Buddhism Pt 1

Major theme of Buddhism's spread in East Asia

Buddhism spread successfully because political instability, dissatisfaction with older traditions, and its universal message appealed to many people.

Theravada Buddhism

Branch of Buddhism emphasizing individual enlightenment and the attainment of arhat status.

Hinayana

Older term sometimes used for Theravada Buddhism, meaning 'Lesser Vehicle,' though it is often avoided today.

Mahayana Buddhism

Branch of Buddhism emphasizing universal salvation and helping all beings achieve enlightenment.

Meaning of Mahayana

'Great Vehicle,' reflecting its goal of bringing many people to enlightenment.

Theravada ideal

The ideal practitioner is the arhat who achieves personal liberation from suffering.

Arhat

An enlightened individual who has escaped the cycle of rebirth.

Mahayana ideal

The ideal practitioner is the bodhisattva who delays nirvana to help others.

Bodhisattva

A being who works for the enlightenment of all sentient beings rather than pursuing liberation alone.

Mahayana and the self-other distinction

Mahayana teachings blur the distinction between self and others because all beings are interconnected.

Mahayana view of karma

Karma and enlightenment are understood in ways that emphasize compassion and the welfare of all beings.

Why did Mahayana develop?

If one person can reach enlightenment, then all people should be able to achieve enlightenment as well.

Missionary impulse of Mahayana

Strong emphasis on spreading Buddhism and helping others toward salvation.

Buddha images in Mahayana

Mahayana encouraged widespread use of Buddha images and icons for devotion and teaching.

Shakyamuni Buddha

The historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who lived in India during the 6th or 5th century BCE.

Buddhism's place of origin

Northern India and Nepal.

Four Noble Truths

Core Buddhist teachings explaining suffering and how to overcome it.

First Noble Truth

Life contains suffering.

Second Noble Truth

Suffering is caused by craving and attachment.

Third Noble Truth

Suffering can end.

Fourth Noble Truth

There is a path that leads to the end of suffering.

Nirvana

State of enlightenment and liberation from suffering and rebirth.

North China and Buddhism

Northern rulers often used Buddhism to strengthen state authority and political legitimacy.

Northern rulers as living Buddhas

Some northern rulers portrayed themselves as sacred Buddhist figures to reinforce authority.

Southern China and Buddhism

Southern rulers generally presented themselves as students and patrons of Buddhism rather than divine figures.

Buddhism in Southern China

Monasteries were often influenced by literati and aristocratic families rather than direct state control.

Impact of the conquest of North China (311-317)

The collapse of traditional political order weakened confidence in older ideologies and increased interest in Buddhism.

311-317 conquest and Confucianism

The conquest discredited Han-style Confucian faith in stable moral government.

311-317 conquest and Neo-Daoism

Political chaos caused many people to question Neo-Daoist withdrawal from public affairs.

Why Buddhism appealed to Chinese people

It provided answers about suffering, morality, death, and personal improvement during a period of instability.

Localized Buddhist records

Evidence suggests Buddhism was present in China by the 1st century CE.

Why Buddhism confused early Chinese thinkers

The religion was still developing and its teachings differed significantly from traditional Chinese ideas.

Problems translating Buddhism into Chinese

Different translators used inconsistent terminology and interpretations.

Matching Concepts (格義, Geyi)

Method of explaining Buddhist ideas by comparing them to familiar Daoist and Chinese concepts.

Nirvana translated through Daoism

Sometimes explained through the Daoist idea of wuwei (non-action).

Wuwei

Daoist principle of effortless action and non-interference.

Dharma translated through Daoism

Sometimes translated or explained as Dao.

Dharma

The teachings of the Buddha and the law governing reality.

Dao and Dharma comparison

Early translators used Dao to help Chinese audiences understand Dharma.

Karma and Fen comparison

Some Chinese compared karma with fen, meaning fate or allotted destiny.

Fen

Traditional Chinese concept of natural allotment or destiny.

Arhat and Daoist immortal comparison

Arhats were sometimes compared to Daoist immortals (xian).

Xian

Daoist immortal who transcends ordinary human limitations.

Preparation period of Chinese Buddhism

Period before 401 when Buddhist ideas and translations remained inconsistent and experimental.

Kumarajiva

Influential Central Asian Buddhist scholar and translator whose work transformed Chinese Buddhism.

Origin of Kumarajiva

Kucha, an important kingdom along the Silk Road.

Why was Kumarajiva important?

His translations made Buddhist teachings much more understandable and influential in China.

Fu Jian and Kumarajiva

Fu Jian wanted Kumarajiva brought to his court because of his reputation as a scholar.

Lu Guang and Kumarajiva

Lu Guang captured Kumarajiva after conquering Kucha in 384.

Kumarajiva's reputation

Known as a brilliant translator and Buddhist thinker.

Sexual transgression story of Kumarajiva

Stories accused him of violating monastic celibacy, though historians debate their reliability.

Needle story of Kumarajiva

Kumarajiva reportedly swallowed needles to demonstrate that ordinary monks should not imitate extraordinary individuals.

Bias against Kumarajiva in Jin Shu

Some historians question whether negative stories reflected political or religious bias.

Huiyuan

Important Chinese Buddhist monk who helped shape the relationship between Buddhism and the Chinese state.

Dates of Huiyuan

334-416 CE.

Question Huiyuan asked Kumarajiva

How can karma exist if there is no permanent self?

Kumarajiva's answer to Huiyuan

Non-self is a spiritual truth, but continuity still exists, allowing karma to function.

Problem of karma and non-self

If there is no permanent soul, Buddhists must explain how actions continue to have consequences.

Huan Xuan

Political leader who attempted to place Buddhist institutions under state control.

Demands of Huan Xuan

Wanted monks registered, regulated, and subject to political authority.

Dependence of Buddhism on rulers

Buddhist institutions relied on rulers' support and protection.

'The Monk Does Not Bow Before the Ruler'

Essay written by Huiyuan defending the spiritual independence of monks.

Meaning of 'The Monk Does Not Bow Before the Ruler'

Monks serve a higher religious purpose and should not be fully subordinated to political rulers.

Church-state issue in Chinese Buddhism

Debate over whether monks should obey emperors or maintain religious autonomy.

Why were monks useful to governments?

They possessed skills, education, and international connections.

Monks and languages

Many monks knew multiple languages and could communicate across cultures.

Monks and loyalty

Monks had no families, making them less tied to clan interests.

Sui Dynasty and Buddhism

The Sui used Buddhism to help legitimize reunification and imperial authority.

Sui capital and Buddhism

The Sui court strongly supported Buddhist institutions and culture.

Yamato state

Early Japanese state that expanded authority through prestige goods, titles, and political alliances.

Yamato and prestige goods

The Yamato court increased power by monopolizing valuable imports from Korea.

Amaterasu

Sun goddess and mythical ancestor of the Yamato ruling line.

Susanoo

Storm deity associated with rival clan traditions in Japanese mythology.

Kami

Sacred spirits or divine beings in Shinto belief.

Buddhism versus Kami in Japan

Buddhism arrived as a new religion and competed with established clan-based worship of kami.

Soga clan

Powerful clan that promoted Buddhism within the Yamato state.

Soga clan and Buddhism

Used Buddhist sponsorship to strengthen political influence.

Empress Suiko

Ruler associated with the promotion of Buddhism in early Japan.

Dates of Empress Suiko's reign

592-628.

Prince Shotoku

Japanese statesman who promoted Buddhism, Confucianism, and centralized government.

Dates of Prince Shotoku

574-622.

Seventeen Article Constitution

Political and ethical guide associated with Prince Shotoku in 604.

Article 1 of the Seventeen Article Constitution

Promotes harmony as the most important principle of government.

Article 2 of the Seventeen Article Constitution

Advocates support for Buddhism.

Article 3 of the Seventeen Article Constitution

States that imperial orders must always be obeyed.

Articles 4-17 of the Seventeen Article Constitution

Explain how officials should serve the ruler using Confucian and Buddhist principles.

Purpose of Prince Shotoku's Constitution

Strengthen imperial authority and distinguish the Yamato line from rival clans.

Japan becoming more like China

Japanese rulers adopted Chinese political institutions, bureaucracy, and ideology.

598 Sui attack on Koguryo

Koguryo's importance encouraged Wa to send envoys to avoid conflict with Sui China.

645 attack on Koguryo

Tang Taizong and Queen Seondeok's Silla allied against Koguryo.

Prince Naka no Oe

Yamato prince who helped overthrow the Soga clan.

Nakatomi no Kamatari

Powerful ally of Prince Naka no Oe and founder of the Fujiwara lineage.

Dates of Nakatomi no Kamatari

615-669.

Fujiwara surname

Honorific surname later granted to Nakatomi no Kamatari.

Nakatomi no Kamatari and Buddhism

Personally associated with anti-Buddhist ritual traditions but adopted useful continental institutions.

Why did Nakatomi support reform?

He recognized the threat posed by Tang China and sought stronger government.

Taika Reforms (646)

Major reforms modeled on Chinese institutions to strengthen central authority.

Purpose of the Taika Reforms

Increase government control over land, labor, and taxation.

Taika Reforms and Legalism

Created a centralized bureaucratic structure similar to Chinese Legalist states.

Provincial system under Taika reforms

Territory was divided into provinces and districts.