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November 21, 2024
Since we have been (and will be) visiting so many countries that are predominantly Buddhist (Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Bhutan) and many that have a significant Buddhist minorities (Indonesia, Singapore) we had the kids do a little research on the basic tenets of the religion. Here is what they found.
THE BASIC TENETS OF BUDDHISM
By Ryan Jahns
The basic tenets of Buddhism revolve around understanding the nature of suffering and the path to liberation. These core principles are rooted in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. Here’s an overview:
The Four Noble Truths
Dukkha (Suffering): Life involves suffering, dissatisfaction, and impermanence. This includes physical pain, emotional discomfort, and the general inability to achieve lasting happiness.
Samudaya (Origin of Suffering): The cause of suffering is craving (tanha) and attachment, stemming from ignorance. This includes desires for pleasure, existence, or non-existence.
Nirodha (Cessation of Suffering): Suffering can end by letting go of craving and attachment, leading to a state of liberation called nirvana.
Magga (The Path to the Cessation of Suffering): There is a path to liberation, known as the Eightfold Path, which provides a practical framework for ethical living and mental cultivation.
The Noble Eightfold Path
This path is divided into three categories: ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom.
Right View: Understanding the Four Noble Truths and seeing reality as it is.
Right Intention: Cultivating thoughts of kindness, non-attachment, and compassion.
Right Speech: Speaking truthfully, kindly, and avoiding harmful words.
Right Action: Acting ethically by avoiding harm, theft, and misconduct.
Right Livelihood: Earning a living in a way that does not harm others.
Right Effort: Striving to overcome negative states and cultivate wholesome ones.
Right Mindfulness: Being aware of body, feelings, mind, and phenomena in the present moment.
Right Concentration: Developing deep mental focus through meditation.
The Three Marks of Existence
Anicca (Impermanence): Everything is in a state of flux; nothing is permanent.
Dukkha (Suffering): All conditioned phenomena are unsatisfactory.
Anatta (Non-Self): There is no unchanging, permanent self or soul.
The Five Precepts (Ethical Guidelines)
Buddhists follow these to cultivate moral discipline:
Refrain from killing or harming living beings.
Refrain from stealing.
Refrain from sexual misconduct.
Refrain from false speech.
Refrain from intoxicants that cloud the mind.
The Three Jewels (Refuges)
Buddhists take refuge in:
The Buddha (the teacher).
The Dharma (the teachings).
The Sangha (the community of practitioners).
Karma and Rebirth
Karma: Actions have consequences, influencing future experiences.
Rebirth: A cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara), shaped by karma, continues until enlightenment is achieved.
These tenets are foundational across Buddhist traditions, though interpretations and emphases may vary among Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna schools. Let me know if you'd like a deeper dive into any aspect!
They also noticed that the various Buddha statues have different hand positions so we were curoius about them. Those hand positions are called mudras very intentional and significant. Here are some of the major ones along with pictures that we took during our time in Thailand.
Mudras are symbolic hand gestures used in Buddhist iconography and practice, each representing specific teachings, states of mind, or divine powers. Here are the major mudras commonly found in Buddhist art and statues:
1. Dharmachakra Mudra (Wheel of Dharma)
Meaning: Teaching or turning the wheel of Dharma.
Gesture: Both hands are held at chest level. The right hand forms a circle with the thumb and index finger (representing perfection), and the left hand mirrors this or supports it.
Associated Buddha: Buddha teaching his first sermon at Sarnath.
Symbolism: Represents the transmission of Buddhist teachings and the cycle of samsara.
2. Bhumisparsha Mudra (Earth-Touching Mudra)
Meaning: Calling the Earth to witness.
Gesture: The right hand reaches downward to touch the ground, while the left rests on the lap, palm up.
Associated Buddha: Shakyamuni Buddha, during his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
Symbolism: Represents steadfastness and the moment of enlightenment.
3. Dhyana Mudra (Meditation Mudra)
Meaning: Meditation and concentration.
Gesture: Both hands rest in the lap with palms facing upward, the right hand resting on the left, and thumbs lightly touching to form a triangle.
Associated Buddha: Amitabha Buddha and representations of deep meditation.
Symbolism: Focus, inner balance, and the path to enlightenment.
4. Abhaya Mudra (Fearlessness Mudra)
Meaning: Fearlessness, protection, and reassurance.
Gesture: The right hand is raised to shoulder height with the palm facing outward, fingers upright. The left hand often rests at the side or in another mudra.
Associated Buddha: Shakyamuni and other Buddhas offering reassurance.
Symbolism: Dispelling fear and granting protection.
5. Varada Mudra (Compassion or Gift-Giving Mudra)
Meaning: Charity, compassion, and offering.
Gesture: The left hand is extended downward, palm facing outward, fingers pointing down.
Associated Buddha: Often paired with the Abhaya Mudra in statues of standing Buddhas.
Symbolism: Generosity and the fulfillment of spiritual and material wishes.
6. Vitarka Mudra (Teaching or Discussion Mudra)
Meaning: Teaching, reasoning, and intellectual discussion.
Gesture: The right hand is raised, with the thumb and index finger touching to form a circle, and other fingers pointing upward. The left hand often mirrors the position or rests on the lap.
Associated Buddha: Representations of Buddha teaching specific doctrines.
Symbolism: Transmission of wisdom and understanding.
7. Karana Mudra (Dispelling Evil)
Meaning: Warding off evil and negative energy.
Gesture: The right hand is raised, palm outward, with the index and little fingers extended, and the other fingers folded.
Associated Buddha: Protector figures or wrathful deities in Vajrayāna Buddhism.
Symbolism: Banishing obstacles and fear.
8. Anjali Mudra (Prayer or Reverence Mudra)
Meaning: Greeting, respect, and devotion.
Gesture: Both hands pressed together at chest level.
Associated Figures: Devotees, bodhisattvas, or as a gesture of homage in Buddhist art.
Symbolism: Unity, humility, and respect.
9. Vajra Mudra (Thunderbolt Mudra)
Meaning: Supreme wisdom.
Gesture: The index finger of the left hand is clasped by the five fingers of the right hand.
Associated Figures: Vajrayāna deities and representations of profound wisdom.
Symbolism: The unity of method (compassion) and wisdom.
10. Uttarabodhi Mudra (Enlightenment Mudra)
Meaning: Supreme enlightenment.
Gesture: Both hands are held at chest level, fingers interlaced, with the index fingers extended and touching.
Associated Buddha: Occasionally seen in depictions of enlightenment.
Symbolism: Connection to the ultimate realization.
These mudras serve as powerful visual and symbolic representations of Buddhist teachings and philosophies, often guiding meditation and spiritual understanding.
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