Buddhism

1. Buddhism By: Samantha Bullock, Kimberlyn Knutson, and Andrew Smith

2. I. Founder (Siddhartha Gautama) A. Buddhism was created because Prince Siddhartha had seen the effects people had dealt with due to sickness and suffering that he wanted to leave everything he knew behind to help them. B. Started in 520 BCE C. Prince Siddhartha spent a lot of time preaching what his beliefs were to help those who had suffered from the desires they could not have access to. He spent 50 years to spread his teachings around Nepal. D. During this time many new leaders were coming into power around the world due to previous rulers deaths.

3. II. Major Prophets / Leaders No major Prophets/Leaders, but some people look at Siddhartha Gautama a leader because he was the founder.

4. III. Basic Beliefs A. The purpose of life is to become an arhat - to escape the cycle of rebirth. Mahayana - become a bodhisattva and help others attain enlightenment. B. A person should abide by the four noble truths: Matter of form - 5 senses, sensation or feeling, functioning of mind, good or evil, and consciousness. C.Holidays vary by religion, but often includes: Buddha’s birthday, Buddha’s enlightenment, and lunar quarters. D. The Holy book for Buddhism is called the Pali Canon (tripitaka). There are also numerous Mahayan sutras. E. The 8 Auspicious Symbols include: Parasol (royalty and spiritual power), Golden Fishes (good fortune), Treasure Vase (spiritual and material abundance), Lotus (mental and spiritual purity), Conch shell (the fame of Buddha’s teachings),Endless Knot (infinite wisdom of the Buddha), Victory banner (Victory of the Buddha’s teaching and wisdom over ignorance), Wheel (the teachings of the Buddha)

5. IV. Divisions, Sects, Denominations, and Branches A. The sects include: Mahayana - 185,000,000 followers. They follow the earliest text (Pali Canon). Follow the rules of monastics, and focuses on Buddha's teachings. Their virtue is wisdom through the knowledge of the four noble truths. They believe the buddha can only be a man. They also believe in perfecting oneself. Theravada - 124,000,000 followers. They follow the Pali Canon or other sutras. They have a looser interpretation than other following groups. New sutras are written to incorporate mahayana ideas. They focus on the figure of Buddha. They refuse to enter Nirvana in order to help others. Their virtue is compassion. Vajrayana - 20,000,000 followers. They can attain Nirvana in this lifetime. They believe in fighting fire with fire. They try to harness desire and turn it against oneself.

6. V. Are the roles for men and women in this religion different historically? The more religiously involved people would be either a monk or a nun, others would just follow the teachings of them. Monks and nuns are considered to be responsible for preserving and teaching Buddhism and guiding Buddhist followers. They were also expected to set a living example for the followers. A. The Gender rules today are mostly the same as they were then depending if you are a monk, a nun, or a follower.

7. VI: What is the view of afterlife? A. They believe in rebirth or Nirvana, nirvana is seen simply as the cessation of suffering by some and as heavenly paradise for others.

8. VII. How and where has this religion spread over time? A. It has spread through China, Japan, Korea, and SE Asia. B. As of 2002, Buddhism has 360 million followers.

9. VIII. Timeline of important historical events. • 520 bce:Buddhism began • 528 bce: Meditating under a tree (NW India) and reached enlightenment • 528 BCE: gave first sermon and revealed 4 noble truths • 259-232 bce: Missionaries started going out and converting people to buddhism. Thus it began to grow from a small group to a state. • 250 BCE: Pali Canon is completed at the third buddhist council • 150 CE: Madhyamika school was founded for Mahayana buddhist • 300-400 CE:Yogocara school was founded for Mahayana buddhist • 334-413 CE: Kamarajava translated more than a 100 Buddhist texts • 600-800 CE: Mahayana buddhism started to develop • 632 CE: Tibet declared buddhism their state religion • 668-749 CE: Buddhism and shintoism started to unite • 700 CE: Buddhism started to decline in India • 787 CE: The first Tibetan monastery was built • 800 CE: Buddhism struggled against another Tibetan religion-Bonism • 803 CE: Saicho founded Tendai in Japan • 817-836 CE: Buddhism reached its high point under the rule of King Ralpa-can • 958-1055 CE: Buddhism has a second revival when some important Indian Buddhist texts were translated • 927 CE: Tipikata was first printed in China • 1030 CE: Atisa came to Tibet and founded Tibetan lamaism which became the dominant Buddhism form in Tibet • 1140-1390 CE: Buddhism in Korea reached its climax • 1160 CE: Council of Anuradhapura ended the fight between Mahavirahara and Abhayagiri monasteries • 1200 CE: True Sect of Pure Land was founded in Japan; Buddhism in India was eradicated due to Muslims • 1244 CE: Soto Zen-another sect of Buddhism- was founded in Japan • 1253 CE: Nichiren was formed. It taught that all other forms of Buddhism were going to be the downfall of Japan. • 1260 CE: Lamaism became Mongols national religion • 1400 CE: Buddhism declined in southern India • 1500 CE:Buddhism declined in Japan • 1731 CE: Kanjur was first printed in Tibet • 1800 CE: Buddhist Theosophial Society was founded • 1890 CE: Buddhism had a revival in Japan • 1891 CE: Maha Bodhi Society as founded to bring Buddhism to english speaking countries • 1920s CE: Soviets attacked Buddhism in Mongolia

10. IX. What current issues are taking place today in this religion. A.Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc set himself on fire in protest against the persecution of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government in 1963. This is showing how dedicated the followers are to Buddhism and how far they will go to show their faith in what they believe in. People who follow Buddhism put all of their faith into their religion.

11. X. What additional information did you find about your religion that you believe is important or interesting. - It is the 4th largest religion. - The original language is Pali. - They have six different realms: Three fortunate - Realm of demigods, realm of gods, and realm of men. Three unfortunate - Realm of animals, realm of ghosts, and realm of hell.