Buddhism Summary Notes

 Article/Notes prepared by Jibrael Jos

Based on a) Old Path, White Clouds by Thich Nhat Than

If there is one book on Buddhism you should read it is this one. And yes you should read at least one book on Buddhism! The master who walked the earth 2500 years ago. Written in story telling style and presents the human Buddha and challenges he faced in life.

Also based on b) course Buddhism and Modern Psychology by Robert Wright, Professor from Princeton An amazing course I completed recently

Notes are not self explanatory and reading book and doing some course will surely be needed.

4 Noble Truths (Chapter 22)

               Suffering, Cause of Suffering, End of Suffering, Path to the end of suffering

8 fold path(Chapter 18)

                Right (Intention, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Concentration, Mindfulness, View)

5 Precepts (Chapter 23)

Do Not (Kill, Steal, Sexual Misconduct, Say Untruth, drink alcohol)

3 Gates : (Chapter 68)

Emptiness, Signlessness, Aimlessness

4 Establishments of Mindfulness (Chapter 53)

                Mindful of Body, Feelings, Mind, Dharma

8 Realisations of great beings

·         Dharma Impermanent

·         Desire brings suffering

·         Living Simply, Few Desires -> Peace , Joy , Serenity

·         Diligent effort – enlightenment

·         Ignorance cause of Birth and Death

·         Poverty creates anger and hatred, then vicious cycle continues

·         Don’t get caught by worldly matters

·         Don’t practice for individual enlightenment

Concept of Non Self (Chapter 17)

        5 Aggregates of clinging: Body, Feeling, Perceptions, Mental State, Consiousness

Concept of Impermanence

Concept of Dependent Co Arising (Chapter 29)

7 Factors of Awakening (Chapter 53)

                Full Attention, Investigating Dharma, Energy, Joy , Ease, Concentration, Letting Go

Happiness (Chapter 33)

                Only the peace, joy and freedom that are fruits of mediation brings true happiness

Breathing (Chapter 56)

1-8 : Long, Short, Awareness of whole body, body calm and peace

5-8 : Joyful, Happy, Activities of mind, Calm and Peace for activities of mind

9-12 : Aware of mind, Mind: Happy and Peace, Concentrate on the mind, Liberate mind

13-14 : Impermanent nature of all dharma, fading of all dharma

15-16 : Liberation, Letting Go

Nice Quotes/Chapters

Walking just to Walk (Chapter 1)

Finger is not the moon (Chapter 32)

Water Rises, too (Chapter 26)

Love is understanding (Chapter 42)

Everyone’s Tears are Salty (Chapter 43)

Dwell in Mindfulness (Chapter 54)

The Raft is not the shore (Chapter 57)