Religions of South Asia

Religions of South Asia

But founded in India!

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

Bhutan

Sri Lanka

Tibet

The essence of Buddhism

The essence of Buddhism

““Middle Way of wisdom Middle Way of wisdom and compassion”and compassion”

Based on the teachings Based on the teachings of the Buddhaof the Buddha

Three jewels of Three jewels of Buddhism:Buddhism:

BuddhaBuddha, the teacher, the teacher DharmaDharma, the teachings, the teachings SanghaSangha, the , the

communitycommunity

*Philosophy = way of life

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE) born in NE India (born in NE India (NepalNepal))

raised in great luxuryraised in great luxuryto be a to be a kingking

at 29 he rejected his at 29 he rejected his luxurious life to seek luxurious life to seek enlightenment and the enlightenment and the source of source of sufferingsuffering

he sat in meditation, and he sat in meditation, and found found nirvananirvana and became and became “the “the Enlightened One, or BUDDHA”Enlightened One, or BUDDHA” at at 3535

What is the fundamental cause

of all suffering?

What is the fundamental cause

of all suffering?

Desire!Desire! Therefore, “extinguish the Therefore, “extinguish the

self”: don’t obsess over self”: don’t obsess over yourself and STUFF.yourself and STUFF.

“stuff” = material things =

BAD

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths1.1. There is suffering in There is suffering in

the world. To live is to the world. To live is to suffer.suffer. ( (DukkhaDukkha) ) The Buddha found The Buddha found

this out when he was this out when he was young and young and experienced experienced suffering and death suffering and death in others.in others.

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths

2.2. The cause of The cause of suffering is self-suffering is self-centered desire centered desire and attachments.and attachments. ((TanhaTanha))

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths

3.3. The solution is to The solution is to eliminate desire eliminate desire and attachments. and attachments. ((Nirvana = Nirvana = “extinction”“extinction”))

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths4.4. To reach To reach nirvananirvana, one , one

must follow the must follow the Eightfold Path. Eightfold Path.

MEDITATION

WISDOMMORALITY

Eightfold PathEightfold Path

NirvanaNirvana Union with the ultimate Union with the ultimate spiritual reality. spiritual reality.Escape from the cycle of Escape from the cycle of rebirth - Buddhists also rebirth - Buddhists also believe in reincarnation.believe in reincarnation.““one with the universe…”one with the universe…”

Buddha – 19c Thailand

Buddha – 19c Thailand

Buddha’s

head :

2c Pakist

an

Buddha’s

head :

2c Pakist

an

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Buddhist AltarBuddhist Altar

Laughing BuddhaLaughing Buddha

Types of BuddhismTypes of

Buddhism Therevada Therevada BuddhismBuddhism

Mahayana Mahayana BuddhismBuddhism

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism oldest school of Buddhismoldest school of Buddhism

““Way of the Elders” or the Way of the Elders” or the “Small Vehicle”“Small Vehicle”

found in southern Asiafound in southern Asia believe believe monasticmonastic life is the life is the

best way to achieve best way to achieve nirvananirvana focus on wisdom and focus on wisdom and

meditationmeditation goal is to become a goal is to become a “Buddha“Buddha,” ,”

or or “Enlightened One”“Enlightened One” over 100,000,000 followers over 100,000,000 followers

todaytoday

Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism

Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism ““Great Vehicle”Great Vehicle”

began in northern Asia began in northern Asia (China, Japan)(China, Japan)

Buddhism “for the masses”Buddhism “for the masses” seek guidance from seek guidance from

Boddhisatvas Boddhisatvas = wise beings = wise beings GoalGoal: not just individual : not just individual

escape from the cycle of escape from the cycle of reincarnation, but helping all reincarnation, but helping all humans escape the cycle humans escape the cycle through the self-sacrifice of through the self-sacrifice of the enlightened fewthe enlightened few

Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism

Seated Boddhisatva – 16c

Bhutan

Seated Boddhisatva – 16c

Bhutan

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan

Buddhism “ “Diamond Vehicle” Diamond Vehicle” began in began in Tibet Tibet in the 7in the 7thth c. C.E. c. C.E. mix of Theravada and mix of Theravada and

MahayanaMahayana BoddhisatvasBoddhisatvas include include

Lamas, like the Lamas, like the Dalai LamaDalai Lama

the the Tibetan Book Tibetan Book of the Deadof the Dead [[Bardo ThodolBardo Thodol]]

The Dala

iLam

a

The Dala

iLam

a

zen Buddhismzen Buddhism the “the “MeditationMeditation School” School” seek sudden enlightenment seek sudden enlightenment

through meditation, arriving through meditation, arriving at emptinessat emptiness

use of use of meditationmeditation masters masters [[RoshiRoshi]]

popular in Japanpopular in Japan focus on beauty and art:focus on beauty and art:

GardensGardens ArcheryArchery Tea ceremonyTea ceremony CalligraphyCalligraphy

Relieve Stress & Meditate:

Get a Mantra !

Relieve Stress & Meditate:

Get a Mantra !

Ohm...mani...padme...hung.Ohm...mani...padme...hung.....Hail to the jewel in the lotus!Hail to the jewel in the lotus!

mantra =

saying you

meditate

with

•Philosophy or Religion?– philosophy = way or life

– religion? no god… spiritual…