BuddhismBuddhism

Siddhartha GautamaSiddhartha Gautama

Born ca. 563 BCEBorn ca. 563 BCE– 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 PathEightfold Path

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

5 Precepts of Right 5 Precepts of Right Action/ConductAction/Conduct Do not killDo not kill Do not stealDo not steal Do not lieDo not lie Do not practice sexual immoralityDo not practice sexual immorality Do not take intoxicantsDo not take intoxicants

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

DoctrinesDoctrines

SamsaraSamsara: cycle of rebirth: cycle of rebirth ImpermanenceImpermanence InterdependenceInterdependence No selfNo self 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

Theravadan BuddhismTheravadan Buddhism

More conservative, strictMore conservative, strict– Scriptures: Pali canonScriptures: Pali canon

SE Asia (Thailand)SE Asia (Thailand) Focus on individual effortFocus on individual effort

– Best way: become a monkBest way: become a monk Universe is not friendly (no gods to help)Universe is not friendly (no gods to help) Wisdom is highest virtueWisdom is highest virtue

– Ideal: arhat heading for nirvanaIdeal: arhat heading for nirvana Buddha is an exemplar, not a godBuddha is an exemplar, not a god

Mahayanan BuddhismMahayanan Buddhism

More liberal (innovative)More liberal (innovative)– Scripture: Pali canon PLUS Lotus SutraScripture: Pali canon PLUS Lotus Sutra– more open on inclusion of womenmore open on inclusion of women

““Big raft”: Focus on laity, all peopleBig raft”: Focus on laity, all people– Priests serve laity, can marryPriests serve laity, can marry

More a sense of power in the universeMore a sense of power in the universe– Offer reverence for godsOffer reverence for gods

Focus on compassionFocus on compassion– Ideal: Bodhisattva who helps othersIdeal: Bodhisattva who helps others

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

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

Most common form in WestMost common form in West focus on emptying, even of most focus on emptying, even of most

sacred teachingssacred teachings– 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, koan (problem/riddle) [reason is limited,

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

Zen Oxherding Zen Oxherding PicturesPictures http://www.hsuyun.org/Dharma/zhttp://www.hsuyun.org/Dharma/z

bohy/Poetry/hsuyun-ox-herding.htbohy/Poetry/hsuyun-ox-herding.htmlml

Or: Or: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/mzb/oxherd.htmmzb/oxherd.htm

Buddhist MandalasBuddhist Mandalas

Focus on centerFocus on center Aid to meditationAid to meditation Also found in Hinduism, JainismAlso found in Hinduism, Jainism Rich in symbolismRich in symbolism