BUDDHISMBUDDHISM

Siddhartha Gautama Sakya: BuddhaSiddhartha Gautama Sakya: Buddha ca. 563-483 bce ca. 563-483 bce

Prophesied to be king or Prophesied to be king or world redeemer at birthworld redeemer at birth

A prince who gave up his A prince who gave up his wealth to find escape from wealth to find escape from human sufferinghuman suffering

Studied with Hindu mastersStudied with Hindu masters Became an asceticBecame an ascetic Meditated under Bo tree for Meditated under Bo tree for

49 days and nights until he 49 days and nights until he experienced enlightenmentexperienced enlightenment

Became a wandering teacher Became a wandering teacher dedicated to help others dedicated to help others achieve Nirvanaachieve Nirvana

Siddhartha Gautama Sakya: BuddhaSiddhartha Gautama Sakya: Buddha ca. 563-483 bce* ca. 563-483 bce*

Birth at Birth at LumbiniLumbini - 563 bce - 563 bce

Marriage at Marriage at KapilavastuKapilavastu

Renunciation at Renunciation at KapilavastuKapilavastu

Enlightenment at Enlightenment at Bodh Bodh GayaGaya – –

1st Year after 1st Year after Enlightenment at Enlightenment at SarnathSarnath

Death / Parinirvana at Death / Parinirvana at KushinagarKushinagar - 483 bce - 483 bce

*dates are disputed: 624-544, 560-480, 440-360

BuddhismBuddhism A religion without a godA religion without a god Each individual must Each individual must

find his/her own way to find his/her own way to enlightenmentenlightenment

Four Noble Truths:Four Noble Truths: Life consists of suffering, Life consists of suffering,

impermanence, impermanence, imperfection, imperfection, incompleteness.incompleteness.

The cause of suffering is The cause of suffering is desire (selfishness).desire (selfishness).

Ceasing to desire relieves Ceasing to desire relieves suffering.suffering.

The answer to the The answer to the problem of suffering is problem of suffering is the Eight-fold Paththe Eight-fold Path

The Eight-Fold PathThe Eight-Fold Path

Knowledge of the Four Noble TruthsKnowledge of the Four Noble Truths Right aspiration toward enlightenmentRight aspiration toward enlightenment Right speech that is honest and charitableRight speech that is honest and charitable Right conduct: no drinking, killing, lying, Right conduct: no drinking, killing, lying,

lustlust Right livingRight living Right effortRight effort Right thinking with emphasis on self-Right thinking with emphasis on self-

awarenessawareness Right use of meditationRight use of meditation

Aniconic Buddhist Aniconic Buddhist SymbolsSymbols

Dharma Wheel

Buddhapada: Footprint of the Buddha

(Avoids direct representation of human figure)

Empty throne underBodhi tree: Bharhut.;

 Stone: Sandstone; India, Sunga Period, 2nd-1st

century bce

3 parasols, bodhi tree, empty throne, footprintsAmaravati Stupa, c. 2nd c. ce

Appeal of BuddhismAppeal of Buddhism

Escape from endless cycle of birth, death Escape from endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth through enlightenment: and rebirth through enlightenment: NirvanaNirvana

Egalitarian: anyone can achieve Egalitarian: anyone can achieve NirvanaNirvana Reliance on individual will and searching: Reliance on individual will and searching:

individuals work out their own salvationindividuals work out their own salvation Avoidance of extremes of self-indulgence Avoidance of extremes of self-indulgence

and self-mortification: “the middle path”and self-mortification: “the middle path” Profoundly ethicalProfoundly ethical

Buddhist Canon: PitakasBuddhist Canon: Pitakas“Baskets of the Law”“Baskets of the Law”

Disciples memorized Buddha’s teachings and collected them in 3 main books

Languages: Pali and Sanskrit The Sutras teach Meditation: discourses

recounted together with their particular context, i.e. the location of the teaching, who was present and who asked a question, and so on.

The Vinaya teaches Discipline: accounts of how certain rules came about by mentioning the particular context and who was involved.

The Abhidharma teaches Wisdom: arranges topics in the sutras according to their classifications and divisions.

Maurya EmpireMaurya Empire4th c. bce -- 2nd c. bce4th c. bce -- 2nd c. bce

Response to power-vacuum Response to power-vacuum created by Alexander the created by Alexander the Great’s conquest of northern Great’s conquest of northern India c. 326 bceIndia c. 326 bce

First emperor First emperor Chandragupta Chandragupta MauryaMaurya (r.324-301 bce) (r.324-301 bce)

Asoka MauryaAsoka Maurya (r.273-232 bce) (r.273-232 bce) conquered and ruled almost conquered and ruled almost entire sub-continent: entire sub-continent: encouraged spread encouraged spread of Buddhismof Buddhism

Last Maurya emperor Last Maurya emperor assassinated 184 bceassassinated 184 bce

Asoka MauryaAsoka Maurya273-232273-232

Renounced violence Renounced violence after the devastating after the devastating battle for battle for KalingaKalinga in in which over 100,000 which over 100,000 were killedwere killed

Built thousands of Built thousands of stupasstupas and and viharasviharas (monasteries)(monasteries)

Sponsored 3Sponsored 3rdrd Buddhist Buddhist Council in 250 bceCouncil in 250 bce

Declared Buddism the Declared Buddism the state religionstate religion

Sent forth monks, well Sent forth monks, well versed in the Buddhist versed in the Buddhist teachings, to teach in teachings, to teach in nine different countries nine different countries

Buddhist proselytism at the time of King Asoka (260–218 BCE)

A A collection of 33 collection of 33 inscriptions on the inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka

The edicts describe the The edicts describe the first wide expansion of first wide expansion of Buddhism. Buddhism.

Buddhist proselytism Buddhist proselytism during this period during this period reached as far as the reached as far as the Mediterranean.Mediterranean.

The inscriptions The inscriptions revolve around a few revolve around a few themes: themes: Asoka's conversion Asoka's conversion

to Buddhism, to Buddhism, his efforts to spread his efforts to spread

Buddhism, Buddhism, his moral and his moral and

religious precepts,religious precepts, his social and his social and

animal welfare animal welfare program. program.

Pillar of Asoka at Vaishali, Bihar, India

Lion Capital of AshokaLion Capital of Ashoka preserved at Sarnath preserved at Sarnath Museum Museum

originally erected originally erected around 250 BCE atop around 250 BCE atop an Ashoka Pillar at an Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath. Sarnath.

Adopted as the National Adopted as the National Emblem of India Emblem of India showing the Horse on showing the Horse on the left and the Bull on the left and the Bull on the right of the the right of the Ashoka Ashoka ChakraChakra in the circular in the circular base on which the four base on which the four Indian lions are Indian lions are standing back to back. standing back to back.

The "Ashoka Chakra" The "Ashoka Chakra" has been placed onto has been placed onto the center of the the center of the National Flag of India.National Flag of India.

Greco-Greco-BuddhismBuddhism

SyncretismSyncretism of of Hellenistic culture Hellenistic culture and Buddhism in and Buddhism in areas of modern-areas of modern-day Pakistan and day Pakistan and Afghanistan and Afghanistan and Indian border Indian border statesstates

Influenced the Influenced the artistic expression artistic expression and conceptual and conceptual development of development of BuddhismBuddhism

The Silk RoadThe Silk Road

•In the second century bce, caravans began traveling a 4,000 mile route linking Southeast Asia with the West. • Silk carried along this route made its way to Rome • In both directions, various political, social, religious, and artistic ideas flowed.

Princes from Central Asian states in Lamentation, Dunhuang Cave 158. Mogao or Dunhuang Caves

This painting not only depicts their devotions to Buddha, but also accurately presents the appearances, garments and customs of different nations along the Silk Road and the history of cultural exchange between them.

Anthropromorphic Anthropromorphic Representations of Representations of

BuddhaBuddha Before Greco-Buddhist Before Greco-Buddhist

interaction, the interaction, the representations of the Buddha representations of the Buddha were “aniconic” – symbolic – were “aniconic” – symbolic – Bodhi tree, footprints, prayer Bodhi tree, footprints, prayer wheelwheel

Greeks were first to attempt Greeks were first to attempt sculptural representation of sculptural representation of the Buddha – syncretic the Buddha – syncretic representation: Buddha/Apollorepresentation: Buddha/Apollo

Stylistic characteristics:Stylistic characteristics: Greco-Roman togaGreco-Roman toga Curly hairCurly hair Artistic realismArtistic realism Stylistic stanceStylistic stance

The Buddha, in Greco-Buddhist style, 1st-2nd century CE, Gandhara (Modern

Pakistan).

Buddhist SectsBuddhist Sects Buddhism split into two sectsBuddhism split into two sects, Mahayana , Mahayana

and and Hinayana (Theravada)Hinayana (Theravada).. MahayanaMahayana laid stress on the concept of laid stress on the concept of

the Bodhisattva or `one destined to be the Bodhisattva or `one destined to be the Buddha' and also conceived of Eternal the Buddha' and also conceived of Eternal Buddhas who resemble gods or deities. Buddhas who resemble gods or deities.

HinayanaHinayana regarded the Buddha as a man regarded the Buddha as a man and had a doctrine, and had a doctrine, TheravadaTheravada, stressing , stressing the salvation of the individual.the salvation of the individual.

The interaction of Mahayana philosophy The interaction of Mahayana philosophy and Hinduism gave rise to and Hinduism gave rise to Tantric Tantric Buddhism or Vajrayana.Buddhism or Vajrayana.

Gupta Era Gupta Era 320 ce — 550 ce320 ce — 550 ce

Gupta dynasty was Gupta dynasty was founded by founded by Chandra Gupta Chandra Gupta II

Development of Mahayana Development of Mahayana Buddhism Buddhism

Classical Age in north IndiaClassical Age in north India Cave paintings at AjantaCave paintings at Ajanta Shakuntala, Jataka, Shakuntala, Jataka,

PanchatantraPanchatantra and and Kamasutra Kamasutra were writtenwere written

Aryabhatta’s Astronomy.Aryabhatta’s Astronomy.

.

AJANTA CAVESAJANTA CAVES During the 4During the 4thth century c.e. in a century c.e. in a

remote valley, work began on the remote valley, work began on the Ajanta Caves to create a complex to create a complex of Buddhist monasteries and prayer of Buddhist monasteries and prayer halls. halls.

As centuries passed, numerous As centuries passed, numerous Buddhist monks and artisans dug Buddhist monks and artisans dug out a set of twenty-nine caves, out a set of twenty-nine caves, converting some to cells, and converting some to cells, and others to monasteries and Buddhist others to monasteries and Buddhist temples. temples.

These caves are adorned with These caves are adorned with elaborate sculptures and paintings elaborate sculptures and paintings which have withstood the ravages which have withstood the ravages of timeof time

Ajanta Ajanta CavesCaves

The Ajanta caves The Ajanta caves depict the stories of depict the stories of Buddhism spanning Buddhism spanning from the period from from the period from 200 bce to 650 ce. 200 bce to 650 ce.

These 29 caves were These 29 caves were built by Buddhist monks built by Buddhist monks using simple tools like using simple tools like hammer & chisel. hammer & chisel.

The elaborate and The elaborate and exquisite sculptures exquisite sculptures and paintings depict and paintings depict stories from stories from JatakaJataka tales . tales .

The caves also house The caves also house images of nymphs and images of nymphs and princesses.princesses.

Scene FromThe Jataka

Greco-Buddhism and Greco-Buddhism and MahayanaMahayana

Elevation of the Buddha to a man-god status Elevation of the Buddha to a man-god status with a pantheon of with a pantheon of BoddhisatvasBoddhisatvas

Incorporation of Greek philosophical ideasIncorporation of Greek philosophical ideas Stoic attitudeStoic attitude of equanimity and dispassionate of equanimity and dispassionate

outlook – especially in outlook – especially in Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism Buddhist monks from the region of Gandhara, Buddhist monks from the region of Gandhara,

where Greco-Buddhism was most influential, where Greco-Buddhism was most influential, played a key role in the development and the played a key role in the development and the transmission of Buddhist ideas in the direction transmission of Buddhist ideas in the direction of northern Asia of northern Asia

Blue-eyed Central Asian and East-Asian Buddhist monks, Bezaklik, Eastern Tarim Basin, China, 9th-10th century.

The Spread of BuddhismThe Spread of Buddhism

Chinese Chinese BuddhismBuddhism

Two missionaries wrote "The Two missionaries wrote "The Sutra of forty-two sections Sutra of forty-two sections spoken by the Buddha" to spoken by the Buddha" to provide guidance on the provide guidance on the ideas of Buddhism and the ideas of Buddhism and the conduct of monks. It is the conduct of monks. It is the first Buddhist text in the first Buddhist text in the Chinese language.Chinese language.

Their arrival in Their arrival in 67 CE67 CE marks marks Buddhism's official Buddhism's official introduction in China. introduction in China.

The first documented The first documented translation of Buddhist translation of Buddhist scriptures into Chinese scriptures into Chinese occurs in occurs in 148 CE148 CE

Mahayana Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism was was first propagated into China first propagated into China by Kushan Lokaksema by Kushan Lokaksema (active ca. (active ca. 164-186 C.E164-186 C.E.), the .), the first translator of Mahayana first translator of Mahayana sutras into Chinese.sutras into Chinese.

Chinese adoption of Chinese adoption of BuddhismBuddhism

Many tenets of Buddhism were antithetical to Many tenets of Buddhism were antithetical to ConfucianConfucian philosophy with its emphasis on social philosophy with its emphasis on social responsibility – Buddhist ideals of monasticism and responsibility – Buddhist ideals of monasticism and enlightenment contradicted Confucian ideals of family enlightenment contradicted Confucian ideals of family and emperorand emperor

More attuned to More attuned to Taoist Taoist attitudesattitudes Chinese Buddhism emphasized sutras that advocated Chinese Buddhism emphasized sutras that advocated

filial pietyfilial piety and incorporated and incorporated ancestor worshipancestor worship The collapse of the Han Dynasty and political The collapse of the Han Dynasty and political

instability led to the spread of Buddhisminstability led to the spread of Buddhism Through the actions and example of monks, Buddhists Through the actions and example of monks, Buddhists

successfully laid claim to the high moral ground in successfully laid claim to the high moral ground in society society

GuanyinGuanyin Guanyin Guanyin is the Chinese name is the Chinese name

for the Bodhisattva for the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.Avalokiteśvara.

She is the She is the Bodhisattva of Bodhisattva of CompassionCompassion as venerated by as venerated by East Asian Buddhists. East Asian Buddhists.

Guanyin and the 1000 armsGuanyin and the 1000 arms: : One Buddhist legend presents One Buddhist legend presents Guan Yin as vowing to never Guan Yin as vowing to never rest until she had freed all rest until she had freed all sentient beings from sentient beings from samsarasamsara, , reincarnation. Despite reincarnation. Despite strenuous effort, she realized strenuous effort, she realized that still many unhappy beings that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, she needs of so many, she attempted to reach out to all attempted to reach out to all those who needed aid, but those who needed aid, but found that her two arms found that her two arms shattered into pieces. shattered into pieces. Amitabha came to her aid and Amitabha came to her aid and appointed her a thousand appointed her a thousand arms with which to aid the arms with which to aid the many. many.

This wooden statue of Quan Am Nhin Mat Nhin Tay (Quan Am of 1000 Eyes and 1000 Hands) was created in Bac Ninh Province of Northern Vietnam around the year 1656 for the But Thap Pagoda.

Guanyin Dance from 2004 Special Olympics, Athenshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgHmSdpjEIk

Guanyin, goddess of mercy enthroned, blanc-de-Chine, with modeler’s seal of Ha Chaozong, 17th c.

Ringling MuseumRingling Museum

Sakyamuni Buddha teaching. Zhang Shengwen, Yunnan, 1173-1176 AD.

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism was introduced into Mahayana Buddhism was introduced into Tibet from both China and India in the 7Tibet from both China and India in the 7thth-8-8thth c. c.

Originally opposed by the native shamanistic Originally opposed by the native shamanistic Bon religion, it soon became the state religionBon religion, it soon became the state religion

Tibetan Buddhists preserved and translated Tibetan Buddhists preserved and translated thousands of Indian Buddhist texts.thousands of Indian Buddhist texts.

Monasticism is the foundation of Tibetan Monasticism is the foundation of Tibetan Buddhism.Buddhism.

From Tibet, Buddhism spread to inner Asia, From Tibet, Buddhism spread to inner Asia, especially Mongolia.especially Mongolia.

Ashtamangala: Ashtamangala: The Eight Auspicious SymbolsThe Eight Auspicious Symbols

ParasolParasol

Treasure vase Treasure vase

Right-turning Right-turning conchconch

Victory bannerVictory banner

Pair of FishPair of Fish

LotusLotus

Endless KnotEndless Knot

Dharma Dharma WheelWheel

From Korea to JapanFrom Korea to Japan A A Chinese monk in the Chinese monk in the 44thth c. c. introduced introduced

Buddhism to KoreaBuddhism to Korea During the During the sixth and seventh centuriessixth and seventh centuries, ,

Korean monks went to China to study and Korean monks went to China to study and brought back with them the teachings of brought back with them the teachings of the various Chinese schools of Buddhism – the various Chinese schools of Buddhism – it flourished under royal patronage.it flourished under royal patronage.

In the In the sixth centurysixth century, the Koreans sent gifts , the Koreans sent gifts of images of the Buddha and copies of of images of the Buddha and copies of Buddhist texts to the Japanese imperial Buddhist texts to the Japanese imperial court. court.

The Japanese people soon accommodated The Japanese people soon accommodated Buddhism along with their indigenous Buddhism along with their indigenous Shinto beliefs. Shinto beliefs.

As a religion of universal appeal, Buddhism As a religion of universal appeal, Buddhism helped to foster harmony within the helped to foster harmony within the country. country.

Prince ShotokuPrince Shotoku573-621573-621

Regent during reign of Regent during reign of Empress Suiko (r. 592-628)Empress Suiko (r. 592-628)

Led Japanese court in Led Japanese court in adopting Chinese calendar adopting Chinese calendar and sponsoring Buddhismand sponsoring Buddhism

Wrote the Seventeen Article Wrote the Seventeen Article Constitution, the earliest Constitution, the earliest piece of Japanese writing and piece of Japanese writing and basis for Japanese basis for Japanese government throughout government throughout historyhistory

Prince ShotokuKamakura period, early 14th century

Gilt bronze

Daibutu at NaraDaibutu at Nara

The Daibutu, literally Large Buddha, is known by the Japanese as "Daibutu-sama" or "Daibutu-san”: the largest bronze casting in the world

745-755 c.e.

Horyuji TempleHoryuji Temple

Pagoda (Stupa). Horyuji. 7th century style, rebuilt in early 8th

century

Golden Kondo Hall 7th century style, rebuilt in early 8th century

Buddha SculpturesBuddha Sculptures

Nara - Temple Chugu-ji 7th c.

Nara - Temple Horyu-ji 7th c.