Buddhism
CONTEXT
4-6th mid century BCE in NE of India
Context:
discontent in Brahmanic/higher caste sacrifice and ritual
NW India
emergence of ascetics
person who severely practices self-discipline and abstention based on a spiritual; text or lifestyle who tried to create a more personal and spiritual religious practice that that found in India
NE India
less influenced by Vedic tradition
many sects emerged led by individuals
tribal disunity
Emerged from teachings of Siddhartha Gautama
Budhha - enlightened being who achieved freedom from suffering
only 1 buddha for each historical era
some have existed in the past and will exist in the future
capital B = Siddhartha Gautama
small b = general term; enlightened being
a lot of accounts about him, but the accepted ones are:
the son of a prince in Shakya Tribe in Lumbini
N of Ganges, now S. Nepal
his father wanted Siddhartha to succeed him, but SG didn’t want to
left royal grounds and went to nearby town
known as Four Passing Sights
Old Man - crooked and toothless
Sick Man - wasted by disease
Corpse - taken for cremation
Wandering holy man - no possessions but at peace
questioned human experience at 29
travelled from teacher to teacher but never satisfied
continued search for meaning but was austere
SG found his bodhi
awakening/enlightenment
travelled and gained many followers
CORE BELIEFS
Triratna (3 Jewels)
expression of professing faith
Buddha, Dharma, Sangha
Buddha
ideal man, others should imitate him
constant model of self-control and mindfulness
Dharma
how to view the world and live properly
difference w /Hindusim:
H: cosmic order, duties, etc
B: teachings of Buddha
Sangha
community of monks and nuns
Three marks of reality
Anichcha
change
nothing is permanent
constantly changing
Annata
impermanence of identity
from Hindu atman
Anatman
no self, no permanent soul
Dukkha
suffering
life can never be fully satisfying due to change
no one can escape it, but can control reactions
Four Noble Truths
To live is to suffer
suffering exists
recognize it and why it exists = less worry
Suffering comes from Desire
suffering has a cause
desire is insatiable
To end suffering, end desire
Release from suffering is possible and attainable by following the Noble eightfold path
goal of Buddhism is nirvana
end of suffering
inner peace
liberation from the world
Noble Eightfold path
the way to inner peace
Right Understanding
impermanence of life
mechanism of desire
cause of suffering
knowing all the RIGHT things
Right Thought
thoughts and motives are pure
not tainted by desire
being genuine
Right Speech
honestly and kindly
positive
no lying or harsh words
Right Action
do not hurt anything or anyone that can feel hurt
Right Work
job that doesn’t harm self or others
Right Effort
strive to improve in moderation
Right Meditation
right mindfulness
uses meditation and focused awareness to contemplate nature of reality
Right Contemplation
cultivates states of blissful inner peace
Nontheism
belief that deities, whether or not they exist, don’t have an impact on their lives
CANNOT HELP in achieving nirvana
OTHER ASPECTS
influenced by Vedic practice
early Buddhist literature rejected some elements
heavy reliance on priests
caste system
permanent spiritual reality
Ahimsa
do no harm
fundamental
stop being a cause of suffering
Soul and Karma
Buddha rejected the idea of a permanent soul (Anatta) but accepted some notion of rebirth
good actions = good karma + good effects in next life
bad karma = rebirth into animal/insect
Nirvana
state of enlightenment
no suffering or desires
moksha basically
can attain liberation from samsara via nirvana
Temple Worship
temples to pray and meditate
venerate holy figures
two different types of Buddha statues being worshipped
Thin - Siddhartha Gautama
Fat - Budai: Chinese monk
Incense
divine odor
purify worship halls + sign of respect
Monasticism
bhikku - Buddhist nuns or monks
renounce worldly life and join the Sangha
poverty and non-attachment to material world
why some Buddhists live by donations or begging
donations are meritorious
ascetic practices
no sex, suicide, stealing, lying about spiritual attainments
DEMOGRPAHIC
Buddhism is the 4th largest religion in the World
majority in China
East and SE-Asia
branches
Theravada Buddhism
the way of the elders
conservative
said to follow original teachings of Buddha
beliefs include
ideal reaching of nirvana
beg daily for food and live close to lay people
donors believe they receive good karma
Arhat - person that achieved enlightenment and in the state of Nirvana
found in Sri Lanka and majority of SEA
Mahayana Buddhism
the big vehicle
anyone can achieve nirvana, not just monks
beliefs include:
Karuna
compassion
we are all part of the same universe
be kind
Bodhisattva
enlightenment being
person with deep compassion
majority reside in China
Zen Buddhism
mix of Mahayana and Taoism
all human beings are Buddha but have to discover that themselves
Zen - the way
emphasizes meditation
why it’s compatible with other religions
Vajrayana Buddhism
aka Mantrayana
vehicle of the mantra
mantra should be used to prevent the mind from going astray to fictional worlds
be aware of reality as it is
home base is Tibet and home branch of the Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama is believed to be reincarnations of previous one