Buddhism

BuddhismWhat is it?Monks?Bald dudes?Orange clothes and beads?TemplesThis crazy thing called enlightenment?That guy with the big belly?OriginsIndia: spreading through Asia: 6th- 8th Century

Fundamental concept:Based on certain concepts common in India: that life was essentially painful and also unending, since one existence as tied to the next karma.

Birth leads to old age, death and further rebirths in an endless chain of casuality, which explains the difference in status and injustices one sees in the world.

In rebirth, a person does not necessarily return to Earth as the same entity ever again. Buddha compares it to a leaf growing on a tree. When the withering leaf falls off, a new leaf will eventually replace it. It is similar to the old leaf, but it is not identical to the original leaf.

Sakyamuni: the historic BuddhaThe historic Buddha known as Sakyamuni, who live around 500BC sought a way to escape the suffering inevitable in life and found it in a deep religious experience that made him the Buddha or enlightened one.

BeliefThe essence of his ideas came to him through meditation expressed in the Four Noble truths with the ultimate goal of reaching Nirvana:The truth of suffering: life is painful because of our desires- we are never satisfied

2. The origin of suffering: pain is desire: Comes from the Three roots of evil:Greed and desire represented by a roosterIgnorance or delusion represented by a pigHatred and destructive surges represented by a snake.

3. The cessation (ending) of suffering: To be sought by ending desire: Buddha teaches the way to extinguish desire which causes suffering and to liberate oneself from attachment.Nirvana: Nirvana means extinguishing therefore to attain Nirvana and reach enlightenment is to be free of greed, delusion and hatred.Someone who reaches Nirvana does not vanish into a heaven realm but a state of profound spiritual joy without negative fears and emotions. Filled with compassion for all living things.Free from the cycle of rebirth but Buddha gives no definite answer to what happens next.

He discourages followers from asking too many questions about Nirvana so that they can concentrate on the task at hand: freeing themselves from the cycle of pain and suffering.

The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering: the path to end the pain of desire is the Eighth fold Path: the set of principles for right living, which constituted as an extremely abstinent way of life:

The Five PreceptsThese are rules to live by: somewhat similar to the second half of the Ten Commandments in Judaism and Christianity.

It describes the behaviours to avoid but they are recommendations or commandments

.believers are expected to use their own intelligence in deciding exactly how to apply these rules.

Development:In the early days the teachings it was based on oral traditionAround the first century B.C it was written down into two major collections: Vinayas (the disciplines) and Sutras (discourses). Over time Buddhism divided into two major trends:

Mahayana (The Greater Vehicle) Hinayana/ Theravada (The lesser Vehicle).

Hinayana/ Theravada (The lesser Vehicle):This remained closer to the original Buddhism followed closely in Burma, Thailand and Cambodia. While Mahayana is largely followed in China, Korea and Japan.

Mahayana (The Greater Vehicle):In the place of the godless religion of the historical Budhha, the Mahayanists have countless godlike Buddhas: Emphasis on enlightenment through ones own strengths shifted to salvation through the strength of another. Nirvana: salvation in a very definite afterlife in paradise. The ideal of aid to others placed a strong emphasis on charity on goodwill that will contribute to ones own salvation. This concept of charity has highlighted the importance of social work in many cultures.

Answer the following:What similarities can you identify with the Catholic faith?How is it also different?

How does the following painting encompass the teachings of Buddha?DifferentSimilarNo higher beingNo physical heaven

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeQoeNH70fk

Who was Buddha?

Burma Pagodas (Towers)

Hinayana/ Theravada (The lesser Vehicle):Buddhism Art:In Buddhist cultures, it is believed that making images of the Buddha and other deities can help focus the mind.His image appears in monk formThe robe is worn with the right shoulder exposed or both sides coveredHis head is shavedSometimes has a begging bowl or staff

What symbols, colours or 32 signs of superhuman can you identify?What would believers be meditation on? What key ideas are they meditating to?

Ng to22

The wheel of life

Colours:

Meditation through art: Mandara

Creative Task:Create/ design an image, sculpture or symbols to use for meditation:Be sure to encompass the ideas and core beliefs of Buddhism.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVF6IZ0M_hUMEDITATION: What is it?

Answer the following:Why is it essential?

What happens if we do not have a stable mind?

What is meditation? What does it prevent? What is the purpose?

What are the benefits?

Judith Lucy on a Buddhist retreat deals with contemporary attitudeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWIyeVBmaEI

What attracts westerners to Buddhism?

Case study: JapanThe manifestation of Buddhism through art, culture and technology

Buddha came to Japan in the sixth century with a gospel of mercy and salvation for mankind

The Japanese intellectuals welcomed this new doctrine with a mixture of awe and elation.

Buddhism was utilised during this time as a political tool that gave rise to the most significant cultural achievements in Japan in the fields of: ArchitectureSculpturepainting (landscape, brush painting)decorative artsliterature (poetry)philosophy and more.

The Buddhist cultureThe initial age of assimilating Buddhist culture was affected through the study of Chinese translations of the sutras and Korean sculptural techniques learned from China. Also contained influences from India and further West, so that the Asuka Buddhist culture derives from the cultural heritages of virtually the entire Orient.thats how vast and complex the Buddhist religion is- it is not a just a belief system but very much part of life and law.

Temples:Signified wealthIt was also the product of an art form deep within the Japanese aesthetic conscience. It constituted a new cultural art form and departure in Japanese architecture.

StatuesThe next age when Japan was under the influence of Tang dynasty (Nara period), artistic forms continue to flourish, this time it was the use of: bronze, clay, wood and lacquer. such as the bronze Buddha head in the Kofukuji Temple, where the art form becomes more realistic, while statues such as Gakkou suggested the Japanese sense of harmony through their serene and highly spiritual quality.

Todaiji Temple

New legislative structure and ethical values were established using through charity and service: the decline of tomb burials after the seventh century and the adoption of cremation. Buddhists injunctions against the taking of life may also help account for the decline in warlike ferocity among the Japanese. Literature also flourished in regards to poetry that reflected high degree of artistry and refinement in both technique and genre.

Buddhism: a reflectionNot just any religion..

Exploring the faith through art and culture: very much alive, full and rich