Religions of South Asia

Religions of South Asia

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

The essence of Buddhism

The essence of Buddhism

The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.”

2,500 year old tradition. The 3 jewels of

Buddhism: Buddha, the teacher. Dharma, the

teachings. Sangha, the

community.

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE) Born in NE India

(Nepal). Raised in great luxury

to be a king. At 29 he rejected

his luxurious life toseek enlightenmentand the source ofsuffering.

Lived a strict,ascetic life for 6 yrs.

Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found nirvana.

Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.

What is the fundamental cause

of all suffering?

What is the fundamental cause

of all suffering?

Desire!Desire! Therefore, extinguish the

self, don’t obsess about oneself.

Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths

1. There is suffering in the world. To live is to suffer. (Dukkha) The Buddha found

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

Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths

2. The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments. (Tanha)

Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths

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

Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths4. To reach nirvana, one

must follow the Eightfold Path.

Eightfold PathEightfold Path

NirvanaNirvana The union with the ultimate spiritual reality.

Escape from the cycle of rebirth.

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

Types of BuddhismTypes of

Buddhism Therevada Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism

Zen Buddhism

Therevada Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism

Zen Buddhism

Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism The oldest school of Buddhism.

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

Found in southern Asia. The monastic life is the best

way to achieve nirvana.

Focus on wisdom and meditation.

Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or “Enlightened One.”

Over 100,000,000 followers today.

The oldest school of Buddhism. The “Way of the Elders” or the

“Small Vehicle.” Found in southern Asia. The monastic life is the best

way to achieve nirvana.

Focus on wisdom and meditation.

Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or “Enlightened One.”

Over 100,000,000 followers today.

Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism

Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism The “Great Vehicle.”

Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan).

Buddhism “for the masses.” Seek guidance from

Boddhisatvas, wise beings. Goal: Not just individual

escape from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.

Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism

Seated Boddhisatva – 16c

Bhutan

Seated Boddhisatva – 16c

Bhutan

boddhisatvaboddhisatva

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan

Buddhism The “Diamond Vehicle.” [Vajrayana]

Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE.

A mix of Theravada and Mahayana.

Boddhisatvas include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead[Bardo Thodol].

The Dala

iLam

a

The Dala

iLam

a

zen Buddhismzen Buddhism The “Meditation School.” Seeks sudden enlightenment

[satori] through meditation, arriving at emptiness [sunyata].

Use of meditation masters [Roshi].

Beauty, art, and aesthetics: Gardens. Archery. Tea ceremony. Calligraphy.

Buddhism in America (1999)

Buddhism in America (1999)

Distribution of Buddhism Centers

in the US, 2001

Distribution of Buddhism Centers

in the US, 2001

10th Annual western buddhist monastic

conference

10th Annual western buddhist monastic

conference

California, 2004

Relieve Stress & Meditate:

Get a Mantra !

Relieve Stress & Meditate:

Get a Mantra !

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

*Buddhist Concepts

*Attachments and Liberation

*Bodhisattva

*Bodhisattva Never Disparaging

*Buddhism and Human Dignity

*Buddhist Unity (Itai Doshin)

*Changing Poison into Medicine

*Courage

*Desires and Enlightenment

*Dialogue in Buddhism

*Discussion Meetings

*Buddhist Concepts

*Emptiness

*The Enlightenment of Women

*The Eternity of Life

*Faith and Reason

*The Gohonzon - Observing the Mind

*Good and Evil

*Good Friends

*Gratitude

*The Greater Self

*Buddhist Concepts

* Karma

* Kosen-rufu

* The Life of Nichiren

* The Life of Shakyamuni

* The Lotus Sutra

* The Meaning of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

* The Middle Way

* The Nine Consciousnesses

*Observing the Precepts

* The Oneness of Body and Mind

* The Oneness of Mentor and Disciple

*Buddhist Concepts

* The Oneness of Self and Environment

* Prayer in Buddhism

* Rissho Ankoku - Securing Peace for the People

* Ten Factors

* Ten Worlds

* Three Poisons - the Source of the Problem

* Three Thousand Realms in a Single Moment of Life

* Youthfulness

* Who is a Buddha?

* Win or Lose

* The World of Anger

 

*Core Buddhist Concepts

*Human Revolution

*Work of transforming our lives at the very core.

*Involves identifying and challenging those things which inhibit the full expression of our positive potential and humanity.

*Human Revolution

*break through our "lesser self," bound by self-concern and the ego

*growing in altruism toward a "greater self" capable of caring and taking action for the sake of others--ultimately all humanity.

*Human Revolution

*Most fundamental, most necessary revolution of humankind.

*To create a human society based on compassion and respect for the dignity of all people's lives.

*world will never get any better as long as people themselves...remain selfish and lacking in compassion……

*Interconnectedness

*“When we realize the extent of the myriad interconnections which link us to all other life, we realize that our existence only becomes meaningful through interaction with, and in relation to, others."

*Interconnectedness

*Nothing exists in isolation, independent of other life.

*Relationship between

---humankind and its environment

---Individual and society

---Parents and children

---Husband and wife.

* Compassion: Solidarity of The Heart

*"Compassion is often thought of as akin to pity, but whereas pity may be condescending, compassion springs from a sense of the equality and interconnectedness of life. Genuine compassion is about empowering others, helping them unlock strength and courage from within their lives in order to overcome their problems."

* Compassion: Solidarity of The Heart

*Buddhist compassion could be succinctly described then as the desire to relieve suffering and to give joy

*Wisdom

*"When wisdom is functioning in our life, it has the effect of enabling us to overcome the ingrained perspectives of our habitual thinking and arrive at a fresh and holistic view of a given situation. We are able to make a broad assessment of the facts, perceive the essence of an issue and steer a sure course toward happiness.

*Wisdom

*Wisdom dispels our delusions of separateness and awakens in us a sense of empathetic equality with all living things.

*Encouraging and sharing hope with others awakens us to a larger, freer identity beyond the narrow confines of our ego.

*Wisdom and compassion are thus inseparable.

HISTORY OF BUDDHISM

• The History of Buddhism spans the 6th century BCE to the present, starting with the birth of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama on the Indian subcontinent, in what is now Lumbini, Nepal. This makes it one of the oldest religions practiced today.

• Siddhārtha Gautama was the historical founder of Buddhism

• Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment sitting under a pipal tree, now known as the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. Gautama, from then on, was known as "The Enlightened One ," the Samyaksambuddha.

• Indian Buddhism consists of two which is Mahayana Buddhism and Vajrayana (Esoteric Buddhism)

Early Buddhism• remained centered around the Ganges valley and is spreading gradually from its

ancient heartland• 1st Buddhist council (5th c. BCE)- held just after Buddha's Parinirvana, and presided over by Gupta Mahākāśyapa,

one of His most senior disciples.- The objective of the council was to record all of Buddha's teachings into the

doctrinal teachings (sutra) and Abhidhamma and to codify the monastic rules (vinaya). These became the basis of the Tripiṭaka (Three Baskets), which is preserved only in Pāli.

• 2nd Buddhist council (4th c. BCE)- held at Vaisali following a dispute that had arisen in the Saṅgha over a relaxation by

some monks of various points of discipline.- It was held because original Vinaya texts that had been preserved at the first Council

were cited to show that these relaxations went against the recorded teachings of the Buddha.

• 3rd Buddhist council (c.250 BCE)- King Aśoka convened the third Buddhist council around 250 BCE at Pataliputra

(today's Patna). It was held by the monk Moggaliputtatissa. The objective of the council was to purify the Saṅgha, particularly from non-Buddhist ascetics who had been attracted by the royal patronage. Following the council, Buddhist missionaries were dispatched throughout the world.

• The fourth council was held in Sri Lanka, in the Aloka Cave, in the first century bc. During this time as well, and for the first time, the entire set of Sutras were recorded in the Pali language on palm leaves.

• In Sri Lanka, their monks may be credited with saving the Theravada tradition: Although it had spread once from India all over southeast Asia, it had nearly died out due to competition from Hinduism and Islam, as well as war and colonialism. Theravada monks spread their tradition from Sri Lanka to Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos, and from these lands to Europe and the west generally.

• In late Buddhism, It was spread throughout the world in places such as Sri Lanka, China, Central Asia, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Southeast Asia and even to the west.

Mahayana Buddhism• formed between 100 BCE and 100 AD• The earliest views of Mahāyāna Buddhism in the West assumed that it

existed as a separate school in competition with the so-called "Hīnayāna" schools.

• Much of the early extant evidence for the origins of Mahāyāna comes from early Chinese translations of Mahāyāna texts. These Mahāyāna teachings were first propagated into China by Lokakṣema.

• During the period of Late Mahayana Buddhism, four major types of thought developed: Madhyamaka, Yogacara, Tathagatagarbha, and Buddhist Logic as the last and most recent.

Vajrayana (Esoteric Buddhism)• Scholarly research concerning Esoteric Buddhism is still in its early stages

and has a number of problems which make research difficult, which is:- Vajrayana Buddhism was influenced by Hinduism, and therefore the

research has to include research on Hinduism as well.- The scriptures of Vajrayana have not yet been put in any kind of order.- Ritual has to be examined as well, not just doctrine.

Demographics(人口统计学 )• Demographics are current statistical characteristics of a population. These

types of data are used widely in sociology, public policy, and marketing. • Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities,

mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location.

Demographics of Buddhist• According to one analysis, Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in

the world behind Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.• The monks' order (Sangha), which began during the lifetime of the

Buddha, is among the oldest organizations on earth. • Buddhism was the first world religion and was the world's largest

religion in the first half of the 20th century.

Theravada Buddhism (小乘佛教 )• They are using Sanskrit and Pāli as its scriptural languages.• It is the dominant form of Buddhism

in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Burma. • The Dalit Buddhist movement in India also practices Theravada. • Approximately 124 million adherents.

Mahayana Buddhism(大乘佛教 )• East Asian forms of Mahayana Buddhism(大乘佛教 ) that

use Chinese scriptures.• It is dominant in most of China,

Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam as well as such communities within Indochina, Southeast Asia and the West.

• Approximately 500 million to one billion.

Tibetan Buddhism (藏传佛教 )• It is mainly found in Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia, areas

of India, China and Russia. • Approximately 20 million believer.

Point of view of the world.• At the present time, the teachings of all three branches of

Buddhism have spread throughout the world, and Buddhist texts are increasingly translated into local languages.

• While in the West Buddhism is often seen as exotic and progressive,

• in the East it is regarded as familiar and traditional. Buddhists in Asia are frequently well organized and well funded. In a number of countries, it is recognized as an official religion and receives state support.

Schools and traditions of Buddhism

Timeline: Development and propagation of Buddhist traditions (ca. 450 BCE – ca. 1300 CE)

  450 BCE 250 BCE 100 CE 500 CE700 CE

800 CE1200 CE

 

IndiaEarlySangha

   

 Early Buddhist schools Mahayana Vajrayan

a  

   

 

Sri Lanka &Southeast Asia

  Theravada Buddhism

 

  

   

 

Central Asia

 

Greco-Buddhism  Tibetan Buddhis

m 

Silk Road Buddhism 

East Asia   Chán, Tiantai, Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Shingon 

 

  450 BCE 250 BCE 100 CE 500 CE700 CE

800 CE

1200 CE

 Legend:

 = Theravada tradition

 = Mahayana traditions

 = Vajrayana traditions

TheravadaThe earliest form of Buddhism. 'Thera' means old and 'Vada' means school.'Theravada' is sometimes translated as

'the Teaching of the Elders'. Emphasis on bringing perfection into

one's life to attain enlightenment.

Theravadin Buddhists think that personal effort is required to realize rebirth.

Meditation is done by forest monks for the most part

Village monks teach and serve their lay communities.

Laypersons can perform good actions, producing merit which can be traded to the gods who may reward it with material benefits.

Origin and Spread of Theravada

Was spread to Sri Lanka by the Indian emperor Ashoka's son, Mahindra, who was also a Buddhist monk.

The school of Theravada became a national dogma in Sri Lanka .

Also spread as far as Myanmar(Previous Burma), Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

Theravada school Is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. Generally known to be analytical and monastic.Is relatively conservative, and generally closest to

early Buddhism.Consists of the teachings of the Buddha, rules for

monastic life and philosophical and psychological analysis.

Gradually declined on the Indian subcontinent, but its branch in Sri Lanka and South East Asia continues to survive.

One of the first Buddhist schools to commit the complete set of its canon into writing.

The Sutta collections and Vinaya texts of the Pāli Canon are generally considered by modern scholars to be the earliest Buddhist literature.

Primarily practiced today in Sri Lanka, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, small portions of China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bangladesh.

Has a growing presence in Europe and America.

MahayanaFlourished in India from the 5th century CE onwards.During the dynasty of the Guptas, Mahāyāna centres of learning were established. Nālandā University in north-eastern India.

Is practiced today in China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, parts of Russia and most of Vietnam ("Eastern Buddhism").

The Buddhism practiced in Tibet, the Himalayan regions, and Mongolia is

also Mahayana in origin. (“ Northern Buddhism“).

In Japan in particular, they form separate denominations.

In Korea, nearly all Buddhists belong to the Chogye school, but with substantial elements from other traditions.

Mahayana School Emphasizes compassion and tends to be

democratic. Recognize all or part of the Mahayana

Sutras. Some of these sutras became for

Mahayanists a manifestation of the Buddha himself, and faith in and veneration of those texts are stated in some sutras to lay the foundations for the later attainment of Buddhahood itself.

VajrayanaSpread to China, Mongolia, and Tibet. In Tibet, has always been a main component of Tibeta BuddhismBecame extinct in China but survived in elements of Japan's

Shingon and Tendai sects.Recognise a large body of Buddhist Tantras, some of which are also included in Chinese and Japanese collections of Buddhist literature, and versions of a few even in the Pali Canon.

Festivals and Special Days

Vesak or Visakah Puja ("Buddha Day")

Traditionally, Buddha's Birthday is known as Vesak or Visakah Puja (Buddha's Birthday Celebrations).

Is the major Buddhist festival of the year as it celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha on the one day, the first full moon day in May.

This celebration is called Vesak being the name of the month in the Indian calendar.

Loy Krathong (Festival of Floating Bowls)

At the end of the Kathin Festival season, when the rivers and canals are full of water, the Loy Krathong Festival takes place in all parts of Thailand on the full moon night of the Twelfth Lunar month.

People bring bowls made of leaves (which contain flowers) candles and incense sticks, and float them in the water.

As they go, all bad luck is suppose to disappear. The traditional practice of Loy Krathong was meant to

pay homage to the holy footprint of the Buddha on the beach of the Namada River in India.

Avalokitesvara’s (Kuan Yin) Birthday

Is a festival which celebrates the Bodhisattva ideal represented by Avalokitesvara.

Who represents the perfection of compassion in the Mahayana traditions of Tibet and China.

Occurs on the full moon day in March.