buddhism (mahayana, pure land, zen, etc)

Lotus sutra

scripture in Mahayana buddhism, highlighting universal enlightenment and skillful means to guide beings towards liberation

• All living beings can attain Buddhahood following the "one vehicle" (eka-yana) or "buddha Vehicle" (buddha-yana),

• Everyone has buddha nature, Non human, women can become buddhas,

• Buddha is eternal (did not attain enlightenment or die in northern India), Always been enlightened, The buddha is always in the world preaching the Dharma

jingtu/jodo

Pure land buddhism, Popular in East Asia > India, 6th cent.

Teachers advocated use of "incantations" (Dharani),

adopts practice of nianfo "recollecing" the Buddha = chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha (Namo Amitoufo)

Buddha-nature

part of Mahayana buddhism (similar to Chinese universalism) all living beings possess inherent/innate potential for enlightenment

zazen/zuochan

a form of Buddhist meditation focusing on sitting in a specific posture to cultivate mindfulness and insight.

guanyin/kannon

lotus sutra in china, People invoked name of the bodhisattva ___ or "goddess of mercy" = In sanskrit male In china/east asian literature female

Dharmakara

refers to a bodhisattva who, through the power of his vows, later became Amitabha Buddha, central to the Pure Land tradition, embodying compassion and the aspiration for universal enlightenment, vowed to establish a "pure land"

Wished to save all living beings from samsara,

Meditated for 5 eons to establish a pure land called Sukhavati ("blissful"),

No lower rebirths and everyone will become either an arhat or a bodhisattva, Lifespans are unlimited, no negative karma, perpetual teachings,

vows that any being who sincerely wishes to be born in his pure land will do so if:

• They meditate on it 10 times

• They desire enlightenment and vow to be reborn there

• They meditate on the pure land, practice virtue, and dedicate their merit

Buddha-vehicle (buddha-yana)

encompasses the teachings and practices aimed at attaining enlightenment as exemplified by Gautama Buddha, emphasizing the cessation of suffering and realization of ultimate truth.

Parable of the "burning house

Parable, Burning house = samsara, Playing, distracted children = distracted by toys and amusements = ordinary people who have not converted yet, innocence, ignorance = sentient beings, Chariot = vehicles, bull cart = "one chariot", Father = buddha

Bodhisattva

a enlightened being who has followed spiritual path within Mahayana Buddhism centered on the altruistic vow to attain enlightenment for the liberation of all sentient beings, embodying compassion, wisdom, and skillful means in one's actions and aspirations.

Huineng

Chan (Zen) Buddhism, 6th patriarch, “anti-intellectual”, taught sudden enlightenment, became prominent thru his disciple Shenhui and the “platform Sutra”

Koan

a short, puzzling story, question, or statement used in Zen Buddhism to challenge a student's thinking and deepen their understanding of reality and enlightenment.

Pure land

a celestial realm in Pure Land Buddhism, envisioned as a perfect enlightened land where devotees can be reborn through faith in Amitabha Buddha, aiming for liberation from suffering and the cycle of reincarnation.

Theravada/Hinayana

“school of the elders" or "lesser vehicle", Monastic emphasis, "Arhat" ideal = worthy one, person who attains nirvana after receiving teaching from buddha/scriptures/qualified teacher, puts teachings into practice, South and southeast asia

Tiantai (tendai)

in Japan, a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China, emphasizing the Lotus Sutra and the concept of "threefold truth," which integrates all Buddhist teachings into a comprehensive framework for practice and realization.

Nichiren

a Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Nichiren school of Buddhism, advocating the chanting of the phrase "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" as the primary practice to attain enlightenment and create positive change in one's life and society.

Japanese Buddhist movement founded on the teachings of the 13th-century monk Nichiren, emphasizing the chanting of the Lotus Sutra's title as a means to attain enlightenment.

Dogen

a prominent Japanese Buddhist monk and philosopher who founded the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the practice of zazen (seated meditation)

mofa/mappo

Chinese believed they were living in the "age of Degenerate Dharma" (mofa)

refers to the period of decline in Buddhist teachings, marked by the loss of understanding and effectiveness of the Dharma, according to Buddhist prophecy.

Bodhidharma

an ancient Buddhist monk, founder of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, emphasizing direct insight into one's true nature through meditation and rejecting reliance on scriptures or rituals, either a prince or brahmin from South India, wallgazed/biguan meditation for 9 years, huike first disciple,

Saicho

a Japanese monk who brought Tendai IN JAPAN, which emphasizes combining different Buddhist teachings and practices for spiritual growth, helped tendai integrate into Japanese culture.

"Other-power"

relies on external sources like Buddhas' compassion for enlightenment, unlike self-power practices such as meditation.

Flower sermon

a legendary event in Zen Buddhism where the Buddha held up a flower silently, conveying profound teachings on the nature of reality and direct insight without words.

Dogen

a Japanese Zen master and founder of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, known for his emphasis on rigorous meditation practice (zazen) and the integration of Zen teachings into everyday life activities.

Dunhuang

Oasis town in modern Gansu Province, On border of central asia and chineses civilization, Important Buddhist center, Many caves and grottoes for monks' residences, played a pivotal role in the transmission and exchange of Buddhism along the Silk Road, showcasing a rich collection of Buddhist art and manuscripts.

chan/zen

aka dhyana buddhism, founded by bodhidharma, emphasis on zazen=zuochan=seated meditation,

a school of Mahayana Buddhism focusing on meditation (zazen) and direct experience, striving for enlightenment thru direct exp, meditation, transmission of insight from master to disciple

Mahayana

a major branch of Buddhism that emphasizes universal compassion, the aspiration to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings, and the view that enlightenment is achievable by all beings.

amitabha/amituofo/amida

a celestial Buddha revered in Pure Land Buddhism, representing infinite light and boundless compassion, and practitioners chant his name to attain rebirth in his Pure Land, where enlightenment is assured.

Zhiyi

6th-century Chinese Buddhist monk, founded Tiantai school of Buddhism IN CHINA, synthesized Mahayana teachings → Tiantai teachings, “threefold truth” → conventional, provisional, and ultimate truths, Lotus sutra as the highest teaching,

nianfo/nembutsu

the practice of repeating Amitabha Buddha's name to cultivate faith and aspire for rebirth in his Pure Land in Pure Land Buddhism.

Mahakashyapa

one of the principal disciples of Gautama Buddha and is known for his deep understanding of Buddhist teachings, particularly in the area of monastic discipline (Vinaya).

"One vehicle" (eka-yana)

emphasizes the idea that all Buddhist teachings ultimately lead to the same goal of enlightenment, regardless of the specific tradition or practices followed, highlighting unity and inclusivity within the Buddhist path.

Dhyana

refers to meditation or the practice of cultivating focused attention and mental tranquility, commonly associated with Buddhism and other spiritual traditions.

"Self-power"

relying on personal effort, like meditation and moral conduct, to achieve enlightenment and liberation from suffering.

Platform Sutra

a key text in Chan (Zen) Buddhism, attributed to the Sixth Patriarch Huineng, which outlines his teachings on sudden enlightenment, the nature of mind, and the practice of meditation.

Linji

was a Chinese Zen master and founder of the Linji school of Chan Buddhism, known for his direct and confrontational teaching style aimed at jolting students into sudden realization of their true nature.

Honen

a Japanese monk who founded Pure Land Buddhism's Jodo Shu school, teaching that reciting Amitabha Buddha's name (Nembutsu) leads to rebirth in the Pure Land and enlightenment.