week 14 video notes pt 1

Buddha's Death and the First Council

  • Buddha's Death: Referred to as Karnyarvana, representing final enlightenment.

  • Need for Preservation: Following his death, followers (the sangha) gathered for remembrance and recognized the need to preserve teachings.

  • Codification of Teachings: Agreed to codify teachings for accuracy. Sanskrit was primarily an oral language, so teachings were undocumented.

  • Role of the Arhats: Approximately 500 arhats (enlightened monks) convened to share teachings, recognized only by other enlightened individuals.

Establishment of Monastic Life

  • Monastic Life and Nirvana: Concluded that true liberation or nirvana comes from a monastic life, similar to Buddha's post-enlightenment.

  • Emphasized the Eightfold Path to achieve nirvana:

    • Right View, Intention, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration.

  • Led to the Vinaya, monastic rules for community conduct.

First Councils of Buddhism

  • Council of Rajagriha: The first council, established consistency in teachings.

  • Council of Vaisali (approx. 100 years later): Addressed disagreements on monastic discipline. Reaffirmed the Vinaya's strict interpretation and condemned lax practices.

The Influence of Alexander the Great

  • Cultural Expansion Under Alexander: His empire (Greece to Indus River) spread Greek culture, leading to the Hellenistic world (cultural fusion).

  • Impact on Buddhism: In Gandhara, early Buddhism encountered Greek artistic influences.

  • Buddhism Before Greek Influence: For over two centuries post-Buddha, no visual representations existed; he was symbolized by non-human forms (Bodhi tree, Dharma wheel, footprints). Human depictions were feared to lead to idealization/deification.

Transformation of Buddhist Art

  • Introduction of Gandharan Art: Greek influence led to human representations of Buddha.

  • Adaptation of Traditional Attire: Changed from Gandharan kilt to Himation (Greek-style robe). Buddha depicted with a serene expression, akin to Greek philosophers.

  • Buddha's Iconography: Features included the top knot and calm demeanor.

Significant Figures in Buddhist Art

  • Vajrapani: A protector figure accompanying Buddha, similar to Greek hero Hercules, showing Greek art blending.

Transmission of Buddhism Westward

  • Ashoka's Role: Mauryan ruler Ashoka supported Buddhism, sending missionaries to Greece and Asia Minor.

  • Evidence: Buddhist headstones with Dharma wheel carvings found in Alexandria, Egypt.

  • Clement of Alexandria (2nd century CE) noted Buddhism's presence, demonstrating Hellenistic cultural interaction.

Conclusion

  • Cultural exchanges significantly impacted Buddhist practices and art.

  • Ashoka's reign and monastic discipline established foundational elements for Buddhism's development.