Living the Buddhist Life and Different Schools of Buddhism

Key Issues

Titles

Chapters

• the ways in which these beliefs might affect the lifestyles and outlooks of Buddhists in the modern world.
• the application of Buddhist principles to issues concerning the family, wealth, employment and work in the community
• the role of the monastic Sangha and its relationship with the laity
• the lifestyle of a bhikkhu and bhikkhuni
• the preparation for and ceremony of initiation into the Sangha
• the rites surrounding initiation, the significance of this event for Buddhists, and the ways in which this ceremony reflects Buddhist belief
• The nature and significance of: the sangha (bhikku, bhikkuni, laypeople, vihara); the Arahant and Bodhisattva in relation to Theravada and Mahayana; tantra in relation to Tibetan Buddhism.
• The importance of bhikkus and bhikkunis: ordination; the five additional precepts; daily life (vinaya).
• Buddhist teaching about right livelihood and about the application of Buddhist values to the choice of occupation.
• Particular forms of employment which are considered to be desirable and those which are undesirable.
• A consideration of Buddhist principles and practice in the context of the modern world and contemporary patterns of work in Western societies.
• Life of Buddha, detachment from wife, celibacy
• Life of monks and nuns regarded as superior
• Entering the Sangha; ordination
• Contact with the Sangha listening to scripture, meditation, prayer wheels, puja
• Eightfold Wheel saffron robes, begging bowl
• Example of a Buddhist working for conservation e.g. Ajahn Pongsak
• Expectations of behaviour and conduct in temples and shrines
• Attitudes to: leading others to enlightenment; interfaith dialogue
• The stance of the Dalai Lama of Tibet against Chinese rule
• The nature and significance of: the sangha (bhikku, bhikkuni, laypeople, vihara); the Arahant and Bodhisattva in relation to Theravada and Mahayana; tantra in relation to Tibetan Buddhism.
• The importance of bhikkus and bhikkunis: ordination; the five additional precepts; daily life (vinaya).
• Buddhist teaching about right livelihood and about the application of Buddhist values to the choice of occupation.
• Particular forms of employment which are considered to be desirable and those which are undesirable.
• A consideration of Buddhist principles and practice in the context of the modern world and contemporary patterns of work in Western societies.
• Initiation
• Relationship between monks (bhikkhus) and lay people (upasikas)
• The Eightfold Path
• The five moral precepts
• The importance of the family
• Marriage
• divorce
• the Mahayana Path of the Bodhisattva and the Six Perfections
• Theravada Buddhism
• the Mahayana schools of Tibetan and Zen Buddhism
• new movements such as the Western Buddhist Order