I. Indian Origins of Buddhism
  A. Siddhartha Guatama, 2,500 years ago
  B. Fundamental ignorance (avidya) causes suffering (duhka)
  C. Influenced by effects of own action (karma)
  D. Impermanent world (anitya)
  E. Lack of an enduring soul or self (anatman)
  F. Emptiness (shunyata) of inherent existence (svabhava)
  G. Cyclical state of mind in which we live (samsara)
  H. Buddha, awakened from a sleep of ignorance

II. Primary Divisions in Buddhism
  A. Hinayana (Theravada)
     1. Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, and Laos)
     2. Ideal of unattached individual (arhat) who attains state beyond life & death (nirvana)
  B. Mahayana
     1. Central and East Asia (Tibet, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and China)
     2. Ideal of buddahood dedicated to helping others (bodhisattva)
     3. Three Jewels: Buddha (enlightenment), Dharma (teaching) & Sangha (community)

III. Tibetan Book of the Dead
  A. Bardo Thotrol, Bardo thos grol, Bardo Thodol
  B. Liberation through hearing in the between state
  C. Attributed to Padmasambhava (8th or 9th century)
  D. "Discovered" by Karma Lingpa in 14th century
  E. To be read to dying person

IV. Tangka & mandala
  A. Record and guide for contemplative experience
  B. Three-dimensional perfected environments

V. Buddhist psychology (skandha)
  A. Form, division into subject & object (rupa)
  B. Feeling, (vedana)
  C. Perception, (samjna)
  D. Concept, interpretation following perception (samskara)
  E. Consciousness (vijnana)

VI. Five Buddhas (tathagatas)
  A. Vairocana, center, confusion, all-pervading space
  B. Aksobhya, east (bottom), hatred, mirror-like wisdom
  C. Ratnasambhava, south (left), pride, wisdom of equality & equanimity
  D. Amitabha, west (above), passion & desire, discrimination & detachment
  E. Amoghasiddhi, north (right), envy, wisdom accompanying all actions

VII. Six realms of bardo experience (psychological states)
  A. Hell
  B. Hungry ghosts (pretas)
  C. Animals
  D. Humans
  E. Jealous Gods
  F. Gods

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