Roman Saini is teaching live on Unacademy Plus
Buddhism Lesson-3 By Dr. Roman Saini
A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. Emergence of Buddhism The Life of Buddha Scriptures of Buddha The Four Noble Truth The Theory of Karma The Eightfold Path Principle of Dependent Origination Rejection of Soul: Concept of No-Soul Concept of God in Buddhism Sects of Buddhism Philosophical Schools of Buddhism The Bodhisattva Distinct Features of Buddhism Buddhist Councils
F. The Eightfold Path in Buddhism The eightfold path is the practical application of the four noble truths. They are also closely connected to the fourth noble truth as a means to destroy suffering. Following are components of the eightfold path of Buddhism. Right View (Samyak-dristi): It consists of the grasp and acceptance of the four noble truths, rejection of the fault doctrines, and avoidance of immorality resulting from covetousness, lying, violence, etc. . . 1.
Right Aspirations (Samyak-sankalpa): It implies thought on renunciation, thought on friendship and good will, and thoughts on non-harming 2. 3. Rlaht seash Samnd to speak gentle and soohing It inspires one to speak truth primarily, and to speak gentle and soothing words for the benefit and wellbeing of others. It also promulgates one to avoid falsehood, slander, harsh words and gossip. Right Conduct (Samyak-karma): The Buddha intends by right conduct the practice of five moral vows called Pancha-Sila namely, desisting from killing, stealing, sensuality, lying, and intoxication. 4.
5. Right Livelihood (Samyag ajiva): It consists of the avoidance of a luxurious life and the acceptance of occupations which do not involve cruelty and injury to other living beings. The Buddha exhorts to avoid occupations like sale of alcohol, making and selling weapons, profession of the soldier, butcher, fisherman, etc 6. Right Effort (Samyak vyayama) It includes the effort to avoid the rise of evil and false ideas in the mind, the effort to overcome evil and evil tendencies, the effort to acquire positive values ke attention, energy, tranquility, equanimity, and concentration, and the effort to maintain the right conditions for a meritorious life.
7. Right Awareness (Samyak Smrti): It represents the awareness of the body (breathing positions, movements, impurities of the body, etc.), awareness of sensations (attentive to the feelings of oneself and of the other), awareness of thought and the awareness of the internal functions of the mind. 8. Right Concentration (Samyak Samadhi): The practice of one pointed contemplation leads the seeker to go beyond all sensations of pain and pleasure, and finally to full enlightenment.
The first two of the eightfold path, namely, right view and right resolve, are together called Prajna, because they are related to consciousness and knowledge. The third, fourth, and fifth, namely, right speech, right conduct, and right livelihood, are collectively known as Sila, because they deal with the correct and morally right way of living. . . The last three, namely, right effort, right awareness, and right concentration are collectively known as Samadhi, because they deal with meditation and contemplation
G. Principle of Dependent Origination The doctrine of dependent origination is central to Buddhist philosophy and is connected to the second noble truth - suffering has a cause (Dukkha Samudaya) . According to Buddhism everything in this world has a cause. . There is a cycle of twelve such causes and corresponding effects which governs the entire life of human beings. It is called Bhavacakra, the cycle of existence. This doctrine is the main principle in Buddha's teachings. Other notions, such as the doctrine of karma, the theory of momentariness, and the theory of non-soul are based on this doctrine .
This doctrine is known as Pratitya-samutpada that is a middle path between shasvatvada (the principle of eternity) and uchedvada (the principle of annihilation). . The twelve links of pratitya-samutpada are as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ignorance (Avidya) Predisposition (Samskara) Consciousness (Vijnana) Name and Form (Namarupa) Sense Organs (Sadayatana)
6. Contact (Sparsa) 7. Feeling or Sensation (Vedana) 8. Craving (Trsna) 9. Attachment or Clinging (Upadana) 10. 11. 12. The twelve links of the doctrine of dependent origination can be divided into three classes, namely, the past, the future, and the present. Becoming (Bhava) Birth (Jati) Old Age and Death (Jaramarana) .