Lesson 1.
1. Does the story of Siddhartha Guatama, particularly in the years before he became the Buddha, ring true? Is it legend or hearsay? Does it matter?
All teachers of different religious traditions have had legends and myths develop around their personality. These legends are not necessarily historical but they do point to the value that the followers have placed upon their persona and their teaching. The teachings of Siddhartha Guatama were developed from the Indian traditions and were in fact in response to the tradition of the Upanishads and the forest Rishis. Much of this tradition the Buddha challenged. The stories regarding his powers and ancestry grew up many years after his death in response to the development of the teaching. It is my belief that this does not matter as it is the teaching that is important and not the person who gave the teaching.
2. What does enlightenment mean to you?
The early teaching of the Buddha was a description of reality as it is and a way to liberation and is one of many paths to self- realisation that have been outlined and undertaken in both western and eastern cultures. Within Indian culture there were a number of interweaving strands in respect of spiritual philosophy at the time of the Buddha's turning of the wheel of dhậrma. The primary articulation of dhậrma and practice as given by the Buddha is within a non -theistic tradition of discourse and investigation. The early teachings represent an ideal a visionary path this vision is also transferred to the later developments of Tantra in the Vajrayāna
To begin the practice of Dhậrma there needs to be an understanding of what the teaching is and how to apply its precepts to our lives. On the Mahāyāna path spiritual practice is a developmental process and in the Tibetan tradition this is known as Lam rim-the gradual path. To undertake the path requires awareness in respect of suffering but also an intense motivation to ensure that the aspirant is able to maintain his/her practice on the path. This path of motivation is designed to arouse the mind of awakening which is called bodhi -citta the mind of enlightenment. This path requires knowledge of Saṅsāra that is cyclic existence and the effects of suffering and the desire for release from our individual and collective human predicament. This further develops into the desire for others to be released from their suffering. This release from suffering is for the present life but also from suffering in the lives to come. This awareness of the needs of others requires the development of compassion and the motivation to work for the relief of all suffering wherever it occurs. The Buddha taught his spiritual path to all people but applied different techniques and teachings to different situations as they occurred. This also involved relaying his teaching to aspirants with the knowledge that they could at that time accept. Therefore although the teaching of the four noble truths is often given as the beginning of the teaching, the Buddha had initially given this teaching when people were ready to receive its message. The ability to receive these teachings was dependent upon the aspirant having developed a moral sense and ethical consciousness as well as a clear spiritual development and progress through meditation and other practice. The teachings are therefore explored from the perspective of this ancient methodological system.
The Four Noble Truths as a Sūtra outline the true realities of being conscious it is a recovery of the underlying position of all sentient beings in cyclic existence or in Sanskrit Saṅsāra. It is articulated from an awakened one and is therefore the true doctrine of ultimate reality
3. Do you believe that enlightenment is possible? Is there more than one way to be enlightened? If so, what?
I believe there are many ways to realisation but the teachings as outlined by the Buddha are in my opinion the most succinct. They also outline a number of ways to practice. According to the tradition the Buddha gave 84,000 ways to commence and complete the training. Enlightenment is a path from ignorance to truth and I accept that this is possible but a teacher is required.
Terry Beverton.
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