Buddhism Course

An Introductory Course on Early Buddhism

Compiled and published for free distribution

by Bro. Chan Khoon San





The gift of Dhamma excels all gifts.

Buddhism Course

An Introductory Course on Early Buddhism

Compiled and published for free distribution by Bro. Chan Khoon San



CONTENTS – PDF

About the Publisher, ISBN and Cover Design

Dedication Preface, Acknowledgements & Sharing of Merits

About the Author

I. LIFE OF THE BUDDHA – PDF

1. The Birth

2. The Prediction

3. The Ploughing Festival

4. Prince Siddhatta’s Youth

5. The Four Signs and the Great Renunciation

6. The Search and Struggle for Enlightenment

7. The Enlightenment and the Seven Weeks After

8. The Buddha Propounds the Dhamma (Teaching)

9. Conversion of Sariputta and Moggallana

10. The Buddha Visits His Birthplace

11. The Buddha’s Ministry

12. The Parinibbana and Final Admonition to the Monks

13. References

14. Explanatory Notes

II. FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS – PDF

1. What are the Four Noble Truths?

2. Why are they called Noble Truths?

3. Noble Truth of Suffering

4. Suffering because of the 5 Aggregates of Clinging

5. Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering

6. Kama-Tanha or Sensual Craving

7. Bhava-Tanha or Craving for Eternal Existence

8. Vibhava-Tanha or Craving for Non-Existence

9. Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering

10. References

11. Explanatory Notes

III. NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH – PDF

1. Noble Truth of the Path leading to Cessation of Suffering

2. Right View (Samma-ditthi)

3. Right Thought (Samma-sankappa)

4. Right Speech (Samma-vaca)

5. Right Action (Samma-kammanta)

6. Right Livelihood (Samma-ajiva)

7. Right Effort (Samma-vayama)

8. Right Mindfulness (Samma-sati)

9. Right Concentration (Samma-samadhi)

10. References

11. Explanatory Notes

IV. DEPENDENT ORIGINATION (PATICCA SAMUPPADA) – PDF

1. What is the Law of Dependent Origination?

2. How does the Law of Dependent Origination work?

3. Question of the First Cause

4. Dependent Origination is different from direct causation

5. Dependent Origination to explain the Origin of Suffering

6. Reverse Order of Dependent Origination to explain the Cessation of Suffering

7. References

8. Explanatory Notes

V. LAW OF KAMMA – PDF

1. The Five Universal Laws

2. The Importance of Understanding the Law of Kamma

3. What is Kamma?

4. How does the Law of Kamma Operate?

5. What is the Cause of Kamma?

6. Who is the Doer of Kamma? Who Reaps the Vipaka?

7. Where is all the Kamma?

8. Classification of Kamma

9. Is One Bound to Reap All that One Has Sown in Just Proportion?

10. Lessons Learnt from Kamma

11. References

12. Explanatory Notes

VI. DEATH AND REBIRTH – PDF

1. Difference between Rebirth and Reincarnation

2. How does Rebirth Take Place?

3. The Re-linking or Rebirth Consciousness

4. Modes of Death

5. Objects presented to the Mind before Death

6. Five Visions of a Dying Person

7. The Dying Consciousness

8. Modes of Birth

9. Four Planes of Existence

10. References

VII. FIVE DESTINATIONS (PANCAGATI) – PDF

1. Hell (Niraya)

2. Animal Realm (Tiracchana)

3. Ghost Realm (Peta)

4. Human Realm (Manussa)

5. World of Gods (Devas and Brahmas)

6. Lifespan of Hell Beings and Petas

7. Lifespan of Celestial Devas

8. Lifespan of Brahmas

9. References

10. Explanatory Notes

VIII. WORLD CYCLES WHEN BUDDHAS APPEAR – PDF

1. Buddhist Timescale

2. Great Aeon or World Cycle (Maha-kappa)

3. Incalculable Aeon or Epoch (Asankheyya-kappa)

4. Included Aeon or Era (Antara-kappa)

5. Human Lifespan (Ayu-kappa)

6. World Cycles When Buddhas Appear (Buddha Kappa)

7. Twenty-Four Buddhas Preceding Lord Gotama Buddha

8. Eight Qualifications of a Future Buddha (Bodhisatta)

9. Length of Time to Cultivate the Perfections (Paramis)

10. Reasons for the Differences in Time to Fulfill Paramis

11. Rare is the Appearance of a Buddha

12. Eight Unfortunate Existences in Samsara (Cycle of Births)

13. The Fulfillment of the Perfections by Pacceka Buddhas, Chief Disciples and Great Disciples

14. The Pre-eminent Disciples of the Buddha

15. References

16. Explanatory Notes

IX. TAKING OF REFUGE – PDF

1. Meaning of Refuge

2. Origin of Taking of Refuge

3. Act of Taking Refuge

4. Why We Need to Take Refuge

5. The Three Refuges

6. Factors that Enhance the Taking of Refuge

7. Corruptions and Breach of Refuge

8. Benefits of Taking Refuge

9. References

X. FIVE PRECEPTS (PANCASILA) PDF

1. Five Vices and Five Virtues

2. Self Responsibility in Moral Training

3. Precepts are Indispensable in Moral Training

4. Dhamma Way to Compare Oneself with Another

5. First Precept: Abstention from Killing Living Beings

6. Second Precept: Abstention from Taking What is Not Given

7. Third Precept: Abstention from Sexual Misconduct

8. Fourth Precept: Abstention from False Speech

9. Fifth Precept: Abstention from Partaking of Intoxicants

10. Benefits of ‘Moderate Drinking’: Fact or Fallacy?

11. Factors that Enhance the Keeping of Precepts

12. Consequences of Breaking and Keeping the Five Precepts

13. References

XI. THE BASES OF MERITORIOUS ACTION (DASA PUNNA-KIRIYA VATTHU) INTRODUCTION – PDF

1. Unwholesome and Wholesome Roots (Akusala Kusala Hetu)

2. Meritorious Action (Punna-kiriya)

3. Ten Bases of Meritorious Action (Dasa Punna-kiriya Vatthu)

4. Types of Wholesome Kamma

5. Classification of Individuals (Puggala-bheda)

6. References

XII. THE BASES OF MERITORIOUS ACTION PART ONE: THE DANA GROUP – PDF

1. Giving (Dana)

2. Factors that Strengthen the Beneficial Results of Dana

3. Volition of the Donor

4. Purity of the Recipient

5. Offering to the Order (Sanghika Dana)

6. Types of Gifts

7. Giving of Money for New Work (Nava Kamma)

8. Gifts to Avoid

9. Advantages of Dana

10. Sharing or Transference of Merits (Patti-dana)

11. Transference of Merits to Departed Relatives

12. For Whom Are the Food Offerings in Pattidana Intended

13. Can Petas partake of food and drink offered to them?

14. What Type of Beings Can Receive the Merits?

15. Chinese custom of burning paper money and paper models of clothes, houses, etc., as offerings to the Departed

16. Rejoicing in Others’ Merits (Pattanumodana)

17. References

XIII. THE BASES OF MERITORIOUS ACTION PART TWO: THE SILA GROUP – PDF

1. Definition of Morality (Sila)

2. Characteristic, Function, Manifestation and Proximate Cause of Morality

3. Morality for the Lay Disciple

4. Five Precepts and Precepts of the Noble Eightfold Path

5. Eight Precepts

6. Ten Precepts

7. Grades and Types of Morality

8. Benefits of Morality

9. Reverence (Apacayana)

10. Humble or Dutiful Service (Veyyavacca)

11. References

XIV. THE BASES OF MERITORIOUS ACTION PART THREE: THE BHAVANA GROUP / in PDF

1. The Miracle of the Power of the Doctrine (Dhamma)

2. Teaching the Doctrine (Dhamma-desana)

3. Teaching of the Doctrine by Lay Disciples and Benefits

4. Listening to the Doctrine (Dhamma-savana)

5. Proper Way of Listening to a Sermon and the Benefits

6. Straightening One’s Views (Ditthijukamma)

7. Types of Wrong Views

8. Advantages of Straightening One’s Views

9. References

XV. BUDDHIST VIPASSANA MEDITATION / in PDF

1. Types of Mental Development or Meditation (Bhavana)

2. Objects of Meditation in Samatha Meditation

3. Purpose of Vipassana or Insight Meditation

4. Role of Mindfulness in Vipassana Meditation

5. Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthana)

6. Practical Vipassana Meditation

7. Benefits of Vipassana Meditation

8. References

9. Explanatory Notes

XVI RECOLLECTION OF THE BUDDHA, DHAMMA AND SANGHA / in PDF

1. Recollection of the Buddha (Buddhanussati)

2. Recollection of the Dhamma (Dhammanussati)

3. Recollection of the Sangha (Sanghanussati)

4. References

XVII THREE BASKETS (TIPITAKA) IN BUDDHISM / in PDF

1. What is the Tipitaka?

2. Language of the Buddha (Buddhavacana)

3. What is Pali?

4. The First Council

5. The Second Council

6. The Great Schism

7. Origin of the Eighteen Nikayas (Schools of Buddhism)

8. The Third Council

9. Committing the Tipitaka to Memory

10. Fourth Council: Committing the Tipitaka to Writing

11. Fifth and Sixth Councils in Myanmar

12. Conclusion

13. Appendix: Contents of the Tipitaka or Three Baskets

14. Explanatory Notes

15. References

ADDENDUM TO CHAPTER XVI: Supramundane Dhamma is Akaliko (Immediately Effective) – PDF

1. Question: Is it Possible for One to Attain Magga (Path) and Not Experience Phala (Fruition) Immediately?

2. The Seven Kinds of Noble Persons

3. Fruition Arises Immediately After Attainment of Path

Course Compiled and published for free distribution by:

Bro. Chan Khoon San,

91, Leboh Bagor, Taman Petaling,

41200 Klang, Malaysia

Email: bro.chan@streamyx.com

ISBN 13: 978-983-41633-1-0

ISBN 10: 983-41633-1-2

© Copyright 2006, Chan Khoon San