​IB Exam Material

#3. How do we get there?

We achieve Enlightenment by:

• acknowledging the Three Jewels (the Three Jewels are statements assuring Buddhist beliefs):

  • 1. “I take refuge in the Buddha” (the “awakened one” or the “enlightened one”)

  • 2. “I take refuge in the Dharma” (Buddha's teachings)

  • 3. “I take refuge in the Sangha” (the Buddhist community, monastic and laity)

• accepting the Four Noble Truths

  • 1. All life is suffering (dukkha) Craving pleasure, material goods, and immortality, are all wants that can never be satisfied.

  • 2. Craving desires or attachments (tanha)

  • 3. Stop craving therefore stop suffering 

  • 4. The way out of suffering is through the Eightfold Path

• following the Middle Way/the Noble Eightfold Path

  • The Middle Way emphasizes living a balanced and moderate lifestyle; no extremes

  • The Noble Eightfold path includes: right consciousness, right living, right action, right mindfulness, right speech, right aim, right view and right effort.

  • Can be broken up into 3 Practices (or 3 Trainings):

    • Prajna (Wisdom) (right aim, right view)

    • Samadhi (Mental or Focus) (right effort, right consciousness, right mindfulness)

    • Sila (Moral Conduct) (right living, right action, right speech)

  • The Eightfold Path does not have to be followed in order. One simply focuses on what they personally need to improve.

• following the precepts consistent with a lay or monastic way of life

  • Precepts are Buddhist guidelines or rules

  • Laity are required to focus on five precepts (8 on special occasions i.e. mourning, festival, etc.)

  • Monks are required to focus on all ten precepts (i.e don't handle money, only eat one meal before noon every day, don't indulge in entertainments, etc.)

  • Ahimsa (peacefulness)- don't lie, steal, use drugs/intoxicants, be chaste

• following the path of the bodhisattva

  • A bodhisattva is someone who has attained enlightenment and is eligible for Nirvana, but out of compassion (karuna) stays on Earth to help others reach it as well. (Mahayana)

• developing wisdom (prajna) and compassion (karuna)

  • Karuna is the opening of the heart to understanding the suffering of the world and relief from the burden of sorrow.

  • Prajna is insight into the true nature of reality.