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Ivan Frimmel presents
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Basic Terms & Concepts
in Mysticism & Buddhism
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Abhidharma
Higher Dharma, extra DharmaHigher Dharma, extra Dharma (Buddhas(Buddhas
Teachings): The third division of the baskets ofTeachings): The third division of the baskets of
Buddhist Canon of the Theravada & MahayanaBuddhist Canon of the Theravada & Mahayana
Schools; a commentary and analysis on theSchools; a commentary and analysis on the
sermons and sutras;sermons and sutras;
Philosophical and psychological texts, compiledPhilosophical and psychological texts, compiledafterBuddhas death, they are a complex analysisafterBuddhas death, they are a complex analysis
of mind and matter, and contain an entire systemof mind and matter, and contain an entire system
of mind trainingof mind training
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Absolute, the Absolute
that which exists in and by itself without necessary relationthat which exists in and by itself without necessary relationto anything else;to anything else;
the Ultimate; Unconditioned; Nonthe Ultimate; Unconditioned; Non--dual;dual;
that which is exempted from any limitation, perfect; hencethat which is exempted from any limitation, perfect; hencealso ineffable, unthinkable, indeterminable;also ineffable, unthinkable, indeterminable;
in theistic religionsin theistic religions: God; Brahman in Hinduism; Tao in: God; Brahman in Hinduism; Tao inTaoism; MatterTaoism; Matter--Energy, or SpaceEnergy, or Space--Time in the science;Time in the science;
in philosophyin philosophy: the Absolute is the ultimate terminus or: the Absolute is the ultimate terminus orreferent of all thought; the opposite of Relative;referent of all thought; the opposite of Relative;
in metaphysics:in metaphysics: All; World Ground; Being; Self; VoidAll; World Ground; Being; Self; Void
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Acarya / Acharya
teacher or masterteacher or master
AjahnAjahn
a meditation mastera meditation masterin Thai Buddhist orderin Thai Buddhist order
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Advaita
in Sanskrit =in Sanskrit = nonnon--twoness; nontwoness; non--duality;duality; in philosophy =in philosophy =monism;monism; in metaphysicsin metaphysics = Oneness;= Oneness;
Advaita is the Vedantic doctrine ofAdvaita is the Vedantic doctrine ofnonnon--dualityduality orormonismmonismadvocatedby Sankara, whichholds thatadvocatedby Sankara, whichholds that
the Absolute can be personal and qualified (Saguna Brahman) inthe Absolute can be personal and qualified (Saguna Brahman) inrelation to the world, especially the philosophically untutored,butrelation to the world, especially the philosophically untutored,butsuprasupra--personal or impersonal and unqualified (Nirguna Brahman)personal or impersonal and unqualified (Nirguna Brahman)in Itself;in Itself;
the world and the individual is only relatively (phenomenally) real;the world and the individual is only relatively (phenomenally) real;
salvation consists in insight (salvation consists in insight (jnanajnana) after dispelling the illusion) after dispelling the illusion((mayamaya) of separateness from the Real, or One Divine Self) of separateness from the Real, or One Divine Self
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Ahamkara
II--ing, Iing, I--making, egotismmaking, egotism;;
having or making the feeling ofI ;having or making the feeling ofI ;
a cruder, stronger sense of egoa cruder, stronger sense of ego
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Ahimsa
nonnon--harming; nonharming; non--killing; nonkilling; non--violenceviolence;;
one of the most important aspects of theone of the most important aspects of the
Hindu & Buddhist spiritual attitude andHindu & Buddhist spiritual attitude andpractice;practice;
the rule of vegetarianism among Hindus &the rule of vegetarianism among Hindus &
Buddhists is based on this principleBuddhists is based on this principle
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Alaya Vijnana
Alaya Consciousness; Eight Consciousness;Alaya Consciousness; Eight Consciousness;
Store Consciousness; Karma RepositoryStore Consciousness; Karma Repository;;
in Buddhist terminology regarded as thatin Buddhist terminology regarded as that
whichundergoes the cycle ofbirth & death,whichundergoes the cycle ofbirth & death,
and influences all other types ofand influences all other types ofconsciousnessconsciousness
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Amitabha Buddha ChineseChinese Omitofo,Omitofo, JapaneseJapanese Amida,Amida, VietnameseVietnamese AA--DiDi--Da,Da, the Buddhathe Buddha
of Infinite Light & Infinite Life the archetype of cosmic compassion,of Infinite Light & Infinite Life the archetype of cosmic compassion,venerated by all Mahayana Schools, especially Pure Land;venerated by all Mahayana Schools, especially Pure Land;
Presides over the Western Pure Land (Land of Ultimate Bliss), where,Presides over the Western Pure Land (Land of Ultimate Bliss), where,according to Buddhas promise in the Amitabha Sutra, anyone can beaccording to Buddhas promise in the Amitabha Sutra, anyone can bereborn through sincere and singlereborn through sincere and single--minded recitation ofhis name;minded recitation ofhis name;
Symbolically,Symbolically, AmitabhaAmitabha is Higher Self , Selfis Higher Self , Self--Nature or True MindNature or True Mind
common to all Buddhas and sentient beings. This deepercommon to all Buddhas and sentient beings. This deeperunderstanding provides the rationale forharmonization of Zen & Pureunderstanding provides the rationale forharmonization of Zen & PureLandLand
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Anatman, anatta
nonnon--self; nonself; non--egoego;;
absence of a permanent, unchanging self orabsence of a permanent, unchanging self orsoul;soul;
nonnon--substantiality of all things andsubstantiality of all things andelementselements
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Anicca, aniccata
anicca =anicca = impermanentimpermanent
aniccata =aniccata = impermanenceimpermanence
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Arahant
Worthy One, one far from defilement, oneWorthy One, one far from defilement, onewho has broken the wheel of birth & death,who has broken the wheel of birth & death,one without secretsone without secrets;;
the mind totally and finally free from greed,the mind totally and finally free from greed,anger and delusion, void of I and mine;anger and delusion, void of I and mine;
One whichhas ended karma, and isOne whichhas ended karma, and isunaffectedby dukkha (suffering)unaffectedby dukkha (suffering)
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Atman
Sanskrit for Sanskrit for soulsoul , in Pali: , in Pali: attaatta;;
Buddha revealed the nonBuddha revealed the non--existence of egoexistence of ego
(see:(see: anatmananatman, or, oranattaanatta))
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Avidya
ignoranceignorance
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Being
in early Greek philosophy:in early Greek philosophy: BeingBeingisisopposed toopposed to BecomingBecoming;;
in mysticism:in mysticism: Being often refers to God,Being often refers to God,but some mystics point out that God, thebut some mystics point out that God, theAbsolute, is beyond all dualistic notionsAbsolute, is beyond all dualistic notionssuch as being & nonsuch as being & non--being;being;
in Spinoza:in Spinoza: that which isthat which is
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Bhiksu / Bhikku
Buddhist monkBuddhist monk
Bhiksuni / BhikkhuniBhiksuni / Bhikkhuni
Buddhist nunBuddhist nun
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Bodhi Mind / Boddhicitta
Great MindGreat Mind, the precondition forBuddhahood:, the precondition forBuddhahood:
The spirit of EnlightenmentThe spirit of Enlightenment
The aspiration to achieve EnlightenmentThe aspiration to achieve Enlightenment
The Mind set of EnlightenmentThe Mind set of Enlightenment
The determination to achieve BuddhahoodThe determination to achieve Buddhahood The aspiration to rescue all BeingsThe aspiration to rescue all Beings
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Bodhisattva
one who aspires to Supreme Enlightenmentone who aspires to Supreme EnlightenmentandBuddhahood for him/herself and for allandBuddhahood for him/herself and for all
human beingshuman beings;;
This term can apply to either to:This term can apply to either to:
realizedbeings such as Avalokiteshvara, or torealizedbeings such as Avalokiteshvara, or to anyone who developed the Bodhi Mind, i.e. theanyone who developed the Bodhi Mind, i.e. the
aspiration to rescue self & othersaspiration to rescue self & others
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Buddhism
a religion, philosophy, soteriology anda religion, philosophy, soteriology and
way of life that was developed in Northway of life that was developed in North--
Eastern India from the teachings of a manEastern India from the teachings of a man
called Siddartha Gautama,born about 624called Siddartha Gautama,born about 624
BCE as a prince in a Hindu royal familyBCE as a prince in a Hindu royal family
called Sakyamuni, who afterhiscalled Sakyamuni, who afterhis
enlightenmentbecame known as Buddha,enlightenmentbecame known as Buddha,
the Enlightened One.the Enlightened One.
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Dharma
the teachings of the Buddhas;the teachings of the Buddhas;
law, doctrine;law, doctrine;
things, events, phenomenathings, events, phenomena
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Dukkha
pain, hurt, illpain, hurt, ill--being, suffering, misery;being, suffering, misery;
dukkhatadukkhata = unsatisfactoriness, imperfection= unsatisfactoriness, imperfection
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God
in theistic religionsin theistic religions: term used for the Ultimate or: term used for the Ultimate or
Absolute Being, usually conceived as personal, orAbsolute Being, usually conceived as personal, or
not less than personal: Jehovah, Saguna Brahman,not less than personal: Jehovah, Saguna Brahman,
Allah, etc;Allah, etc;
in philosophy, Hinduism, mysticism andin philosophy, Hinduism, mysticism and
pantheism:pantheism: God could also be ImpersonalGod could also be Impersonal
Absolute: Nirguna Brahman, Self, Tao, One,Absolute: Nirguna Brahman, Self, Tao, One,Ultimate Reality, Impersonal Absolute, etcUltimate Reality, Impersonal Absolute, etc
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Karma
actionaction;;
actions ofbody, speech and mind due toactions ofbody, speech and mind due to
wholesome and unwholesome volitions: goodwholesome and unwholesome volitions: goodvolitions and actionsbring good results andbadvolitions and actionsbring good results andbad
volitions and actionsbad results;volitions and actionsbad results;
the Buddha taught the noble eightfold path to endthe Buddha taught the noble eightfold path to endall karma, which ends Samsara and the doerall karma, which ends Samsara and the doer
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Koan
Zen riddleZen riddle
e.g.e.g. What is the sound of one handWhat is the sound of one hand
clapping?clapping? often given to a Zen student byoften given to a Zen student by
his master, unraveling of which may bringhis master, unraveling of which may bring
about sudden enlightenment for theabout sudden enlightenment for thestudentstudent
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Mandala
Sanskrit word for aSanskrit word for a magic circlemagic circle, which canbe, which canbe
applied to a variety of concentric figures;applied to a variety of concentric figures;
in Eastern religions, especially in Tibetanin Eastern religions, especially in Tibetan
Buddhism,Buddhism, mandalamandala is used as a help tois used as a help to
contemplation, and as a symbol of the deitycontemplation, and as a symbol of the deity
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Mantra a prescribed sacred formulaa prescribed sacred formula, originally only in Eastern mystical religions,, originally only in Eastern mystical religions,
often passed down from a guru(teacher) as an aid to meditation oroften passed down from a guru(teacher) as an aid to meditation orcontemplation;contemplation;
examples ofexamples ofa mantraa mantra::
OmOm ororAUMAUM(Hindu)(Hindu)
Hari Krishna, Hari Krishna,Hari Krishna, Hari Krishna,
Krishna Krishna, Hari Hari;Krishna Krishna, Hari Hari;
Hari Rama, Hari Rama,Hari Rama, Hari Rama,
Rama Rama, Hari HariRama Rama, Hari Hari
Om Mani Padme HumOm Mani Padme Hum (Tibetan)(Tibetan)
Lord Jesus, son ofGod,Lord Jesus, son ofGod,
have mercy on me, a sinnerhave mercy on me, a sinner(Jesus Prayer or mantra)(Jesus Prayer or mantra)
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Maya
illusionillusion;;
not necessarily meaning something whichnot necessarily meaning something which
does not exist at all, but something that isdoes not exist at all, but something that isseen incorrectly, without proper insight intoseen incorrectly, without proper insight into
its true natureits true nature
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Moksha
liberationliberation
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Muni
sage; wise mansage; wise man
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Mystic Union / Unio Mystica
the state of the soul in union (i.e. yoga) withthe state of the soul in union (i.e. yoga) with
God through contemplationGod through contemplation
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Nirvana
coolness; quenchingcoolness; quenching;;
the Absolute, the Supreme, the Ultimate Reality inthe Absolute, the Supreme, the Ultimate Reality in
BuddhismBuddhism the goal of all Buddhist practice, andthe goal of all Buddhist practice, andthe potential of all humanity;the potential of all humanity;
when the fires of defilement, attachment,when the fires of defilement, attachment,
selfishness and suffering are permanently cooledselfishness and suffering are permanently cooled
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Noumenon
UltimateInner Truth; Absolute Reality;UltimateInner Truth; Absolute Reality;
the Absolute; Essence of all things;the Absolute; Essence of all things;
thethe--thingthing--itselfitself;;
apparent opposite of all phenomena (of theapparent opposite of all phenomena (of thethingsthings--asas--theythey--appear),beyond all duality andappear),beyond all duality andmultiplicitymultiplicity
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One
in many mystical teachings and philosophies:in many mystical teachings and philosophies: OneOne
is synonymous withis synonymous with God, Absolute, UltimateGod, Absolute, Ultimate
Reality, SelfReality, Self
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Ouroboros
Snake devouring its own tailSnake devouring its own tail;;
in mysticism:in mysticism: symbol for infinity;symbol for infinity;
in philosophy:in philosophy: a symbol ofunity of opposites,a symbol ofunity of opposites,
and paradox;and paradox;
in psychology:in psychology: a symbol of intertwining ofa symbol of intertwining ofmale & female, conscious & unconscious,male & female, conscious & unconscious,
positive & negative energiespositive & negative energies
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Pure Land Buddhism
school ofBuddhism in East Asia whichschool ofBuddhism in East Asia which
emphasizes these aspects of Mahayana Buddhism:emphasizes these aspects of Mahayana Buddhism:
stressing faith in Amitabha Buddha;stressing faith in Amitabha Buddha;
meditation and recitation ofhis name;meditation and recitation ofhis name;
the religious goal ofbeing reborn in his Purethe religious goal ofbeing reborn in his Pure
Land or WesternP
aradise, as promised in theLand or WesternP
aradise, as promised in theAmitabha SutraAmitabha Sutra
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Reality
that which undeniably isthat which undeniably is (and, as some(and, as some
mystics would saymystics would say: which also includes: which also includes
that which is not);that which is not);
the absoluteness ofBeing; Existencethe absoluteness ofBeing; Existence;;
that which is true; a factthat which is true; a fact
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Reincarnation
the passing (ofAlaya Consciousness) fromthe passing (ofAlaya Consciousness) from
one body to be reborn in anotherbodyone body to be reborn in anotherbody
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Rishi
seerseer
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Samadhi
Hindu and Buddhist name forHindu and Buddhist name forabsorption inabsorption ina mystical consciousnessa mystical consciousness of Oneness orof Oneness or
Union with GodUnion with God the object of yoga;the object of yoga;
very high level of concentration;very high level of concentration;collectedness; mental absorptioncollectedness; mental absorption;;
secure establishment of the mind, thesecure establishment of the mind, thegathering together of all mental flowgathering together of all mental flow
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Samsara
Buddhist term forBuddhist term forthe flux of phenomenathe flux of phenomena
and forand forthe endless cycle of repeated birththe endless cycle of repeated birth
& death& death, from which one is trying to escape, from which one is trying to escapethrough following Dharma and enteringthrough following Dharma and entering
NirvanaNirvana
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Sangha
community ofBuddhist monasticscommunity ofBuddhist monastics (monks &(monks &
nuns); ornuns); or
community of fellow Buddhists at largecommunity of fellow Buddhists at large
(monastics and lay people)(monastics and lay people)
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Sat-Chit-Ananda
in Hindu thought:in Hindu thought: BeingBeing--AwarenessAwareness--BlissBliss
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Satori
in Zen (Japanese):in Zen (Japanese): enlightenmentenlightenment
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Silence
in Christian mysticism:in Christian mysticism: God is in silence, not speechGod is in silence, not speech;;
in Hinduism:in Hinduism: mounamouna = silence (many gurus, e.g. Sri= silence (many gurus, e.g. SriRamana Maharshi, taught in silence);Ramana Maharshi, taught in silence);
in Buddhism:in Buddhism: Noble SilenceNoble Silence speaking only whenspeaking only whennecessary;necessary;
one of the most profound lessons Buddha gave wasone of the most profound lessons Buddha gave waswhen he sat withhis disciples in silence, holding up awhen he sat withhis disciples in silence, holding up aflower; only Kashyapa understood & smiled and got theflower; only Kashyapa understood & smiled and got theflowerflower this is probably how Chan / Zen beganthis is probably how Chan / Zen began
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Skandhas
componentscomponents ororaggregatesaggregates representingbody andrepresentingbody andmind;mind;
According to Buddhist teachings, there areAccording to Buddhist teachings, there are5 Skandhas5 Skandhas::
FormForm
FeelingFeeling
ConceptionConception ImpulseImpulse
ConsciousnessConsciousness
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Sunyata
voidness, emptiness, novoidness, emptiness, no--thingness; absolutethingness; absolutenothingnessnothingness == kokorikokori in Japanese;in Japanese;
all things, without any exception, are voidall things, without any exception, are voidof self and belonging to self, are void orof self and belonging to self, are void orfree of I & mine;free of I & mine;
it also refers to mind which is void of greed,it also refers to mind which is void of greed,anger and delusionanger and delusion
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Sunyata and Wu-Wei, Wu Hsin & Wu-Nien
SunyataSunyata ororwuwu ((kokorokokoro orormumu in Japanese)in Japanese)
== absolute emptiness, voidnessabsolute emptiness, voidness
WuWu--weiwei == nono--actionaction
WuWu--hsinhsin == nono--mindmind
WuWu--niennien == nono--thoughtthought
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Sunyata the element beyond all elements
Sunyata is not aSunyata is not a material / formmaterial / form element (matter)element (matter)
Sunyata is not anSunyata is not an immaterial / formlessimmaterial / formless element (energy, spirit, earth,element (energy, spirit, earth,water, fire, wind, consciousness, or empty space)water, fire, wind, consciousness, or empty space)
Sunyata is not aSunyata is not a changingchanging elementelement
Sunnyata is not anSunnyata is not an unchangingunchanging elementelement
Buddha called itBuddha called it
the elementbeyond all elementsthe elementbeyond all elements
the coolness or quenching or deathless elementthe coolness or quenching or deathless element
the state free of I and minethe state free of I and mine
the state of renunciation, or nonthe state of renunciation, or non--grasping:grasping:
renunciation of materiality and sensualityrenunciation of materiality and sensuality
renunciation of immaterialityrenunciation of immateriality
and finally:and finally: -- the renunciation of renunciation.the renunciation of renunciation.
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Tathagata
one gone to Thusness, Thusone gone to Thusness, Thus--gonegone--one,one,
ThusThus--comecome--oneone the term used by Buddhathe term used by Buddha
himself when referring to himself;himself when referring to himself;
also used, occasionally, forArahants inalso used, occasionally, forArahants in
generalgeneral
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Tathata
thusness, suchness, justthusness, suchness, just--likelike--thatthat--nessness;;
neither this nor thatneither this nor that((NetiNeti--NetiNeti in Sanskrit),in Sanskrit),
the reality of nonthe reality of non--dualityduality
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The Main Schools ofBuddhism
TheravadaTheravada
MahayanaMahayana Pure LandPure Land
Chan / ZenChan / Zen
Vajrayana / TibetanVajrayana / Tibetan
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The Three Universal Truths
1.1. Annica:Annica: Everything in life is impermanentEverything in life is impermanent
and constantly changing.and constantly changing.
2.2. Dukkha:Dukkha: Because nothing is permanent, lifeBecause nothing is permanent, life
is unsatisfactory and full of suffering.is unsatisfactory and full of suffering.
3.3. Anatta:Anatta: There is no eternal soul orThere is no eternal soul or
permanent self; egopermanent self; ego--lessness; nonlessness; non--ego.ego.
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The Triple Gem & Three RefugesBuddhists are united in theirbelief in the:Buddhists are united in theirbelief in the:
BuddhaBuddha
DharmaDharma (Buddhas teachings)(Buddhas teachings)
SanghaSangha (Buddhist community)(Buddhist community)
Because these are also the sources ofhelp and support to the believers, they are alsoBecause these are also the sources ofhelp and support to the believers, they are also
known as theknown as the Three Refuges:Three Refuges:
I go to theI go to the BuddhaBuddha as my refugeas my refuge
I go to theI go to the DharmaDharma as my refugeas my refuge
I go to theI go to the SanghaSangha as my refugeas my refuge
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Tripitaka or Tipitaka
The three baskets ofBuddhist scriptures:The three baskets ofBuddhist scriptures:
The SutrasThe Sutras = Buddhas discourses and= Buddhas discourses andsermons;sermons;
The VinayaThe Vinaya = precepts & rules for monks &= precepts & rules for monks &nuns;nuns;
The AbhidharmaThe Abhidharma = psycho= psycho--philosophical texts,philosophical texts,analysis ofbody and mind into constituentanalysis ofbody and mind into constituent
partsparts
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Via Affirmativa
the Affirmative Waythe Affirmative Way: an approach to God through: an approach to God through
positive affirmation of His attributes, i.e. He ispositive affirmation of His attributes, i.e. He is
wise, loving, omnipresent, omnipotent,wise, loving, omnipresent, omnipotent,omniscient, etc.omniscient, etc.
many theologians claim that themany theologians claim that the Via AffirmativaVia Affirmativa isis
inadequate without theinadequate without the Via NegativaVia Negativa,because it,because it
can only speak of Gods attributes, never of Godscan only speak of Gods attributes, never of Gods
eternal natureeternal nature
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10 Wholesome Courses ofAction
1.1. Generosity (Dana)Generosity (Dana)
2.2. Morality (Sila)Morality (Sila)
3.3. Meditation (Bhavana)Meditation (Bhavana)
4.4. ReverenceReverence
5.5. ServiceService
6.6. Transference of meritTransference of merit
7.7. Rejoicing in others meritRejoicing in others merit
8.8. Hearing the Doctrine / DharmaHearing the Doctrine / Dharma
9.9. Expounding the DoctrineExpounding the Doctrine
10.10. Straightening of ones own viewsStraightening of ones own views
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10 Unwholesome Courses ofAction
1.1. KillingKilling
2.2. StealingStealing
3.3. Sexual misconduct & abuse of the sensesSexual misconduct & abuse of the senses
4.
4. LyingLying
5.5. SlanderingSlandering
6.6. Harsh speechHarsh speech
7.7. Frivolous talkFrivolous talk
8.8. CovetousnessCovetousness
9.9. IllIll--willwill
10.10. False viewFalse view
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Via Negativa
the way to understandGod orUltimatethe way to understandGod orUltimate
reality through the negation of allGodsreality through the negation of allGods
attributes, or descriptions assigned to Godattributes, or descriptions assigned to God;;
NetiNeti--netineti (not this(not this -- not that) in Hinduismnot that) in Hinduism
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Vipassana
insight, seeing clearlyinsight, seeing clearly: to see directly into: to see directly into
the nature of things (e.g. Vipassanathe nature of things (e.g. Vipassana
Meditation)Meditation)
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Yin & Yang
male & femalemale & female
In Taoism: the male & female principles, unitingIn Taoism: the male & female principles, unitingin the eternal Tao; complementary rather thenin the eternal Tao; complementary rather then
oppositesopposites
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Yoga
yoke, bond, connection, mystical unionyoke, bond, connection, mystical union withwith
God, Self, Brahman, AbsoluteGod, Self, Brahman, Absolute
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Zen
The nameThe name ZenZen is Japanese. It derives from the Chineseis Japanese. It derives from the Chinese Chan'anChan'an--nana ororbrieflybriefly ChanChan,, which in turn comes from the Sanskritwhich in turn comes from the Sanskrit DhyanaDhyana,,meaningmeaningMeditationMeditation in English.in English.
ZenZen is one of thebranches of Mahayana Buddhism, very popular inis one of thebranches of Mahayana Buddhism, very popular inChina, Korea and Japan, and lately also in the West.China, Korea and Japan, and lately also in the West.
ZenZen teaches us to wake up to the present moment, that is to perceivingteaches us to wake up to the present moment, that is to perceivingthis moment exactly as it is rather than through the filter of ideas,this moment exactly as it is rather than through the filter of ideas,opinions, prejudices, appearances, etc.opinions, prejudices, appearances, etc.
ZenZen is a spiritual path that encourages practitioners to see the futilityis a spiritual path that encourages practitioners to see the futilitybehind the world of appearances. In a practical sense, it helps us to livebehind the world of appearances. In a practical sense, it helps us to livespontaneously andjoyously, as well as spiritually.spontaneously andjoyously, as well as spiritually.
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Thank YouThank You
Ivan FrimmelIvan Frimmel
Cell: 082Cell: 082--454454--03110311
EE--mail: [email protected]: [email protected]