Buddhist Philosophy
Details
Topic: Buddhist Philosophy
Chairman:
Robert Light
Moderator:
Spencer Sinclaire
Meetup Date:
Wednesday, October 14th, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a 15 minute break at 8:00 p.m.
Meetup Location:
Upstairs at The Bent Mast, 512 Simcoe St. Victoria, BC, V8V 1L8
Members:
If you plan to attend, please take a moment and RSVP. If your plans change and you cannot attend, to the right of your name there are three dots, please click on them and move yourself to “Not Going.” Thank you.
Quotes:
"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." - Buddha
"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." - Buddha
Synopsis:
Buddhist philosophy is a 2,500-year-old system of rational inquiry, practical ethics, and mental training founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in ancient India.
Core Concepts
• The Four Noble Truths: Life involves suffering (dukkha); suffering stems from craving and attachment; suffering can end; and the Noble Eightfold Path leads to that cessation.
• The Noble Eightfold Path: A guide for daily living covering right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
• Impermanence (Anicca): All physical and mental phenomena are constantly changing and lack permanent static identity.
• No-Self (Anatta): There is no fixed, unchanging soul or core ego; identity is fluid and conditioned.
• Karma and Samsara: Intentional actions drive a cycle of rebirth (samsara), where wholesome acts bring positive outcomes and unwholesome acts lead to continued suffering.
Purpose and Practice
• Liberation over Speculation: The teachings focus strictly on personal self-transformation and ending existential dissatisfaction rather than abstract metaphysical debate.
• Meditation and Mindfulness: Mental discipline is used to quiet illusions, overcome the "three poisons" (greed, hatred, and delusion), and awaken to reality.
Watch "EASTERN PHILOSOPHY - The Buddha" on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tilBs32zN7I?si=Rs-qcuL__KntlDfa