Week 13, Unit 1: Review of Key Concepts

Welcome to the final week of our course, Buddhism 101: An Introduction for Adults Late in Their Career. In this unit, we will be revisiting the key concepts we have covered throughout the course.

The Life of Buddha and Basic Buddhist Concepts

We began our journey by exploring the life of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha. His journey from a sheltered prince to an enlightened being forms the foundation of Buddhism. We also introduced basic Buddhist concepts such as Dukkha (suffering), Anicca (impermanence), and Anatta (non-self).

The Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths are the cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy. They provide a framework for understanding the nature of suffering and how to overcome it. The truths are: the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.

The Noble Eightfold Path

The Noble Eightfold Path is the practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing individuals from attachments and delusions; ultimately leading to understanding the truth about all things. The path includes Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

The Five Precepts

The Five Precepts are the moral code of conduct for lay Buddhists. They include refraining from harming living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication.

Karma and Rebirth

We delved into the concepts of Karma and Rebirth, exploring how actions in this life can affect one's rebirth in the next life. The ultimate goal is to break the cycle of rebirth and achieve Nirvana, a state of liberation and freedom from suffering.

Meditation and Mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness are key practices in Buddhism, helping practitioners to develop insight, wisdom, and ultimately achieve enlightenment. We explored different techniques and their benefits.

Buddhist Ethics and Social Issues

Buddhism offers a unique perspective on ethics, emphasizing compassion, non-violence, and mindfulness. We discussed how these principles can be applied to various social issues.

Buddhism in Daily Life and Workplace

We explored how Buddhist principles can be applied in daily life and in the workplace, promoting a more mindful, compassionate, and ethical way of living and working.

Buddhism and Death

Buddhist views on death, and the associated rites and rituals, provide a framework for understanding and dealing with this inevitable part of life.

Buddhism and Other Religions

We examined the relationship between Buddhism and other major religions, highlighting similarities and differences.

Buddhism in the Modern World

Finally, we discussed the challenges and opportunities for Buddhism in the modern world, including its interaction with science and its role in addressing contemporary issues.

As we conclude this unit, take some time to reflect on these key concepts and how your understanding of them has evolved over the course. In the next unit, we will delve into personal reflections on Buddhism.