BuddhismBuddhism

Story of the BuddhaStory of the Buddha

What kind of story is this? What kind of story is this? – Is it about a hero, or an “everyman”? Is it about a hero, or an “everyman”? – Does it remind you of any other Does it remind you of any other

stories?stories? Discuss your favorite detail of the Discuss your favorite detail of the

storystory– What do you think it means? Does it What do you think it means? Does it

express an aspect of Buddhist belief?express an aspect of Buddhist belief?

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 human experience?How does it typify human experience?– Four SightsFour Sights

why are these shocking to Siddhartha?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

NarrativeNarrative

Used in religion:Used in religion:– To revealTo reveal– To teach memorably, personallyTo teach memorably, personally– To alter relationships, cultivate empathyTo alter relationships, cultivate empathy

““Religion is my story being shaped by Religion is my story being shaped by another story” (L. Cunningham, J. Kelsay)another story” (L. Cunningham, J. Kelsay)– Life itself has a narrative qualityLife itself has a narrative quality– Certain stories are Certain stories are paradigmsparadigms, like the , like the

Exodus or story of BuddhaExodus or story of Buddha– Applying the story to one’s life distinguishes Applying the story to one’s life distinguishes

mere history from an experience of the mere history from an experience of the sacredsacred

MythMyth

Type of narrativeType of narrative Answers questions about how people relate Answers questions about how people relate

to sacred reality and to their worldto sacred reality and to their world– OriginsOrigins– IdentityIdentity– PurposePurpose

Universal in scope, often in settingUniversal in scope, often in setting Deals with universal truthsDeals with universal truths

– Its meaning is not primarily about history Its meaning is not primarily about history (particular time and place) or science (empirical) (particular time and place) or science (empirical) but what is true universally (at all times and but what is true universally (at all times and places)places)

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 (Smith: : cycle of rebirth (Smith: transmigration)transmigration)– Governed by Governed by karmakarma

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

Theravada Buddhism: Theravada Buddhism: The Way of the EldersThe Way of the Elders Older form; more conservative (conserving)Older form; more conservative (conserving)

– Scriptures: Pali canonScriptures: Pali canon SE Asia (Thailand)SE Asia (Thailand) Focus on individual effortFocus on individual effort

– Strong emphasis on monasticism, SanghaStrong emphasis on monasticism, Sangha Universe is not friendly (no gods to help)Universe is not friendly (no gods to help)

– Meditation used, but not prayerMeditation used, but not prayer Wisdom is highest virtueWisdom is highest virtue

– Ideal: arhat (“worthy one” who has extinguished Ideal: arhat (“worthy one” who has extinguished desire)desire)

Buddha is an exemplar, not a godBuddha is an exemplar, not a god

Mahayana Buddhism: Mahayana Buddhism: The Big RaftThe Big Raft 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 sacred focus on emptying, even of most sacred

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

Focus on “experiential perspective radically Focus on “experiential perspective radically different from the ordinary” (Smith, 132)different from the ordinary” (Smith, 132)

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

use other forms of knowing; Smith, 134]use other forms of knowing; Smith, 134]– leading to satori/kensholeading to satori/kensho

Zen Oxherding Zen Oxherding PicturesPictures Illustrate stages of spiritual Illustrate stages of spiritual

growthgrowth– Herdsman = worldly “self”Herdsman = worldly “self”– Ox = true natureOx = true nature

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

– Concentric circles and squaresConcentric circles and squares– Figures: Buddhas, spiritsFigures: Buddhas, spirits– Natural elementsNatural elements– ColorColor