World Religion Buddhism Basics

Buddhism is the

fourth largest religion in the world

Buddhist mostly reside in

China, Japan, and Thailand

Life of the Buddha

- “Buddha” is a title; The Awakened One

- Siddhartha Gautama; the “historical Buddha”

- Prince of the Shakya people in India (c. 6th – 4th centuries BCE)

- Prophecy of being a great ruler or teacher

- Sheltered from suffering by father, the King

- The “Great Renunciation”

- Meets his people with charioteer, Channa

- Encounters disease, death, sleep of female servants

- Inspired to become an ascetic

- Exchanges robes and long hair for monk’s robes

- Studies under various masters; exceeding them

- Nearly starves

- From Asceticism to Meditation

- Resolves to walk the “Middle Path”

- Between self-indulgence and mortification

- The Bodhi Tree

-Temptations of Mara

- Karma and Samsara

- Attachment and Fear, Pain

-Nirvana, i.e., “blowing out”

or “extinguishing”

- Founding of the Sangha

-The Pali Canon(s) – only written in 29 BCE

The “Four Noble Truths”

1) Dukkha: All Life is suffering.

2) Samudaya: The source of

suffering is craving/desire.

3) Nirodha: The cure to suffering is

letting go of craving/desire.

4) Marga: This is accomplished by

walking “The Eightfold Path”

1.Dukkha

All Life is suffering

2.Samudaya

The source of
suffering is craving/desire

3.Nirodha

The cure to suffering is

letting go of craving/desire

4.Marga

This is accomplished by

walking “The Eightfold Path”

Concepts

- Annitya (“impermanence”)

- Anatman (“non-self”)

The “Eightfold Path”

1) Right View (4 Noble Truths, Karma, Rebirth)

2) Right Intention (to live non-sensually, non-

violently)

3) Right Speech

4) Right Conduct

5) Right Livelihood (trad. Begging)

6) Right Effort (Guard against sensual thoughts)

7) Right Mindfulness (of impermanence)

8) Right Concentration (or “Samadhi” – Meditation)

1.

Right View (4 Noble Truths, Karma, Rebirth)

2.

Right Intention (to live non-sensually, non-

violently)

3.

Right Speech

4.

Right Conduct

5.

Right Livelihood (trad. Begging)

6.

Right Effort (Guard against sensual thoughts)

7.

Right Mindfulness (of impermanence)

8.

Right Concentration (or “Samadhi” – Meditation)

Indian Dharmic Religion

- Internal Reforms; Splits

-Writing of Upanishads

- Cross-pollination

A Missionary Religion

- Esp. amongst lower Castes (“Varnas”)

- Contemporary examples; “Dalit Buddhist Movement”

Ashoka the Great

-Mauryan Empire (India), 3rd Century BCE
- “Ashoka’s Hell” (Apocryphal)
- Conversion
-Spread of Buddhism from China to Sri Lanka

Theravada Buddhism

- “School of the Elders”

- Oldest extant school

- S.E. Asia and Sri Lanka

- Focus of Monastic Discipline; Monastic/ Lay distinction

- Most resistant to supernaturalism

Ex: The Donkey in Lion’s Skin

- Jataka (past lives) tale.

- Buddha and Kokalika

- Don’t say more than you know

- Parallel to Aesop’s Fable, “A silent donkey is considered wise”

Mahayana Buddhism

-“Great Vehicle”
- Esp. China, Korea, Japan,
Vietnam
- De-emphasizes Monastic/
Lay distinction
- “Bodhisattva” postponing
Nirvana out of compassion
to others.
- More open to
supernaturalism;
Omniscience of Buddha,
Devas

Ex: The Lotus Sutra

- Parable of the Burning House

- Doctrine of “Expedient Means” (Upaya)

Zen Buddhism

- Esp. in Japan

- Mahayana and Chinese Taoist origins.

- Emphasis on Impermanence, Transience, Non-judgment

Ex: The Tea Ceremony

Wabi-Sabi (“transience-imperfection”)

Vajrayana Buddhism

- “Diamond” or “Thunderbolt” Vehicle

- Esp. Tibet

- Faster path to Nirvana; Bypass many reincarnations

- “Ritual Reversal” (sex, blood, alcohol, semen); Deity meditation

- More “Upaya”

Ex: The Phurba

Convert the 3 “Scorpion” poisons of Delusion, Greed, and
Violence
“Wrathful” weapon used in exorcisms, meditation

RELIGIONS ARE NOT

WORLDVIEWS

- Omniscience of Buddha

- Place of Deities; the Supernatural

- Monastic/ Lay Distinction

- Role of the Sensual