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Buddhism 101

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Buddhism 101

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  1. Hold firm to the truth as a lamp and a refuge, and do not look for refuge to anything besides yourself. A monk becomes his own lamp and refuge by continually looking on his body, feelings, perceptions, moods and ideas in such a manner that he conquers the cravings and depressions of ordinary men and is always strenuous, self possessed, and collected in the mind. Whoever among my monks does this, either now or when I am dead, if he is anxious to learn, will reach the summit.”

  2. Founded: 6th century BCE Founder: Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise known as the Buddha “Enlightened One” Place of Origin: India Sacred Books: oldest and most important scriptures are the Tripitaka, (The Three Baskets of Wisdom) Number of Adherents: approximately 200 million close adherents, although some estimates surpass the 600 million mark. Precision is impossible… Distribution: predominant faith in Burma, Ceylon, Thailand and Indo-China. It also has followers in China, Korea, Mongolia and Japan. Buddhists in Canada: upwards of 10, 000 Sects: two principal schools are Mahayana and Theravadin (or Hinayana) Buddhism Buddhism 101

  3. Buddhism Basics • Attempts to give answers to life’s questions • Emphasis on “things to do” rather than “things to believe” • Avoid speculative questions (creation, Supreme power, afterlife) since there was little possibility of definitive answers = instead spend time attempting to deal with the harsh realities presented by life here and now • Tolerant to any religion that allows a person to find “truth” of himself/ herself. Believe that setting an example which others may emulate. • ULTIMATE GOAL= end suffering and attain absolute peace and joy

  4. SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA • Siddhartha Gautama born 563 BCE into Kshatriya caste in present day Nepal • Kingdom of Gautama • Siddhartha had a legendary birth, life and death • Prophecy given to his father… BUDDHA= ENLIGHTENED ONE

  5. Miracles, miracles, miracles… • Immaculate conception - Siddhartha descended from Heaven and entered mother’s (Queen Maya) womb in form of baby white elephant (purity) • Queen Maya carried Siddhartha for 10 months and could see him in the womb • Gave birth from her side with assistance from tree branches • Water poured from the sky • At birth Siddhartha took 7 steps and said “this is my last birth”

  6. Four Sights • King wanted to shelter Siddhartha from unpleasantness of life • At 29, Siddhartha visited the city with Channa and saw four sights: • Old man • Sick man • Dead man • Ascetic monk

  7. FOUR SIGHTSThese sights compelled him to • reflect upon: • suffering • death • meaning of life • ultimate fate of man • and inspired him to find a spiritual solution to problems of human life

  8. He left his palace and for 7 years search for the ultimate truth of life Studied Hindu scriptures but found them lacking Tried raja yoga (meditation) but sensed his sacrifices were not great enough turned to asceticism and scourged and starved himself (1 grain of rice a day)= but no deep insight came Determined best course was the MIDDLE WAY (path between both extremes; a lifestyle of moderation)

  9. ENLIGHTENMENT OF BUDDHA • Under a Bodhi tree (tree of Wisdom) he meditated • Remembered all of his previous lives • Resisted the combats of Mara (Evil One), who tried many temptations • Removed craving and ignorance for himself • At dawn of his 35th birthday, his mind “pierced the bubble” of the universe, enabling him to realize the essential truth about life and the path to salvation • Achieved NIRVANA and was released from samsara • Stayed in this state for 7 days NIRVANA= state of supreme realization and enlightenment=understand truth of life and freedom from ignorance=state of total liberation, truth, tranquility, peace

  10. ENLIGHTENMENT > NEW RELIGION • After achieving enlightenment, Buddha wanted to share his experiences and insights with others and traveled to Benares and encountered five ascetics. • Deer Park Sermon: outlined his enlightened thoughts and converted five ascetics as his first disciples • Founded the SANGHA, the monastic brotherhood of Buddhism • Argued that no rituals, gods or any type of outside power could save man. The only salvation lies in the realization of the Four Noble Truths and the diligent pursuit of the Eight Fold Path • Within years, Buddhist monasteries were emerging throughout India, establishing Buddhism as a religion • The Buddha died in 486 BCE and achieved paranirvana (complete nirvana)

  11. Born to Kshatriya caste Believed to be incarnation of Vishnu (avatar) Buddha rejected Hindu belief that human inequality was based on hereditary distinctions and that salvation can only be achieved by elite few Same concepts: reincarnation, samsara, karma, dharma, nirvana, raja yoga (meditation which held the key to enlightenment and the salvation of nirvana) Rejected concepts: caste system, Hindu rituals and offerings to gods, theories, language of Sanskrit (he used Pali), nirvana only if Brahmin caste, refusal to accept authority of Vedas and Upanishads Buddhism view of Women: more equal in stance compared to Hinduism; women may endure more “suffering” (ie. childbirth). Buddha allowed either men or women from any caste to become monks or nuns and join the Sangha (brotherhood) Hinduism vs Buddhism

  12. 3 Characteristics of Existence • Annica= impermanence (world in constant flux) • Dukkha= dissatisfaction(all humans and animals experience suffering) • Anatta= no self (no separate, eternal unchanging self)

  13. FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

  14. Four Noble Truths

  15. Fundamental Ethicsof Buddhism is theEightfold Path.Buddhist scriptures are filled with storiesillustrating compassion, Charity and non-violence

  16. FIVE PRECEPTS • Abstain from killing or harming living beings • Abstain from stealing • Abstain from improper sexual conduct • Abstain from false speech • Abstain from taking alcohol and harmful drugs

  17. More Numbers and Concepts… • Triple Jewel or Three Refuges: Buddha (guide), Dharma (path), Sangha (teachers) • Six Perfections: giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation and wisdom • Bodhisattva: person who has attained nirvana but chooses to be reborn within samsara in order to help others on path of enlightenment • Nirvana: escape from cycle of rebirth (based on karma, 8-fold path, enlightenment) to attain perfect freedom and bliss

  18. Practices • Meditation- lotus posture • Bowing (three times) • Offerings & Chanting Mantras: “Om Mani Padme Hum” which means “Hail, the jewel in the lotus” • Karma • Puja • Dana (donations) • Mudras • Monastic Ideal

  19. Symbols • Wheel of Life • Mandala • Lotus Flower • Stupa • Temples • Swastika • Buddhapada

  20. Sacred Writings Tripitaka (Three Baskets)~ almost 10 000 pages long and principal source for the life and teachings of Buddha ~ considered to be the most accurate of Buddha’s teachings which consist of: • Vinaya- Pitaka: Basket of Discipline (rules for Sangha or monks) • Sutta- Pitaka: Basket of Discourse (discourses between Buddha and his disciples = main body of Buddhist belief) • Abidhamma- Pitiaka: Basket of Further Teachings (views on the nature of the universe)

  21. Spread of Buddhism • During Buddha’s lifetime,Buddhism gained a significant foothold in India • emergence of hundreds of monasteries further spread the message of Buddha • Expansion of Buddhism increased with the acceptance in 3rd century BCE by India’s emperor Ashoka • Spread towards Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos • By 6th century BCE, spread to Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea

  22. Schools of Buddhism • Sects emerged due to disputes over translation and interpretation of Buddha’s teachings, but share common belief of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path • Theravada or Hinayana: conservative, key virtue is wisdom and Buddha is revered as a teacher / saint (Burma, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia) • Mahayana: liberal, ideal is the bodhisattva who follows example of Buddha and remains in world to serve his fellows (China, Vietnam, Korea) • Vajrayana: Trantric Buddhism- emphasis on rituals, mantras and visual mandalas; Dalai Lama (god-kings) living incarnations of previous holy beings (Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal) • Zen Buddhism: emphasis on meditation to achieve inspiration (satori) which brings enlightenment; less emphasis on scripture, rituals, worship (Japan)

  23. Religion Attempts to examine the meaning of life and universe Provides an ethical standard and an overall goal beyond this life Despite Buddha’s wishes, he was defied after his death by some of his followers Buddhism has taken on rituals, sacrifices, temple worship, elaborate scriptures and complex doctrines Philosophy No sacrifices, worship, prayers, rituals Rejected the principle of authority in religious matters No god personified father figure who created and presided over the universe Buddha- not proclaimed as a god but stated that he was “awake” and could point the way for an individual towards salvation Religion or Philosophy?

  24. The 14th Dalai Lama • Tenzin Gyatso aka Teshe Norbu meaning “Kundun- The Presence” • Dalai Lama means “Ocean of Wisdom” • Manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara • Recognized at age 2 • Assumed full political power at age 16 • Resides in Northern India leading organization called the Tibetan Government in Exile • Established educational, cultural and religious institutions to preserve Tibetan identity and heritage • Reputation as a scholar and man of peace • Received Nobel Peace Prize in 1989

  25. Impact of Buddhism • Buddhism elevated the level of religious life and thought in most Asia • Forced Hinduism to remedy some of its abuses and revitalize its teachings • Major effect upon philosophy, education, literature and art of south Asia, India (Gupta period), China (T’ang Dynasty) and Japan (Zen Buddhism) • However, many argue Buddhism has discouraged social progress (since it accepts life as full of suffering and does not produce a great concern or solutions regarding poverty, illiteracy, illness, pollution etc.) • Spread of Communism (Communist takeover of China in 1949) led to nationalization of monasteries and all revenues) > government in exile in Tibet

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