RELG 1040 Buddhism
Dharma
The teachings of the Buddha The truth itself (teachings, text, and words they convey them are dharma) In Buddhist usage, teaching or truth concerning the ultimate nature of things.
Vipassana
"Insight" or "mindful-ness") Meditation practiced by Thera-vada Buddhists. Develop insight to the Buddhist teachings Meditating on particular truths the Buddha has thought Insight into the nature of reality and the way things are → the liberating teachings of the Buddha/the Dharma Insight into impermanence, self-lessness, the reality of no self
Why is Buddhism known as the Middle Way?
- Buddhism encourages followers to follow a path of moderation between indulgence and asceticism - When the Buddha was too indulged, he could not advance spiritually - When the Buddha was too ascetic, he was too weak to make any real progress - After he found a balance an began to eat, drink, and sleep in moderation was he able to reach enlightenment - Principle of moderation developed into the ethic of the Middle Way
Autobiography of Hakuin
-Shows us how difficult and demanding zen buddhism koan meditations is - using the power of the self and relying purely on the self to reach enlightenment is the way to go in zen buddhism
What are the differences between Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism? (Be prepared to give a thorough, detailed answer to this question; be able to discuss five differences.)
1. BELIEFS Theravada: - System of the elders - Faithful inheritors of the Buddha's original teachings - "The little vehicle" Mahayana: - The Great Vehicle - Accept all the teachings of Buddhism but believe that there are also higher teachings - refer Theravada as Hinayana - "the little vehicle" 2. GEOGRAPHY Theravada: South and Southeast Asia W/ THE EXCLUSION OF VIETNAM Mahayana: South and East Asia 3. TEACHINGS Theravada: -Teaches 4 Noble Truths, the 8 Fold Path Mahayana - Teaches emptiness, mind-only, Buddha-nature -emptiness to everything 4. GOALS Theravada: - Ultimate goal is nirvana - We cannot save everyone - Only monks can reach full enlightenment - Only way lay people can reach enlightenment is by becoming a monk -Enlightenment Mahayana: - Selfish to just want enlightenment for yourself - Must achieve enlightenment for all beings and help them be free of samsara first - Lay people can also reach enlightenment -vow to help people to enlightenment 5. VIEW OF BUDDHA Theravada - "Historical" Buddha - Siddhartha Buddha is central and he is a teacher/exemplar from the past - For each major cycle, there is one major Buddha Mahayana -- "Eternal"/celestial Buddha (multiple Buddhas and it is present only) - There are countless Buddhas in countless different realms - Buddhas are not bound by time and space 6. Theravada - Pali Canon Mahayana - Sanskrit Canon
Koan
A paradoxical thought exercise used in the Chan-Zen tradition to provoke a breakthrough in understanding by forcing students past the limitations of verbal formulations and logic. Short Anecdote (Question/Story-like puzzle)
Sutra
A recorded discourse of the Buddha (typically a sermon or dialogue) The main part of the pali canon
Mandala
A religious symbol associated with meditation, usually created with geometric patterns and shapes Symbolic depiction of the entire cosmos (universe) A chart-like representation of cosmic Buddha figures that often serves as a focus of meditation and de-votion in the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.
Zen
A special transmission, outside of scripture, not dependent on words" - Enlightenment cannot be translated to words (can be transmitted in special ways) tradition centered on the practice of meditation and the teaching that ultimate reality is not expressible in words or logic but must be grasped through direct intuition; see also koan and zazen.
Skandha
Any of the 5 groups of existence. The Buddha's way of classifying all physical and mental existence The five aggregates making up a human being; a basic element of personality.
"I lay stretched out in the mud as though dead, scarcely breathing and almost unconscious. I could not move; meanwhile the Master sat on the veranda roaring with laughter. After a short while I regained consciousness, got up, and bowed to the Master. My body was bathed in perspiration. The Master called out to me in a loud voice: 'You poor hole-dwelling devil!'"
Autobiography of Hakuin Zen Buddhism master - perseveres in his journey to solve a Koan in order to reach enlightenment. This autobiography also reveals the significance of the disciple-master relationship, and how the master is able to sense whether or not the disciple truly has reached a level of insight and enlightenment through the Koan
Who was B. R. Ambedkar, and why did he convert to Buddhism?
BR AMBEDKAR - Lead author of the Indian constitution - Although he was born into the "untouchable" Dalit class, his intelligence caught the attention of a Brahmin teacher - Formally adopted the boy so that he could have an upper class name CONVERSION TO BUDDHISM - Became an active advocate for Dalit rights and blamed Hinduism for that discrimination - Turned his back on Hinduism and tried to find a religion that did not discriminate against Dalits - Saw that Buddhism was compatible with Indian cultural values that it also spoke out in favor of the equality of humans, regardless of birth status -talked about the caste system in which he was born into and more of a egalitarian and said that the system was not fair and mission was to make more equality
Amitahba
Buddha of infinite light
Buddhism is not really a religion, but more a philosophy or way of life"? Would you agree or disagree with this claim? Why?
Disagree --> Buddhism IS a religion - there is a founder, established institutions, and beliefs (supernatural beliefs) -Doesn't seem to be different from other religions of which people would call religions (E.g., Christianity, Hinduism) -People pick on orient and or they want to be Lecture --> has to be a religion -when you see it, you know it -when you see someone meditating, you would think that person is a monk -idea: anything that has some sort of end (what happens when I die? - heaven, hell, and nothing don't know what happens) -you can't even know, which makes it a religions -pure land is faith based: don't have to do work yourself and pray - philosophical practice and has an end
"There is no secret about calling upon the sacred name except that we put our heart into the act, in the conviction that we shall be born into the Land of Perfect Bliss."
Honen the Buddhist Saint Honen - Buddhist that founded Pure Land Buddhism (outside of samsara) - making an emphasis on the idea that this "easy path" to enlightenment is for anyone and everyone (including the poor, women, etc). - branch of buddhism that focuses on the worship of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, who gives people the strength to have faith and life a live seeking enlightenment -created a Pure Land outside of samsara -emphasizes the meditation and recitation of the Nembutsu
Karma
Karma: lit., "action," a law of moral cause and effect The energy of the individual's past thoughts and actions, good or bad; karma determines rebirth within the "wheel" of samsara, or cycle of rebirth that ends only when nirvana is achieved. Good karma is also called "merit."
Seemingly contradicts the teachings of early Buddhism Tathagatagarbha Sutra (Buddha Nature) It suggests that there is an eternal and unchanging buddha-nature within all beings. Heart Sutra (emptiness) Seems to deny the Four Noble Truths, saying that suffering does not exist. Lankavatara Sutra (Mind-only) In order to become enlightened, you must follow the mentality and mindset of the Buddha that has been within you all along. You realize the illusion of suffering and of reality by following the way of the Buddha.
Mahayana Sutras
"Or, sons of good families, it is like pure gold that has fallen into a pit of waste and been submerged and not seen for years. The pure gold does not decay, yet no one knows that it is there. But suppose there came along someone with supernatural vision, who told people, 'Within the impure waste there is a genuine gold trinket. You should get it out and do with it as you please.' Similarly, the impure waste is your innumerable kleshas [afflictions]. The genuine gold is your buddha-nature."
Mahayana Sutras This passage is from the section that teaches on Buddha-nature, teaching that although there is self, everyone deep down, in their fullest essence/form has this Buddha-nature. They use the metaphor of hidden gold to describe that everyone has it hidden within.
How does Pure Land Buddhism compare to Zen Buddhism?
PURE LAND BUDDHISM - Rely on Tariki (Other power) to achieve enlightenment - Goal: Rebirth in Amitabha's Pure Land - Method: Nembutsu, by chanting his name, you will be saved ZEN BUDDHISM - Rely on Kiriki (Self-power) to achieve enlightenment - Goal: Enlightenment (satori) in this very life - Method: Meditation through koans, shikantaza. Radical reshaping of thinking to break down ordinary, rational ways of thinking
Every sutra begins with the formula "Thus have I heard," followed by a description of when and where the teaching took place. The "I" refers to Ananda, one of the Buddha's closest disciples, who is reporting what the Buddha taughtterm-39 Contains a collection of sutras + monastic code for the Sangha + metaphysical and philosophical teachings
Pali Sutras
What are the main events in the life of Buddha?
SODA: saw person who was sick and saw person who was old, person who was dead, and person who was asodic LIFE IN THE PALACE - Born as a son to a king - Prophecy that he would grow up to be a great leader OR would renounce the world to become spiritually enlightened - Father wanted to keep Siddartha from becoming a "crazy" renunciate -> removed all suffering from his life DAY OUTSIDE OF PALACE - Siddartha wanted to see life outside of palace, Father agreed but removed all the suffering on the path he would take - SIGN #1: A person covered head to toe in boils -> Discovered he can become diseased - SIGN #2: Old person with long white hair, wrinkles, and a cane -> Discovered concept of aging - SIGN #3: Sees a dead person -> Discovered concept of death - CONCLUSION: Says everything is without meaning, either going to get a disease, get old, or die: Everything is pointless - SIGN #4: Sees a renunciate -> decides to become a renunciate LIFE AS A RENUNCIATE - Leaves his wife and son to live in the forest with other renunciates to learn techniques of meditation - Joins group of 5 ascetics who practice extreme mortification of the body - Buddha is so emaciated that he accepts food from a villager -> ascetics kick him out of the group THE BODHI TREE - Will not leave the spot until he finds freedom from death - As he achieves higher meditative states, attacked by mara: daughters to seduce him, demons to terrify him, etc. LAST NIGHT OF HIS MEDITATION - First watch: Remember past lives - Second watch: Insight into the law of karma - Third watch: You have no self TEACHING - Gods tell him he must teach others these truths - Encounters 5 ascetics again and teaches his first sermon - Then finds a group of people called the Sangha (order of monks that continue the Buddha's teachings)
"This is the sole way, monks, for purification of beings, for overcoming of sorrow and lamentation, for the destroying of pain and grief, for reaching the right path, for the realization of Nibbana, namely the four Foundations of Mindfulness."
Satipatthana Sutta This passage talks about Vipassanaa Meditation. The significance of this passage is that
"Birth is suffering; old age is suffering; death is suffering; sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair are suffering; not to get what one wishes, is suffering; in short the five Aggregates of Clinging are suffering."
Satipatthana Sutta This passage talks about the Noble Truth of Suffering - in which a person's being, orientation, conception, springing into existence is birth. Old age is aging of beings belonging to this or that order of beings, getting frail, decrepit, and wrinkled. Death is parting and vanishing from the order of beings.
The Mahayana Sutras introduced several new philosophical teachings.Discuss three examples
Seemingly contradicts the teachings of early Buddhism Tathagatagarbha Sutra (Buddha Nature) It suggests that there is an eternal and unchanging buddha-nature within all beings. Heart Sutra (emptiness) Seems to deny the Four Noble Truths, saying that suffering does not exist. Lankavatara Sutra (Mind-only) In order to become enlightened, you must follow the mentality and mindset of the Buddha that has been within you all along. You realize the illusion of suffering and of reality by following the way of the Buddha. Phenomena and self emerge from mind . Seeing something means that they are emerging from your consciousness, cannot get to a material substrate.
"All the Buddhas explain the Dharma with various explanations and illustrations using skillful means, all for the sake of highest, complete enlightenment."
Selections from the Mahayana Sutras Refers to the idea of upaya and how followers are taught with through intentional ways to understand the concepts
What are the three jewels? Why are they important?
THREE JEWELS 1. Buddha: The "Awakened" One - Taught the 4 noble truths and give 3 characteristics of existence (impermanence, no-self, suffering) 2. Dharma: Buddha's teachings (4 noble truths, 5 skandhas, 8 fold path) 3. Sangha: Monastic community of monks and nuns founded by the Buddha - "I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha." IMPORTANCE Important to one's journey to becoming a Buddhist as they take refuge in them and seek protection by entrusting themselves to the jewels
Vesak
The Buddha Day Festival The day of the full moon in the "rains" month, known in Theravada countries as Vesak. In English speaking countries, known as "Buddha Day". Three major events in the life of Skayamuni occurred on that day: his birth, enlightenment, parinirvana
"Monks, these two extremes ought not to be practiced by one who has gone forth from the household life. What are the two? There is addiction to indulgence of sense-pleasures, which is low, coarse, the way of ordinary people, unworthy, and unprofitable; and there is addition to self mortification, which is painful, unworthy, and unprofitable
The Pali Sutras Refers to "The Middle Way" and how one must find balance between the pleasures and pains of life
"And that which is impermanent, is subject to suffering, and of that which is impermanent and subject to suffering and change, one cannot rightly say "This belongs to me; this am I; this is my self."
The Pali Sutras Refers to the idea of how we have no self and everything is impermanent.
"Very good! Your Majesty has rightly grasped the meaning of 'chariot.'And just even so it is ... that I come under the term of convenience, the conventional expression of 'Nagasena.'"
The Questions of King Milinda A king poses questions to the Buddhist monk Nagasena. In explaining the Buddhist doctrine of no-self, Nagasena argues that a "chariot" is not ultimately real; it is simply a convenient label for a collection of parts.In the same way, our names are simply convenient labels for an ever-changing collection of physical particles and mental events
Upaya
The Sanskrit word translated as skillful means (methods associated with teaching)
Discourse of Theravada Buddhism; mindfulness, acquired through meditation practice; awareness of in and out breathing
The Satipatthana Sutta
Sangha
The monastic community founded by the Buddha Generation after generation people renounce householder life, and enter the monastic community (the monks and nuns) The "congregation" or commu-nity of Buddhist monks and nuns. Some forms of Buddhism also refer to the con-gregation of lay persons as a sangha.
Nirvana
The state of bliss associated with final enlightenment; nirvana "with remainder" is the highest level possible in this life, and nirvana "without remainder" is the ultimate state. parinirvana: The ultimate perfection of bliss, achievable only on departing this life, as distinct from the nirvana with the "remainder" achievable while one is still in the present existence.
Vajrayana
The tantric branch of Buddhism that became established in Tibet and the Himalayan region and later spread to Mongolia and eventu-ally back to India. Vajrayana (development within Mahayana Buddhism) The Diamond (Vajra) Vehicle (yana) Origins ca. 6th c. CE Also known as "Tantra" and as "Esoteric Buddhism" - Esoteric (inwards/secret) - Tantra arose around the same time in Hinduism and Buddhism Provides esoteric techniques (initiations, visualizations, mantras) and non-dualist teachings said to provide a short-cut to enlightenment - Secret techniques to reach enlightenment quickly - The short-cuts are dangerous, but can get you there quickly BUT if pursued improperly, enlightenment cannot be reached BUT if pursued properly, enlightenment can be reached quickly Especially important in Tibetan Buddhism
What are the four noble truths?
The truth of suffering The truth of the origin of suffering (desire) The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirvana) The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (the Eightfold Path)
"At midnight I abruptly awakened. At first my mind was foggy, then suddenly that quotation flashed into my consciousness: "I came to realize clearly that Mind is no other than mountains, rivers, and the great wide earth, the sun and the moon and the stars." And I repeated it. Then all at once I was struck as though by lightning, and the next instant heaven and earth crumbled and disappeared. Instantaneously, like surging waves, a tremendous delight welled up in me, a veritable hurricane of delight"
Three Pillars of Zen This passage talks about the enlightenment of Roshi -whose experiences cannot serve as proof for religious experiences. All 3 of his experiences (e.g., falling asleep, falling into water, and awakening from the slumber) map onto each other in how it was experienced and the result was very different. The passage reveals that behaviors from external POVs do not represent as proof for religious experiences. Meditation of practicing it yourself cannot replicate religious experience. The purpose of enlightenment is to help others achieve it, while this process takes time.
"Meditation means calming your mind." How might a Buddhist respond to this claim? (Hint: what are the two main categories of meditation?)
Two Classes of Meditation: 1. SAMATHA (calmness or tranquility) - goal = develop a calm, composed tranquil mind by focusing on one object of concentration over a period of time - alone will not lead to enlightenment, just great bliss. -Important, not always Buddhist, but more of a precursor to Vipassana. 2. VIPASSANA (insight practice) - insight into the liberating teachings of Buddha -sees the nature of reality and the way things are → direct realization of teachings of the Buddha/the Dharma - Insight into impermanence, selflessness, the reality of no self
How do traditional forms of Buddhist meditation compare to the modern practice of mindfulness (as represented in Susan Bauer-Wu's" Midnfulness and Kindness Practices")?
Two types of modern practice of mindfulness are: 1. Traditional Buddhist meditation -primary goal: being more mindful in Buddhism -sense of connection with yourself so you can better move along the eightfold path - stepping stone to alleviate suffering -teaches the practitioner to observe the thoughts, but this language of no judgement is not there. 2. Western forms on mindfulness - using mindfulness as a tool to make you work harder, faster and better rather than feel more connected Susan's perspective to modern mindfulness: - how you can use mindfulness to bring more awareness in your day to day life - simple practice: help us find how we are always on autopilot and anchoring ourself w/ our breath -helps you be more intentional with other daily tasks - MISSING FROM MODERN: BEING AWARE of what will happen to body after death and the clear way to acknowledge thoughts and feelings as they come - MISSING/ABSENT: focus on the 4 noble truths and suffering - focused on maximizing enjoyment and being present in every moment. - Prof. Allen mentions the language of "not judging" - in which your thoughts in the modern practice - does not contemplate the decay/impermanence of the body and that connection to "no self".
What is the true nature of the self, according to Buddhism?
We have no self and everything is impermanent. We are composed of the 5 skandhas which have no essence because of their impermanent nature. Mahayana Buddhists would say that everyone has a Buddha-nature.
Pure Land
a Buddhist sect in China and Japan that centers on faith in Amitabha Buddha, who promised to welcome believers to the paradise of the Pure Land, a metaphor for enlightenment The comfortable realm in the western region of the heavens reserved for those who trust in the merit and grace of its lord, the celestial buddha Amitabha (Amida).
Buddha
lit., "the awakened one," or the enlightened one "Bud" awakening The Buddha is the one who has woken up to true reality
Shamatha
By concentration on that single thing, by the exclusion of all else Cultivating concentration on a single object based on tranquility and calm These practices can take one a a very high level of mental tranquility and bliss
Bodhisattva
In Theravada, a being who is on the way to enlightenment or buddhahood but has not yet achieved it; in Mahayana, a divine being who forgoes nirvana in order to save others.
"Although sentient beings are immersed in such sorrows, they rejoice and play. They are not aware, shocked, startled, or disgusted nor do they seek release. Running around in the burning house of the triple world, they experience great suffering and yet they do not realize it. O Shariputra! Seeing these things the Buddha thought: 'Since I am the father of sentient beings I must rid them of their immeasurable suffering and distress. I will cause them to rejoice through the immeasurable and limitless pleasure of the buddha wisdom."
Lotus Sutra (upaya);Selections from the Mahayana Sutras
How do the goals and practices of monks differ from the goals and practice of the average Buddhist layperson?
MONKS - Fully focused on achieving nirvana and attaining enlightenment LAY PEOPLE - Don't see nirvana as their immediate goal and some believe they cannot attain nirvana. - Do all they can to attain merit and good karma by supporting the Sangha by going to the temple and giving food to the monks - Goal is to obtain good merit so they can be successful in the next life
"In mindfulness practice, the breath Is often used as an anchor, the neutral point of awareness to drop us into now. The breath Is always with us. It Is just there, a trusty companion, with us every moment we are alive."
Mindfulness and Kindness Practices Significance: Illustrates a Western approach to mindfulness with a focus on how you can use mindfulness to make you be more efficient in your day to day life. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on not meditating with a particular goal in mind. You are concentrating the mind to not and not trying to get anything out of it.
Nembutsu
Namnu Amida Bustu "I bow to Amitabha Buddha" Faith in Amida's power of salvation and consists in chanting the "Homage to Amida Buddha" mantra.
And Milinda the king replied to Nagasena, and said: 'I have spoken no untruth, reverend Sir. It is on account of its having all these things -- the pole, and the axle, the wheels, and the framework, the ropes, the yoke, the spokes, and the goad -- that it comes under the generally understood term, the designation in common use, of " chariot."
Questions of King Milinda Refers to the idea of no self.
"Thus I have heard"
The Pali Sutras Every sutra begins with the phrase "Thus have I heard" followed by a description of when and where the teaching took place. The "I" refers to Ananda, one of the Buddha's closest disciples who is reporting what the Buddha taught
Merit Making
The action of doing good deeds that will lead to a rebirth in a better realm (accumulating good karma)
Samsara
The beginningless cycle of rebirth The wheel of death and rebirth