buddhism crash course religions of the world: buddhism
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BuddhismCrash Course
Religions of the World: Buddhism
Buddhism
reforming of Hinduism
4th largest religion Asia contains the
countries with the largest Buddhist population – East Asia and
Southeast Asia #11 – China the most
followers #11
The Middle Path or Noble Way
Avoid extremes– either an overt pursuit of passionate worldly desire or extreme asceticism
Live a moderate lifestyle characterized by quiet contemplation, thoughtful reflection, and disciplined self-control #2 Reduces desire for material goods and other
worldly attractions Eventually results in detachment from the
world itself
Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE?)
Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE?) Born in NE India Born in NE India
(Nepal).(Nepal). Raised in great luxuryRaised in great luxury
to be a king.to be a king. At 29 he rejectedAt 29 he rejected
his luxurious life tohis luxurious life toseek enlightenmentseek enlightenmentand the source ofand the source ofsuffering.suffering.
Lived a strict,Lived a strict,ascetic life for 6 yrs.ascetic life for 6 yrs.
Rejecting this extreme, sat in Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found meditation, and found nirvananirvana..
Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.
The Life of Gautama
Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, was born into the warrior caste . His father ruled over a small region of northern India.
Siddhartha led a pampered life, but the Four Passing Sights ( an old man, a diseased man, a corpse, and a mendicant), caught his attention and disturbed him.
Siddhartha discovered the Middle Way, the central teaching of Buddhism. This way rejects both extremes of sensual indulgence and asceticism.
He and his followers formed the sangha, or Buddhist community.
SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA
the founder of Buddhism. A reformer who tried to limit the Hindu priest’s
power. Set out to find the cause of human suffering Became the Buddha
SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA
While meditating under a Bodhi Tree - he achieved enlightenment Enlightenment
the state attained when Buddha realized the cause of suffering.
Enlightenment understanding the true nature of things. Reach the state of enlightenment by meditation.
Meditation essential part of the Buddhist practice aim to move closer to enlightenment; Contemplation; focus your mind
Now known as the Buddha- “Enlightened One”
SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA
Now known as the Buddha -“Enlightened One”
Mudra Website
Siddhartha Gautama About 534 B. C., Gautama left
his family to take up the existence of a holy man
Intense meditation and extreme asceticism did not enlighten him sufficiently
One day he resolved to sit under a large bodhi tree until he understood the problem of suffering
For 49 days he withstood various temptations and threats from demons and finally received enlightenment Thus Gautama
became the Buddha– “the enlightened one”
The Buddha by Odilon Redon
The Mahabodhi Temple "Great Awakening Temple“ Buddhist temple in Bodh
Gaya, India the location where
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment.
Buddha
under
Bodhi
Tree,
Sri
Lanka
The essence of Buddhism
The essence of Buddhism
The “middle way of wisdom and The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.”compassion.”
2,500 year old tradition.2,500 year old tradition. The 3 Jewels of Buddhism:The 3 Jewels of Buddhism:
BuddhaBuddha, the teacher., the teacher. Dharma or Dharma or DhammaDhamma, the , the
teachings.teachings. SanghaSangha, the community., the community.
BASIC BELIEFS #2
All life is sacred. Reject extremes – The Middle Way Try to end suffering Suffering is universal - All is suffering Karma Reincarnation Brahman
Dharma
Taken together, the teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path constitute dharma, the basic doctrine shared by all Buddhists
6th Century Buddha sitting on a lotus blossom which symbolizes purity and strength because it is able to thrive and grow even in murky water
FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS- The major principles of Buddhism that explain the nature of suffering and how to end it.
1. Suffering is universal.2. The cause of suffering is desire (self-centered
actions) #3.3. To end suffering is to end desire.
1. If you give up desire, you achieve nirvana- the condition of wanting nothing, 1. the goal of Buddhist. Reaching nirvana ends the cycle
of reincarnation.
4. To end desire- follow the Noble Eightfold Path.
What is the fundamental cause
of all suffering?
What is the fundamental cause
of all suffering?
Desire!Desire! Therefore, extinguish the self, Therefore, extinguish the self,
don’t obsess about oneself.don’t obsess about oneself.
Nirvana
Living this lifestyle will lead to personal salvation– escape from the cycle of incarnation and the attainment of nirvana Nirvana is the
state of perfect spiritual independence
Highest HappinessThe Wheel of Dharma symbolizes
samsara, the continuous cycle of birth, life, and death. One is liberated from this
endless cycle of rebirth when nirvana is achieved.
NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH-
A practical guide to right conduct according to Buddhist teachings. “What you Should Do.”
Understanding the cause of suffering. Compassion = fundamental teaching Kindness and truthfulness.
Eightfold PathEightfold Path
NirvanaNirvana Escape from the cycle of Escape from the cycle of rebirth. rebirth.
ASPECTS OF BUDDHISM
#9 Buddhism rejected the caste system so it
found many followers among the Sudras and untouchables. #9
Two main sects of Buddhism
#4 Theravada Buddhism- Views Buddha as a teacher, not a God.
The way of the elders. Living like a monk.
Sangha Orthodox Buddhism-oldest, very strict
interpretation (to preserve the original message of Buddha).
Practiced in Southeast Asia. #11
Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism
Two main sects of Buddhism
#5 Mahayana Buddhism: Means Large or Great Vehicle. Can Worships Buddha and other enlightened
one as Gods – limited impact on humans More liberal Buddhism- Broader interpretation
of Buddhism. Contains several schools of Buddhism:
Mahayana Buddhism
Contains several schools of Buddhism: Zen- closeness to nature, meditate on
sayings, found in Japan and China. Tibetan- combination of traditional nature
worship and Buddhist magic. DALAI LAMA-
Traditional political and religious leader of Tibet.
Highest priest of Tibetan Buddhism.
Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism The “Great Vehicle.”The “Great Vehicle.”
Founded in northern Asia (China, Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan).Japan).
Buddhism “for the masses.”Buddhism “for the masses.” Seek guidance from Seek guidance from BoddhisatvasBoddhisatvas, ,
wise beings. wise beings. GoalGoal: Not just individual escape : Not just individual escape
from the wheel, but the salvation from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self-of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.sacrifice of those enlightened few.
The celestial Buddha named Hotei or Pu-Tai is best known as the jolly Laughing Buddha. In China, he is known as the Loving or Friendly One. He is based on an eccentric Chinese Ch'an (Zen) monk who lived over 1,000 years ago and has become a significant part of Buddhist and Shinto culture. Because of this monk's benevolent nature, he came to be regarded as an incarnation of the bodhisattva who will be Maitreya (the Future Buddha). His large protruding stomach and jolly smile have given him the common designation "Laughing Buddha." Video
Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism
Schools of Buddhism - Tibetan
Vajrayana – the “Diamond Vehicle” Developed 7th century C.E. A mix of Theravada & Mahayana:
Rituals (Tantra): Mantras (chanting) Mandalas & Thankas (symbolic images) Mudras (hand gestures)
Bodhisattvas, including living Lamas (Dalai Lama) Meditation, monasticism, wisdom & compassion
Bardo Thodol -Tibetan Book of the Dead
The DalaiLama
The DalaiLama
Tenzin Gyatso, shortened from Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso – 14th Dalai Lama
Choosing a Dalia Lama
Senior Buddhist monks and Tibetan government officials begin a search for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama after the death of the previous Lama. These searchers look for a boy who was born around the same time as the death of the previous Lama. According to the British Broadcasting Corp., the officials can decide where to look for the reincarnation in several ways: by way of a dream; by watching the direction the smoke drifts after the cremation of the previous Lama and then searching accordingly; or from some sign or vision from a holy lake in central Tibet.
Once found, the officials present the boy with possessions of the previous Dalai Lama to determine whether the boy is familiar with them. If the child chooses the artifacts that belonged to he previous Lama, than that, along with the other signs, is believed to prove he is a reincarnation.
Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism The “Meditation School.”The “Meditation School.” Seeks sudden enlightenment Seeks sudden enlightenment
[[satorisatori] through meditation, ] through meditation, arriving at emptiness [arriving at emptiness [sunyatasunyata].].
Use of meditation masters [Use of meditation masters [RoshiRoshi].]. Beauty, art, and aesthetics:Beauty, art, and aesthetics:
Gardens.Gardens. Archery.Archery. Tea ceremony.Tea ceremony. Calligraphy.Calligraphy.
Schools of Buddhism – Zen
The “meditation” school: Lay and monastic Seeks sudden enlightenment (satori) through
meditation, arriving at emptiness (sunyata) and the “Buddha Nature”
Use of meditation masters (Roshi) Koans (paradoxical riddles to confound reason) Beauty, arts & aesthetics – gardens, archery, the
tea ceremony, calligraphy, etc.
What do all sects of Buddhism share? #6 All sects of Buddhism share a faith in Buddha
and hope for nirvana.
The Spread of Buddhism
Within two centuries after the Buddha died, Buddhism began to spread north and east into Asia
By 13th century Buddhism had disappeared from India
Elements of Hindu thought that became part of Buddhism: #7 Karma Reincarnation The idea of salvation- as an end of the cycle
of reincarnation Brahman All life is sacred
Ways Hinduism and Buddhism are different:
#8
Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama
is the founder rejects the caste
system seek nirvana
(salvation) on their own without the help of priest or Gods
Hinduism has no founder believes in the caste
system Seek moksha
(salvation) with help of priests and deities
Cause of Decline in India #10
Much was absorbed by Hinduism Muslim Invaders Today small population of Buddhists in India
OTHER RELIGIONS
Jainism Comes from Buddhism. Leader- Mahavira Focuses on Ahimsa- strictly adheres to
nonviolence.
Sikhism- is a religion that is a combination of Islam and Hinduism. Monotheistic- One god, but all else like Hinduism. This new religion emerged and is an example of
cultural blending under the Mughals/Muslims
Jain
Religion from Ancient India Similar beliefs to Hinduism &
Buddhism Nonviolent Vegetarian
For 3,000 years, the swastika meant life and good luck.
Religions of South Asia
Religions of South Asia
Buddhism in the Subcontinent
Buddhism in the Subcontinent