Buddhism

Like Hinduism, Buddhism did not postulate or assume the existence of a...

"Creator God" and maintained that the universe was eternal and simply went through cycles (i.e. cyclical time).

King Ashoka

(273 - 232 BCE) was not only one of the greatest political figures in world history, he was also the individual most responsible for spreading Buddhism within India & beyond and popularizing it as a mainstream lay religion.

There are 5 Buddhist precepts or ethical rules:

-Do not harm any living thing (ahimsa). -Do not speak falsely. (No lying.) -Do not take that which has not been given to you. (No stealing.) -Do not commit sexual misconduct. -Do not use intoxicants or addictive substances.

The Buddhist community is divided into 2 divisions called...

-The Buddhist monastics -The Buddhist laity. Sometimes "sangha" refers to the whole Buddhist community, but more frequently it refers to only the community of monks and nuns. Why do people join the sangha?-To gain freedom from attachments so one can discipline one's mind through meditation & work toward enlightenment

The Three Marks of Existence

-The existence of suffering (dukkha) Life is full of suffering, sorrow, dissatisfaction, disorder, and unease. Dukkha = unsatisfactoriness No one can escape suffering. Everything dies, changes, and experiences loss and difficulty. Dukkha includes everything from frustration with the way things are to extreme emotional pain. -Impermanence, constant change (anicca) We should expect and accept change in the world & in our lives, as change is occurring all the time whether we notice it or not. We cannot change the outside world, but we can change ourselves, our attitudes and the way we experience the world. -No permanent identity (anatman) There is no permanent self, no soul. There is no unchanging essence in the world. Everything is made up of parts that are also changing. Life is a process, a series of constantly changing moments. Soul = a constant, unchanging identity Anatman = no soul or self

Zen Practices

-Zazen = sitting meditation -Koans = questions, riddles, stories, etc. to help break one out of logical, dualistic thinking & to bring about awakening (Rinzai school only) -Manual labor = expresses the importance of focusing on ordinary tasks as every moment may lead to awareness and insight

Pure Land Buddhism

-devotional form of Buddhism which began in northwestern India and Central Asia in the 6th century CE -may have been influenced by bhakti yoga in Hinduism -the most popular sect of Mahayana Buddhism -appealed to the laity and was highly democratic -endorses an easier method than meditation or scriptural study to gain nirvana

The Three Jewels of Buddhism (also known as the three refuges)

1-Buddha (the teacher)- Like a doctor who has discovered an illness and prescribes the medicine for it 2-Dharma (the teaching)- The prescription or medicine for the illness 3-Sangha (the community of the teaching)- Like the nurses who help us use the medicine properly for the greatest benefit

What are three characteristics or marks of reality which are always true according to Buddhism. These three characteristics are also known as Buddhist worldview. Explain each one using your own words.

1-The existence of suffering (dukkha) Life is full of suffering, sorrow, dissatisfaction, disorder, and unease. Dukkha = unsatisfactoriness No one can escape suffering. Everything dies, changes, and experiences loss and difficulty. Dukkha includes everything from frustration with the way things are to extreme emotional pain. 2-Impermanence, constant change (anicca) We should expect and accept change in the world & in our lives, as change is occurring all the time whether we notice it or not. We cannot change the outside world, but we can change ourselves, our attitudes and the way we experience the world. 3-No permanent identity (anatman) There is no permanent self, no soul. There is no unchanging essence in the world. Everything is made up of parts that are also changing. Life is a process, a series of constantly changing moments. Soul = a constant, unchanging identity Anatman = no soul or self

effortless effort.

A Zen belief which emphasizes that all action should be done effortlessly & as a spontaneous expression of one's total being. This experience is applied to such disciplines as calligraphy, archery, & the martial arts. ex- like an athlete's experience of being "in the zone" or when everything simply flows together for a "can't miss or lose" moment.

Stupas

After the Buddha's death, he was cremated & his remains were divided up among several different Buddhist communities. These remains were buried and a monument or shrine, known as a stupa, was erected over them. Stupas soon became important Buddhist pilgrimage centers.

What rules do monks and nuns have to follow?

All monks and nuns, regardless of their school or sect of Buddhism, follow the vinaya or monastic rules. Some examples of rules that the sangha follows (in addition to the five precepts mentioned below) are: -to remain celibate -not to take any meals after 12 noon -not to accept or handle money -not to wear personal adornments or jewelry

Why is Buddhism known as "the middle path" or "the middle way"? ****examples*** to illustrate how Buddhism is the middle way or follows moderation.

Because Buddha believed that people should choose to walk the path of life between the (pleasure) os sensual indulgence* and the (self-denial) of asceticism* in order to help them in their quest for understanding and liberation from suffering/liberation from samsara. An example of the middle way would be like the lifestyle of a beggar and the lifestyle of a gourmet. One suffers by having too little food and the other suffers with the stress of having too much food. There needs to be a balance of both.(just enough but not too much)

What is the difference between an arhant and a buddha?

Both an arhant and a buddha have reached enlightenment (nirvana) and will enter parinirvana upon death. However, a buddha rediscovers the Dharma and starts Buddhism again at a time when Buddhism doesn't exist, while an arhant learns about Buddhism from a buddha or from Buddhist scriptures (i.e. once Buddhism has been established).

Buddhism is considered what form of "religion"

Buddhism is NONTHEISTIC - there are deities in the Buddhist scriptures, but they are not important to a person's liberation. The Buddha is not a god.

The two major branches of Buddhism are Theravada and Mahayana. Please explain three differences between these two branches in terms of their values, beliefs, regions where they are practiced and/or spiritual practices.

In THERAVADA Buddhism mainly silent-mind, mindfulness meditation is practiced. There are two main types of Theravada MEDITATION: Samatha: Calming meditation//Vipassana: Insight meditation. THERAVADA Buddhism - (SOUTHERN) (Sri Lanka, THAILAND, Burma, LAOS, CAMBODIA, parts of Southeast Asia) THERAVADA scriptures are in the Pali (PALI CANNON) /////////////////////////////////////////////////// On the other hand.....MAHAYANA Buddhism puts greater emphasis on mantras, CHANTING, especially in Tibetan Buddhism. Though Tibetan Buddhism is based on Mahayana, it could be seen as its own strand - Vajrayana. Tibetan Buddhism is based on Tantric disciplines. MAHAYANA Buddhism - (NORTHERN) (TIBET, CHINA, TAIWAN, JAPAN, KOREA, MONGOLIA, parts of Southeast Asia ) MAHAYANA scriptures are written in SANSKRIT (SUTRAS)

Originally, there were no images of the Buddha, so...

Instead, Buddhists used symbols to refer to him and to his teachings. These symbols included the eight-spoked wheel, an umbrella, footprints, a lotus flower, and an empty throne. It wasn't until the 1st century CE that images of the Buddha appeared. These first images looked very human because they were influenced by Greek culture in India during the 4th century BCE under Alexander the Great. In time, Buddha images looked less and less human in order to symbolize the experience of enlightenment and the bliss of inner peace.

What is Karma in Buddhism?

Karma is a process, not a thing. One is not the same person in the next life, but there is continuity.

Who was King Asoka? Why was he so important to Buddhism?

King Asoka UNITED much of THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT. He was also responsible for SPREADING BUDDHISM abroad India. This lead to the popularization of Buddhism and it BECOMING A MAINSTREAM RELIGION. King Asoka spread Buddhist SPREAD MORAL VALUES, especially ahimsa, by erecting stone columns throughout his empire inscribed with Buddhist principles for his people to follow. He sent Buddhist missionaries to Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand and Afghanistan. He ENCOURAGED the Buddhist community TO COMPILE TEACHINGS of BUDDHA so that they might be PRESERVED.

Theravada Buddhism: Mutual Assistance between Sangha & Laity

Monks get their food and essential items from the laity who create merit (good karma) by doing so. The laity receives advice from and learns about Buddhism through the monks.

What is the difference between the terms "nirvana" and "parinirvana" in Buddhism? Is parinirvana equally important in Mahayana Buddhism as it is in Theravada Buddhism? Why?

NIRVANA is represents liberation from suffering, karma & reincarnation. PARINIRVANA is a state of no more rebirth entered into by one who has attained nirvana ***(Parinirvana refers to the state of nonexistence/existence after death when there is no karma left at all.)

The Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths were the content of the Buddha's first sermon to his five former ascetic companions at the deer park in Sarnath, near Benares. 1) Suffering exists. To live is to experience suffering. 2) Suffering has a cause. It comes from desire, craving. 3) Suffering has an end. Reduce or eliminate suffering by ending desire, craving. 4) There's a way to live to attain release from suffering. It's called the Noble Eight-fold Path.

Who is the "founder" of Buddhism?

The "founder" of Buddhism is Siddhartha Gautama (563 -483 BCE) of the Shakya clan. He is also called Shakyamuni which means "monk or sage of the Shakya clan." Siddhartha Gautama was born into the Kshatriya caste in Lumbini. He lived for 80 years traveling around northeastern India teaching the middle way between self-indulgence & luxury on one hand and extreme asceticism on the other.

Bodhidharma

The first patriarch of Zen Buddhism was an Indian or central Asian monk named Bodhidharma who was said to have brought this form of meditation practice to China about 500 CE.

Goal of Theravada Buddhism

The ideal in Theravada Buddhism is becoming an arhant, "a worthy one." An arhant is a person who has attained nirvana.

Theravada Buddhism: Religious Goals of the Laity

The laity simply strive to make merit in order to gain a better rebirth in which they too might become a monk and strive for liberation. The religion of the laity is not focused on meditation but on devotion and merit-making activities

Pure Land Practices

The main practice is CHANTING REPEATEDLY AMITABHA'S NAME known as the nian fo or the nembutsu. Other practices include: chanting scriptures, visualizing the Pure Land, singing hymns of praise to Amitabha Buddha, vowing to be reborn in Sukhavati, generosity, compassion, and vegetarianism.

Why do monks & nuns shave their heads, wear robes, and have few possessions?

To show commitment to a religious life and nonattachment or renunciation to one's physical appearance & a worldly lifestyle

Sukhavati (the Pure Land)

Those who call upon Amitabha's name with sincerity and intention can be reborn into Sukhavati, or the Pure Land of the Western Paradise, where it is much easier to attain nirvana than it is on earth currently. Is Sukhavati an Actual Place? Yes - it is a real paradise that exists beyond our world system (similar to the Christian idea of heaven) No - it is a metaphor for compassionately living in our everyday world (similar to the Christian idea of the Kingdom of God on earth)

The Noble Eight-fold Path (and the Wheel of Dharma)

Wisdom (of the Dharma) 1)Correct understanding 2)Correct intention or motivation Morality (outer, ethical discipline) 3)Correct speech 4)Correct action 5)Correct work or livelihood Concentration (inner, mental discipline) 6) Complete effort 7) Correct meditation and mindfulness 8) Complete contemplation (samadhi)

anatman

having no permanent identity

anicca

impermanence or constant change

Zen Buddhist Values

Zen values ... -simplicity -spontaneity -directness -humor -detachment -silence -the present moment in this lifetime -awareness or mindfulness Zen distrusts ... -too much ritual -wordiness

arhant

a person who has reached nirvana

sutta or sutra

a sacred text, especially of the Buddha's sayings

samadhi

a state of deep awareness brought on by intensive concentration and meditation

parinirvana

a state of no more rebirth entered into by one who has attained nirvana (Parinirvana refers to the state of nonexistence/existence after death when there is no karma left at all.)

skandhas

aggregates or elements of a human being Likewise, a human being is made up of 5 elements (skandhas) which are constantly changing: 1-physical body 2-feelings / emotions 3-sense perceptions 4-will / mental activity 5-mind / consciousness A human being is a process, the sum of its ever-changing parts and experiences.

Mahayana Buddhism (The Big Vehicle)

arose in the first century CE, found mainly in North and East Asia

meaning of "Buddha"?

it's a title, not a name. "Buddha" means one who is awake and is from the Sanskrit words, "to wake up."

In time, Buddhism assumed many of the same ideas as Hinduism like...

karma, reincarnation, maya, samsara, liberation or enlightenment.

Zen Buddhism

known as the MEDITATION school or sect and began in the 6th century CE endorses meditation in order to gain direct insight into one's own Buddha-nature and to attain nirvana relies on "self power" as one must do the meditation for oneself and cannot rely on help from another Shakyamuni Buddha is the role model for this sect for his practice of seated meditation under the bodhi tree

equanimity

mental calmness and even-temperedness The ideal is equanimity or emotional neutrality and acceptance of the present moment. (What I have right now is enough.) Thus, Buddhists aim for peace and equanimity rather than riding the roller coaster of emotions.

Amitabha Buddha

relies on the "other" power of Amitabha Buddha (Amito fo, Amida Butsu) According to the Sukhavati Vyuha Sutras, Amitabha Buddha, out of compassion, vowed to use his merit to create a Pure Land in another world system from ours for anyone who wished to be reborn there.

vinaya

rules for the monastic community

Vajrayana Buddhism (The Diamond Vehicle)

sometimes included with Mahayana Buddhism, but it is so unique that most regard it as a separate branch, heavily associated with Tibet

dukkha

suffering, mental anguish Life is full of suffering, sorrow, dissatisfaction, disorder, and unease. Dukkha =unsatisfactoriness No one can escape suffering. Everything dies, changes, and experiences loss and difficulty. Dukkha includes everything from frustration with the way things are to extreme emotional pain. Story of Kisagotami- Woman whose son was dead but she took him to Buddha to see what he could do. He said to go ask for mustard seeds from people's houses who haven't experienced a death or time of mourning. She then coped with her son's death after not being able to accept any mustard seeds.

Dharma

the Buddha's teachings or the Truth about the world and how best to live in it. The Buddha addressed two questions only: -how to minimize or reduce suffering? -how to attain inner peace? His aim was to provide practical, useful advice about how to live based upon experience. He urged his disciples to experience the truths of Buddhism for themselves and not just accept what he said on faith. * He was silent on unanswerable questions.

Tipitaka

the collection of Buddhist scriptures The Tipitaka consists of the: -Vinaya: the rules for Buddhist monks and nuns -Sutras: the sayings, sermons and dialogues of the Buddha Abhidharma: analysis of Buddhist doctrine, "higher Dharma" (how nirvana is unconditioned, how karma operates, etc.)

sangha

the community of monks and nuns

samsara

the cycle of reincarnation as well as the everyday world of change and suffering

Theravada Buddhism (The Way of the Elders)

the oldest form of Buddhism, found in most of Southeast Asia -is the most conservative branch aims to preserve the original teachings of the Buddha -focuses on monastic life, detachment, & vipassana meditation as a self-directed way to enlightenment -uses the Pali canon -is derogatorily called "Hinayana" or "small vehicle" by Mahayana Buddhists because each Theravada Buddhist is responsible for his or her own enlightenment -Originally there were 18 "Hinayana" schools of Buddhism, but Theravada is the only one to have survived.

nirvana

the release from rebirth and suffering; the blowing out of desires The ultimate goal of Buddhism is liberation or enlightenment (nirvana). Nirvana = "blown out" or "cool" & refers to the fires of desire which have been extinguished Nirvana is similar to moksha in several ways. Both mean liberation from suffering, karma & reincarnation. Nirvana is... -the extinction of desires and cravings -the elimination of greed, hate, and delusion -freedom from attachments -the end of suffering -the end of karma and reincarnation -experiencing life without delusions or distortions -seeing reality as it truly is -appreciation of the present moment -inner peace

Temporary Ordination

when young boys or teenagers take monastic vows and live as monks for a few months before returning to lay life