REL-1300 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Four Noble Truths, Gautama Buddha, Refuge (Buddhism)
Document Summary
The things that unite all buddhists, despite other differences among buddhists. Who/what is the buddha: historical person. Others who have obtained the insight etc. but will not escape from death and rebirth. Similar to saints in other religions: original mind. Refuge in the buddha: theravada/pali texts, mahayana/expansive. Condensed into four noble truths that include the eightfold path: all of which is predicated on the notion of karma. The goal is to burn off karma entirely. Four noble truths: 1 there is suffering. Any type of suffering: 2 suffering has an origin. Desire for pleasure and also desire for things to not happen. Desire causes suffering because all of the things you desire will eventually wear off or you will always desire something more. Ignorance causes attachment: 3 suffering can cease, 4 there is a path to end suffering. The eightfold path: things every buddhist should do. Pra(cid:272)ti(cid:272)e (cid:271)eha(cid:448)i(cid:374)g i(cid:374) a (cid:272)o(cid:373)passio(cid:374)ate (cid:449)ay a(cid:374)d help alle(cid:448)iate others" suffering.
