world religion: buddhism the human condition a)what is the human condition? b)what is the cause of...

WORLD RELIGION: BUDDHISM

• The Human Conditiona) What is the human condition?b) What is the cause of the human condition?

• The Goalsa) What are the goals during life?b) What is the final aim of existence?

• The Meansa) How are the goals achieved?b) Which practices help to achieving the goals?

What is the human condition?

Higher RMPS: Buddhism

The Human Condition

What is the human condition?

A Buddhist Response

We don’t understand reality and so we

are trapped.

What is the human condition?

A Buddhist Response

We live, get older and die only to be reborn

again and again (forever).

What is the human condition?

A Buddhist Response

Throughout this time we suffer. Not only

this, everyone suffers.

What is the human condition?.

A Buddhist Response

However… there is a way to escape

this curse.

What is the human condition? Unenlightened human beings are

caught in a cycle of suffering but there is a way out.

Our 1st Focus1. No belief in God; emphasis on action rather

than metaphysical belief

2. The 3 Marks of Existence — Dukkha, Anicca and Anatta; the five skhandas; rebirth as a flow of ever changing consciousness

3. Samsara — the endless round of conditioned existence; only humans are capable of making conscious ethical choices

What is the human condition?

No belief in God• Western/Eastern/Buddhist

concept of God differs. No supreme being in control from which everything began.

• No God(s) making decision about right and wrong… no moral absolutes or heaven/hell punishments.

What is the human condition?

No belief in GodEverything we experience is as a result of our human actions- individual freedom exists.

Human beings can and must attain enlightenment without a God. Buddha was human. His teachings and example are followed but he is not seen as divine.

What is the human condition?

Emphasis on action rather than metaphysical

belief“Believe nothing, question everything.”

BuddhaIf it doesn’t work for you, change it! Choice of interpretation of the Dhamma (teachings / truth / way).

Not about answering metaphysical questions, it’s about actions.

What is the human condition?

Emphasis on action rather than metaphysical

belief

• Belief alone will not attain the Buddhist goal of enlightenment… a practical, not intellectual activity. If you just sit about thinking about things you won’t progress.

• It is not enough to know the path, you must walk the path.

What is the human condition?

• A famous Buddhist teaching goes something like this: I do no go to the Buddha to hear his teachings, I go to see him tie his shoelaces.

Emphasis on action rather than metaphysical

belief

What is the human condition?

THE POISONED

ARROW

STORY

Emphasis on action rather than metaphysical

belief

THE POISONED ARROW STORY

• Questioned one day about the problem of the infinity of the world, the Buddha said, "Whether the world is finite or infinite, limited or unlimited, the problem of your liberation remains the same.“

Another time he said, "Suppose a man is struck by a poisoned arrow and the doctor wishes to take out the arrow immediately.

Suppose the man does not want the arrow removed until he knows

• Who shot it, • His age, • His parents, • Why he shot it.

What would happen?

If he were to wait until all these questions have been answered, the man might die first."

Life is so short. It must not be spent in endless metaphysical speculation that does not bring us any closer to the truth.