Buddhism in a Nutshell - Appendix & Notes

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

Appendix

Concentration on Respiration: Anapana Sati
Anapana Sati is mindfulness on respiration. Ana means inhalation and Apana exhalation. Concentration on the breathing process leads to one-pointedness of the mind and ultimately to Insight which enables one to attain Sainthood or Arhatship.

The Buddha also practiced concentration on respiration before He attained Enlightenment. This harmless concentration may be practiced by any person irrespective of religious beliefs. Adopting a convenient posture, keep the body erect. Place the right hand over the left hand. Eyes may be closed or half-closed.

Buddhism in a Nutshell - Path to Nibbana

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

The Path to Nibbana

How is Nibbana to be attained?
It is by following the Noble Eightfold Path which consists of Right Understanding (samma-ditthi), Right Thoughts (samma-sankappa), Right Speech (samma-vaca), Right Actions (samma-kammanta), Right Livelihood (samma-ajiva), Right Effort (samma-vayama), Right Mindfulness (samma-sati), and Right Concentration (samma-samadhi).

Buddhism in a Nutshell - Nibbana

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

Nibbana

This process of birth and death continues ad infinitum until this flux is transmuted, so to say, to nibbanadhatu, the ultimate goal of Buddhists.

The Pali word Nibbana is formed of Ni and Vana. Ni is a negative particle and vana means lusting or craving. "It is called Nibbana, in that it is a departure from the craving which is called vana, lusting." Literally, Nibbana means non-attachment.

Buddhism in a Nutshell - Anatta

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

Anatta or soul-lessness

This Buddhist doctrine of rebirth should be distinguished from the theory of reincarnation which implies the transmigration of a soul and its invariable material rebirth. Buddhism denies the existence of an unchanging or eternal soul created by a God or emanating from a Divine Essence (Paramatma).
If the immortal soul, which is supposed to be the essence of man, is eternal, there cannot be either a rise or a fall. Besides one cannot understand why "different souls are so variously constituted at the outset."

To prove the existence of endless felicity in an eternal heaven and unending torments in an eternal hell, an immortal soul is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, what is it that is punished in hell or rewarded in heaven?

Buddhism in a Nutshell - Dependent Arising

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

Dependent Arising (Paticca Samuppada)

Paticca means because of, or dependent upon; Samuppada "arising or origination." Paticca Samuppada, therefore, literally means -- "Dependent Arising" or "Dependent Origination."

It must be borne in mind that paticca samuppada is only a discourse on the process of birth and death and not a theory of the ultimate origin of life. It deals with the cause of rebirth and suffering, but it does not, in the least, attempt to show the evolution of the world from primordial matter.

Buddhism in a Nutshell - Rebirth

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

Rebirth

As long as this kammic force exists there is rebirth, for beings are merely the visible manifestation of this invisible kammic force. Death is nothing but the temporary end of this temporary phenomenon. It is not the complete annihilation of this so-called being. The organic life has ceased, but the kammic force which hitherto actuated it has not been destroyed. As the kammic force remains entirely undisturbed by the disintegration of the fleeting body, the passing away of the present dying thought-moment only conditions a fresh consciousness in another birth.

Buddhism in a Nutshell - Karma / Kamma

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

Kamma or the Law of Moral Causation

We are faced with a totally ill-balanced world. We perceive the inequalities and manifold destinies of men and the numerous grades of beings that exist in the universe. We see one born into a condition of affluence, endowed with fine mental, moral and physical qualities and another into a condition of abject poverty and wretchedness. Here is a man virtuous and holy, but, contrary to his expectation, ill-luck is ever ready to greet him. The wicked world runs counter to his ambitions and desires. He is poor and miserable in spite of his honest dealings and piety. There is another vicious and foolish, but accounted to be fortune's darling. He is rewarded with all forms of favors, despite his shortcomings and evil modes of life.

Buddhism in a Nutshell - Salient Features

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

Some salient features of Buddhism

The foundations of Buddhism are the four Noble Truths -- namely, Suffering (the raison d'etre of Buddhism), its cause (i.e., Craving), its end (i.e., Nibbana, the Summum Bonum of Buddhism), and the Middle Way.

What is the Noble Truth of Suffering?

Buddhism in a Nutshell - Ethical System

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

Is Buddhism an ethical system?

It no doubt contains an excellent ethical code which is unparalleled in its perfection and altruistic attitude. It deals with one way of life for the monks and another for the laity. But Buddhism is much more than an ordinary moral teaching. Morality is only the preliminary stage on the Path of Purity, and is a means to an end, but not an end in itself. Conduct, though essential, is itself insufficient to gain one's emancipation. It should be coupled with wisdom or knowledge (pañña). The base of Buddhism is morality, and wisdom is its apex.

Buddhism in a Nutshell - Is it a Religion?

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

Is it a religion?

It is neither a religion in the sense in which that word is commonly understood, for it is not "a system of faith and worship owing any allegiance to a supernatural being."
Buddhism does not demand blind faith from its adherents. Here mere belief is dethroned and is substituted by confidence based on knowledge, which, in Pali, is known as saddha. The confidence placed by a follower on the Buddha is like that of a sick person in a noted physician, or a student in his teacher. A Buddhist seeks refuge in the Buddha because it was he who discovered the path of deliverance.

Buddhism in a Nutshell - The Dhamma

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

The Dhamma: Is it a philosophy?

The non-aggressive, moral and philosophical system expounded by the Buddha, which demands no blind faith from its adherents, expounds no dogmatic creeds, encourages no superstitious rites and ceremonies, but advocates a golden mean that guides a disciple through pure living and pure thinking to the gain of supreme wisdom and deliverance from all evil, is called the Dhamma and is popularly known as Buddhism.

The all-merciful Buddha has passed away, but the sublime Dhamma which he unreservedly bequeathed to humanity, still exists in its pristine purity.

Buddhism in a Nutshell - The Buddha

Buddhism in a Nutshell
by Narada Thera

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammâ-Sambuddhassa

The Buddha

On the fullmoon day of May, in the year 623 B.C., there was born in the district of Nepal an Indian Sakya Prince named Siddhartha Gotama, who was destined to be the greatest religious teacher in the world. Brought up in the lap of luxury, receiving an education befitting a prince, he married and had a son.