BuddhismBuddhism

Buddhists call themselves followers of the dharma

Began in India in the sixth century B.C.E.

Started to fade as individual religion (although revived in recent decades) and survived principally because it spread across South East Asia

Buddhism is now a global religion

As it evolved, it divided into three branches, often called “vehicles”:

BranchesBranches

Siddartha (cont.)Siddartha (cont.)

Bodhi Tree Mara

BuddhaBuddha

• Buddha, awakened one

• Taught the “Middle Way” between self-denial and self-indulgence (hence Therevada’s title)

Enlightenment is attainable for everyone

Stress on Bodhisattva

Stress on compassion for everyone thus the stress on Bodhisattva

Attempts to meet almost every religious and philosophical need

KarunaKaruna

A main emphasis in Mahayana is “karuna” which means compassion, empathy, kindness, sympathy. The idea is that all of us are part of the same ever changing universe and deep down we are really not different

The idea of compassion in Buddhism is taken to another level in regard to enlightenment. A person becomes enlightened not simply for his or her sake but for the sake of others. A person who becomes enlightened and returns to show others is a “bodhisattva” which means “enlightenment being”

Mahayana: The Liberal Mahayana: The Liberal BranchBranch

Mahayana Buddhism is open to a number of religious paths. A person may not find a devotion to a deity particularly suited for them or that person may just appreciate meditation.

Mahayana is open to anything that will help a person spiritually; this is known as upaya or “skillful means”

EnlightenmentEnlightenment

EnlightenmentEnlightenment

TransformationTransformation

““Great Vehicle”Great Vehicle”

Mahayana uses river analogy

River = cycle of rebirth, time

-Yana = “means”, however in context of river analogy it would be considered the raft, or vehicle, one uses while on the flow of river

Theravada vs. Theravada vs. MahayanaMahayana

According to Mahayana, Therevada is more accurately labeled as Hinayana (translates to “small raft”)

In contrast to Mahayana which carries many towards liberation (Nirvana), Therevada suggests all must have a personal journey across the “river”

Siddartha was an example of this because he single-handedly achieved Nirvana

Means “vehicle of the diamond” or “vehicle of the lightning bolt”

Some see this as a third branch of Buddhism; others consider it a part of Mahayana

This Buddhism is a blend of shamanism, Trantic Buddhism and traditional Buddhist elements

Tantric BuddhismTantric Buddhism

Tantric derives its names from the Tantras scriptures which means to “spread out”

Tantric Buddhism opposed the idea of detachment from worldly things and the negative ideas associated with bodily pleasure

The Tantras taught that all of these things could be used to reach enlightenment

Enlightenment happens when one can unite all opposites (om)

The Vajrayana ImportThe Vajrayana Import

In Vajrayana the practitioners believe that the Buddha nature expresses itself in a multitude of male and female deities.

Among the traditional Buddhist beliefs are the ideal of non-violence, chanting of sutras, meditation, and the search for enlightenment

Roles of MonksRoles of Monks

Monks had a variety of roles as doctors, shamans, and teachers.

A Tibetan teacher is called a “lama.”

Vajrayana Vajrayana

Some of the practices of Tibetan Buddhism declined Celibacy declined Meat was eaten Alcohol was consumed

This led to a reform movement to reinstate the original teachings

Other Shared ConceptsOther Shared Concepts

Sunyata: emptiness or zeroness. Because everything is in constant change, each apparent person and thing is actually “empty” of permanent individual identity

Tathata: thatness, thusness, suchness. Reality is revealed in each moment, as we savor patterns, relationships, and change; because no two moments are exactly the same, each one can be observed and appreciated as it passes

More ConceptsMore Concepts

Ritual play a prominent role in Vajrayana Buddhism.

It is through ritual that one attains internal and external power.

The “vajra” is a significant object in rituals. It is a metal object somewhat like a divining rod or scepter that represents a stylized bolt of lightening and is associated with diamond-hardness, power and insight.

Vajra & GhantaVajra & Ghanta

Vajra = male symbol; Ghanta = female symbol

Moreover, vajra = upaya (skillful means); ghanta = pranja (wisdom)

Some deities are depicted holding both tools, symbolizing the union of the forces of compassion and wisdom, respectively

MandalaMandala

Is a ritual and spiritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe

Basic form is a square with four gates with a center point. Each gate is the general shape of a T.

Mandala UseMandala Use

In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of aspirants and adepts, as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space, and as an aid to meditation and trance induction.

In common use, mandala has become a generic term for any plan, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe