BUDDHISM. Location of Buddhism Buddhism World Status Buddhism: 360 million 6% of world population...

BUDDHISM

Location of Buddhism

Buddhism World Status• Buddhism: 360 million• 6% of world population• Fifth largest world religion

• Christianity 32%• Islam 22%• Hinduism 15%• Secular/Non-religious 14%

Buddhism

• Origin• History• Main Tenets• Worldview• Differences with Christianity

Origin of Buddhism

• Began in the 7th century BC• Buddha is a title signifying “The

Enlightened One” or “The Awakened One”• Title given to Siddartha Gautama who was

born in 563 B.C.; died 483 B.C.• Biography of his life does not appear until

several hundred years later• His life was the last of 500 reincarnations

Origin of Buddhism• Siddartha Gautama was born into a wealthy family,

some propitious signs accompanied his birth• Father protected him and groom him to be a king.• Father allows him to take a chariot ride but decrees all

poor and suffering be hidden however the gods assume human form so he sees an old man near death, a man disfigured by disease, a funeral procession of decomposing body, and a monk who has renounced the world.

• Decided to forsake his status and wealth and seek the meaning of life at 30 years old – Vedantic tradition.

Origin of Buddhism

• First quest for enlightenment• Under the mentoring of two Brahman hermits,

Alara and Uddaka• They were unable to tell him how to put an end

to the cycle of rebirths

• Second quest for enlightenment• Asceticism with five companions• Decided that self-mortification did not lead to

self-realization but only enfeebled body & mind

Origin of Buddhism• Enlightenment obtained

• Devoted himself to the simple life of intense mental discipline

• After prolong meditation after seven years while sitting under a fig tree received the answer to his quest

• Decides to share his way of enlightenment and begins to preach

• Converts five followers & family• Legend has him ascend into heaven but died after

eating spoiled pork given as an offering• Buddhists would probably say that words cannot

truly describe Prince Gautama’s enlightenment

History of Buddhism• Collection of Teachings and Split

• First council of followers shortly after his death collected his teachings

• Called “Tripitaka,” lit. meaning “three baskets”

• Second council (~ 380 B.C.)• Some argued for a greater role for the laity• Less strict discipline

• Split between Theravada and Mahayana (~ 200 B.C.)

History of Buddhism• Theravada Buddhism

• Name derived from an expression meaning “tradition of the elders”

• Retained emphasis religion centered on monks• Also called Hinayana (little raft) in distinction to

Mahayana• Height of Theravada was in 3rd century B.C.• Now mainly in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia• Most other areas have Mahayana Buddhism• Mainly a religion for monks

History of Buddhism• Theravada Monks (bikhus)

• Only ones who can obtain nirvana• They the focus of religious practice• Laity’s primary religious work is to support the

monks

• Ordination• Shave head and put on orange robes• Vow to follow the Ten Precepts

History of Buddhism• Theravada Monks Ten Precepts

• Not to take a life• Not to steal• Not to commit sexual immorality• Not to lie• Not to drink intoxicating beverages• Not to eat in excess or after noon• Not to attend entertainment, e.g. dancing, singing,

drama• Not to decorate one’s self or use cosmetics• Not to sleep in high or wide beds• Not to touch any gold or silver

History of Buddhism• Theravada Monks Life

• Usually live in a monastery• Most of day in meditation

• Object of meditation on the total impermanence of all existence

• Focus to avoid being distracted

• Begging for food in the morning• When monk attains “full realization” he is an “arhat”

or holy man.• At death enters nirvana

• Buddha is perfect in all his incarnations and arhat isn’t

History of Buddhism• Buddhas

• Twenty five Buddhas• All came to teach the same way of enlightenment• Idea emerged there is a Buddha in the final stages of

preparation to come to earth.• Called Maitreya• A Bodhisattva i.e. “Buddha-in-the-making”• He will usher in a golden age of enlightenment for all

History of Buddhism• Theravada Buddhism & the Laity

• Secondary participants• Goal is to live a good life

• Follow the first five of the ten precepts (special occasions will follow eight)

• Store up merit (good karma) for a better incarnation• May even earns some time in heaven between incarnations

• Universe consists of many levels and higher levels are states of bliss worthy of pursuing but not nirvana

• Recitation of “Three Refuges”• I seek refuge in the Buddha• I seek refuge in the Dharma (duty as in following teachings)• I seek refuge in the sangha (order of bikhu or monks)

• Care for the monks (bikhu)


• Three main obligations:• Recitation of “Three Refuges”

• I seek refuge in the Buddha• I seek refuge in the Dharma (duty as in following teachings)• I seek refuge in the sangha (order of bikhu or monks)

• Care for the monks (bikhu)• Food, material for clothing and other necessities

• Care for the temples• Usually erected by lay peoples contributions• Statue of generous donor with monk robe place in temple• Traditionally, contribute by buying gold leafs to be added to

statue of Buddha


• Position of Buddha statue hands• Left hand open and on lap• Right hand direct to the earth• Calling on earth to witness to his Buddhahood and

steadfastness (other positions, e.g. teaching, protecting)

• Folk religion• Laity deify Buddha and worship him• Knowledgeable Buddhist do not claim they worship him

• Storing Merit• Can become a bikhu for a period of time• Rite of passage in puberty rites

History of Buddhism• Mahayana Buddhism

• Means “big raft” because it accommodates large number of people, monks and laity

• Innovations• Sunyata (void) is interpreted as “absolute compassion,”

Benevolent compassion is the ultimate motivating force of Mahayana Buddhism

• Multiplication of divine beings• Lotus Sutra and other scriptures• Other schools

History of Buddhism• Mahayana Buddhism’s Innovations

• Multiplication of divine beings• Multiple Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

• Manushi Buddhas – achieved enlightenment on earth• Died and in Nirvana so not accessible

• Dhyani Buddhas – attained enlightenment in heaven• Have not died and are accessible

• I.e., Amithaba of the Pure Land School

• Bodhisattvas – many Buddhas-in-the-making• In Mahayana mythology these are divine beings in heaven who

forgo entry into nirvana until “the last soul is redeemed from hell” which is the lower levels of incarnation.

• Available in heaven with much merit stored up to assist people in need


• Lotus Sutra and other scriptures• Proliferation of Mahayana writings• Lotus Sutra has the highest stature• Core teachings attributed to Gautama (Called Sakyamuni

[sage of the sakya clan] to differentiate him from other Buddhas)

• Sakyamuni was a manifestation of the true celestial Buddha

• All human beings have potential to reach Buddhahood• References to specific Buddhas and Bodhisattvas by name• Asserts that Hinayana is only for selfish uncaring people


• Other schools• Tendai (rationalist)

• Pure Land (compassionate)

• Zen (intuitive

• Nichiren (chanting)

• Vajrayana (lamaist of Tibet)• Shingon (combination of Tendai and Vajrayana)

• Ryobu (combination of Shinto and Shingon

• See Winfried Corduan’s chart, p. 230

History of Buddhism• Other Schools of Mahayana Buddhism

• Tendai (rationalist school)• Provide compromise between variations• Organized by Chinese monk, Chih-I• 6th century A.D.

• Teachings• Superiority of Lotus Sutra – inspired scripture• Unity of reality – all reality is equally a part of Buddha’s

nature• Reality is sunyatta and maya at the same time

• Universal salvation – all people will attain Buddhahood• Because all are a part of the same Buddha nature

• Meditation to receive true insight into true reality

History of Buddhism

• Other Schools of Mahayana Buddhism• Pure Land Schools (multiple)

• Buddha Amida (Japanese name for Dhyani Buddha)• Mythology has Amida while going through his

incarnations overwhelmed with human suffering that he vows to provide a way of salvation for all people.

• Became a Buddha and was able to provide salvation• Created a paradise in western regions of heaven (pure land,

Buddha field, or western paradise)


• Pure Land Schools (multiple)• Anyone who trusts in Buddha Amida can enter at death• In paradise anyone can reach nirvana (equivalent)• Some schools say must recite nembutsu (I bow down to the

Buddha Amida) to enter paradise• Jodo-shin-shu (Japan) recite nembutsu only to express

gratitude• No demands on followers other than to show Amida their

thankfulness• Worship performed by clergy, services have chanting,

meditation, and adoration


• Zen Origins• Arose in 6th century A.D. in response to Tendai’s

rationalist speculation• Claims its origin come from Gautama (as do they all)• Essence of it is enlightenment without words or

explination• Story of Buddha standing before his pupils waiting for him to

teach, one pupil, Mahakasyapa understood and smiled and just looked at him.

• Traditional founder is Bodhidharma, Indian monk that emigrated to China a thousand years after Mahakasyapa

• Cut off eyelids and meditated at wall for three years and hit on head and then gained enlightenment


• Zen Schools• Two major schools in Japan, Master Soto & Master Rinzai• Soto saw enlightenment gain gradually• Rinzai saw a lengthy preparation time then gained abruptly

• All Zen schools• Clear one’s mind of conceptual clutter that impedes insight

• D. T. Suzuki summary of Zen• Special transmission outside of scriptures• No dependence on words or letters• Direct pointing to the soul of man• Seeing one’s nature & attainment of Buddhahood


• Zen Scriptures and experience• Platform Sutra – not considered authoritative nor source of

belief• Zen knowledge only transmitted from master to pupil and

he can only direct him to see what he can see• Enlightenment referred to as “satori”• Satori is when “a person has direct, unmediated insight into

the self, the world and truth” (Corduan, 233).


• Zen Enlightenment• “Dualistic thinking” hinders enlightenment – meaning

making distinction and classifying things according to rational categories.

• Categories – what is real, what is really real, and what is not really real

• Zen accepts reality as it is given (or perceived)

• Four ways to satori• Zazen meditation – cross-legged, straight back, focus on

thought provided by master


• Four ways to satori• Zazen meditation – cross-legged, straight back, focus on

thought provided by master• Mondos – stories of past great Zen masters and how they

received enlightenment so pupil can learn how he may gain enlightenment

• Koans – conundrums—riddles without answers (they supposedly carry the answer in them after one stops thinking analytically)

• “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”

• “Does a dog have Buddha nature?”

• “How crooked is straight?”

• Cultural activities such as art, martial arts, haiku poetry


• Nichiren Shoshu (Soka Gakkai)• Founded by Japanese monk Nichiren from Tendai school• 13th century• Determined all other traditions wrong• Return to Sakyamuni and “true” Buddhist teaching• Nichiren was persecuted and about to be executed but a

natural disaster free him, good omen so gather disciples• Split into many sub-schools


• Soka Gakkai• Nichiren Shoshu means “the true Nichiren”• Revived in 1930s in Japan as Soka Gakkai – “society for

the creation of values”• Most popular after Pure Land Buddhism


• Soka Gakkai Teachings• Enlightenment available to everyone regardless of

previous incarnations and current status and can be achieved in just a few years

• Ten states of life must be traveled from lowest to highest• Person’s state at death determines his karma and thus his

next incarnation• Those who attain Buddhahood finish incarnations


• Soka Gakkai Ten States of Life• Hell, anger, animality, hunger, tranquility, rapture,

learning, realization, Bodhisattva, and Buddhahood• Progress from worst of human experience to physical,

mental and then pure consciousness of enlightenment

• Key to enlightenment• Chanting (diamoku) “I bow down to the beautiful

teaching of the Lotus Sutra”• Gohonzon – piece of paper with diamoku worship when

copy brought out at the temple (original in Japan)• Improve physical life by putting in harmony with

universe• Lay movement, no priests, interested in social justice


• Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism)• Means “diamond vehicle”• Considered the third division of Buddhism• Also known as Lamaism• Sublime philosophy and meditation

• Folk more concerned with magical practices to control evil spirits

History of Buddhism

Tenets of Buddhism

• Relationship to Hinduism• Gods have no place in teachings and are

themselves in need of enlightenment• Accepted samsara, karma, and ultimate

(though the later is different)• Some Hindu schools hold the atheistic view of

Brahman

• Eliminated the caste system and the Vedas as authoritative

• This is what was against orthodox Hinduism

Tenets of Buddhism

• Four Truths1. Truth of suffering – all forms of existence are

subject to physical and mental suffering

2. The cause of suffering is desire – desire for possession and selfish enjoyment of every kind, particularly the desire for separate, individual, existence.

3. Suffering ceases when selfish desires are denounced and ceases

4. The eightfold path leads to enlightenment

Tenets of Buddhism

• Eightfold Path – path of perfect detachment also known as the “middle way” because it avoids both self-indulgence and self-mortification

• This path leads to the cessation of suffering• This path allows a person to escape from the

cycle of rebirth• To accomplish this task was a fulltime

commitment so formed an order of monks

Tenets of Buddhism

• The Eightfold Path• Right Views• Right Desires• Right Speech• Right Conduct• Right Mode of Livelihood• Right Effort• Right Awareness• Right Meditation

The Eightfold Path

• The Right ViewsThis involves acceptance of the four truths and

a resolute rejection of unworthy attitudes and acts, such as covetousness, lying and gossip.

The Eightfold Path

• Right DesiresThe thoughts are to be free from lust, from ill-

will, and from cruelty. Free from desire from selfish possessions. Desire for achieving highest ends.

The Eightfold Path

• Right SpeechOnes speech should be plain and truthful,

abhorring lying, tale-bearing, and harsh or vain talk. Words must be gentle, soothing to the ear, penetrating to the heart, useful, rightly timed, and according to the facts.

The Eightfold Path

• Right ConductTo follow this path one must practice charity

and abstention from killing any living thing, from stealing, and from unlawful sexual intercourse.

“While morality forms the basis of the higher life, wisdom completes it.”

The Eightfold Path

• Right Mode of LivelihoodThis path requires harming no one and being

free from luxury. Each must take up work which will give scope to his abilities and make him useful to his fellow men.

The Eightfold Path

• Right EffortPress forward in four directions: 1) avoid

increasing evil; 2) overcome evil; 3) develop meritorious conditions (detachment, investigation of law, concentration, & rapture); 4) bring meritorious conditions which already exist to maturity and perfection.

The Eightfold Path

• Right AwarenessFour fundamentals of awareness:

Contemplation of the transitory nature and loathsomeness of the body

Contemplation of the feelings of oneself and others

Contemplation of the mindContemplation of phenomena

The Eightfold Path

• Right MeditationConcentration on a single object with all

hindrances overcomePurpose is to be purified from all distractions

and evils and filled with rapture, happiness and equanimity.

Ultimate goal is to pass beyond sensation of either pleasure or pain into a state transcending consciousness, ultimately attaining full Enlightenment (state of perfection)

Tenets of Buddhism• Main purpose of Buddhism

• Escape from suffering• Escape from cycle of rebirth• Reach Nirvana – cease to exist or realize one’s self-

extinctedness; Nirvana (lit. “blown out”– unconditional state of liberation, release from the cycle of rebirth-redeath determined by karma

• No ultimate reality (Brahman) behind illusion but nothingness (sunyata – the void).

• No Atman (No soul in people)• Karma – in Buddhism the actions of body or mind

which produce a fixed consequence for the present life or the future life.

Buddhist Shrine• A1 Body of Buddha• A2 Sacred Text• A3 Stupa – mind of Buddha• B1 Drinking water• B2 Feet washing water• B3 Rice & Flowers• B4 Rice & Incense• B5 Butter lamp or Candle• B6 Scented water to annoint• B7 Rice and Food• B8 Conch Shell - Ting-shag

Theravada Buddhist Worldview

Samsara

NirvanaKarma

IndividualSuffering/Desiring

Mahayana Buddhism Worldview

Samsara

NirvanaKarma

The Buddha

The BuddhaIndividual

Heaven/Hell

Compassion

Important Terms• Karma – Cause and effect (what you sow is

what you reap); good deeds do not cancel out evil deeds

• Impermanence – everything changes and goes through cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death. No such thing as death. The world of phenomena, the very universe itself, has a purely relative existence, and this lack of absolute reality, applies to the individual’s self. There is nothing eternal or immortal inside a man’s body.

Important Terms• Nirvana – is an ethical state, a condition

which eliminates any future rebirth, the extinction of desire, the final release from suffering.

• Anatman – ultimate non-self • Sunyata – the void

Important Terms• Gautama refused to answer about the

existence after death. “There is, disciples, a condition, where there is neither earth nor water, neither air nor light, neither limitless space, nor limitless time, neither any kind of being, neither ideation nor non-ideation, neither this world nor that world. There is neither arising nor passing-away, nor dying, neither cause nor effect, neither change nor standing-still.” (Sacred Books of the Buddhists, Vol. II, 54)

Christianity & Buddhism

• Both seek enlightenment• Both empathize with suffering• Individuals are of value• Committed relationships• Emphasis on living live and loving• Moderation• Value of life

BUDDHISM. Location of Buddhism Buddhism World Status Buddhism: 360 million 6% of world population...

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