Introduction to Buddhism

World ReligionsFr. Llane Briese

Summary of Buddhist History

Part One

Life of Siddhartha• Born in privilege• The Four Sights• Ascetic Life• Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree• Middle Way• The sangha: the community• Death in 483 B.C.—Cremated and relics

placed under stupas.

The Councils• The concern of maintaining authentic Buddhism• Dharma: the legacy of the Buddha, the

“Enlightened One”• First Council: Maintain purity of the memory of

Siddhartha.• Second Council: Addressing concerns of some

teachers who were “loosening” the requirementso Root of the split between the Theravada and

Mahayana sects.• Third Council: After King Ashoka’s conversion in

the 3rd century B.C., sought to expand Buddhism.

History of Buddhism• The Gupta Dynasty (240-550 A.D.) helped

Buddhism to thrive, helping to construct monasteries and universities.

• The invasion of the Huns in 470 nearly destroyed Buddhism.

• The Pala Dynasty (VIII-IX c.) also contributed to the rise of Buddhism.

• Buddhism grew in Tibet during this time period.• Muslim invasion decimated Buddhism in India

until the 20th century.

History of Buddhism• Buddhism spread into Central and Southeast Asia.• China: Buddhism coexisted with Confucianism

and Taoism.• Japan: Spread from China; Pure Land Ch’an

Buddhism/Zen Buddhism.• In the Japanese Understanding:

o India = rooto China = stemo Japan = flower

• Tibet and the Dalai Lama• Threats in the 20th century

Families of Buddhism• Theravada Buddhism: more conservative and monastic• Tripitaka:

o Vinaya Pitaka: discipline for monks and nunso Sutra Pitaka: discourses attributed to Siddharthao Abidharma Pitaka: psychological teachings—more

complex• Mahayana Buddhism: more inclusive, focused on laity.

o Lotus Sutra: Universal message of nirvanao The Perfection of Wisdom: A treatise on how to achieve

the perfection of wisdom.o Bodhisattvas

• Vajrayana Buddhism: Tantric, very ritual-bound.

Main Teachings and Practices

Part Two

Three Marks of Existence

• Each of these three truths is a topic for Buddhist meditation, serving to bring an end to illusions in one’s life:oAnicca: ImpermanenceoDukkha: SufferingoAnatta: No-self (anatma)

The Four Noble Truths• If ignorant of these truths, one remains in

the samsara cycle.• Dukkha: Transience, a fundamental fact

of mortal existence.• 4 Noble Truths (reality of dukkha):

o Life is filled with suffering.o The cause of suffering is desire.o To cease suffering, one must cease desiring.o The path to the end of suffering is the Noble

Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path

• Perfect Understanding: 4 Noble Truths• Perfect Thought: Loving Kindness and

Renunciation• Perfect Speech: Truth and kindness in speech.• Perfect Conduct: Honesty, peace, and chastity.• Perfect Livelihood: Not Harming Living Things• Perfect Effort: Diligence in cultivating good

thoughts.• Perfect Mindfulness: Awareness• Perfect Concentration: Ability to meditate

without distraction.

Theravada vs. Mahayana

• Theravada: Continues to emphasize the monastic focus on one’s progress through the Noble Eightfold Path.

• Mahayana: Criticizes the Theravada understanding as being too selfish; focus more on external conduct and dispelling ignorance. Encouraged bodhissatvas. (Called themselves the “great vehicle” as opposed to Theravada as the “minor vehicle”.)

Buddhist Doctrines• Anatma: The idea that life is not permanent,

nor is the individual soul or personal self.• What is the difference between the

Buddhist concept of anatma and the Hindu concept of atman?

• Buddhism acknowledges deities, but does not affirm the existence of a transcendent, creator God. Deities are part of the ongoing process of change.

• Christian syncretism: Process theology

Hinduism vs. Buddhism

Samsara

Hinduism

Moksha:Liberation (Atman is one with Brahman.)

Buddhism

Nirvana:Extinguishing

Desire (Enlightening the human condition.)

The Sangha• Three Jewels: “I take refuge in the

Buddha. I take refuge in the Dharma. I take refuge in the Sangha.”

• Sangha: Originally only a monastic community, now applied to entire community.

• Theravada: An arhat is one who has been liberated from the samsara cycle in the present lifetime.

• Mahayana: A bodhisattva is one who has forsaken his/her own nirvana to help others attain theirs.

Sacred Time and SpacePart Three

Sacred Celebrations• Offerings may take place either in a temple or

in a home.• Meditation: Supremely important.

o Asana: Body position in meditation.o Mantra: Repeated word or phrase used in

meditation.o Mudra: A position of the hands accompanying

a mantra. • Puja: Offerings of flowers, fruit, water,

incense, candlelight. (See textbook p. 261 for meaning of each.)

Five Precepts• 1. Do not take the life of any living

creature.• 2. Do not take anything not freely given• 3. Abstain from sexual misconduct and

overindulgence.• 4. Refrain from untrue or deceitful speech.• 5. Avoid intoxicants.

Buddhist Rituals• Visakha (Buddha Day) is the first full moon

day of May. Celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. (Theravada Buddhism only)

• Mahayana Buddhists celebrate these moments on different dates throughout the year.

• Importance of Death Rituals (but little else in terms of life-cycle celebrations).

• Important Places: Temples, Stupas, and Pagodas

Comparison• How does Buddhism compare with Christian

apophatic and ascetic traditions?