The Seven Elements of Buddhism
Element One: Doctrinal and philosophical
This means that every religion has beliefs that they have thought through and organized. The foundation for all Buddhist teachings is the Four Noble Truths. The Buddha has a very realistic approach to the human condition and how to cure our ailments.
The First Noble Truth is the presence of dukkha, suffering, and pain. At one time or another, we have all experienced this is in one form or another. Everything in our lives is seen as impermanent and fleeting. Whether it be happiness or grief, pain or pleasure, its all temporary and in constant flux.
The Second Noble Truth is that all dukkha stems from cravings and attachments to things and ideas. We fail to grasp the changing nature of all things and we cling to them like drowned victims to a buoy, only to be disappointed when they inevitably change in accordance to their nature. This leads to unhappiness. To cure this situation, the Buddha founded the Three Marks of Existence: dukkah (pain), anitya (impermanence), and anatman (no-self). Basically, we as humans are blind to the existence of these three marks and this leads us to suffer.
The third Noble Truth is that dukkha will desist when our longings and attachments desist. When our delusions end, we'll have an awareness of the true nature of things and in so doing nirvana is attained.
The fourth Noble Truth is that the way to end our pain and suffering is through the Noble Eightfold Path.
Element Two: Social and institutional
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama is easily the best known and most loved spiritual leader in the modern world. He is a prime example of Buddhist love and kindness. He was only two years when he was identified as the reincarnation of the thirteenth Dalia Lama, but wasn't officially named until the age of four and a half. This young Dalai Lama was educated in accordance with the traditional Tibetan Buddhist system, which focuses on developing the mind in such a way to be capable of dealing with any misfortunes. This serenity of mind was put to test by the Chinese invasion and cruelty towards his country. In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India in the hope to avoid a bloodbath. Unfortunately, it is estimated that at least one million Tibetans died because of this Chinese occupation. In the face of the Chinese military power, the Dalai Lama urged his people away for retaliating in a violent manner. He proclaimed, “Non-violence is the only way. … It's a slower process sometimes, but a very effective one. Practically speaking, through violence we may achieve something, but at the expense of someone else's welfare. That way, although we may solve one problem, we simultaneously seed a new problem. The best way to solve problems is through human understanding and mutual respect. On one side make some concessions; on the other side take serious consideration about the problem. There may not be complete satisfaction, but something happens. At least the future danger is avoided. Non-violence is very safe.”
In lieu of the attack on Tibet, the Dalai Lama began to oppose the Chinese in a non-violent way. He began to help scientists in their research of meditation and other spiritual practices. He also establishes a government when in exile in India, signifying his the undiminished pride of his people. He stepped down from formal leadership in 2011 but is still recognized as the world's moral leader of our time.
Element Three: Narrative and mythic
The Life and legend of the Buddha
Though the Buddha is an important historical figure, what we know about his life and deeds was passage down by word of mouth for several hundred years after his death before it was put on paper. That being said, we have very few factual details of the Buddha. The few stories we have of his doings were taken down, not by historians, but rather by storyteller poets. Siddhartha Gautama is generally regarded as the one who became the Buddha (“the awakened one”), he lived during the fifth century BCE.
It is said that Siddhartha was raised in a life of luxury and was discontent with this luxury's apparent value. The legend goes that, “the gods arranged for him to see, four sights that his father had tried to hide from him: a bent old man, a sick person, a dead person, and a mendicant seeking lasting happiness rather than temporal pleasure.” Following this Siddhartha left his life of abundance in search of total liberation from suffering.
He underwent several years of intense self-denial, in accordance with Indian sannyasins. He was not pleased with the results and claimed that one could not reach enlightenment in this manner. He then veered his efforts to a “Middle Way” that denied both self-indulgence and self-denial. As the legend goes, while deep in meditation under a tree in Bodh Gaya, he accomplished ultimate awakening. It is said that he recalled all of his previous lives and finally understood the cause of suffering and the way to put an end to it. And so began the life and teachings of the Buddha.
Element Four: Rituals
The Dharma – The Noble Eightfold Path to liberation
The Buddha was a very practical teacher, he was kind enough to leave a systematic way of separating ourselves from suffering and accomplishing the goal of enlightenment. The Noble Eightfold Path gives us a path to follow in the purification of our minds. The first aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path is right understanding. Basically, its seeing through the illusions of life, such as fame or wealth can bring happiness. We must sort through our old assumptions and see the truth for was it is.
The second aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path is right thought, which uncovers the constant stream of emotions that affect our thoughts. As we began to recognize these thoughts of self-interest or the tendency to hide negative aspects of our lives, we'll see them for what they are. Then we can begin to steer our thoughts in a more positive direction. The third aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path is right speech. The Buddha taught that to gossip, lie, or speak harshly is not the way to enlightenment. Instead, he explained communication is to be used for the goal of peace and harmony.
The fourth aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path is right action. This aspect is summed up in the Five Percepts, which are to avoid taking life, engaging in sexual misconduct, stealing, indulging in intoxicants, and lying. The fifth aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path is the right livelihood. One should ensure that your profession does not conflict with the five basic precepts. Your livelihood should not injure others or disturb social peace. The sixth aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path is the right effort. This aspect deals with continually disposing of the impurities of the mind. To put for right effort in the development of the body, mind, and speech.
The seventh aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path is right mindfulness. Right mindfulness is the way to enlightenment and requires continual diligence in the improvement of awareness. The eighth aspect and keystone to the Noble Eightfold Path is right meditation. Meditation is a daily mental exercise that is crucial in achieving a calm mind capable of seeing the true nature of things. In the words of Ajahn Chah, Meditation master of Wat Pa Pong, Thailand, “Try to be mindful, and let things take their natural course. Then your mind will become still in any surroundings, like a clear forest pool. All kinds of wonderful, rare animals will come to drink at the pool, and you will clearly see the nature of all things. You will see many strange and wonderful things come and go, but you will be still. This is the happiness of the Buddha.”
Element Five: Ethical and legal
Taboo and Sacrifice: Part one -- taboo.
The Dharma – The Noble Eightfold Path to liberation
The fourth aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path is right action. This leads us into the ethical conduct of the Five Percepts: 1) to abstain from taking life 2) to abstain from taking what is not given 3) to abstain from sensuous misconduct 4) to abstain from false speech 5) to abstain from intoxicants as tending to cloud the mind.
Part Two: Sacrifice.
There isn't much information on the Five Percepts in our books. From what I gather though, there doesn't seem to be any penalties for breaking these “rules.” The only real penalty for not following the five percepts seems to be not being about to find enlightenment. So in a way, all of these outside forces (greed, attachment, etc.) are Buddhism's taboos. The way to break free from them is to maintain control and to develop discipline in one's life.
Element Six: Material expression
Vajrayana: the indestructible path
Though these material things are not needed, some practitioners use thangkas and mandalas in there meditations. They are said to help with concentration and illumination. The mandalas represent and symbolize an imaginary palace that is thought of during meditations. And a thangka is a painting that depicts a deity or scene from the Buddhist teachings to give the person something to focus on during meditation.
Element Seven: Experiential and emotional
Nirvana
Nirvana (extinguishing) ultimate of all Buddhist practitioners. It is generally described as an “extinguishing” of the three root afflictions of attachment, aversion, and delusion. Enlightenment is said to bring about the cessation of suffering and other earthly attachments, and bring a “quietude of heart.” Once Nirvana is met, and the arhant dies, they are said to be taken in by the ultimate state of Nirvana. Since the Buddha never taught that there is an eternal soul, this is hard for me to wrap my head around. The Buddha made clear that one is not to dwell on the exact nature of Nirvana but to focus on following the steps to get there and to not be distracted with questions that don't help you along the way.
Conclusion:
I have always had a fascination with Buddhism. I'm sure this stems from all the recent research on the positive benefits of meditation and mindfulness in general. Regardless of the reason, this is way I decided to focus my attention on Buddhism, instead of picking and choosing pieces of the other religions we've studied thus far.
The study of religion through the lens of Niniam Smart's Seven Elements has been an interesting journey. I've never really thought about religion is this sense before, this structured and neatly categorized method. With religion being such a had topic to study, this system breaks these complex traditions down into a more managed pursuit. Before I began this paper, I was under the false impression that Buddhism consisted of reclusive monks spending their days in peaceful meditation. I've come to see that Buddhism has such depth and beauty, it's astounding. The Buddhist way of life encourages its followers to abstain from self-indulgence but also self-denial, to find the Middle Way; and to general interaction with ourselves the world in a peaceful manner.
In light of this paper, I've begun to pursue a personal study of Buddhism. I've recently acquired several books on the subject and look forward to furthering my knowledge and understanding of the teachings of the Buddha.
