Module-7.docx

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS (Week 10) | 1
Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region XI
City Schools Division of Digos
INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS
MODULE 7 (Week 10)
Name:
Grade 11 / Section:
Date Submitted:
LEARNING COMPETENCY: Explain: The core teaching of Theravada Buddhism isthat life is suffering; suffering
is due to craving; there is a way to overcome craving; and the way to overcome craving is the Eight-fold Path,
the Middle Way (between pleasure and mortification). (HUMSS_WRB12-II/IVb-9.3).
LEARNING TARGET
1.1. Discuss the elements of Theravada Buddhism: a. Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.)
b. Sacred texts: Tripitaka c. Doctrines: Four Noble Truths, Eight-fold Path, Law of Dependent
Origination and The Impermanence of Things d. God: non-theistic e. Issue: Territory conflict in
Mainland Southeast Asia.
1.2. State the Four Noble Truths and evaluate the Eight-Fold path in terms of how it achieves the Middle
Way.
1.3. Give examples of situations that demonstrate cravings which may lead to suffering according to
Theravada Buddhism.
LEARNING CONCEPT
A. What is Theravada Buddhism?
Buddhism consists of the teaching of Lord Gautama Buddha who lived in Northern India during the sixth
and fifth centuries BC. The word Buddha means the “Awakened One” or the “Enlightened One”. Prince
Siddhartha, who eventually became Gautama Buddha, was confronted with realities of life such as sickness,
old age, and death for the first time in his life at the age of twenty-nine years. Following these experiences,
prince Siddhartha became disenchanted with life and left his royal palace to become a homeless ascetic in
search of an explanation and a way out of human suffering.
For the next six years ascetic Gautama searched for a way out of human suffering. While meditating on the
mindfulness of breathing (anapanasati) under a Bodhi tree (ficus religiosa) at a place now known as Bodh
Gaya in India, ascetic Gautama attained full enlightenment on the full moon day of the month of May at the
age of thirty-five years. Enlightenment was attained through the realization of the four Noble Truths by His
own effort with no help from a teacher thus becoming a Samma Sambuddha known as Lord Gautama
Buddha.

In His very first sermon called “Dhamma Chakkappavattana Sutta”,meaning “Turning the Wheel of the Truth”
to the five ascetic companions the Buddha expounded the four Noble Truths that He realized during the
process of enlightenment.
Of the sects that arose after the Buddha’s death, what we now call Theravada, the “way of the elders,” is the
solesurviving strand. As the oldestof the three mainBuddhisttraditions, it is the one most closely associated
withthe teachingsof the historical Buddha.Theschool is rooted in the Tipitaka (Sanskrit,Tripitaka),“the three
baskets,” three collections of texts. Collected in the Tipitaka are some of the earliest known Buddhist texts:
the Suttas (Sanskrit, sutras), accounts of hundreds of oral teachings given by the Buddha and his senior
disciples;theVinaya,rules of the monasticorder;and the Abhidhamma (Sanskrit,Abhidharma),later scholarly
commentaries on the teachings. Together they form the Pali canon, a collection of foundational texts that
comprise the doctrinal basis of Theravada.
Theravada rests on core Buddhist teachings including the four noble truths and eightfold path to
enlightenment, the three jewels (Buddha, dharma, and sangha), and concepts such as impermanence, non-
self, karma, rebirth, and dependent origination (the co-arising of phenomena), along with ethical precepts
and the meditation practices of samatha (calmabiding) and vipassana (insight).
Although the Buddha set out ethical guidelines for lay practitioners, Theravada is essentially a monastic
tradition, emphasizing vows of renunciation and self-purification. For the Theravadin, the spiritual ideal is
the arahant (Sanskrit, arhat), or “accomplishedone,” who through solitary effort attains nirvana—liberation
from the suffering of cyclic existence that marks samsara, or worldly life. In classical Theravada, a layperson
could become a “stream-enterer”—the first of four levels of attainment on the path to enlightenment. But
the disciplined lifeof a monastic was deemed essential to reach the highest level—a non-returner like the
Buddha, whose “final nirvana” experienced at his death freed him from rebirth.
Theravada has sometimes been called “Southern Buddhism”: from its origins in northern India, it fanned out
across southern Asia and today remains the predominant form of Buddhism practicedin Sri Lanka,
Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, and it is also practiced in Europe, the Americas, and
beyond.
Elements
a. Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.)
b. Sacred texts: Tripitaka
c. Doctrines: Four Noble Truths, Eight-fold Path, Law of Dependent Origination and The Impermanence of
Things
d. God: non-theistic
e. Issue: Territory conflict in Mainland Southeast Asia.
B. Core Teachings
The core of Theravāda Buddhist doctrine is contained in the Pāli Canon, the only complete collection of
Early Buddhist texts surviving in a classical Indic language. These basic Buddhist ideas are shared by the other
Early Buddhist schools as well as by Mahayana traditions. They include central concepts such as:
The Middle Way, which is seen as having two major facets. First, it is a middle path between extreme
asceticismandsensual indulgence. It is also seen as a middle view between the idea that at death beings
are annihilated and the idea that there is an eternal self (Pali: atta).
The Four Noble Truths, which state, in brief: (1) There is dukkha sacca (universal suffering, unease); (2)
There is a cause or origin of dukkha (suffering), samudaya sacca, mainly craving (tanha); (3) The removal
of craving leads to the end (nirodha) of suffering, nirodha sacca, and (4) there is a path (magga sacca)
to follow to bring this about (leading to the end of suffering).
Birth, ageing, illness, death, sorrow, lamentation, grief, pain, and despair are sufferings. To be
connected withwhatonedislikesissuffering.Tobe separated fromwhatonelikesis suffering. Not getting
what one desires is suffering. – In short, the five aggregates of clinging are suffering.
Buddha described threetypes of craving. Craving forsensepleasures (kama-tanha), Craving for
becomingor existence(bhava-tanha),Cravingfornon– becoming or non – existence (vibhava-tanha)
The Buddha has described desire for sense pleasure and desire for continued existence in another group
of four mental defilements or mental effluents known as cankers, taints or fermentations (asava): Desire

for sense-pleasure (kamasava), Desire for continued existence (bhavasava), False views (ditthasava),
Ignorance (avijjasava).
Craving for sense pleasures and existence can exist as latent tendencies and are the first and the sixth
respectively of the seven latent tendencies (anusaya dhamma). They are called latent as they have the
tendency to remain dormant in the subconscious mind life after life until they are completely eradicated
by attaining the state of Nibbana. In response to sense objects received through the sense doors the
latent tendencies initiate obsessions at the conscious level and unwholesome verbal and bodily actions
at the gross level.
Seven latent tendencies (anusaya)
1. Latent tendencyof desire forsense pleasures(kamaraganusaya)
2. Latenttendency of aversion(patighanusaya)
3. Latenttendency of conceit(mananusaya)
4. Latent tendencyof wrong view(ditthanusaya)
5. Latenttendencyof doubt (vicikiccanusaya)
6. Latenttendency of desire forexistence (bhava-raganusaya)
7. Latent tendencyof ignorance (avijjanusaya) (4)
The Buddha has described ten mental impurities or fetters (dasa samyojana), which act as chains or
shackles to keep sentient beings bound to the cycle of birth and death (samsara):
Theten fetters (dasasamyojana)
1. Self identityview(sakkaya ditthi)
2. Sceptical doubt(vicikicca)
3. Attachmentto mererites andrituals (silabbata paramasa)
4. Sensual desire (kama raga)
5. Ill-will (patigha)
6. Desire to be born in fine material worlds (rupa raga)
7. Desire to be born in formlessworlds(arupa raga)
8. Conceit(mana)
9. Restlessness(uddacca)
10. Ignorance (avijja)
Craving has been described as one of the three mental actions among the ten unwholesome actions.
Here, it is termed covetousness (abhidya) which is the craving to have things that belonged to someone
else.
Ten unwholesome actions: Killing any living beings, Stealing or taking what is not given, Sexual misconduct,
False speech, Slanderous speech, Harsh speech, Idle chattering, Covetousness, Ill-will, Wrong view.
The Noble EightfoldPath, one of the mainoutlinesof the Buddhist pathto awakening. The eight factors
are: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right
Mindfulness, and Right Samadhi.
These eight factors aim at promoting and perfecting the three essentials of Buddhist training and
discipline: namely: (a) ethical conduct (sila), (b) mental discipline (samadhi) and (c) wisdom (panna).
The practice of taking refuge in the "Triple Gems": the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Saṅgha.
The framework of Dependent Arising (paṭiccasamuppāda), which explains how suffering arises (beginning
with ignorance and ending in birth, old age and death) and how suffering can be brought to an end.
A doctrine of Karma (action), which is based on intention (cetana) and a related doctrine of rebirth which
holds that after death, sentient beings which are not fully awakened will transmigrateto another body, possibly
in another realm of existence. Furthermore, the type of realm one will be reborn in is determined by the beings
past karma. This cyclical universe filled with birth and death is named samsara.
The doctrine of impermanence (anicca), whichholdsthat all physical andmental phenomena are transient,
unstable and inconstant.
The doctrine of not-self (anatta), which holds that all the constituents of a person, namely, the five
aggregates (physical form, feelings, perceptions, intentions and consciousness), are empty of a self (atta), since
they areimpermanentandnotalwaysunderourcontrol.Therefore, there is no unchanging substance, permanent
self, soul, or essence.
A further rejection of other doctrinesand practicesfound in Brahmanical Hinduism, including the idea that
the Vedas are a divine authority. Any form of sacrifices to the gods (including animal sacrifices) and ritual

purification by bathing are considered useless and spiritually corrupted. The Pāli texts also reject the idea that
castes are divinely ordained.
Various frameworks for the practice of mindfulness(sati), mainly, the four satipatthanas(establishmentsof
mindfulness) and the 16 elements of anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing).
The Five Hindrances (pañca nīvaraṇāni), which are obstacles to meditation: (1) sense desire, (2) hostility,
(3) sloth and torpor, (4) restlessness and worry and (5) doubt.
The corruptions or influxes (āsavas), such as the corruption of sensual pleasures (kāmāsava), existence-
corruption (bhavāsava), and ignorance-corruption (avijjāsava).
Descriptions of various meditative practices or states, namely the four jhanas (meditative absorptions)
and the formless dimensions (arupāyatana).
The six sense bases (saḷāyatana) and a corresponding theory of sense impression (phassa) and
consciousness (viññana).
Ethical training (sila) including the ten courses of wholesome action and the five precepts.
The Seven Aidsto Awakening (satta bojjhaṅgā):mindfulness(sati),investigation(dhamma vicaya),energy
(viriya), bliss (pīti), relaxation (passaddhi), samādhi, and equanimity (upekkha).
A set of major teachings called the bodhipakkhiyādhammā(factors conducive to awakening).
The Four Divine Abodes (brahmavihārā), also known as the four immeasurables (appamaññā)
Nirvana (Pali: nibbana), the highest good and final goal in Theravāda Buddhism. It is the complete and
final end of suffering, a state of perfection. It is also the end of all rebirths, but it is not an annihilation
(uccheda).
The Pali Cannon (tipitaka) is divided into three parts, the sutta pitaka, the vinaya pitaka, and the
adhidamm pitaka. The Canon contains what is needed to show the path of nirvana. The sutta pitaka
consists of written recolections of Buddha’s sermons, the vinaya pitaka is the list of monastic rules, and
the adhidamm pitaka contains lists and summaries of Buddhist philosophy. Buddha’s teaching and the
lived knowledge of those teaching becomes crucial for Theravada Buddhists, because without those
teachings and experiences enlightenment would be unattainable. The text underscores all other
traditions, and yet not all laypeople are scholars of the canon, the monks control the understanding of
the Pali Canon, which births the concepts of samsara and nirvana, the monastic traditions, and is the
ultimate guide for following the 8-fold path.
EVALUATION
Encircle the letter of your choice.
1. This term is called for the enlightened one.
A. Sacca B. Buddha C. Nirvana D. Pali Cannon
2. The complete and end of suffering.
3. It speaks of the ultimate truth.
4. These things are needed to show the path to the end of sufferings.
5. Suffering in childbearing.
A. magga sacca B. dukkha sacca C. nirodha sacca D. samudaya sacca
6. The death of a loved one.
7. One must be able to clear his/her mind, de-attach any feelings to thoughts, and walk the path of
enlightenment.
8. This means the end of suffering.
9. It helps an individual realize that the cause of suffering is greed or desire.
10. The truth tells us that it is the attachment to what we desire that gets us into trouble.
11. This tells us to stop the feeling of cravings.
12. This noble truth breaks the cycle of suffering.
A. magga sacca B. dukkha sacca C. nirodha sacca D. samudaya sacc

References:
Altaweel, M. (2020). Geography of Beliefs. https://www.geographyrealm.com/geography-of-beliefs
Cornelio, JS Et al. (2016). Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems. Rex Book Store, Inc.
856 Nicanor Reyes St. Sampaloc, Manila.
Jose, MD & J. Ong (2016). Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems. Vibal Group, Inc.
1253 Gregorio Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.
“Religious Denomination.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Feb. 2020.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sect
Villamor S. Quebral, Ed.D. 2018. Pathways of Devotion: An Introduction to World Great Religions.
Quezon City. Lorimar Publishing Inc,
To God be all the glory, honor, and praises forever.
13. This truth can lead one to reach Nirvana.
A. magga sacca B. dukkha sacca C. nirodha sacca D. samudaya sacc
14. This is the way to awakening.
A. Nirvana B. Buddha C. Eightfold Path D. Pali Cannon
15. All thoughts of selfish desire, ill-will, hatred, and violence are the result of a lack of _ .
A. wisdom B. mental discipline C. ethical conduct D. Pali Cannon
16. helps one to be aware whether one’s mind is lustful or not, given to hatred or not, deluded or
not, distracted or concentrated, etc.
17. This helps one to have the abstention (1) from telling lies, (2) from backbiting and slander and talk
that may bring about hatred, enmity, disunity, and disharmony among individuals or groups of
people, (3) from harsh, rude, impolite, malicious, and abusive language, and (4) from idle, useless, and
foolish babble and gossip.
18. This helps one to aim at promoting moral, honorable, and peaceful existence.
19. When the mind is trained and disciplined and developed through right effort, right mindfulness, and
right concentration, there is .
20. This refers to a systematic and most complete collection of early Buddhist sacred literature.

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