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Location of Buddhism
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
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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.
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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
Enlightenment obtained
Origin of Buddhism
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 9 truly describe Prince Gautamas 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
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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
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History of Buddhism
Theravada Monks (bikhus)
Only ones who can obtain nirvana They the focus of religious practice Laitys primary religious work is to support the monks
Ordination
Shave head and put on orange robes Vow to follow the Ten Precepts
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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 ones self or use cosmetics Not to sleep in high or wide beds 13 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
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
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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
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History of Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism & the Laity
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)
History of Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism & the Laity
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
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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
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History of Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhisms Innovations
Multiplication of divine beings Multiple Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Manushi Buddhas achieved enlightenment on earth
Died and in Nirvana so not accessible
History of Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhisms Innovations
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 21
History of Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhisms Innovations
Other schools
Tendai (rationalist)
Pure Land (compassionate) Zen (intuitive Nichiren (chanting)
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 Buddhas nature
Reality is sunyatta and maya at the same time
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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)
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History of Buddhism
Other Schools of Mahayana Buddhism
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
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History of Buddhism
Other Schools of Mahayana Buddhism
Zen Origins
Arose in 6th century A.D. in response to Tendais 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 26 head and then gained enlightenment
History of Buddhism
Other Schools of Mahayana Buddhism
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
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History of Buddhism
Other Schools of Mahayana Buddhism
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).
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History of Buddhism
Other Schools of Mahayana Buddhism
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)
History of Buddhism
Other Schools of Mahayana Buddhism
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 conundrumsriddles 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?
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History of Buddhism
Other Schools of Mahayana Buddhism
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
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History of Buddhism
Other Schools of Mahayana Buddhism
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
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History of Buddhism
Other Schools of Mahayana 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 Persons state at death determines his karma and thus his next incarnation Those who attain Buddhahood finish incarnations
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History of Buddhism
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 34
History of Buddhism
Other Schools of Mahayana Buddhism
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
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History of Buddhism
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History of Buddhism
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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
Tenets of Buddhism
Four Truths
1. 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
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Tenets of Buddhism
Eightfold Path path of perfect detachment also known as the middle way because it avoids both selfindulgence 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
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Tenets of Buddhism
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Tenets of Buddhism
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.
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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
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Individual
Karma
Nirvana
Samsara
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Individual
Compassion
Karma
Nirvana
Heaven/Hell
Samsara
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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 individuals self. There is nothing eternal or immortal inside a mans body.
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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
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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)
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