Religion Buddhism Buddhism About 400 million adherents difficult

Religion (Buddhism)

Buddhism • About 400 million adherents – difficult to quantify due to syncretism • the combination of different beliefs • Three branches – Mahayana (56%) (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam) – Theravada/Hinayana (38%) (Southeast Asia) – Tantrayana/Vajrayana (6%) (Tibet, Mongolia)

Origin and Diffusion of Buddhism

Why is Buddhism not practiced in India today? – Syncretism – absorbed into Hinduism

Buddhist Places of Worship • stupas – Mark location of relics collected by Buddha’s followers in South Asia • pagodas – Evolved from stupa concept (i. e. repository for relics) – Mostly found in East Asia (China and Japan) • Also part of Shinto landscape • Asoka’s pillars – know Asoka, most important figure in the diffusion of Buddhism

Buddhism Calendar View of Buddha • Mahayana • Universalizing, so holidays will be based on what? – Life of the founder • Birth at Lumbini • Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya • 1 st Sermon at Deer Park • Death at Kushinagara – Buddha elevated to divine – Not as strict in requiring monastic lifestyle – Boddhisatvas • Enlightenment guides • Theravada – Buddha = teacher, example – Requires monastic sacrifice • Tantayana – More mystical – Mixes in demons and other deities – Practice “sky burial”

Buddhist Symbols