The Lists Four Noble Truths Suffering exists Suffering arises from attachment to desires Suffering ceases when attachment ot desire ceases Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path Three Characteristics of Existence Transiency (anicca) Sorrow (dukkha) Selflessness (anatta) The Four Foundations of Mindfulness Mindfulness of the body and breath Mindfulness of feelings Mindfulness of the mind Mindfulness of the mental objects Noble Eightfold Path Right View Right Thought Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Contemplation Five Aggregates (skandhas) Form (rupa) is made up of earth water fire and wind Feeling (vedana) is one of pleasant, unplesant and neutral. Feelings arise when there is contact between the six internal organs and the six external objects . Perception (samjna)is related to the six external objects (sight, sound, odor, taste, touch, mental objects) Volition (samskara) is the response of the will to the six external objects Consciousness (vijnana) grasps the characteristics of the six external objects Four Boundless States (brahmaviharas) State Near Enemy Far Enemy Description 1. Metta/loving kindness selfish love hatred good-will, friendship, extending unlimited, universal love and good will to all living beings without any kind of discrimination, 'just as a mother loves her only child' 2. Karuna/compassion pity cruelty empathy, to feel with someone instead of for someone. Apply to all living beings who are suffering, in trouble, and affliction 3. Mudita/sympathetic joy hypocrisy envy spontaneous joy in response to others success and welfare 4. Upekkha/equanimity indifference anxiety even-mindedness based on insight into the nature of things Seven Factors of Enlightment Mindfulness Investigation Energy Rapture Tranquility Concentration Equanimity Ten Perfections (paramis) Generosity (dana) Morality (sila) Renunciation (nekkhamma) Wisdom (panna) Energy (viriya) Patience (khanti) Truthfulness (sacca) Resolution (adhitthana) Loving-Kindness (metta) Equanimity (upekkha) Five Hindrances Sensuous lust Aversion and ill will Sloth and torpor Restlessness and worry Skeptical doubt Ten Fetters of Existence Self-delusion Doubt Clinging to Ritual Sensuous Lust Ill Will Greed for Fine Material Existence Greed for Immaterial Existence Conceit Reslessness Ignorance "Life is painful. Suffering is optional." - Sylvia Boorstein

This work has been sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.