The word Buddhism comes from
the Pali and Sanskirt word of
Bodhi, meaning enlightenment.
There are no gods involved in
Buddhism.
Buddhism in not as much a religion as a
philosophy and a way of life.
Buddhism is similar to Hinduism and
follows many of their beliefs and
practices.
Buddhism is centered around the teachings of
Siddhartha Gautama, who is most widely known
as the Buddha. Gautama was the founding leader
of Buddhism and he also had the most influence.
He did not consider himself a god.
The Buddha is recognized as an awakened teacher,
meaning they are awakened to the Dharma or the truth. The
teacher would share their knowledge to help students end
suffering and achieve Nirvana.
A Buddha is any and everyone who becomes
enlightened, therefore Gautama is not
considered the only Buddha.
There are no specific leaders in
the religion because everyone is
learning from and teaching one
another.
Although there are no specific
leaders, some people are
seen as high standing
teachers. They are believed to
hold more wisdom than others.
A Buddha would be one of these
teachers. Buddhist priests and
monks would also be considered
in that category.
Both females and males can
become monks. Monks are also
known as monastic's. A fully
ordained male is called a
Bhikku where as a female
monastic is a Bhikkhuni.
A monastic’s life is simplified and
shaped to support their religion. They
are required to vow to obey the rules
of conduct, traditionally they take 36
vows. The patmikokkha is the basic
code of displine. It contains 227 rules
for men and 331 for women.
Bhikku can be indirectly translated to
beggar. A Buddhist monk is required to
let go of all posessions and devote their
life to finding enlightenment. They must
live off offerings they recieve by
begging.
The Dalai Lama is a monk who is held
with high regards.
The word Dalai means ocean of wisdom.
The word Lama is a title for a teacher
of Dharma. It’s not referring to the
animal because that is spelled
differently: llama.
The Dalai Lama is the head of the
Tibetan Buddhists, or the Dge-Lugs-Pa
(Yellow Hat) order.
According to belief, every Dalai Lama is
the reincarnation of the former Dalai
Lama, and they are all reincarnated
versions of the Buddha of compassion, or
Avalokitesvara.
Random fact: the Dalai
Lama spoke in Calgary
Wednesday Sept 30th.
When Siddhartha Gautama discovered death,
illness and old age he decided to devote his life
to determining the causes for human suffering
and ways to cure it.
Buddhists believe in the cycle of
reincarnation, also known as
the cycle of suffering and
rebirth. Its possible to be
reincarnated as another human
or as an animal.
The ultimate goal is to reach nirvana. This is the
state of being free from suffering.
They believe that insight to nature of reality
leads to the path of salvation.
Buddhist are taught to reach nirvana by
meditation and selflessness.
In the life where you reach enlightenment will be
the end of reincarnation, it will be your last form of
life before entering nirvana.
Buddhist believe in karma, you can have good
karma or bad karma. Karma is know as the cycle
of cause and effect. Karma is outlined by the idea
that for every event that occurs, it causes some
kind of effect. If the first action is positive the effect
will also be positive and vice versa for negative
karma.
Buddhism has 8 main rules.
1) “To avoid taking the life of beings.”
2) “To avoid taking things not given.”
This goes further than stealing, they aren’t allowed to take or ask for
anything unless they are 100 percent sure it is intended for them. So the
classification of beggar can be confusing, they cant actually beg or ask
they must be offered the item before they can accept it.
3) “To avoid sensual misconduct.”
4) “To refrain from false speech.”
5) “To abstain from substances
which cause intoxication and
heedlessness.”
6) “To abstain from taking food at
inappropriate times.”
7) “To abstain from dancing, singing,
music and entertainments as well as
refraining from the use of perfumes,
ornaments and other items used to
adorn or beautify the person.”
8) “To abstain from using high or luxurious
beds.”
The holidays in Buddhism are considered Holy
Days of celebration.
Most of the holidays are centered around the
commemorating of events from Gautama’s life.
Holidays are considered joyful days to celebrate.
Buddhists take offerings to the temples for the monks,
these offerings could be food or other items. The day is
normally spent meditating, listening to speeches and
charity work such as distributing food to the poor.
Some of the major holy days include the Buddhist
New years, Vesak (Buddha Day): day to celebrate
the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama,
Dharma Day (Asalha Puja Day): commemorates
the turning of the Dharma wheel and several
others.
The Buddhist belief of reincarnation influenced
leaders in Asia. They were able to gain power
and influence by claiming they were
reincarnations of previous leaders.
Although Gautama came from a warrior caste
where he was in contact with kings and
nobles. He tried to distant himself from
affairs.
Asoka Maurya is often referred to as one
of the greatest rulers of India. He gave
Buddhism a big boost when he converted
to the religion in the 3rd century BCE. He
encouraged Buddhist missionaries and
ordered the resurrection of inscriptions.
Buddhism didn’t have a major
effect on economics. This is
suspected to be because of
the belief about moving away
from earthly possessions. The
monks are asked to live as
‘beggars’ which makes it so
they do not have influence on
economic structures.
There is not a lot of holy literature involved in
Buddhism because of the fact that there is no
Buddhist bible.
Some of Gautama’s teachings are now
recorded in texts.
However Gautama believed that people
should not just read and follow what he
taught but that they should think for
themselves and embrace their personal
needs in order to reach nirvana.
Buddhism Started in India
during the Middle of the 6th
century BCE.
During Asoka’s rule he used
his political power to
construct stone columns
along roadsides to spread
Buddhism. These columns
commemorated important
events throughout
Gautama’s life and they
marked routes to holy
places. These columns are
one example of how
Buddhism effected
architecture.
An adapted string of
Buddhism, called Zen
Buddhism started practice in
Japan.
Buddhist symbols revolve around
symbolizing Gautama and his
teachings.
The statues of Buddha became
the most widely known symbol.
Buddha’s footprints are
symbols in the religion. They
signify both the presence and
absence of Gautama. The
presence that his teachings are
still with us and the absence of
him and the fact that he is now
in nirvana. The stone footprints
are also considered art.
Buddhism has five symbolic colors,
blue, green, red, white and yellow.
Blue is important because of the
sacred stone of turquoise, it brings
luck and safety. Green is considered
the color of action. Red is considered
the force of life. White is important
because it is a mixture of every color
and holds all colors within it, it hides
nothing. Yellow is often the color of a
monks robes, and holds the most
symbolic purpose; yellow is a symbol
of humility and also represents the
connection to earth.
The wheel of life is a huge
symbol in Buddhism. It
represents Gautama’s view
on life and also displays
symbols of karma and
existence.
As Buddhism was spread
many strings or adaptations
occurred, which can be seen
on the following maps.
Buddhism in India
The Spread of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism
across the silk road
The Spread of Tantric Buddhism into Tibet
The Spread of Buddhism into Japan
As mentioned women can become Buddhist
monks, or nuns in a women’s case. They are
referred to as Bhikkhuni’s.
It was Gautama himself who established
the right for women to become nuns. At first
he banned the right but later reversed his
decision and allowed the nuns to practice in
separate quarters.
Today men and
women are free to
practice in the
same quarters.
Gautama believed
women were easily
angered and less
intelligent than men.
To reach nirvana
peace is required,
not anger.
Despite Gautama’s
feelings about women
many believe that the
Dharma treats all people
the same regardless of
gender. This increases
equality between women
and men.
Buddhism has a better
relationship with science
compared to other religions due
to the fact that no god is involved,
there is nothing to contradict the
theory of evolution.
Buddhism effected
architecture in the early Indian
civilization with the
construction of the
commemorating columns. Ten
remain standing today.
Stupa’s were also built,
Some see Buddhism as type of
originally intended to be the
science even, it’s considered
home of a relic of Gautama
the science of studying one’s
but eventually became a place
self. To truly understand our
for devotion. Asoka set up the
spiritual needs we must
construction of 8400 buildings
understand the physical and
although few are still surviving
psychological aspects also.
today.
In the beginning, Buddhist art followed the tradition of
aniconic art. This means that the human figure was not
represented directly. Later, around the 1st century,
human forms began to emerge, starting the iconic
period. This is where we start to see forms of Buddha
in paintings and sculpture. Once in Korea, Buddhist
monks assisted in the establishment of paper making
as a way to record scriptures.
563 BCE- Gautama is born.
534 BCE- Gautama begins his search
for enlightenment.
483 BCE- Gautama passes away, first
Buddhist council is held.
250 BCE- Third council is held, this time it
was convened by Asoka the Great. Asoka
sends missionaries to other countries with
the Buddhist message.
65 CE- First documented practice
of Buddhism in China.
300 CE- Buddhist monks travel
to Korea, they assist in
establishing paper making as a
way to record scriptures. This
was an effect on technology.
1950 CE- World fellowship of
Buddhists founded in Sir Lanka.
1954 CE- 6th Buddhist council
is held. 2500th anniversary of
Gautama’s passing celebration
was held.
1975-79 CE- Buddhism is nearly
destroyed by Cambodian
Communists, monks were
murdered and temples
destroyed. This is why only 10
Supta’s remain standing to day.
2009 CE- Second World
Buddhist Forum is held.
This video shows Buddhism in Japan.
http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/buddhism/buddhism-video.cfm
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