$JES 911 Essence of World Religions Reference Book

Author(s): Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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Essence of World Religions
Man's true nature is divine and eternal, yet his individuality is subject to change that affect all forms and is therefore transient, dissolving at liberation into Nirvana. The no-self doctrine implies that living beings have no eternal souls.
In the sanctity of the Buddha and in the sacred scriptures of Buddhism; the Tripitaka (three Baskets of Wisdom) and the Mahäyäna Sutras.
The greatness of self giving love and compassion towards all creatures that contain merit exceeding the giving of offering to the gods.
Dharma (the path), Karma (cause and effect), Reincarnation, Sangh (unity of seekers), and the passage on earth as an opportunity to end the cycle of birth and death.
The Middle Path consists of living moderately and avoiding extremes of luxury and asceticism.
The monastic life is necessary to attain Nirvana.
The duties of an individual are defined in the Five precepts (Panchashila) Nonviolence (also towards all animals), Nonstealing, Truthfulness (speak only harmless truth otherwise observe silence), Immoral sensual relationship, and Avoidance of Drugs and Alcohol.
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Symbols
Wheel: The Dharma chakra or the Wheel of the Law is the most important symbol of Buddhism.
The wheel signifies the circle of births and deaths due to karma, which a person personally keeps in motion through his thirst (Tanha) for life.
It also symbolizes a constantly changing universe, and the impermanence of everything in the world. The hub of the wheel represents the three causes of pain: ill-will, ignorance, and lust. The eight spokes of the wheel represent the eightfold path. The wheel cannot survive without the spokes. Even so, Dharma cannot be sustained without the practice of these eight virtues.
Holidays
Buddhist holidays celebrate important moments of the life of the Buddha such as His birth, Enlightenment, and entry into Nirvana; his teachings; and aspects of the interaction of monks and
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