The Third Jewel (and more)

This is going to be a short blog and close out the preamble or orientation so we can get to the meat of Buddhism.

The Sangha is the last of the three jewels. It is the community of Buddhists. Sometimes it is broadly defined as all Buddhists, sometimes more narrowly as the monks or nuns in a monastery and sometimes very narrowly as the Buddhists that have achieved the awakened state.  I think it could be thought of in the same way as Christians talk about the church. It is the group of people that are your brothers and sisters. The need for love and belonging runs very deep. Even someone who likes to be independent and alone has a powerful need to be connected to a group. Maybe not a lot of people and maybe not very often but they need it as much as food or water.

Buddhism is divided into three major groups or traditions. The Theravada (Hinayana,) the Mahayana and the Tantric. I may have to learn a lot more before I can talk about these schools. The basic difference is that one school believes that all can achieve this enlightened state and another says that only some can while a third say it can be achieved through ritualistic almost magical acts.

So what is the Sangha centered about? What core beliefs hold them together? What is the Dharma? The Four Noble Truths is really the next lesson but I had so little to say I am going to start with that now.

The first is that there is suffering. Well duh. I can't imagine anyone arguing with this. The word used is "Dukkha" but the English translation is normally "Suffering." It is not just the pain we experience when bad things happen it is also the sense of dissatisfaction we can have in life. We always seem to think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

The second noble truth is there is a cause. In some places I have read the cause being named selfishness in other places I have read it as the self or the ego.  In any case the reason that we experience suffering comes from our own mind. According to Buddhism, our suffering comes about because our mind deludes itself and because of these delusions, we engage in actions that cause problems to ourselves and others. With every negative action (karma) we do, we create a potential for negative experiences. A couple of the main delusions we engage in are attachment and anger. In these states we cannot see what is happening accurately and make bad decisions about what we ought to do. When we are angry we do not see the person as they are but as worse than they are. We say harsh things to them and about them and cause them suffering and for ourselves as well.

The third noble truth is that by removing the cause we can remove the effect. So if we can develop a mind that does not engage in delusional thinking we will not engage in behavior that causes suffering for ourselves or others. Sounds pretty simple so how do we do this?

The fourth noble truth lays out an eightfold path that if followed will rid ourselves of these self created delusions and reduce even eliminate suffering.

(copied from website)

1. Correct thought: avoiding covetousness, the wish to harm others and wrong views (like thinking: actions have no consequences, I never have any problems, there are no ways to end suffering etc.)
2. Correct speech: avoid lying, divisive and harsh speech and idle gossip.
3. Correct actions: avoid killing, stealing and sexual misconduct
4. Correct livelihood: try to make a living with the above attitude of thought, speech and actions.
5. Correct understanding: developing genuine wisdom.
6. Correct effort: after the first real step we need joyful perseverance to continue.
7. Correct mindfulness: try to be aware of the "here and now", instead of dreaming in the "there and then".
8. Correct concentration: to keep a steady, calm and attentive state of mind.