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January 17, 2007
I. Introduction/Book/Media Discussion – 6:00 – 6:15
o The Beginner’s Guide to Insight Meditation, Arinna Weisman and Jean
Smith
A great summary of Buddhist principles as preparation for meditation.
o Buddhism Is Not What You Think,
Aristotle recommends not so
much the golden rule as the golden mean which is a balance between
two extremes. For example, to rush into battle without thinking
is foolhardy while running away in terror is cowardice.
o The Compass of Zen, Seung Sahn Seung
An excellent coverage of Buddhism
with an emphasis on Zen.
II. Discussion: What is the cause of suffering?
o Teens cause
your suffering
o Mother-in-laws
o Job loss
o Physical/Emotional Pain
o No joy
o Attachment to ego
o Change -> lack of permanence
o Emotional extremes
o Being separated
from the good
o Unmet needs
o Is there anything that is truly permanent?
- Laws of nature
- Change
- Causality
o Cycle of life and rebirth drawn by attendee as a circle
o This circle was redrawn as a straight line which was explained to
be a circle on its side emphasizing the role of perspective.
o Are there any common threads from above to suffering?
- Not getting what you want
- Lack of understanding
- Fear and questioning
III. Introduction – Theme is Buddhist Philosophy 7:15 –
7:45 PM
About Buddha
§ 2500 year ago, Siddhartha Gautama became enlightened.
§ Buddha means “Awakened One”
§ Indian prince who troubled by the issues of old age, sickness, death,
an asceticism.
Fundamental Teachings
The Four Noble Truths
§ All is temporary and changing. Suffering is caused by not getting
what we want or getting what we do not want.
§ Suffering is caused by attachment, i.e. grasping and clinging to things.
- Attachment to sensory pleasures.
- Attachment to opinions and beliefs.
- Attachment to rites and rituals.
- Attachment to “I”
§ An end to suffering is possible by letting go of attachments.
§ The way to enlightenment is the Eightfold Path
- Right View
- Right Intention
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Concentration
Metaphysics – The True Nature of Reality
vs. Conventional Knowledge
o Heraclitus
– “You cannot step into the same river twice.”
o Buddhism – “You cannot step into the same river once.”
o Everything is in flux, constantly changing.
Our confident knowledge is often in error:
- Believing that things are permanent.
- Believing we understand something that we do not.
§ Example: Sit com episodes based on a misunderstanding.
- Believing we can control something we cannot such as protecting ourselves
against death or sickness.
- Hiding from the truth such as avoiding thinking about death even though
death is a natural and necessary part of life.
Schopenhauer
and Buddhism
- Accepted the first two noble truths
but rejected the third, i.e. that suffering can be alleviated.
IV. Wrap up/Final Thoughts
§ Buddhist philosophy vs. religion/dogma.
§ Where is the passion?
§ I think its Ok to think?