Siddhartha Guatama Lifespan uncertain 563 483 BCE Some

Siddhartha Guatama • Lifespan uncertain ~563 – 483 BCE • Some argue a century or so earlier or later • Became a (The) Buddha at 35. • Shramana – “the one who strives”

Buddhism • Why must people suffer? – Desire is the cause of all suffering • Split w/ Hinduism – Largely over the issue of caste and the Buddha’s belief that priests and rituals were not needed for enlightenment – Some Hindus see him as 9 th incarnation of Vishnu • The “Three Jewels” – The Buddha – The Dharma – The Sangha (community)

Buddha’s Four Noble Truths • Everything in life is suffering. • The cause of suffering is desire. • The way to end suffering is to end desire • The way to end desire is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path (Middle Way).

The Eightfold Path • Prajna (Wisdom) 1. Right Understanding (of Four Noble Truths) 2. Right Thinking • Sila (Virtue, Morality) 1. Right speech (no lying, gossip) 2. Right conduct 3. Right livelihood (support self w/out harming others) • Samadhi (Concentration, Meditation) 1. Right Effort (promote good thoughts) 2. Right mindfulness (awareness of body and mind) 3. Right concentration (meditation to achieve higher state)

• Anitya – everything is impermanent and changing • Hinduism – atman is the self or soul Buddhism – anatman means no self • The Five Aggregates: material form, feelings and sensations, perceptions, mental formations, consciousness

Words of the Buddha • Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. " • "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned. " • "Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world. " • "Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it. "

Buddhism’s spread • • • Emperor Ashoka (~273 -232 BCE) converted to Buddhism promoted ahimsa (non-violence) was responsible for Buddhism’s spread in India and beyond India’s frontiers patronage of stupa and monastery building sent his own son and daughter as missionaries to Sri Lanka

Theravada Buddhism Intense, dedicated and time-consuming effort required to attain enlightenment. Reaching Nirvana is the ultimate goal of the Theravada Buddhist. Strives for wisdom first. Mahayana Buddhism Enlightenment is achieved through a normal life with varying degrees of spiritual involvement. Bodhisattvas vow to not be reborn in order to help all other sentient beings reach Nirvana first. Nirvana = full enlightenment, “quenching, ” fires inside have been extinguished, heavenlike. Compassion is the highest virtue. Centers on meditation, and requires major Encourages practice in the world and among the personal dedication such as being a monk or nun. general community. followed as a teaching or philosophy. Followed with reference to higher beings, more like a religion. Moved primarily South and West covering Indochina and Ceylon (Sri-Lanka). Moved Primarily North and West, covering China, Korea, Japan. Early work written in Pali (e. g. kamma, dhamma). Early texts are in Sanskrit (e. g. karma, dharma) Emphasizes rules and education Emphasizes intuition and practice

Other Notable Buddhist Sects • Vajrayana Buddhism – Some consider it part of Mahayana – Tibetan Buddhism is of this school • Tibetan Buddhism is led by the 14 th Dalai Lama – Belief in “accelerated” Enlightenment through use of chants, mantras, mandalas

Other Notable Buddhist Sects • Pure Land Buddhism (Amidism) – Centered in China, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam – Central figure= Amida or Amitabha Buddha • Anyone who called on his name at death would be reborn in the Pure Land of Amida and guaranteed Enlightenment – A faith-based or devotional form of Buddhism – Popular among commoners and those on the outskirts of society • Zen Buddhism (Cha’an) • Centered in China, Japan, Vietnam, and Korea – Teaches the fundamental elements of Buddhist philosophy as well as concepts from the Mahayana Buddhism – spend as much time as possible meditating, called zazen, in Japanese – Use riddles called koans to contradict one’s usual patterns of logical thinking in order to see beyond preconceived ideas and attain enlightenment – Sacred writings are less important to Zen Buddhists than in other forms of Buddhism; emphasize menial tasks – Zen rock gardens

Is Buddhism a Religion? Yes No • • • Does not require the belief in any sort of god or gods Has an origin story Contains a moral code Uses rituals and practices Has a transformative end in sight – Differs among the various sects and among individuals; syncretism with Hinduism in many communities

Buddhism: Nuts ‘n’ Bolts • From c. 500 BCE • 350, 000 adherents – 4 th largest of the world’s religions – Majority are of Mahayana (Northern) schools • Japan, Korea, China, Tibet*, Mongolia – Theravada (Southern) schools • Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka • Note: no longer common in India!

Buddhist Holidays • New Year – Theraveda: first full moon in April – Mahayana: first full moon in January – Tibetan: first full moon in March • Vesak (Buddha) Day – First full moon in May world ‘round – Celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha

Songkran/Thingyan (New Year)

Buddhism Holy Texts • Tremendous number of scriptures – Different ones studied by different sects • The Tipitaka – The “Three Baskets” of Buddhist canon (scripture) • Sutra Pitaka: supposed words of the Buddha • Vinaya Pitaka: rules and discussions of rule for the sangha (monks) • Abhidharma: series of discussions about the Buddha’s teachings