3/BT1: Religious Figures and Sacred texts

what did the Sangha do in the period after the Buddha's death?

they travelled around the region (Ganges area) to spread the teachings to others.

during times where it was impractical to travel they would settle down on land and form a monastic community.

what is the Vinaya Pitaka?

one of the three baskets (tipitaka)

the first section of Buddhist scriptures, dealing with monastic discipline.

who were supposed to follow the Vinaya rules?

bhikkhus and bhikkhunis

why were the Vinaya rules made?

to resolve consistently arising disputes among the various factions forming after the Buddha's death

so that the Sangha could all follow the Middle Way in the same way

what were held in order to consolidate the code of conduct

three Buddhist councils

Rajagaha

Vesali

Pataliputra

Rajagaha (1st Buddhist council)

when was it held? what was its purpose/what key event occurred at?:

Rajagaha: held 3 months after the death of the Buddha

purpose: to establish discipline and code of conduct; establish teachings of Buddha that were transmitted orally.

outcome: established rules as they were in the Buddha's time

Vesali (2nd)

when was it held? what was its purpose/outcome?:

Vesali: 100 years later

purpose to respond to internal conflict within the sangha. outcome: opposing factions had formed and the major split occurred to form two separate schools.

Pataliputra (3rd)

when was it held? what was its purpose/what key event occurred at?:

what were the different schools called? why did they split (what debate surrounds this)

Pataliputra: 20 years after Vesali

Under patronage of King Ashoka, established the Vinaya of the Theravadin tradition.

Sthaviravadins (wanted to add more rules)

Mahasanghikas (accused Sthaviravadins of adding rules that were never there)

there is debate over when the actual split occurred

what is the Patimokkha

the 227 rules of the Buddhist community of monks and nuns (who have 331)

what is the Sutta Vibhanga

how many sections are there and what do they cover? what is the notable section (for the course/spec)

the first part of the patimokkha aimed at individuals

8 sections that detail the key areas of monastic life

the Parajikas: rules entailing expulsion from the Sangha (defeat)

what is the second section of the Vinaya?

Khandhaka - deals with overall organisation of the Sangha and practical aspects of living together under the Buddha's teachings

what is the Khandhaka split into? what is each section for?

Mahavagga - deals with guidance on organisation of Sangha

Cullavagga - covers matters associated with formal discipline

what are Uposatha days?

In Theravadin tradition where the assembled community recites the Patimokkha on a full moon day.

what were the five reasons given by the Buddha for laying down the rules - as taught by Ajahn Chah ?

excellence of the ...

control of ...

restraint of...

arousing of ....

establishment of...

- for the excellence and well-being of the Community

- the control of ill-behaved monks and the comfort of well-behaved monks

- the restrain t of bad habits in thi slife and the prevention of bad habits in the next

- the arousing of faith in the faithless and the increase of faith in the faithful

- the establishment of the Dhamma and support of the Vinaya.

according to Thanissaro Bhikkhu, how were the rules originally transmitted and repeated?

through pairing each with an origin story to exemplify the rule in practice

what are the rules intended to ensure and promote

what do they also restrain in the individual monks

intended to ensure harmony within the Sangha and to promote confidence in the Dhamma

they serve to restrain mental bad habits within individual monks - promoting mindfulness and reflection

what is the impact of the Patimokkha on the monks/nuns?

the monk/nun leads a simple lifestyle in order to develop the condition in life that most successfully promotes the path to Enlightenment.

It is there to protect and guide the monastics.

give examples of some rules in the Patimokkha on: right speech

regulations forbidding lying and bearing false witness against other

monks; divisive speech aimed to cause rifts in the community;

give examples of rules in the Patimokkha on: right action

include regulations forbidding killing humans and animals (this includes

abortion); taking anything that is not given; and any form of sexual contact from being alone with a

women up to sexual intercourse of any form.

give examples of rules in the Patimokkha on: correct behaviour?

Rules about correct behaviour for monks include regulations forbidding gardening and growing food;

watching an army on active duty; swimming for fun; travelling with a group of thieves; failing to wear

robes so that the body is covered; walking on tiptoe; stuffing one's cheeks with food;

what are the 4 parajikas?

1. Intentional sexual intercourse with another human or animal

2. Stealing something that has value

3. Murder of any other human (indirectly also)

4. Making false claims about your status or not of enlightenment / spiritual journey

what is the Sutta Pitaka?

the discourses/ teachings of the Buddha

what is the Abhidhamma Pitaka?

Metaphysical and Theological analysis of the Buddha's teachings

Means 'higher teaching'

how important is the tipitaka/pali canon for Theravadin Buddhists?

how is which basket used to maintain what in the sangha?

abhidhamma importance?

very!

it contains Buddha's life story and teachings so form the foundation of Buddhism

the Vinaya Pitaka is used to maintain peace in the community

The abhidhamma is studied less often so could be argued to be less important

how important is the tipitaka/pali canon for Mahayana Buddhists?

comparison to importance that Theravadins place on it?

important because it contains?

Mahayana more likely to study what?

some schools focus on what instead?

less important generally than how Theravadins consider it

still important as contains Buddha's direct teachings

Mahayana scholars more likely to study Mahayana scriptures

some schools, like Zen, barely study scriptures and instead focus on meditation and other practices?

give 2 examples of rules specific to bhikkhunis

teaching bhikkhus...

respecting bhikkhus...

a bhikkhuni is not allowed to teach the Dhamma to a bhikkhu, no matter her greater ordainment or age.

a bhikkhuni must always show respect to the bhikkus, e.g. rising from her seat in their presence, etc. whilst there are no such rules vice versa.

what is the Pali term for the rules in the patimokkha for settling disputes?

adikarana samatha