buddhism pt 2

Buddhism pt. 2Buddhism pt. 2

Two ways of following the Two ways of following the BuddhaBuddha

• Theravadin Buddhism

• Mahayana Buddhism

• Comparison

philosophies within Buddhism philosophies within Buddhism

• The Madhyamika School

• The Yogacara School

Buddhism in Asia:Buddhism in Asia:

• Ashoka (273 B.C.E-232 B.C.E )

• He saw the suffering of his troops and of those he defeated.

• 5 actions were done as a result of his observations about suffering.

Buddhism in China:Buddhism in China:• Ming Ti

• Theravadin Buddhism was not well embraced by the Chinese.

Buddhism in China:Buddhism in China:

• New schools were founded to teach different routes to salvation.– Tian Tai (Tyian-Tai)= heavenly Terrace– Hua-Yen– Jingtu (ching-T’ U) = pure land Buddhism– Chan (Ch’AN)

Buddhism in JapanBuddhism in Japan• Around 552 C.E.

Buddhism entered Japan

Shinran

Buddhism in JapanBuddhism in Japan• Groups of Buddhist spread throughout

Japan most of which were centralized around a charismatic leader.– Tendai (9th century C.E.)– Shingon (9th century C.E.)– Jodo– Shinran– Zen– Nichiren

Buddhism in TibetBuddhism in Tibet• introduced into Tibet

around 630 C.E. • Tibetan Buddhism

has three vows: (1) monastic vows, (2) progressive path of the bodhisattva, (3) esoteric precept of the tantras.Dalai Lama

• Creation happened through pairs of deities who produce the universe by sexual intercourse.

• Whole universe moves in cycles • Goal is the heightening of energies rather

than relaxation.• Red monks were more liberal in practice• Yellow monks were more conservative • The head of the monastery was the lama

and he would be reborn after he died

Buddhism and the WestBuddhism and the West

• How do we define the Sangha in the US?• What does democracy do to the Buddhist

traditions?• Ethnicity?• Gender equality?• Level of orthodoxy?• Sectarian issues?

WorldviewWorldview

The Absolute:The Absolute:

• Buddha did not believe in traditional gods but he is not an atheist.

• He taught that belief in gods were not essential to the core mission of life.

• All humans have the opportunity of becoming buddhas.

The world:The world:

• world of experience is only appearance the real world is that of enlightenment.

• Debate as to whether one can experience this reality while living or only after death.

Humans: Humans:

• human body is not permanent.• Choices that we make can change the

future.

The problem for Humans:The problem for Humans:

• suffering is the problem for humans.• Humans are ignorant of their

impermanence.• Suffering is caused by ignorance.

The Solution for Humans:The Solution for Humans:

• Knowledge is the solution.• They learn the cause of suffering and

learn that something can be done about it.• Middle path leads to release from

suffering.• Buddha is the model to follow and his

eightfold path takes discipline.

Community and Ethics:Community and Ethics:• Sangha was a well organized body of monks• Individual responsibility in community living.• Karma is recognized by Buddhist.• There is no self to be reborn but one’s actions affect

others.• One must live an exemplary life now.• Strong social concern.• Impersonal goodwill toward all human beings.• Morality: avoid theft, drunkenness, injury to others…etc.• Celibacy for monks (except in the tantric rituals)• Make no caste distinctions.

Women in BuddhismWomen in Buddhism

• women can become nuns.• They were considered lower than their

male counterparts.

Interpretation of HistoryInterpretation of History

• no vision of the end of history.• More concerned with the progress of the

individual than the whole of history.

Rituals and SymbolsRituals and Symbols• central figure is the Buddha pictured in a

meditative state. • Bowing or kneeling before the image of the

Buddha.• Wheel of dharma that stands for the Buddha’s

teaching.• Followers take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma,

and Sangha• Rigorous and extensive initiation into the order.

Life after Death:Life after Death:

• In theory, there is nothing to carry over from one life to the other.

• An individual’s moral impact in personal and social life carries over.

• Some forms of Buddhism focuses on the individual’s experience after death.

Buddhism and other Religions:Buddhism and other Religions:

• ready to cooperate rather than condemn