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Transcript of By: Jessica Bills, Amanda Elias, Laura Gonzalez, Caitlin Kelly, Esmeralda Martinez, and Jennifer...
Three Rafts to Crossing the River: Divisions of Buddhism
By: Jessica Bills, Amanda Elias, Laura Gonzalez, Caitlin Kelly, Esmeralda Martinez,
and Jennifer Villacis
February 12, 2015Period 6
The Quest for SalvationThe quest for salvation can be compared to the
crossing of a river. The river divides two realms:
Samsara- the ordinary world of the sufferingNirvana- final destiny of absolute peace
Buddhism can be divided into 3 great rafts: Theravada, also called Hinayana (the
Lesser Vehicle) Mahayana (The Great Vehicle) Vajrayana (the Vehicle of the Diamonds)
Theravada: “The Way of the Elders”Theravada follows the earliest texts and
agrees with the original teachings of the Buddha.
The Buddha –he who experienced enlightenment and
taught others how to do the samebeyond the reach of humans because he has
passed into the eternal peace of nirvanaTheravada focuses on cultivating wisdom
through knowing the Four Noble Truths, and practicing the Noble Eightfold Path.
Theravada continued…The final aim of Theravada Buddhists
is to enter nirvana, and those who succeed are arhats (like saints).
Theravada emphasizes meditation and monastic life Examples: monks and nuns In some regions, all males reside in a
monastery temporarily. Serving as a monk for at least 3
months is a vital step toward becoming an adult
Mahayana: The Great VehicleIt is the largest division of Buddhism claiming
over half the world’s Buddhists. Assert themselves as somewhat superior over
the Theravada Buddhists (the Lesser Vehicle) Mahayana Buddhism is for the masses.
It focuses on the Buddha himself, celebrating him as a divine savior.
It offers salvation though the infinite grace of the Buddha.
It recognizes not only Gautama the Buddha, but the salvific grace of all Buddha’s of the past.
Mahayana continued…
It reveres bodhisattvas which are Buddhas in the making that are dedicated to attaining enlightenment. Stops short of nirvana in order to help others achieve it. They exist beyond the earthly realm and are believed to
live in one of the Buddhist heavens. They are believed to transfer merit of the karma to their
followers. On occasion they appear in the world as human beings. They embody compassion, which is the supreme virtue
which is regarded more than wisdom.
Vajrayana: Tibetan Buddhism The relative intensity of Vajrayana is
manifested in the common belief that its adherents can attain nirvana in this lifetime, here and now.
Vajrayana Buddhism- Consists of a small minority of Buddhists
but maintains a special interest due to its homeland in Tibet (endured much religious persecution)
Teaches “to fight fire with fire” as in using energy and turning it against itself to reach nirvana
Vajrayana continued…Prominent practices to propel
an individual toward enlightenmentMandalas: patterned icons
that visually exciteMudras: choreographed
hand movements that draw on the energies of movement
Mantras: resonating chants that harness the spiritual potency of sound Together all three invoke
sight, movement, and sound capitalizing on the sensual energies
Vajrayana continued… Another unique practice
involves the harnessing of one’s basic energies: sexuality Vajrayana Buddhists
regard sex as a potent energy for furthering spiritual progress
Engage in ritualized sex through carefully guarded set of practices known as Tantrism Sex is regulated by
masters and is undertaken solely to enhance spiritual energies
An important feature includes the institution of lamas, a hierarchy of clergy headed by the Dalai Lama Hierarchy is not based by
descent of natural birth, but by rebirth
Whenever a Dalai Lama dies, the successor is sought through supernatural or mundane means
The Enduring Wisdom of BuddhaAll “rafts” of
Buddhism ultimately lead followers into nirvana.
Nirvana-The ultimate goal of
all BuddhistsBeyond every
experience on lifeBeyond Buddhism
itself
Enduring Wisdom continued…
The “raft” that transported Buddhists across the river to the shore of salvation must be abandoned in order for the journey to be complete. Thus, Buddhism is paradoxical.
Buddhism focuses on the spiritual condition of the human being, not on the supremacy of a divinity. It denies the existence of a self, or soul
Buddhism relies on features of the modern scientific view of life. Modern scientific theory has much in close agreement
with Gautama the Buddha’s observations about the universe.
Enduring Wisdom continued…The Buddha was a skilled physician
Proceeded scientificallyInvestigated what is to be human
Buddha came to the conclusion that people suffer.A life of moderation (the Middle Way
Doctrine) helps to alleviate suffering. Meditation, the Buddha’s favored method of
therapy, also nurtures the wisdom that leads followers to transcendence.