What is freedom?
Symbol of�Freedom
As free as a bird?
What is freedom?
“The power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one’s own discretion.’’
“the ability to act and make choices independent of any outside influence.”
2 Sides of Freedom
Freedom to…..
Freedom from…..
Buddhist concept of Freedom�Enlightenment
BODHI: Awakening; Perfect knowledge
VIMUTTI: Release from hindrances; fetters
NIBBANA: extinguishing disturbing emotions (greed, hatred, delusion)
A Bird, came down the Walk
by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
A Bird, came down the Walk -
He did not know I saw -
He bit an Angle Worm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw,
And then, he drank a Dew
From a convenient Grass -
And then hopped sidewise to the Wall
To let a Beetle pass -
He glanced with rapid eyes,
That hurried all abroad -
They looked like frightened Beads, I thought,
He stirred his Velvet Head. -
Like one in danger, Cautious,
I offered him a Crumb,
And he unrolled his feathers,
And rowed him softer Home -
Than Oars divide the Ocean,
Too silver for a seam,
Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon,
Leap, plashless as they swim.
How to attain Freedom?�The 37 Requisites of Enlightenment
▪ The 4 Foundations of Mindfulness
Body, Feelings, Mental states, Mental qualities
▪ The 4 Skilful Exertions
Prevent, abandon unskilful; encourage to arise, sustain and increase skilful
How to attain Freedom?�The 37 Requisites of Enlightenment
▪ The 4 Bases of Spiritual Power/Success
Intention/Will, Effort, Consciousness, Skill of analysis
How to attain Freedom?�The 37 Requisites of Enlightenment
▪ The 5 Spiritual Faculties ▪ The 5 Spiritual Strengths
◦ Conviction ◦ Conviction
◦ Effort ◦ Effort
◦ Mindfulness ◦ Mindfulness
◦ Concentration/Settled mind ◦ Concentration/Settled mind
◦ Wisdom ◦ Wisdom
How to attain Freedom?�The 37 Requisites of Enlightenment
▪ The 7 Factors of Awakening
◦ Mindfulness
◦ Investigation
◦ Effort
◦ Joy
◦ Tranquility
◦ Concentration/Unified mind
◦ Wisdom
How to attain Freedom?�The 37 Requisites of Enlightenment
▪ The 8 Fold Noble Path
◦ Skilful Understanding
◦ Skilful Intention
◦ Skilful Speech
◦ Skilful Action
◦ Skilful Livelihood
◦ Skilful Effort/Energy
◦ Skilful Mindfulness
◦ Skilful Concentration/Unified mind
Buddha’s Teachings show us: Freedom is possible�is attainable in this very life�is within our own hands