Buddhism
Orange – indicates glossary term
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Name: Named after the founder, the Buddha
Origin
A.
Date: 6th century BCE
B.
Location: India
C.
Roots: Hinduism (hence, many beliefs/practices similar)
1.
Similarities: Both affirm samsara, reincarnation, meditation.
2.
Differences
a)
Hinduism
(1)
Atman: Underlying true Self
(2)
Emphasizes the supernatural, authority (brahmins), ritual, tradition and
speculation
b)
Buddhism
(1)
Anatta: No underlying true Self
(2)
Avoids the supernatural, authority, ritual, tradition and speculation
Adherents (see Statistics and Timelines in the Resources sections)
A.
Number: 360 million
B.
Location: Primarily Southeast Asia, China, Tibet, Japan and Korea
1.
300-200 BCE: Buddhism spreads throughout northern India
2.
200 BCE – 200 CE: Buddhism spreads throughout southern India, Central Asia and China
3.
300-500 CE: Buddhism introduced into parts of Southeast Asia; rises to prominence in
China
4.
400 CE: Buddhism introduced into Korea from Japan
5.
500 CE: Buddhism introduced into Japan from Korea
6.
800 CE: Buddhism officially established in Tibet
Key Figure / Founder: Gautama Buddha (c. 563-483 BCE)
A.
Term: Buddha means “Enlightened One” or “Awakened One” (from the Sanskrit budh meaning
“to wake up” or “to know”)
B.
Names
1.
Siddhartha Gautama (Siddhartha [given name] Gautama [surname] of the Sakyas [clan])
2.
Buddha (“The One Who Woke Up”)
3.
Sakyamuni (muni “silent sage” Sakya “of the Sakya clan”)
4.
Tathagata (“The One Thus Come” or “Thus-gone”)
C.
Nature: a man (though an extraordinary man)
D.
Life
1.
Birth: c. 563 BCE near present-day Nepal
2.
Marriage: Siddhartha married a neighboring princess (Yasodhara) at 16 and had a son
(Rahula)
3.
Early life
a)
Luxurious (his father was a king [more like a feudal lord since there were many
“kings”])
b)
Sheltered
(1)
At birth his father summoned fortune tellers to forecast his future
(a)
If remained in the world: Would become a world conqueror
(unify India and become a Universal King)
(b)
If forsook the world: Would become a world redeemer
(2)
Although his father attempted to shield him from anything that would
cause him to forsake the world, Siddhartha witnessed the “Four Passing
Sights” (the old, the sick, the dead, and the holy [a monk])
4.
Renunciation (534 BCE): At 29 Siddhartha left his palace, wife, and son
Buddhism- 2
a)
V.
VI.
First phase: Sought Hindu wisdom (practiced raja yoga under two Hindu
yogis)—did not bring enlightenment
b)
Second phase: Turned to a group of ascetics—did not bring enlightenment
(though realized the value of the Middle Way)
5.
Enlightenment (528 BCE)
a)
Sitting under a tree (later named the Bo tree) near the city of Gaya (northeast
India), Siddhartha vowed not to move until he achieved enlightenment
b)
Through a combination of meditation and concentration similar to raja yoga,
though tempted by the Hindu god of desire (Kama) and attacked by the Hindu
lord of death (Mara) Siddhartha attained enlightenment
6.
Teaching
a)
Though tempted by Mara to simply leave the world and enter nirvana, the
Buddha chose to remain in the world (claiming some would understand his
message)
b)
The Buddha preached his first sermon (The Four Noble Truths) to the five
ascetics in the Deer Park near Benares
7.
Death: Died in 483 from dysentery from eating dried boar’s flesh)
Sacred Text: Tripitaka (“Tripitaka” in Sanskrit; “Tipitaka” in Pali)
A.
Meaning: “Three Baskets” or “Three Collections”
B.
Composed of three parts
1.
Sutra (“Discourses”): The teachings of the Buddha
2.
Vinaya (“Disciplines”): The Buddha’s rules for the monastic life
3.
Abhidharma (“The Further or Higher Teachings”): Metaphysical commentaries by the
Buddha’s disciples
Core Beliefs (see the Interview sections)
A.
Worldview
1.
Time: Cyclical
2.
Reality
a)
Gods
(1)
No Supreme Being
(2)
The gods and spirits of Hinduism were assimilated by early Buddhism
(a)
Like humans, the gods are also subject to karma
(b)
The Hierarchy of Beings (increasing pleasure above humans,
increasing pain below)
(i)
The Realm of the Gods (twenty-two levels above the
earth)
(ii)
The Realm of Humans (mixed pleasure and pain)
(iii)
The Realm of Demons (in the atmosphere, near the
earth)
(iv)
The Realm of Hungry Ghosts (on the earth)
(v)
The Realm of Animals
(vi)
The Realm of Hell-dwellers (below the earth)
b)
Universe: Caught up in samsara
c)
Humanity
(1)
Reincarnation (samsara/karma) is affirmed (as in all other Indian
religions)
(a)
All are bound to life due to their acquired karma
(b)
Karma is acquired by any activity
(2)
Three Marks of Existence
(a)
Suffering (dukkha): Life is unsatisfactory, dislocated and
permeated with suffering
(b)
Impermanence (anicca): The world is in constant flux and is
impermanent (cf. Heraclitus)
Buddhism- 3
(c)
VII.
No soul (anatta)
(i)
Etymology: atta (Pali for the Sanskrit Atman)-soul;
an-no (term in Sanskrit: anatman)
(ii)
The Hindu notion of Atman (an underlying true Self)
is rejected
(iii)
The notion of a self or soul is replaced with the Five
Aggregates (the five skandas): the physical body,
feelings, understanding, will, and consciousness)
(3)
Three Refuges/Jewels/Treasures: Humans can rely on three resources
(reservoirs of merit) in their quest for nirvana
(a)
The Buddha: The example
(b)
The Dharma (“Dharma” in Sanskrit; “Dhamma” in Pali): The
teachings of the Buddha (Four Noble Truths)
(c)
The Sangha: The community of monks
(4)
Goal: Nirvana (“Nirvana” in Sanskrit; “Nibbana” in Pali)
(a)
Etymology: “to blow out,” or “to extinguish” (desire is, like a
candle, snuffed out)
(b)
Is ineffable
(c)
Whether God
(i)
No, if by God one means a personal Creator
(ii)
Possibly, if one emphasizes similar characteristics
B.
Doctrine: Four Noble Truths (the Buddha’s response to life’s situation is like a physician’s)
1.
First Noble Truth: Life is dukkha (Symptom)
a)
Meaning of dukkha: Suffering, dislocation, unsatisfactoriness
b)
“Birth is suffering; aging is suffering; sickness is suffering; death is suffering;
sorrow and lamentation, pain, grief and despair are suffering; association with
the unpleasant is suffering; dissociation from the pleasant is suffering; not to get
what one wants is suffering—in brief, the five aggregates of attachment is
suffering.” {The Buddha}
2.
Second Noble Truth: The cause of dukkha is tanha (Diagnosis)
a)
Meaning of tanha: Thirst, craving, desire
b)
Clinging to that which is impermanent results in dukkha
3.
Third Noble Truth: The cessation dukkha will result from the cessation of tanha
(Prognosis)
4.
Fourth Noble Truth: The cessation of dukkha is accomplished by the Noble Eightfold
Path (Prescription)—right views, intent, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness,
and concentration
Core Practices: (see the Interview sections)
A.
Five Precepts (monks [bikkhus] and nuns follow 10)
1.
Do not kill (including animals)—strict Buddhists are vegetarians
2.
Do not steal
3.
Do not lie
4.
Do not be unchaste
5.
Do not drink intoxicants
B.
Festivals / Holidays
1.
The New Year
a)
When: April
b)
What: Carnival-like atmosphere celebration lasting three days (the first two days:
washing and cleansing in preparation for the New Year; the third: rededication to
Buddhism by visiting temples and making offerings)
2.
The Buddha’s Birthday
a)
When: April 8 in China and Japan; last full moon in May in Southeast Asia
Buddhism- 4
b)
VIII.
What: Japanese temples have flower festivals; other communities wash statues
of the Buddha; sometimes a statue of the Buddha is carried through the streets,
use of firecrackers, children dress up as a little Buddha
3.
The Festival of Souls (Ullambana)
a)
When: August in China and July in Japan
b)
Why: It is believed that souls are released from purgatory to wander the earth at
this time
c)
What: Priest perform rituals to provide comfort for the released souls
4.
The Robe Offering
a)
Who: Theravada Buddhists
b)
When: November (the end of the rainy season)
c)
What: Laypersons present local monks with yellow robes during a public feast
d)
Why: To celebrate when the first Buddhist monks were sent out during the time
of Asoka (a Buddhist convert—converted in 297 BCE—who ruled as emperor of
India from 268-232 BCE)
Forms (see the Interview sections)
A.
Theravada (actually a form of Hinayana [“little raft”—often used pejoratively])
1.
Etymology: The term means “the way of the elders”
2.
Liberation
a)
Accomplished by self-effort (no supernatural assistance)
b)
Recipients: Monks and nuns
(1)
Followed an additional five precepts
(a)
Not to take food from noon to the next morning
(b)
Not to wear anything other than the three robes
(c)
Not to participate in or view public entertainments
(d)
Not to use high or comfortable beds
(e)
Not to use money
(2)
Possessions: Three robes (outer garment, undergarment, and cloak), a
food bowl, belt, razor, needle, strainer, staff, and toothpick
(3)
Activity: Rise early, cleanse oneself, meditate until dawn, beg for food
in a local village, eat in silence before noon, receive or give Buddhist
instruction (depending upon whether novice or senior monk) in earlyafternoon, quiet sitting/napping during mid-afternoon then receive
guests, return to study/instruction in the evening before going to sleep
3.
Key virtue: Wisdom (bodhi) gained through meditation
4.
Ideal: Arhat (one who remains in nirvana after death)
5.
The Buddha
a)
Role: A teacher and a saint (merely a man)
b)
Number: One (and Maitreya—a Buddha to come)
6.
Speculation/Metaphysics: Avoided/downplayed
7.
Prayer: Meditation and invocations
8.
Approach: Conservative (the only sacred texts: the earliest Pali texts)
9.
Location: Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, etc.)
B.
Mahayana
1.
Etymology: The term literally means “big raft”
2.
Liberation
a)
Assisted by divine powers/grace
b)
Recipients: Open to laypersons
3.
Key virtue: Compassion (karuna)
4.
Ideal: Bodhisattva (one who is on the threshold to nirvana but chooses to remain to
assist others)
5.
The Buddha:
a)
Role: A Savior
Buddhism- 5
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
b)
Number: There are innumerable Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Speculation/Metaphysics: Emphasized
Prayer: Meditation, invocations, supplication, and petition
Approach: Liberal
a)
Sacred texts: Accept later texts as being authoritative
b)
Rules: Women and laity have greater spiritual responsibilities
Location: China, Korea, Japan, Tibet
Forms
a)
Nichiren
(1)
Simplification: Buddhism + Japanese nationalism
(2)
Date: 13th century CE
(3)
Number: 20 million
(4)
Location: Japan
(5)
Teachings: Salvation is found solely in the Lotus Sutra
(6)
Practice: Gongyo (worship ritual)—believers kneel before the gohonzon
(a black wooden box containing the names of important figures from the
Lotus Sutra which supposedly contains universal forces controlling
one’s life) and rub beads while chanting
b)
Tendai (Ti’en t’ai in Chinese)
(1)
Simplification: Buddhism + Confucianism
(2)
Date: Introduced into Japan from China in the 9th century CE
(3)
Location: China and Japan
(4)
Founder: A monk named Chih-i
(5)
Teaching
(a)
Meditation is not the only path to enlightenment—study and
rational should not be abandoned
(b)
Tendai (unlike Zen) utilizes reason and studies scripture
c)
Pure Land
(1)
Simplification: Buddhism + Christianity
(2)
Location: China and Japan
(3)
Teachings: Salvation comes by relying on faith in Amitabha Buddha the
god of the Pure Land of the Western paradise
(4)
Practice: Style of worship very similar to Christianity (places of worship
called churches, have Sunday Schools, hear sermons, pray, etc.)
d)
Zen (Ch’an in Chinese)
(1)
Simplification: Buddhism + Taoism
(2)
Date: 550 CE
(3)
Location: China and Japan
(4)
Founder: Bodhidharma
(5)
Sects; Rinzai and Soto (Soto: Zazen alone; Rinzai: Zazen and koans)
(6)
Teaching: Reason and language must be transcended
(7)
Practice
(a)
Zazen
(i)
Literal meaning: “seated meditation”
(ii)
Monks meditate for hours in the lotus position (the
method is similar to Hindu yoga)
(b)
Koan
(i)
Described: A problem or puzzle
(ii)
Number: 1700
(iii)
Examples Appearance before born, sound of one
hand clapping, etc.
Buddhism- 6
(iv)
IX.
X.
Purpose: Used by the Zen master (called Sanzen in
Rinzai sect or Dokusan in Soto sect) to help the
student transcend reason
(8)
Goal: Satori (or kensho)—enlightenment (the Zen equivalent of the
mystical experience; all dichotomies disappear)
e)
Tibetan Buddhism
(1)
AKA: Lamaism, Tantric Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhism (in Japan it is
known as Shingon Buddhism)
(2)
Date: Introduced into Tibet in 7th century CE
(3)
Relationship to other forms: Tibetan Buddhism can be classified as
either a form of Mahayana Buddhism or its own distinct type of
Buddhism
(a)
Hinayana: Little Way
(b)
Mahayana: Great Way
(c)
Vajrayana: Diamond Way (Vajra was originally associated
with the India Thunder god)
(4)
Teachings: Tibetan Buddhism relies on manuals (tantras) that outline
magical incantations, meditative and sexual practices (bodily
activities—speech, vision, gestures, sex—aid in the spiritual pursuit)
(5)
Clergy: lamas
(a)
Meaning: “superior one”
(b)
Leader: Dalai Lama
(i)
The Dalai Lama is the bodhisattva of compassion and
mercy (who in India was known as Avalokiteshvara,
in China the Goddess of Mercy Kwan yin, and in
Japan as Kannon)
(ii)
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual and political leader of
Tibet (reincarnated in the body of his successor after
death)
(c)
Orders
(i)
Yellow Hat (the leader of the Yellow Hat: Dalai Lama)
(ii)
Red Hat (their scripture: The Book of the Dead)
Related Religions (see other outlines from “Religions of India” and “Religions of the Far East” in the
Resources sections)
A.
Hinduism: Buddhism began as a reform movement within Hinduism
B.
Jainism: Both Buddhism and Jainism began as reform movements within Hinduism at
approximately the same time and share similar belief and accounts concerning their founders
C.
Confucianism and Taoism: In China and Japan, Buddhism has intermingled with Taoist and
Confucian teachings
Structure (depends on the form of Buddhism examined)
A.
Goal: Realization of true self
B.
Problem: Desire
C.
Solution: Buddha and the Noble Eightfold Path