The UWF Buddhist Lecture Series, 2
The gift of Dharma excels all other gifts.
- Dhammapada, 354
Lecture Two: March 21, 2009
Awakening and First Teaching
Coverage of lecture: As soon as Siddharta becomes enlightened, he becomes the Buddha. In this lecture we shall discuss the first of the Four Noble Truths. Dukkha requires careful study and reflection, because the Buddha’s entire teaching is based on the understanding of Dukkha and the cessation of Dukkha.
Outline
The gift of Dharma excels all other gifts.
- Dhammapada, 354
Lecture Two: March 21, 2009
Awakening and First Teaching
Coverage of lecture: As soon as Siddharta becomes enlightened, he becomes the Buddha. In this lecture we shall discuss the first of the Four Noble Truths. Dukkha requires careful study and reflection, because the Buddha’s entire teaching is based on the understanding of Dukkha and the cessation of Dukkha.
Outline
I. After renouncing a life of pleasure, Siddharta spends the next six years in meditative and ascetic practices.
A. Neither pleasure nor extreme asceticism brings him the peace he seeks.
B. He abandons the path of asceticism, and is abandoned in turn by his five ascetic companions.
C. A lute plays best when its strings are neither too slack nor too tight.
D. He sits under a huge tree at Gaya, determined never to stir from his seat until he attains full enlightenment.
E. He is tempted by Mara.
F. He overcomes Mara and eventually becomes the Enlightened One – the Buddha.
II. For seven weeks, the Buddha sits experiencing the bliss of enlightenment. At the end of seven weeks, he decides to teach.
A. His former disciples are astounded by his majestic demeanor.
B. The Buddha proclaims the Dharma and sets in motion the wheel of Dharma for the first time.
C. The Four Noble Truths are the bedrock of Buddhism. All subsequent teachings may be considered as footnotes to the Four Noble Truths.
D. Come and see, not come and believe.
III. The First Noble Truth: Dukkha
A. The eight major sufferings.
B. The three types of suffering.
1. Dukkha – dukkhata
2. Parinama – dukkhata
3. Samkhara – dukkhata
C. We do not fully appreciate the extent of our suffering. The Noble Truth of Dukkha can be appreciated only by an enlightened mind.
D. In our next lecture, we shall discuss the cause of Dukkha.
A. Neither pleasure nor extreme asceticism brings him the peace he seeks.
B. He abandons the path of asceticism, and is abandoned in turn by his five ascetic companions.
C. A lute plays best when its strings are neither too slack nor too tight.
D. He sits under a huge tree at Gaya, determined never to stir from his seat until he attains full enlightenment.
E. He is tempted by Mara.
F. He overcomes Mara and eventually becomes the Enlightened One – the Buddha.
II. For seven weeks, the Buddha sits experiencing the bliss of enlightenment. At the end of seven weeks, he decides to teach.
A. His former disciples are astounded by his majestic demeanor.
B. The Buddha proclaims the Dharma and sets in motion the wheel of Dharma for the first time.
C. The Four Noble Truths are the bedrock of Buddhism. All subsequent teachings may be considered as footnotes to the Four Noble Truths.
D. Come and see, not come and believe.
III. The First Noble Truth: Dukkha
A. The eight major sufferings.
B. The three types of suffering.
1. Dukkha – dukkhata
2. Parinama – dukkhata
3. Samkhara – dukkhata
C. We do not fully appreciate the extent of our suffering. The Noble Truth of Dukkha can be appreciated only by an enlightened mind.
D. In our next lecture, we shall discuss the cause of Dukkha.
