Five *Skandhas*

Four Noble Truths

  • 324EFive Skandhas
    Analyze the five aggregates (skandhas) as the components that create the illusion of a permanent self; evaluate how understanding the constantly changing nature of form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness supports the teaching of anatta (no-self); and synthesize this understanding by implementing daily practices that demonstrate selfless action based on logical analysis of the impermanent nature of identity.
  • 326EThe Three Trainings
    Analyze the interconnected relationship between ethical conduct, concentration, and wisdom within the three trainings’ framework; then evaluate how each training supports the others in personal transformation. Evaluate how your personal practice of the three trainings fits into daily life in a balanced way that will reduce harm and increase clarity, compassion, and discernment.
  • 301EThree Poisons: Anger
    Analyze anger as a mental state that projects exaggerated negativity onto situations or people, and evaluate how it arises from unmet desires and leads to further confusion and suffering; then implement contemplative practices such as mindfulness, patience, and perspective-taking to recognize triggers and gradually transform reactive habits into balanced responses that support emotional clarity and compassion.
  • 302EThree Poisons: Ignorance
    Analyze ignorance as misunderstanding—particularly regarding impermanence, interdependence, and selflessness. Evaluate how ignorance serves as the root of all afflictions and distorted perceptions, and implement practices such as mindfulness, reflection on interdependence, and analytical meditation to weaken habitual confusion and cultivate wisdom and clarity in daily life.
  • 319EDukkha
    Differentiate between the three types of dukkha by analyzing specific examples from personal experience; evaluate how recognizing unsatisfactoriness in all experience cultivates compassion for oneself and others; and demonstrate understanding of how awareness of suffering motivates the pursuit of liberation through dharma practice.
  • 230EThree Yanas: Theravada Buddhism
    Analyze the foundational principles, practices, and scriptural authority of Theravada Buddhism, compare and contrast Theravada approaches to liberation with Mahayana and Vajrayana perspectives, and evaluate how different cultural contexts have shaped the preservation and expression of early Buddhist teachings.
  • 114EBuddhist Approaches to Physical Health
    Analyze the first noble truth’s teaching that sickness is inherent to life while comparing Buddhist, traditional Eastern, and Western approaches to health and healing; evaluate the interconnection between physical and mental well-being from multiple medical perspectives; and synthesize understanding by developing informed criteria for assessing various healing modalities while maintaining openness to different definitions of wellness.
  • 312EThree Poisons: Greed
    Evaluate unsustainable practices; design alternatives that challenge materialist mindsets; and analyze how craving and desire influence consumption patterns.
  • 430AFour Noble Truths Overview
    Experience the basic human feelings of sadness, wanting, and feeling better through simple activities; recognize that everyone feels sad sometimes and there are ways to help ourselves and others feel better; and practice simple kindness actions that help when someone is hurting.

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