BUDDHISM BUDDHISM 101 Founded 6 th century BCE
BUDDHISM
BUDDHISM 101 Founded: 6 th century BCE Founder: Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise known as the Buddha “Enlightened One” Place of Origin: northern India Sacred Writings: oldest and most important scriptures are the Tripitaka The Three Baskets of Wisdom
BUDDHISTS Number of Adherents: � Approximately 200 million close adherents, although some estimates surpass the 600 million mark � 4 th largest religion in the world (behind Christian, Muslim, Hindu) Distribution: � Predominant faith in Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand Indo-China (Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam) � Followers in China, Korea, Mongolia and Japan Sects: � Mahayana Buddhism � Theravadin (or Hinayana) Buddhism
BUDDHISM AROUND THE WORLD
BUDDHISM IN CANADA • Buddhism is the 12 th-largest religion in Canada • Due to immigration, Buddhism is one of the fastestgrowing religions in Canada • Many Canadian Buddhists trace their faith origins to family roots in Asian countries • Where in Canada? • Largest number live in Ontario and British Columbia • Since the 1980 s, Halifax has developed a substantial Buddhist community • Today, the majority of Canadian Buddhists follow the Mahayana school
BASIC BUDDHISM Attempts to give answers to life’s questions Emphasis on “things to do” rather than “things to believe”
BASIC BUDDHISM Avoid speculative questions (creation, Supreme power, afterlife) since there was little possibility of definitive answers � Instead spend time attempting to deal with the harsh realities presented by life here and now Tolerant to any religion that allows a person to find “truth” of himself/ herself; believe in setting an example which others may emulate ULTIMATE GOAL= end suffering and attain absolute peace and joy
SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA C. 583 BCE - Siddhartha Gautama born into Kshatriya caste in present day Nepal � Ruling/military class (2 nd highest) Kingdom of Gautama Siddhartha had a legendary birth, life and death Prophecy given to his father…
MIRACLES, MIRACLES Immaculate conception � Descended from Heaven and entered mother’s (Queen Maya) womb in form of baby white elephant (purity) Queen Maya carried Siddhartha for 10 months and could see him in the womb Gave birth from her side with assistance from tree branches At birth Siddhartha took 7 steps and said “this is my last birth”
FOUR SIGHTS King wanted to shelter Siddhartha from unpleasantness of life (remember the prophecy) At 29, Siddhartha went on a journey and saw four sights: � Old man � Sick man � Dead man � Ascetic monk
FOUR SIGHTS These sights compelled him to reflect upon: � suffering � death � meaning of life � ultimate fate of man He was inspired to find a spiritual solution to problems of human life He left his palace and for 7 years searched for the ultimate truth of life
SIDDHARTHA GAUYAMA’S QUEST Studied Hindu scriptures but found them lacking Tried raja yoga (meditation) but sensed his sacrifices were not great enough Turned to asceticism and scourged and starved himself (1 grain of rice a day) � But no deep insight came Determined best course was the MIDDLE WAY � Path between both extremes; a lifestyle of moderation
SIDDHARTHA GAUYAMA’S ENLIGHTENMENT Under a Bodhi tree (tree of Wisdom) he meditated Remembered all of his previous lives Resisted the combats of Mara (Evil One), who tried many temptations Removed craving and ignorance for himself
NIRVANA At dawn of his 35 th birthday, his mind “pierced the bubble” of the universe, enabling him to realize the essential truth about life and the path to salvation Achieved NIRVANA and was released from samsara Stayed in this state for 7 days
NIRVANA State of supreme realization and enlightenment Understand truth of life and freedom from ignorance State of total liberation, truth, tranquility, peace
ENLIGHTENMENT =NEW RELIGION After achieving enlightenment, Buddha wanted to share his experiences and insights with others and traveled to Benares and encountered five ascetics. Deer Park Sermon: outlined his enlightened thoughts and converted five ascetics as his first disciples When he was about 35, the Buddha gave his first sermon, called the Dharmachakra, or Wheel of Dharma, about the nature of human existence and what people must do to release themselves from suffering
RISE OF BUDDHISM Founded the SANGHA, the monastic brotherhood of Buddhism Argued that no rituals, gods or any type of outside power could save man. The only salvation lies in the realization of the Four Noble Truths and the diligent pursuit of the Eight Fold Path Within years, Buddhist monasteries were emerging throughout India, establishing Buddhism as a religion 486 BCE – The Buddha died and achieved paranirvana (complete nirvana)
SPREAD OF BUDDHISM
SPREAD OF BUDDHISM • The ideas taught by the Buddha were spread by his disciples throughout India • By 390 BCE, there were two distinct groups within Buddhism: Theravada and Mahayana
SPREAD OF BUDDHISM • Buddhism became the state religion of a powerful empire in the Indian subcontinent ruled by Emperor Ashoka • Ashoka converted to Buddhism, sent out missionaries, and called on a council to agree on the Buddhist scriptures • Buddhist missionaries travelled as far west as Afghanistan, north into Tibet and Mongolia, south into what is now Sri Lanka and Indonesia, and east through China as far as Korea and Japan • Over time, the spread of Islam and strengthening of Hinduism reduced the influence of Buddhism in India, but it was growing in other lands and cultures
IMPACT OF BUDDHISM Buddhism elevated the level of religious life and thought in most Asia Forced Hinduism to remedy some of its abuses and revitalize its teachings Major effect upon philosophy, education, literature and art of south Asia, India (Gupta period), China (T’ang Dynasty) and Japan (Zen Buddhism) However, many argue Buddhism has discouraged social progress � Accepts life as full of suffering and does not produce a great concern or solutions regarding poverty, illiteracy, illness, pollution etc. Spread of Communism (Communist takeover of China in 1949) led to nationalization of monasteries and all revenues � Government in exile in Tibet
TYPES OF BUDDHISM Highlight key points on handout
THE 14 TH DALAI LAMA Born Lhamo Thondup in China in 1935 Religious name is Tenzin Gyatso Dalai Lama means “Ocean of Wisdom” Believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the patron saint of Tibet and the Bodhisattva of Compassion Recognized at age 2 Assumed full political power at age 16 Resides in Northern India leading organization called the Tibetan Government in Exile Established educational, cultural and religious institutions to preserve Tibetan identity and heritage Reputation as a scholar and man of peace Received Nobel Peace Prize in 1989
DALAI LAMA &WOODSTOCK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN MUSSOORIE, INDIA
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