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Main PrinciplesMain Principles

1.1. Not-self principle (rejection of the principle of Not-self principle (rejection of the principle of identity)identity)

2.2. Impermanence principle (pertaining to Impermanence principle (pertaining to physical phenomena and physiological states)physical phenomena and physiological states)

3.3. Dependent origination principleDependent origination principle4.4. Non-discriminative and non-imaginative Non-discriminative and non-imaginative

wisdom principle (the faculty that directly wisdom principle (the faculty that directly experiences reality without passing through experiences reality without passing through concepts) concepts)

The The Five AggregatesFive Aggregates or bundles or bundles (Skandha)(Skandha)

1.1. Material form or the bodyMaterial form or the body2.2. Sensations/ feelingsSensations/ feelings3.3. PerceptionsPerceptions4.4. Mental formations (e.g. hate and love)Mental formations (e.g. hate and love)5.5. States of consciousness (mental awareness, States of consciousness (mental awareness,

thought)thought)The self is only the compilation of these The self is only the compilation of these

aggregates. Since non of these aggregates is aggregates. Since non of these aggregates is permanent, the self is not permanent. permanent, the self is not permanent.

The empirical self is a shifting, continual flux. The empirical self is a shifting, continual flux.

THE MIDDLE WAYTHE MIDDLE WAY

Buddha realized that self-mortification is no Buddha realized that self-mortification is no more conducive than is self-indulgence. Both more conducive than is self-indulgence. Both are extremes that contribute nothing to self-are extremes that contribute nothing to self-realization. The middle way is the way of the realization. The middle way is the way of the center. It is an understanding that extremes center. It is an understanding that extremes lead away from the truth. lead away from the truth.

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHSTHE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

1.1. A necessary part of human existence is A necessary part of human existence is suffering.suffering.

2.2. Suffering is caused by ignorant craving.Suffering is caused by ignorant craving.

3.3. Suffering may be rooted out by Suffering may be rooted out by overcoming desire. overcoming desire.

4.4. Following the Eightfold Path is the way to Following the Eightfold Path is the way to overcome desire. (methodology) overcome desire. (methodology)

1. The Noble Truth of Suffering1. The Noble Truth of Suffering

DukkhaDukkha includes: birth, decay, illness, death, includes: birth, decay, illness, death, presence of hated things, separation from presence of hated things, separation from loved ones, failure to obtain one’s desires, all loved ones, failure to obtain one’s desires, all dissatisfaction and discontentmentdissatisfaction and discontentment

Three modes of the concept of Three modes of the concept of dukkhadukkha

1.1. Ordinary suffering: pain, sickness, distress, Ordinary suffering: pain, sickness, distress, and deathand death

2.2. Suffering produced by changeSuffering produced by change

3.3. Suffering produced by conditioned states or Suffering produced by conditioned states or consciousness – the deepest form consciousness – the deepest form

Suffering:Suffering:

Uncertainty (nothing is the same)Uncertainty (nothing is the same) Insatiability (no matter how much worldly Insatiability (no matter how much worldly

pleasure one gets, it is not enough)pleasure one gets, it is not enough) Horror of deathHorror of death Repeated birthRepeated birth Repeatedly descending from high to lowRepeatedly descending from high to low Having no companion (existential Having no companion (existential

aloneness)aloneness)

2. The Noble Truth of the Cause of 2. The Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering: DesireSuffering: Desire

The thirst of desire is threefold:The thirst of desire is threefold:

1.1. Desire for pleasureDesire for pleasure

2.2. Desire for existenceDesire for existence

3.3. Desire for prosperityDesire for prosperity

What precisely is craving What precisely is craving and why do Buddhists think and why do Buddhists think

that it causes suffering?that it causes suffering?

3. The Noble Truth of the Cessation 3. The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Sufferingof Suffering

Suffering ceases with the complete cessation Suffering ceases with the complete cessation of desireof desire

This presupposes the understanding that This presupposes the understanding that everything is impermanent and no substantial everything is impermanent and no substantial self existsself exists

It is the annihilation of the illusion of the self, It is the annihilation of the illusion of the self, of craving, lust, and selfish desireof craving, lust, and selfish desire

4. The Noble Truth of the Path:4. The Noble Truth of the Path:The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path

Referred to as the “middle way”Referred to as the “middle way”

The way to enlightenment is through spiritual, The way to enlightenment is through spiritual, moral, and mental exercisemoral, and mental exercise

The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path

1.1. Right views Right views 2.2. Right intentionRight intention3.3. Right speechRight speech4.4. Right conduct/actionRight conduct/action5.5. Right livelihoodRight livelihood6.6. Right effortRight effort7.7. Right mindfulnessRight mindfulness8.8. Right concentrationRight concentration

The Five PreceptsThe Five Precepts

1.1. Killing or hurting any living creatureKilling or hurting any living creature

2.2. StealingStealing

3.3. Wrong indulgence in sexual pleasureWrong indulgence in sexual pleasure

4.4. LyingLying

5.5. Use of intoxicantsUse of intoxicants