Buddhism II PDF

Doctrines and Creeds Denominations: Theravada and Mahayana  The Creeds - The Triratna (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha)  Doctrine of Triratna is so central in Buddhist teachings and act of worship. Although it is difficult to trace the date of the enactment of this doctrine, today thi...

Doctrines and Creeds Denominations: Theravada and Mahayana  The Creeds - The Triratna (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha)  Doctrine of Triratna is so central in Buddhist teachings and act of worship. Although it is difficult to trace the date of the enactment of this doctrine, today this doctrine is extremely dominant to such an extent that every act of Buddhist worship should begin after the recital of homage formula with the recital of Three Refuges formula, which is none but Triratna. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 2  In Sanskrit, Triratna means "Three Gems" or “Three Jewels,” the Buddhist Trinity which comprises  (1) Buddha - the teacher and the goal to be attained;  (2) Dharma (in Sanskrit) or Dhamma (in Pali) – Buddha’s teaching and the path to be realized; and  (3) Sangha - the community of the faithful and the advanced practitioners of the Dharma. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 3  Buddha’s Teaching is based on the Four Noble Truths. To realise these Truths is to realise and penetrate into the true nature of existence, including the full knowledge of oneself. Failure to understand the Four Noble Truths makes one to continue to go round in the cycle of birth and death. The Four Noble Truths are: 1. The Noble Truth of Dukkha 2. The Noble Truth of the Cause of Dukkha 3. The Noble Truth of the End of Dukkha 4. The Noble Truth of the Path leading to the End of Dukkha RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 4  The first Truth is that all composite things (existing phenomena) are, by their very nature, in a state of Dukkha a term, which encompasses dissatisfaction, anxiety, frustration, suffering, pain, and misery.  The second Truth is that this unsatisfactory state of affairs is a consequence of tanha - a desire for sentient material possessions or intellectual gratification induced by clinging to things without realizing their impermanent, insubstantial, and unsatisfactory nature. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 5  Most people delude themselves into thinking that possessions, attachments, and relationships represent the essence of a happy, civilized life, whereas in reality they are simply the cause of Dukkha.  The third Truth is self-evident: escape from tanha is prerequisite to inner peace and tranquility. By eliminating all desire and selfish craving, one can eliminate Dukkha or freedom from Dukkha is possible only by severing the chain of tanha. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 6  The fourth Truth concerns the path, or way, that leads to this freedom.  This is the so-called Middle Way, the life of calm detachment through which the wise person avoids the extremes of asceticism and self-indulgence.  The practical techniques to be followed in the Middle Way fall into eight categories, or labels, known collectively as the Noble Eightfold Path.  These categories do not represent successive stages or steps to be followed in sequence; rather, they are characteristics of day-to-day living that must be practiced and realized simultaneously. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 7 consists of: i) right knowledge – understanding of 4 Noble Truths ii) right intention- true desire to free from attachment, ignorant, and attachment iii) right speech- abstaining from lying, gossiping, and hurtful talk iv) right conduct- abstaining from hurtful behaviors such as killing, stealing, and sexual misconducts v) right means of livelihood- making a living through honest mean without hurting anyone, including animals vi) right effort; vii) right mindfulness; and viii) right concentration. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 8 consists of: (Prajna/Wisdom. Sila/ Morality, and Samadhi/Meditation) i) right knowledge – understanding of 4 Noble Truths (P) ii) right intention- true desire to free from attachment, ignorant, and hatred (P) iii) right speech- abstaining from lying, gossiping, and hurtful talk iv) right conduct- abstaining from hurtful behaviors such as killing, stealing, and sexual misconducts (SI) v) right means of livelihood- making a living through honest mean without hurting anyone, including animals (SI) vi) right effort- abandoning bad while nurturing good qualities(SI) vii) right mindfulness – Focusing on one’s body, thought and feeling to overcome craving, hatred, and ignorance(SA) viii) right concentration- meditating to realize a true meaning of in perfection(SA) RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 9  Every act of Buddhist worship begins with the recital of the following homage formula: “Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the fully Enlightened One.” Next comes the recitation of the Three Refuges: 1. I go to the Buddha [the Teacher] as my Refuge; 2. I go to the Dharma [Buddha’s teachings] as my Refuge; 3. I go to the Sangha [Community - Brotherhood of Monks] as my Refuge. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 10  Immediately after this recitation the following resolutions or Five Precepts, as they are commonly known, are renewed: 1. I undertake to abstain from destroying life; 2. I undertake to abstain from taking things not given; 3. I undertake to abstain from fornication/ adultery or immoral misconduct; 4. I undertake to abstain from false speech. 5. I undertake to abstain from intoxicants. (Five Precepts) RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 11  Monks, who renounce the world, repeat an additional Five Precepts: 1. I undertake to abstain from eating at forbidden times; 2. I undertake to abstain from dancing, singing, and shows; 3. I undertake to abstain from adorning or beautifying myself by the use of garlands, scents, unguents, ornaments, and finery; (Eight Precepts) 1. I undertake to abstain from using a high or large couch or bed; and 2. I undertake to abstain from accepting gold or silver. (Ten Precepts) RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 12  The doctrine of metempsychosis is common to Indian religions. But there are some differences in the details of the doctrine as we investigate Buddhism further.  In fact, karma and samsara are among the important concepts in understanding Buddhism accurately.  Karma refers to the law of cause and effect in a person's life, reaping what one has sown. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 13  This concept was originated in Hinduism and yet Buddha altered his idea of Karma in that you are what you are in the next life based on what you do in this life until you reach the state of Nirvana breaking the cycle of birth and rebirth. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 14  The law of Samsara holds that everything is in a birth and rebirth cycle. Buddha taught that people do not have individual souls. The existence of an individual self or ego is an illusion.  There is no eternal substance of a person which goes through the rebirth cycle.  What goes through the rebirth cycle is only a set of feelings, impressions, present moments, and the karma that is passed on. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 15  Three main traditions: 1) Theravada – Way of the Elders (also called Hinayana – Small Vehicle) 2) Mahayana – Great Vehicle 3) Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle) or Tibetan Buddhism RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 16  These traditions also are classified geographically as the Southern Buddhism (Theravada), Eastern Buddhism (Mahayana), and Northern Buddhism (Tibetan). The language of the texts in each traditions is also different; Pali Canon in Theravada Buddhism, Sanskrit/ Chinese/ Japanese Canon in Mahayana, and Tibetan Canon in Tibetan Buddhism. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 17  Theravada Buddhism or Southern Buddhism is a tradition which is dominant in Southeast Asia including Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Literally, Theravada means ‘Way of the Theras’ or the Way of the Elders. This tradition is known as Theravada because it was established by a council of five hundred theras soon after the final enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 18  Theravada Buddhism has already been identified as the “orthodox” wing of the movement. The central figure in Theravada Buddhism is the monk, whose ideal is to attain nirvana. Hence, monastic discipline and solitary meditation are the rule.  With shaven head and yellow robe, a monk rises at daybreak, washes himself, lights a candle before the image of Buddha, and chants and meditates before leaving the monastery. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 19  Outside, with his begging bowl in hand, he makes his silent rounds, stopping quietly at every door to receive whatever food is offered. He returns to the monastery to eat breakfast, after which he joins other monks at the assembly hall for prayers, instruction, and meditation.  The main and last meal of the day follows between 10:00 and 11:00 morning in a communal dining room. The afternoon is devoted to scripture reading and meditation. Before retiring to bed, monks gather at one final assembly at sunset. By following this daily routine, they acquire merit toward their liberation. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 20  All Buddhists revere Buddha as the great Master and living embodiment of the religious ideal they seek to realize. But when Theravada Buddhists speak of their Master, they refer to the “human” Buddha of flesh and blood—not the manifestation in human form (incarnation) of an eternal essence.  In other words, Theravada Buddhists regard Buddha as the great enlightened man—but still, only a man. By practicing detachment, Buddha simply pioneered and fulfilled his quest for nirvana, and anyone may follow his lead. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 21  By accepting the “homeless” state, each individual can attain the same liberation through effort and self-discipline.  To attain nirvana, every individual must, sooner or later, renounce worldly pursuits and join the homeless state of monk. The alternative is consignment to an eternal cycle of rebirth. No surprisingly, Theravada Buddhism is referred to as Hinayana, or the Small Vehicle. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 22  The scriptures of Theravada Buddhism consist of the three collections, written in Pali that are known as the Tripitaka: 1. Vinaya Pitaka, consisting of the rules of the Buddhist order. 2. Sutta Pitaka, containing dialogues between Buddha and his disciples on Buddhist teachings. 3. Abidhamma Pitaka, consisting of metaphysical instruction.  Basically, Theravada Buddhism was, and remains, restricted to monastic orders. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 23  Mahayana Buddhism is a form of Buddhism which is dominant in North, Central, and East Asia, found mainly in China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Tibet, and Mongolia. The Chinese translation is Ta-ch’eng which means ‘the Large Vehicle’, later on translated into English as ‘the Greater Vehicle.’ RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 24  Although the character and nature of Mahayana Buddhism vary a great deal from sect to sect, most, if not all, Mahayana Buddhists regard Buddha as an incarnation of an eternal Buddha essence that existed in all ages and innumerable worlds for the liberation of all sentient beings.  His manifestation on earth in human form, they believe, came about out of compassion for others. Buddha, they claim, willingly postponed his entrance into nirvana in order to help others attain it too. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 25  Mahayana Buddhists, in contrast to Theravadins, believe that an individual may aspire to nirvana without accepting the homeless state of a monk.  This liberal attitude contributed to the gradual development of many sects and many versions of Buddhist belief.  For instance, the idea that the eternal Buddha essence was incarnated in Siddharta prompted some Mahayana Buddhists to deify and worship Siddharta. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 26  Pure Land: It is one of the most popular Buddhist groups in China and Japan. Its enchanting picture of a Pure and Happy Land that is presided over by Amitabha (the Buddha of Infinite Light), who responds to anyone meditating or calling upon his name in good faith, has been particularly appealing to ordinary working people. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 27  Ch’an/Zen. The most important Buddhist sect originating in China is the Ch’an group, whose Japanese parallel is called Zen. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 28  Vajrayana or Tibetan Buddhism (the Diamond Vehicle) formed its teachings in about the seventh century where there were new developments from within the Mahayana. This tradition was a growth of Buddhist tantra motivated by the communal influence of Mahayana and Hinduism. Literally, tantra means “web” or “woof”. Tantra refers to a system or collection of teachings. Tantra teaching began as a literary form in the early Gupta period in India. Tantra is also a shortened form of the mantras. Mantras are perceived as manifestations of Buddhas and are usually given by a teacher to a student for use in meditation. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 29  This tradition is also referred to as Vajrayana (Diamond Path) and Mantrayana (mantra path). The goal of this tradition is similar to Mahayana Buddhism which is to attain Buddhahood, but through different practices provided a quick way to achieve this goal; Tantric practices. Tantric practices are more ritualistic and emphasize more on the visualization of holy being and the use of mantras or sacred words of power. This tradition is dominant in Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Mongolia. RKUD4230-Study of Religions II 7/20/2019 30