. Here
are four major branches of Buddhism:
 Theravada Buddhism
 Mahayana Buddhism
 Vajrayana Buddhism
 Zen Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism
 Emphasis on the original teachings of the Buddha
preserved in the Pali Canon (sacred scripture).
 Focus on individual liberation and personal
enlightenment.
 Also known as the "Way of the Elders
 Monasticism is highly valued, with monks and nuns
dedicating their lives to the practice.
Mahayana Buddhism
 Emphasizes on compassion and the Bodhisattva ideal,
which involves seeking enlightenment for the benefit
of all beings.
 Beliefin the existence of numerous Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas as objects of devotion and sources of
inspiration.
 Greater
emphasis on the use of rituals, prayers, and
devotional practices.
Vajrayana Buddhism
 Found mainly in Tibet and Nepal, it is known for its
esoteric practices and rituals.
 Emphasis on the use of mantras, mudras,
visualizations, and deity yoga for spiritual
transformation.
 Beliefin the power of tantric practices to accelerate the
path to enlightenment.
Example of Esoteric Practices
 Tantra: Tantra is a branch of Buddhism that focuses on
transforming ordinary experiences into a path to enlightenment.
It involves the use of rituals, visualizations, and meditative
practices to connect with specific deities or enlightened beings.
Tantra emphasizes the integration of wisdom and skillful means
to accelerate spiritual progress.
 Mantra recitation: Mantras are sacred sounds, syllables, or
phrases that are believed to have spiritual power. Practitioners
chant or recite mantras as a form of meditation and to invoke the
presence and blessings of particular deities. Mantra recitation is
believed to purify the mind, cultivate positive qualities, and
establish a connection with the divine.
FIVE PRECEPTS / PANCASILA
 The Five Precepts, also known as Pancasila in
Buddhism, are a set of ethical guidelines or principles
that followers and practitioners of Buddhism are
encouraged to follow.
 These precepts serve as a moral compass and guide
individuals towards a wholesome and virtuous life.
The Five Precepts are:
FIVE PRECEPTS / PANCASILA
1.Refraining from taking life (abstaining from harming
or killing living beings)
2. Refraining from taking what is not given (abstaining
from stealing or dishonesty)
3. Refraining from sexual misconduct (abstaining from
engaging in sexual misconduct or harming others
through sexual actions)
FIVE PRECEPTS / PANCASILA
4. Refraining from false speech (abstaining from lying,
gossiping, or speaking maliciously)
5. Refraining from intoxicants (abstaining from consuming
alcohol or drugs that lead to heedlessness and unwholesome
behavior)
 These precepts aim to promote compassion, honesty, and
mindfulness in daily life.
 By adhering to these principles, practitioners seek to
cultivate a sense of moral integrity, respect for others,
and a peaceful way of living.
Definition of Ethics in Buddhism
 InBuddhism, ethics refers to the principles and moral
guidelines that guide the thoughts, actions, and
behavior of individuals.
 Itencompasses the cultivation of wholesome qualities
and the avoidance of unwholesome actions.
 Ethical conduct is considered essential for spiritual
progress and the attainment of liberation from
suffering.
Definition of Ethics in Buddhism
 Itinvolves aligning one's behavior with the principles
of compassion, non-harming, honesty, mindfulness,
and respect for all living beings.
 The ethical framework in Buddhism is rooted in the
understanding of karma, the law of cause and effect,
which emphasizes the consequences of one's actions
and their impact on one's own well-being and the well-
being of others.
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
 The Four Noble Truths are considered the central
teachings of Buddhism, as they encapsulate the essence of
the Buddha's teachings on the nature of suffering and the
path to liberation. The Four Noble Truths are:
 The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha): This truth
acknowledges that suffering is an inherent part of human
existence.
 Itencompasses physical and mental pain, dissatisfaction,
and the general unsatisfactory nature of worldly
experiences.
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
 The Truth of the Origin of Suffering (Samudaya): This
truth states that suffering arises from craving or desire,
attachment, and ignorance. It is the clinging to transient
things and the delusion of a separate and enduring self that
give rise to suffering.
 The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha): This
truth teaches that the cessation of suffering is attainable. By
eliminating craving, attachment, and ignorance, one can
experience the state of liberation, freedom, and inner peace
known as Nirvana.
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
 The Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering
(Magga): This truth outlines the Noble Eightfold Path as
the way to overcome suffering and achieve liberation. The
Noble Eightfold Path consists of eight interconnected
factors: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right
Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness,
and Right Concentration.
 These Four Noble Truths provide a comprehensive
understanding of the nature of suffering and offer a
practical guide to transcend suffering and attain liberation.
THREE UNIVERSAL TRUTHS
 InBuddhism, the three universal truths are also
known as the three marks of existence. They are
fundamental aspects of reality that are observed and
taught by the Buddha. The three universal truths are:
 Impermanence (Anicca): This truth recognizes that
all things in the world, including objects, situations,
and even our own experiences and emotions, are
impermanent and subject to change. Nothing remains
the same; everything is in a constant state of change.
THREE UNIVERSAL TRUTHS
Suffering or unsatisfactoriness (Dukkha):
 This truth acknowledges that suffering is an inherent
part of life. It encompasses not only obvious forms of
suffering such as physical pain and emotional distress
but also the subtle dissatisfaction and discontentment
that arise from the impermanence and insubstantiality
of all conditioned phenomena.
THREE UNIVERSAL TRUTHS
 Non-self or no-self (Anatta): This truth teaches that there
is no permanent, unchanging, and independent self or soul.
Instead, all phenomena, including ourselves, are composed
of ever-changing and interconnected elements. The notion
of a separate and enduring self is considered an illusion.
 These three universal truths are considered foundational
teachings in Buddhism and serve as a framework for
understanding the nature of existence and the path to
liberation from suffering.
THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH
 The Noble Eightfold Path is a central concept in
Buddhism that outlines the path to end suffering and
achieve enlightenment. It consists of eight interconnected
components. They are:
 Right View: Understanding the Four Noble Truths and the
nature of reality.
 Right Intention: Developing wholesome intentions and
attitudes.
 Right Speech: Speaking truthfully, kindly, and avoiding
harmful speech.
THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH
 Right Action: Engaging in morally upright and ethical
behavior.
 RightLivelihood: Earning a living in a way that is
honorable and does not harm others.
 Right Effort: Cultivating wholesome qualities and
letting go of unwholesome ones.
 Right Mindfulness: Developing awareness and being
fully present in the moment.
THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH
 Right Concentration: Cultivating focused and
collected mental states through meditation.
 These components of the Noble Eightfold Path are
seen as interdependent and mutually supportive.
 By following this path, individuals strive to overcome
suffering and achieve liberation.
CONCEPTS OF KARMA AND SAMSARA
 Karma is a fundamental concept in Buddhism that
refers to the law of cause and effect. It is the belief that
our intentional actions, both physical and mental, have
consequences and shape our future experiences.
 According to the concept of karma, every action we
take creates an imprint on our consciousness, and these
imprints determine the quality of our life and our
future rebirths.
 Key points about karma in Buddhism include:
CONCEPTS OF KARMA AND SAMSARA
 Intentional Actions: Karma is primarily concerned
with intentional actions or volitional deeds known as
"karma-formation."
 Itemphasizes the importance of our intentions and
motivations behind our actions rather than the actions
themselves. Positive or negative intentions lead to
corresponding karmic results.
CONCEPTS OF KARMA AND SAMSARA
 Cause and Effect: Karma follows the principle of
cause and effect. Just as every cause has an effect,
every action we perform creates karmic consequences.
Positive actions generate positive results, while
negative actions lead to negative results.
 Theseconsequences may not be immediate and can
manifest in this life or future lives.
CONCEPTS OF KARMA AND SAMSARA
 Continuity of Karma: Karma is seen as a continuous
process that extends across multiple lifetimes. Actions
performed in past lives can influence our present life, and
actions performed in this life can affect our future lives. It
creates a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth known as
samsara.
 Liberation from Karma: Buddhism teaches that liberation
from the cycle of samsara can be achieved by
understanding the nature of karma, cultivating wholesome
intentions and actions, and ultimately transcending the
cycle of birth and death through enlightenment or Nirvana.
CONCEPTS OF KARMA AND SAMSARA
 Karma is not seen as a form of punishment or reward
but as a natural unfolding of cause and effect.
 It highlights the importance of ethical conduct,
mindfulness, and the cultivation of positive qualities to
create a more favorable and harmonious future.
 By understanding and consciously directing our
actions, Buddhism suggests that we can shape our
destiny and work towards spiritual liberation.
CONCEPTS OF NIRVANA
 In Buddhism, Nirvana is the ultimate goal and state of
liberation from suffering. It is often described as the
cessation of suffering, the extinguishment of desires, and
the state of perfect peace and enlightenment. Nirvana is the
highest spiritual attainment and marks the end of the cycle
of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara).
 It is a state of transcendence beyond the limitations of the
ego and the delusions of the mind. Attaining Nirvana is the
ultimate aim of Buddhist practice and is associated with the
complete realization of wisdom, compassion, and liberation
from the cycle of suffering.