Comparitive Religions

[gandalfglamdrin.livejournal.com]

Good evening, and welcome to the class tonight.
I hope you have your homework from last class done, and a large thank you again to Rogue, for handling that for me.

Sit, enjoy the food, please...

and we will discuss the basic tennents of Buddism.

Can anyone tell me what those are?

Comments

[sumeragi-13.livejournal.com]

Um, there's the Four Noble Truths?

The first one is... life is suffering. Second, all suffering is caused by the nature of reality and the ignorance of craving and attachment. Third, suffering can be ended by overcoming that ignorance. Fourth, the way to end suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path consists of *pause* Right views, right intention, right contemplation, right action, right livelihood, right speech, right effort, and right... mindedness.

*looks around, wondering if he should continue*

Not all that 'basic', sorry. I just... it was part of my studies when I was growing up, so... *uneasy smile, bows*

[gandalfglamdrin.livejournal.com]

Exellent, thank you...
now, do you wish to explain all of that? *fatherly chuckle*

[sumeragi-13.livejournal.com]

*nervous*

One must... acknowledge suffering as a part of life, and understand what causes it, before they are able to overcome it. Overcoming suffering can be done by anyone. B-because they are temporary, attachment and the need to... to cling to people or places all cause pain. What should be done is trying to cease the attachment, and get rid of our ideas of how things should be and realize what is. This is where the Eightfold Path comes in... The parts of the Eightfold Path act as... guidelines? for obtaining enlightenment.

*deep breath, quickly continues*

Right views. Having an understanding of the Four Noble Truths.
Right intention. Act in love and compassion, b... because when you act in love and compassion, you become more loving and compassionate.
Right contemplation, refers to meditation exercises.
Right action means to not inflict harm of any kind on yourself and others. Five Precepts go along with this. They are abstinence from... killing living beings, taking which is not given, sexual misconduct, false speech, and substances that inhibit the mind.
Right livelihood. Non-exploitation.
Right speech means... always do your best to speak in kind and compassionate words.
Right effort. Promote positive thoughts. Both to yourself, and to others.
Right mindedness means to develop awareness in all aspects of life.

*shifts from one foot to the other* I. Is that all right?