Review: Vedic /Upanishadic Traditions

VEDIC TRADITION:

Vedic Cosmology

Vedic Gods

Varna

UPANISHADIC TRADITION:

Upanishadic Ideas

Universalistic Ideas: Brahman/Atman

Samsara

kalpa

Brhadaranyaka Upanishad:

“As he has acted, as he has lived, so he becomes; He who has done good is born again as a good one; He who has done evil, is born again as an evil one”

Heterodox Religions: Jainism and Buddhism

• Against the Vedic ideas, especially supremacy of

priesthood, varna system, materalism of

Vedic ritual• Non-Theistic• Non-Violence and equality• Upanishadic ideas: contemplation and questioning• Path of renunciation (pre-Vedic ideas)• Nastiks = deniers [of the Vedic tradition]• Astiks = believers [of the Vedic tradition]

BuddhismPresuppositions:

1. SAMSARA: endless cycle of rebirth and deal

2. KARMA: “action”

3. KALPA: cyclical time of world cycles

4. MAYA: illusion

5. Soteriology: a release from the painful cycles by attaining

enlightenment.

Upanishadic Ideas:

1. Unity: universal and individual

2. Renunciate / ascetic tradition

3. Emphasis on SELF

The Buddha

“Founder” • historical figure born in 500 BCE • as Prince Siddhartha of the Shakya clan in

Lumbini, Nepal• After enlightenment became known as the BUDDHA

“one who has the knowledge”• also known as SHAKYAMUNI, “sage of the Shakya”

The Buddha• teacher, NOT a god• notion of past Buddhas before him (8 Buddhas)• his life and events serve as paradigm for ALL Buddhists• All Buddhist beliefs in existence before Shakyamuni

The Life of the Buddha

Four Major Events as Paradigm

1. Birth2. Enlightenment (bodhi)3. First Teaching “Turning the Wheel of Dharma”4. Death (nirvana)

Birth of the Buddha

Lumbini, NepalBirthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha

Fasting Buddha, 1st century CE

Enlightenment at Bodhgaya

Temple of Enlightenment, Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya

Enlightenment of theBuddha:

Victory over Mara (death)

• attained Bodhi “knowledge• Buddha: “one who has the

knowledge•“Earth-touching gesture” :

-earth-goddess aswitness

First Teaching at Sarnath, India: Turning the Wheel of Dharma

Teaching the Dharma: :Turning the Wheel of Law”

Four Noble Truths:

1. Life is suffering2. Desire is the cause of suffering3. The solution is to stop having desire4. The way to stop desire is to follow

the Buddhist Dharma (path)(8-Fold Path)

: faith / practice: selfless action: ethical behavior

Three Jewels:1. Buddha (Teacher)2. Dharma (Teaching)3. Sangha (Community)

Buddhist Teachings (Dharma)1) Altruistic action:

Having complete, unselfish compassion for others and acting on that compassion. Making continuous effort to seek advancement and to aid others

2) Yogic Meditation:Seeking through concentration and mindfulness the various types of knowledge that led to the Buddhist attainment

3) Detachment: Becoming a beggar or an ascetic in order to detach oneself from all desires.

The Death of the Buddha: Nirvana• Ending the cycle of samsara

Relic Cult in Buddhism: Worship and Pilgrimage

1. Bodily Relics of the Buddha

STUPA

Buddhist CommunityBuddhist Sangha:

•Monastics: Monks / Nuns

•Lay Commmunity: Male / female

Buddhist Texts:

•Monastic behavior: vinaya

•Buddhist philosophical treatises and commentaries

Buddhist Worship, Ritual, and Art

• Communicating the key points of religion through symbols

• Emphasizing faith in religion

• Art begins around the 3rd century BCE

Buddhist Cosmology: Mount Meru System

Buddhist World System:

1. Sacred Mountain: imagined space2. Fundamental in Buddhist philosophy and art3. Understanding that is critical in Buddhist thought

Web reference: www.huntingtonarchive.osu.edu (Circle of Bliss)

Mount Meru World System

Mount Meru World System

Stupas as Mount Meru World System

Nepal

Tibet

Japan

Yogin and Mt. Meru

Yogin and Heart-Mind

Buddhist Vehicles (Yana)

•Hinayana “Little Vehicle”

Shrakayana: Vehicle of the HearersTheravada: Path of the EldersPratyeka-buddhayana: Vehicle of the Lone Buddhas

Ideal: Arhats

•Mahayana “Great Vehicle” Ideal: Bodhisattva (lit. “Enlightenment Beings” or Beings

destined for Enlightenment)

•Vajrayana “Adamantine/Diamond Vehicle” • best suited for the Kali Yuga: efficious/dangerous

Ideal: Mahasiddha (crazy yogin)