The Spread of Buddhism

1. The Spread of Buddhism Theravada School Mahayana School

2. After the Buddha – The Sangha • Sangha: Small community of monks established at the first sermon in the Deer Park • Monks wandered – spreading the word of Buddhism across India • Councils met to discuss sutras. Council meeting in 383BC resulted in a division • Sthaviradada: argued to keep the sutras unchanged • Mahasanghika: argued for a more literature to be included in the sutra • Resulted in 2 branches: Theravada School Mahayana School

3. Theravada School Little Vehicle Way of the Elders Conservative Mahayana School Northern School The Greater Vehicle More liberal Branches of Buddhism • TEXTBOOK MAPPING EXERCISE: Page 194

4. Spread of Buddhism

5. Comparison

6. Comparison continued

7. Agreements • The Buddha is the only master • One must take refuge in the Buddha, dharma and Sangha • This world was not created and ruled by a god • One must follow the example of the Buddha • One must accept the Four Noble Truths • All things are impermanent

8. Tibetan Tantra Buddhism or Vajrayana - Buddhism In a nutshell!

9. ‘Bon’ religion indigenous religion of Tibet, animistic (believing that nature is pervaded by good and evil spirits) shamanistic Buddhism and Hinduism Initially introduced late 8th century more steadily from the 13th century onwards The Great tantric mystic Guru Rinpoche blended these three religions in 774 CE resulting in Tibetan Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism History

10. Tibetan Buddhism - politics • Tibetan Buddhism dominated Mongolia and Manchuria. • Gave rise to a Theocracy – hierarchy of monks or Lamas that govern the country • Dali Lama is both the worldly and spiritual authority

11. Buddhist text were translated into Tibetan 11th – 14th Centuries. Many text survived in Tibetan translations only The most famous Tibetan Buddhist text is the Bardo Thodol, popularly known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Describes the experiences of the soul during the interval between death and rebirth. It is recited by lamas over a dying or recently deceased person Tibetan Buddhist Sacred Texts

12. Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs Similarities with Mahayana Buddhism • pantheon of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors • 4 Noble Truths • Eight-Fold Path • Compassion • Monastic life • 3 baskets – Tripitaka • rituals such as food and flower offerings • Religious pilgrimages • Religious festivals • Mantras and Mudras • Bodhisattvas

13. Unique to Tibetan Buddhism religious pilgrimages chanting prayers Prayer wheels Prostrating Mandalas Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs cont.

14. Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs cont. • Cham: a dance featuring sacred masked dances, sacred music, healing chants, and spectacular richly ornamented multi-colored costumes • Mudras - used by the monks to invite spiritual energies which generate wisdom, compassion. • monastic debate

15. Tibetan Beliefs - Images

16. Philosophy – Fight fire with fire • Vajra – diamond. Buddha elevated to a savior holding a diamond scepter – evokes the energetic rigor and clarity of the diamond • Task: to shut off the energy of desire to accomplish the cessation of suffering • How: Harness this energy (of desire) and turn it against itself to propel the individual towards enlightenment. • Method: Chanting, Mandalas, mudras, sex

17. Tibet Today • Clergy: Lamas (Oligarchy) • Present Dali Lama - 14th in a direct line of succession – through rebirth • won Nobel Peace Prize 1989 • Currently living in exile in Northern India • Tibet – currently claimed by the People’s Republic of China