BuddhismBuddhism

Buddhism in AmericaBuddhism in America

New configurationsNew configurations– ““In LA, Buddhists who would never have met one In LA, Buddhists who would never have met one

another in Asia find themselves neighbors, often with another in Asia find themselves neighbors, often with very different cultural experiences of Buddhism” very different cultural experiences of Buddhism” (149).(149).

Need for lay educationNeed for lay education– Few second-generation Buddhist Americans become Few second-generation Buddhist Americans become

monks or nuns (159, 161)monks or nuns (159, 161) AdaptationAdaptation

– ““Buddhism’s three treasures will all be expressed in Buddhism’s three treasures will all be expressed in new ways as the various forms of Buddhism begin to new ways as the various forms of Buddhism begin to grow. So far, the plant is still young” (164).grow. So far, the plant is still young” (164).

– http://http://www.hsilai.org/VirtualTour/virtualmap.htmlwww.hsilai.org/VirtualTour/virtualmap.html

Triple GemTriple Gem

I take refuge in the BuddhaI take refuge in the Buddha I take refuge in the DharmaI take refuge in the Dharma I take refuge in the SanghaI take refuge in the Sangha

Siddhartha GautamaSiddhartha Gautama

Born ca. 563 BCBorn ca. 563 BC– Context: asceticism in India and NepalContext: asceticism in India and Nepal

Life story: Classic story of a questLife story: Classic story of a quest– How is it unusual?How is it unusual?– How does it typify universal human experience?How does it typify universal human experience?– Four Sights: why are these shocking to Siddhartha?Four Sights: why are these shocking to Siddhartha?– EnlightenmentEnlightenment– Teaching others (45 yrs)Teaching others (45 yrs)

Presents “middle way”Presents “middle way” Ideal of enlightenmentIdeal of enlightenment Not a godNot a god

Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths

1.1. Life is suffering (Life is suffering (dukkhadukkha))

2.2. Suffering is caused by desireSuffering is caused by desire

3.3. Ceasing desire will bring an end Ceasing desire will bring an end to sufferingto suffering

4.4. Do this through the Eightfold Do this through the Eightfold PathPath

Eightfold Path: Eightfold Path: ethics and discipline ethics and discipline (157)(157)1.1. Right viewsRight views

2.2. Right intentRight intent

3.3. Right speechRight speech

4.4. Right conductRight conduct

5.5. Right livelihoodRight livelihood

6.6. Right effortRight effort

7.7. Right mindfulnessRight mindfulness

8.8. Right concentrationRight concentration

Right intention

Right speech

Right conduct

Right livelihoodRight effort

Right mindfulness

Right concentration

Right views

DoctrinesDoctrines

SamsaraSamsara: cycle of rebirth: cycle of rebirth ImpermanenceImpermanence InterdependenceInterdependence EnlightenmentEnlightenment NirvanaNirvana

Development of Development of BuddhismBuddhism No clear successor after the No clear successor after the

Buddha’s deathBuddha’s death Theravada: most traditionalTheravada: most traditional Mahayana: most adaptingMahayana: most adapting Zen: branch of MahayanaZen: branch of Mahayana

Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism

Predominant in SE Asia (e.g., Thailand)Predominant in SE Asia (e.g., Thailand) More conservative, strictMore conservative, strict

– Buddha: an exemplar, not a godBuddha: an exemplar, not a god– Dharma: Scriptures are the Pali canonDharma: Scriptures are the Pali canon

Sangha: monasterySangha: monastery– Best way to reach enlightenmentBest way to reach enlightenment– Community supports monksCommunity supports monks

Universe is not friendly (no gods to help)Universe is not friendly (no gods to help)– Most like teaching of the BuddhaMost like teaching of the Buddha– Rely on self for enlightenment: “Impermanent are Rely on self for enlightenment: “Impermanent are

all created things; strive on with awareness.”all created things; strive on with awareness.”

Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism

Dharma: More liberal (innovative)Dharma: More liberal (innovative)– Scriptures are Pali canon PLUS other sutrasScriptures are Pali canon PLUS other sutras– more open on inclusion of womenmore open on inclusion of women

Buddha: a savior, god-likeBuddha: a savior, god-like– offer prayer and worshipoffer prayer and worship

Sangha: monks and laitySangha: monks and laity– ““Big raft”: Focus on laity, all peopleBig raft”: Focus on laity, all people– Priests serve laity, can marryPriests serve laity, can marry– Ideal: Bodhisattva who helps othersIdeal: Bodhisattva who helps others

Universe has helpful and harmful powersUniverse has helpful and harmful powers– Offer reverence for godsOffer reverence for gods– Pray for helpPray for help

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

Branch of MahayanaBranch of Mahayana Most common form in WestMost common form in West Less ritualistic, less emphasis on scripturesLess ritualistic, less emphasis on scriptures Focus on emptying, even of most sacred Focus on emptying, even of most sacred

teachingsteachings– critical of verbal reliance, conceptionscritical of verbal reliance, conceptions– remarkably self-criticalremarkably self-critical

practices: practices: – zazen (sacred meditation), zazen (sacred meditation), – koan (problem/riddle) [reason is limited, have to use koan (problem/riddle) [reason is limited, have to use

other forms of knowing], other forms of knowing], – leading to satori/kensholeading to satori/kensho

American BuddhismAmerican Buddhism

““If we don’t build temples, our culture won’t If we don’t build temples, our culture won’t survive in this country” (210)survive in this country” (210)– Temples as community centers (216)Temples as community centers (216)– Entering temple = a world set apart (214)Entering temple = a world set apart (214)– But, American landscape has also entered temple But, American landscape has also entered temple

(216)(216) Different Buddhist groups have different Different Buddhist groups have different

agendas and priorities (216)agendas and priorities (216)– Preserve culture (immigrants)Preserve culture (immigrants)– Vehicle for social transformation (non-Asian Vehicle for social transformation (non-Asian

Americans)Americans)– Synthesis of different Buddhist practices (217)Synthesis of different Buddhist practices (217)

Socially Engaged Socially Engaged BuddhismBuddhism Prominent in Vietnam in 1960sProminent in Vietnam in 1960s

– Rooted in interdependenceRooted in interdependence Similar to Americanization of Buddhism: Similar to Americanization of Buddhism:

how can Buddhism engage culture in how can Buddhism engage culture in new ways?new ways?– Anti-war, promoting peace-makingAnti-war, promoting peace-making– Relief efforts for poverty, natural disastersRelief efforts for poverty, natural disasters– Rejection of materialism, consumerism in America Rejection of materialism, consumerism in America

(216)(216) Happens at same time as waves of Happens at same time as waves of

immigration to U.S.immigration to U.S.– Synergistic effect: how can Buddhism thrive by Synergistic effect: how can Buddhism thrive by

engaging American culture as lay people?engaging American culture as lay people?