Knox Grammar School Year 10 Religion & Ethics AT3 2024 PDF

Finalised 26/09/24 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Knox Grammar School Year 10 Religion & Ethics 2024 ——— AT3 (Yearly Examination) – Notes...

Finalised 26/09/24 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Knox Grammar School Year 10 Religion & Ethics 2024 ——— AT3 (Yearly Examination) – Notes Contents I. Context - Understanding Hinduism to Understand Buddhism II. Prince Siddhartha Guatama III. Buddhist Beliefs: 4 Noble Truths, 8-Fold Path, 3 Jewels IV. Buddhist Beliefs: Karma, Nirvana, Annica V. Buddhist Sacred Texts: Tripitaka VI. Buddhist Symbols VII. Buddhist Practice: Meditation / Mindfulness VIII. Buddhist Festivals: Wesak IX. Buddhist Ethics: The 5 Precepts X. Buddhist Monastic Community: Sangha XI. Film Study - Kundun XII. Glossary Principle Author Siwoo Park Associate Authors Yilun Zhang, Isaac Chow ———————————————————————————————————————————— ———————————————————————————————————————————— I. Lesson 1 – Context Hinduism & Buddhism; Introduction and Context Country of origin - India Time - 2,500 years ago 535 million followers (8 - 10% of world population) ○ 500,000 Buddhists in Australia (2.4% of AU population) There is no God, but reincarnation & Nirvana exist ○ Some branches acknowledge angels / divine beings Buddha - specific instructions that he shouldn’t be worshipped, not a God 3 branches: ○ Theravada (oldest, inspiration from Tipitaka, southeast Asia, e.g. Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos) ○ Mahayana (compassion of bodhisattvas, can awaken in single lifetime, northeast Asia, e.g. China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia) ○ Vajrayana (form of Mahayana, considers itself fastest way to enlightenment, Himalayan regions & Tibet) Context of Buddhism’s evolution Buddhism started to gain momentum when it entered other countries ○ Why? The caste system → poor people lack knowledge ○ Didn’t flourish in India as Hinduism deeply embedded in Indian culture Tradition in India was Brahmanism, developing from Vedism ○ Brahmanism + Vedism → classical Hinduism Hinduism - polytheistic religion but can be monotheistic (all gods are manifestations of Brahman) ○ Main beliefs - reincarnation, karma, moksha (heaven), yoga, meditation ○ 4 castes, but Buddhism has none Indian caste system A social hierarchy ○ 3,000+ years old ○ Connected to the god Brahma ○ Banned in 1950 Still prevalent today because: Resistance to change Economic hierarchy & capitalism Discrimination based on historical stereotypes ○ Divides people into group based on birth Aspects influenced by caste: work, marriage, socialisation ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 2 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Key differences between Buddhism & Hinduism ○ Caste system is Hindu ○ Buddhism - anyone can attain enlightenment Hinduism - only Brahmins can be released from reincarnation ○ Buddhism - self-determination of destiny Not a belief in Gods (that may punish / reward) ○ Hinduism - polytheistic, Buddhism - non-theistic Similarities between Buddhism & Hinduism ○ Karma, reincarnation, desires = suffering ○ Multiple versions of heaven & hell ○ Meditation, yoga Gods in Hinduism Millions of gods Many forms - male, female, part-human & part-animal ○ Each has specific powers Worshipped through shrines (seen everywhere in India) and offerings of food Hindu selects God to worship through either: ○ Family deity ○ Specific one in times of distress VISHNU (god) ○ Part of Hindu triumvirate (creation, upkeep, destruction) ○ Vishnu - preserver, protector ○ Worshipped for liberation from samsara ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 3 ———————————————————————————————————————————— ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 4 ———————————————————————————————————————————— II. Lesson 2 – Prince Siddhartha Gautama Origins of Buddhism II Born - 6th - 4th century BCE ○ His mother’s dream - a white elephant with 6 tusks entered her right side ○ This means that she would have a child that is either world ruler or a buddha Prophecy before he was born ○ Either an emperor or a holy man Siddhartha’s father wanted to keep him an emperor ○ King Suddhodana & Queen Maya ○ He was kept in the palace with all luxuries ○ Mother died young ○ Was born a Hindu When Siddharta left palace (aged 29): ○ Sick man, ageing man, dying man ○ He never saw this before Buddha starved himself (almost to death) ○ Tries to retain meaning of life / search for it Nirvana - highest state of enlightenment Suffering - unifies all being ○ “Attachment is the root of all suffering” ○ Ceased by Middle Way - living in moderation We must change outlook, not circumstances Wisdom is a habit (not intellectual realisation) Sutras - Buddha’s sayings / sermons King Ashoka - converted to Buddhism, encourage monks & nuns to spread through Asia Buddhist beliefs can be applied regardless of religion ○ Face suffering directly ○ View it as a way to connect Theravada Buddhism - southeast Asia Mahayana Buddhism - China, northeast Asia ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 5 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Timeline Age / Year Occurrence 563 BCE Born, mother died young, father raised and shielded him from suffering 29 years old 3 trips outside palace (old man, sick man, dead man) & monk in meditation Siddhartha renounces royal title, wealth, family 35 years old Wandering in forest, fasting & austerity Concluded a Middle Way Eats, drinks, etc. again Bodhi tree (49 days) Becomes enlightened (The Buddha) at Bodh Gaya Understand life cycle, how to cease suffering Spiritual quest ended 35 - 80 years old Preaches throughout India All were equal (even women, lowest castes) Revisits family - many convert Nuns preach across Asia 80 years old Advise disciples to take Dharma as master (Buddha’s teachings) “All things in life end. Work diligently for your own enlightenment.” Buddha dies surrounded by disciples ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 6  ———————————————————————————————————————————— III. Lesson 3 – Buddhist Beliefs 4 Noble Truths, 8-Fold Path, 3 Jewels 3 Main Beliefs of Buddhism 3 main beliefs (from Buddha’s life & death) ○ 3 Jewels ○ 4 Noble Truths ○ Noble Eightfold Path 3 Jewels / Triratna / 3 Refuges ○ 1. Buddha - the teacher (historical Siddhartha, concept of enlightenment) ○ 2. Dharma - the teachings, sacred texts (Tripitaka, teachings within sacred texts) ○ 3. Sangha - the community (monks, nuns - today includes non-monastic Buddhists) ○ “I take refuge in…” 4 Noble Truths ○ 1. Suffering is an inescapable part of life He understood this (dukkha, human struggle) through the 4 sights aged 29 ○ 2. Suffering comes from greed, hatred, ignorance from our minds ○ 3. End suffering if one stops craving, respond differently ○ 4. Recipe for happiness, virtue, then NIrvana - Eightfold Path Analogy of the raft - once river is crossed, you understand the truth of life for oneself ○ No point in remaining attached to it ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 7 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Noble Eightfold Path - the way to end suffering ○ Ease dukkha ○ Guide Buddhists on Middle Path → Nirvana, eventually Wisdom determines actions ○ Actions determine focus & concentration ○ Thus, wisdom is most important of the Path 3 groups - wisdom, morality, concentration / meditation ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 8 ———————————————————————————————————————————— ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 9 ———————————————————————————————————————————— These teachings are revelations ○ Buddha is not a God No divine powers ○ Only realised these after deep meditation, through dukkha (human struggle) Every person has Buddha nature - anyone can follow the path to their own enlightenment ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 10  ———————————————————————————————————————————— IV. Lesson 4 – Buddhist Beliefs Karma, Annica, Nirvana Karma Karma - law of moral causation (fundamental doctrine), like ethical cause and effect ○ Literally, means action Law of Karma - all actions have consequences, affect the doer at a later time ○ Good - deeds to others ○ Bad - intentional harm to others All karma could be good - any karma may require its help to manifest itself ○ Help us become better people ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 11 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Annica Refers to impermanence ○ Everything is constantly changing Important for Buddhists to accept this - let go of materialism Nirvana (Thich Nhat Hanh) Nirvana - cessation of all suffering ○ Suffering comes from wrong perceptions, ignorance, misunderstanding Remove wrong perceptions Meditation - nirvana means complete removal of the notion of ideas ○ These ideas are foundational to suffering ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 12 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Dharma the Cat The cat represents everyday obstacles to Buddhism Nothing is permanent - everything changes People must be compassionate, consider troubles of others Compassion is central tenet of Buddhism ○ One must not be hypocritical ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 13 ———————————————————————————————————————————— People like to make themselves sound smart - you must examine your actions Suppress one’s egos Failing to observe right mindfulness of Eightfold Path The monk has ironically failed to observe the new practice One should be careful in their words & actions ○ Avoid bad karma ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 14 ———————————————————————————————————————————— V. Lesson 5 – Buddhist Sacred Texts Tripitaka Sutras - many of Buddha’s sayings recorded in written form after his death ○ Dharma - both teachings of Buddha and the physical text in which they were recorded Dharma - known as Tripitaka (Pali Canon) ○ 3 sections to the text / 3 baskets A Buddhist takes refuge in the 3 Jewels ○ Buddhas (teacher), Dharma (path to practice), Sangha (community) 3 main variants ○ Mahayana, Vajrayana, Theravada ○ Have geographic distances (emphasised differently in varying traditions) ○ All emphasise different aspects of sacred texts 3 baskets of Pali Canon ○ 1. Sutta Pitaka - discourses of Buddha, closest disciples ○ 2. Bidama Pitaka - heard teaching ○ 3. Vinaya Pitaka - collections of monastic codes & rules, rites & rituals There are 227 precepts / rules for monks in sacred Tripitaka ○ Around 3,000 precepts overall, some are minor Diamond & Lotus Sutra Diamond Sutra - May 11, 868 CE ○ Teachings on impermanence - no such thing as permanent, non-changing self ○ Unique - the world’s earliest reliably dated, printed book Reproduced w/ accuracy & scale Lotus Sutra - 100 BCE - 200 CE ○ Influential doctrine - all sentient, living beings can attain Buddhahood in current existence First Buddhist Council 500 disciples met to record Buddha’s teachings after his death ○ Known as Arhats - early disciples (one who gained insight into true nature of existence, achieved Nirvana) Took over 7 months, reliant on 2 main disciples ○ Ananda - close companion, believed to perfectly recall all teachings ○ Upali - knew Buddha’s intentions for the lives of monks & nuns Record dharma on Sangha (monastic community) Most common texts - Dhammapada, sayings of Buddha (Sutta Pitaka) Some sutras include happiness (health is most precious gain, contentment the greatest wealth) ○ Other sutras include anger (one should give up anger, renounce pride, suffering is erased when one is detached from mind & body) ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 15  ———————————————————————————————————————————— VI. Lesson 6 – Buddhist Symbols Buddhist Traditions Symbol Photo Meaning / significance Suvastika Conducive to well-being Symbol of prosperity, good fortune Contains the mind, auspicious footprints of the Buddha Lotus flower Connected w/ rebirth, purity, divinity Symbol of rising from a dark place into beauty ○ How we rise above desire, let go of attachment If closed - symbolises beginning of spiritual journey ○ If open - symbolises end of spiritual journey, or enlightenment Dharma wheel Symbol of Buddha’s teachings - process of birth, death w/ eventual release Eight spokes - Eightfold Path ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 16  ———————————————————————————————————————————— Bodhi tree Where Buddha achieved awakening (what ‘Bodhi’ means) Symbol of enlightenment Heart-shaped leaf - potential within all to awaken Stupa Buddhist architecture - burial / receptacle for religious objects Buddha crowned, sitting in meditation posture on lion throne Usually dome-shaped The spire of stupa - represents the Buddha’s crown Mandala Devotional images - diagram / symbol of the ideal & universe Square w/ circle, design is symmetrical, balanced Mala beads Helps focus during meditation ○ Focus on one bead at a time Symbol of cyclical nature of life Beads represent connectedness ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 17  ———————————————————————————————————————————— Prayer wheel Device - equivalent to reciting mantra (sacred syllables / verses) Cultivate wisdom & compassion, progression on spiritual path, merit, liberation from karma Buddhist flag Designed in 1885 in Sri Lanka 6 bands - colours of Buddha’s aura that emanated when attaining enlightenment Colours: ○ Blue - compassion ○ Yellow - Middle Way ○ Red - blessings of practice ○ White - purity of dharma ○ Orange - wisdom Triratna Triad / 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) Int’l fellowship of Buddhists founded in UK, 1967 Deer Symbol of harmony, happiness, longevity Male & female next to dharma wheel - allude to Buddha’s first teachings Deer are serene & gentle by nature ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 18  ———————————————————————————————————————————— Alms bowl Container for monks - food offerings One of 8 necessities of monk prescribed in Tripitaka Focusing on self-control & self-respect Elongated ears on Buddha renouncing worldly position & the Buddha status Removed earrings, yet ears still stretched Represents being weighed down by attachment ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 19 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Buddha Maitreya Future Buddha, presently a bodhisattva in Tushita heaven Descend to preach dharma when Buddha’s teachings decayed Direct successor of Buddha Accepted in all circles / branches Buddha Shakyamuni Shakya clan’s sage Literally Siddhartha Gautama (founder of Buddhism), ascetic & religious teacher ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 20  ———————————————————————————————————————————— VII. Lesson 7 – Buddhist Practice Meditation and Mindfulness Buddha was role model in meditation ○ Instructed followers to meditate ○ One of Eightfold Path’s instructions ○ Done to ease dukkha, also to eliminate anxiety & fear ○ Observe one’s own mind Buddha realised fundamental principles of Buddhism through meditation ○ Awakened to dukkha (suffering) through meditations ○ Found a path out of suffering - Eightfold Path Meditation - practice Buddha’s teachings, follow path to enlightenment Significant for monks ○ Meditate every day for extended periods of time Consists of being mindful ○ Buddha considered this cultivating Buddhahood ○ Connects to awareness of self & others Variety of ways to meditate ○ e.g. walking, chanting, sitting, solitude, communal Meditation is a skill - requires practice ○ Buddhists can use Mala Beads / other objects to purify mind Mala Beads help count mantras - sounds repeated to aid concentration Has 108 beads overall Material of the beads is unimportant ○ Vajrayana Buddhist Monks - create Mandalas out of sand Meditations on impermanence Once finishing these mandalas - they are destroyed ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 21  ———————————————————————————————————————————— VIII. Lesson 8 – Buddhist Festivals Wesak Wesak - one of few universal festivals / rituals of Buddhism ○ Some variants consider a celebration only of birth ○ Other variants consider a celebration of all 3 events Marks 3 major events of Buddha’s life ○ 1. Birth ○ 2. Enlightenment ○ 3. Achieving nirvana Usually begins at dawn at Buddhist temples ○ Gather for meditation on Precepts ○ Monks in saffron coloured robes chant sutras in unison Candle processions - symbolise awakening Offerings - prayers, incense, food to poor, donations Ritual Meaning Prayers & quiet contemplation In Buddhist temples Programs to commemorate the day White clothes Reflects purity Advised for prayers (chrysanthemum) Often worn by lay Buddhists Observe the 5 precepts No killing No stealing No sexual misconduct No lying No intoxicants Refrain from negative activities (e.g. bad-mouthing others) Oil lamps / candles Chase away darkness Symbolise lighting up someone’s life Lotus flower candle shape Bodhi tree Praying to it - devas (good beings) surrounding trees Caution to not rely on blessings Vegetarianism Note of purification Abstain from killing Candlelight procession Each temple organise own procession / gather Idea - gather Buddhists, appreciate Buddha’s teachings ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 22 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Raise the Buddhist flag Flag distributed for free Hang at home Offer dana, or food Alms to monks (e.g. necessities) Monks eat once a day Bathing the Buddha One of main rituals performed during Wesak Tradition to bathe - commemorate birth Symbolises purification of body, speech, thoughts ○ Eradicate anger, greed, ignorance & purify mind ○ Cultivate merits & wisdom “It’s easy to wash away physical dirt, but much more difficult to cleanse one’s inner impurities of greed, anger and ignorance” - universal message Altar arranged as flower garden - represent Garden of Lumbini (where he was born) Monks & nuns use special ladle to pour fragrant water w/ special herbs ○ Over statue of infant Buddha ○ There are three washes Afterwards - image rinsed with purified water Performed w/ reverence Purified mind - improve harmony & inner balance ○ Lead to flourishing, fulfilling, wholesome, blissful, enlightened life 1. Kneel before alter, join palms to respect Buddha a. Fill ladle with fragrant water b. Pour water over shoulder of Buddha 2. Chanting at each pour a. “May I eliminate all evil thoughts.” b. “May I cultivate good deeds.” c. “May I help deliver all living beings.” Buddha was born in Nepal, Kapilavastu City 3 special things when he was born: ○ 1. Queen Maya gave birth while standing, hold onto branch between 2 sala trees ○ 2. Buddha immediately walk 7 steps, looking in different direction each time ○ 3. Each step led to lotuses growing out of ground ○ 4. It rained to bathe him - 9 dragons pour holy fragrant water for Buddha Buddhists bathe Buddha’s statue to remind the need to purify the heart & mind ○ Purge, purify their sins Monks offer incense, pray to 3 Jewels, pray to the Buddha Without the Buddha, there would be no: ○ Dharma (teachings) ○ Sangha (community to teach Buddha’s teachings) ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 23 ———————————————————————————————————————————— ○ 3 Jewels (Buddha, dharma, sangha) for Buddhists to rely on “To Bathe the Buddha is to cleanse and purify the soul.” ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 24  ———————————————————————————————————————————— IX. Lesson 9 – Buddhist Ethics Buddhist Traditions II Ethical guidelines - from Buddha’s teachings The 5 Precepts ○ Discussion of the 4th step of Eightfold Path - Right Action ○ Concerned with individual’s relationship to others & world Ethical behaviour comes back to intention ○ Directly related to generation of one’s karma Sangha have another 5 Precepts, especially relevant for them ○ Expectations of behaviour, expressed in Vinaya Pitaka Abstain from: ○ 1. Taking untimely meals ○ 2. Dancing, singing ○ 3. The use of garlands, perfumes and personal adornments ○ 4. The use of high seats ○ 5. Accepting gold or silver Vegetarianism Why vegetarianism is important to Buddhists First Precept - refrain from harming all sentient beings Ahimsa - nonviolence, do the least harm possible, avoid unnecessary killing Therefore, won’t eat things like meat / seafood ○ Animals were harmed / killed in preparing & selling these foods ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 25 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Killing / Murder Also relates to First Precept (refrain from taking life) Buddha encouraged reflection & mindfulness as right action ○ “...the rightness or wrongness of an action centres around whether… would bring about harm to self and / or others” Must practise compassion, never seek undue harm / end a life ○ Try to find peaceful alternatives to inflict least damage If killing - bad karma generated ○ Carries over to next life ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 26 ———————————————————————————————————————————— X. Lesson 10 – Buddhist Monastic Community Sangha – Monks and Nuns Sangha - the community, monastic communities of monks & nuns across the Buddhist world ○ Monks and nuns can be referred to as bhikkhu - means beggar, since Buddha & followers owned nothing Only asked for food Completely renounced the world Keeps Buddhist texts safe, help interpret & teach Buddhist philosophy ○ Provide inspiration on how to live a good Buddhist life Buddha never named a successor - he was not a leader ○ He only understood truth of universe ○ Suggested his followers live by the dharma (his teachings about this truth) Sangha was created to support each other to live according to dharma Orders of monks & nuns whose lives focus entirely on dharma ○ e.g. Theravada tradition - compulsory for young boys to spend period of time as monk Deeper understanding of religion, education Pride for family ○ Tibet - 1 in 5 males were fully ordained Vajrayana monks before Chinese liberation Vinaya - the rules for the Sangha, means discipline Buddhist communities happy to give food, clothing, necessities to monks & nuns ○ Renounced material wealth & family life to devote to dharma Monks & nuns provide important spiritual help & guidance for lay community Can get income from meditation classes, services / selling things for community Orders of monks & nuns - strict rules of conduct ○ No sexual relations ○ Eat only before midday ○ Refrain from gossip Between midday & following day - monks chant, meditate, study ○ Keep monastery ocean & neat Monks own very little, often just: ○ Robes ○ Belt ○ Food bowl ○ Needle & thread for robes ○ Razor to shave Becoming a Novice Monk - Symbols White garments - symbolises rebirth about to happen Removal of hair - symbolises letting go of the material world 3 saffron robes - in Theravada, living life free of secular attachments Offerings - contemplative gratitude, inspiration ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 27 ———————————————————————————————————————————— Symbol of the Son - a blessing in Lao families Renouncing - renounce worldly goods & desires Young Men becoming Monks 3 reasons why a young man might join monastery ○ Religious & social merit ○ Blessing for families in this lifetime Renouncing worldliness ○ Monks stop following desires ○ Goal - to understand these desires & themselves rather than be deluded by it Alms - offerings of food for Buddhist monks ○ Received at beginning of the day Types of activities monks do: ○ Collect alms ○ Communal meals ○ Study scriptures ○ Sweep monastery ○ Prayer session at dusk Life lessons learnt ○ Important to strip away things that aren’t necessary in one’s life Fundamental beliefs of Buddhism ○ A way of life - core values are common across all religions & cultures The West embracing the Sangha Why do many in the West find Buddhist tradition appealing? ○ 1. Simplicity from life’s business ○ 2. Rationality, more than Western Abrahamic religions No God, Buddha shouldn’t be worshipped Rational preaches about suffering (life), how to remove this ○ 3. Aligning with Western empiricism (see above) ○ 4. A way to reevaluate oneself Redefine themselves ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 28  ———————————————————————————————————————————— XI. Lessons 12-14 – Film Study Kundun Mandalas near beginning & end of film - large sand ‘painting’ by the Tibetan monks ○ Common in Tibetan culture r we gonna make like quizlets on this lol ○ Represents spirits / mythological creatures Signs that the boy was reincarnate of previous Dalai Lama: ○ Crows, interpreting visions, reading spiritual signs, consulting oracles ○ Child selecting artefacts that belonged to previous Dalai Lama Kundun - means presence The capital of Tibet is Lhasa Responsibility of regent - the de facto ruler of Tibet between death of Dalai Lama & majority of his next reincarnation Traditional method of burial in Tibetan Buddhism for prominent people - sky burial ○ Body placed on top of mountain top, left to elements to decompose Dalai Lama is believed to be manifestation of Avalokiteshvara ○ The bodhisattva of compassion, special connection to Tibetans In the film - Dalai Lama meets with Mao Zedong as an adult ○ Tibet was occupied by China from 1950 - 1951 He flees Tibet to India in 1959 Visions the Dalai Lama has of the future of his country and people: ○ Their trip to India will be promising ○ Their eventual return to Tibet will also be successful Dalai Lama is both spiritual & secular leader of Tibet ○ Spiritual: Reincarnation of Avalokitesvara Leader of Gelug school (major in Tibetan Buddhism) ○ Secular: Once held political authority over Tibet under theocracy 2011 - 14th Dalai Lama renounced political leadership No more gov’t functions, political decisions Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 If the 14th Dalai Lama dies, what would happen to Tibet & Vajrayana tradition? ○ Experts believe CCP would try pick new Dalai Lama who supports CCP control of Tibet Possibly one in China & one in India (not influenced by CCP) - confusion among Buddhists ○ If 14th Dalai Lama turns 90 - he would decide whether he should be reincarnated, possibly a woman Could potentially end this 600-year role ○ Vajrayana would likely continue - other important figures (e.g. Panchen Lama) High lamas & sangha Tulku - aspect of Tibetan Buddhism ○ The concept of enlightened beings / bodhisattvas are reborn again to help sentient beings (e.g. the Dalai Lama) ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 29  ———————————————————————————————————————————— XII. Glossary Buddhist Terminology Word Definition Tripitaka The triple basket - ancient collections of Buddhist sacred scriptures Pali Canon Standard collection of scriptures in Theravada Buddhist tradition Sanskrit Sacred language of Hinduism, language of historical texts of Buddhism & Jainism Buddha Ascetic & religious teacher, founder of Buddhism, lived in South Asia; Means the enlightened one Dharma The right way of living - path of rightness Sangha Buddhist monastic order with four groups - monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen Annica Impermanence, instability - the only constant is change Anatta The doctrine of no-self - there is no unchanging, permanent self or essence found in any phenomenon Dalai Lama Leader of the Gelug school, seen as spiritual and secular leader of Tibet, reincarnation of Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion Bhikkhu A buddhist monk / devotee Karma The sum of a person’s actions in this & previous states of existence, decides fate in future existences; Moral cause & effect Samsara The transmigration / rebirth of a person Nirvana A place of perfect peace & happiness, the highest state one can attain as a Buddhist Ananda First cousin of Buddha, one of principal disciples (Arhat), known for his memory, erudition, compassion Upali One of 10 chief disciples of Buddha, recite & review monastic discipline in First Buddhist Council Theravada Oldest Buddhist school existing, considered authoritative as they believe their teachings are directly from the historical Buddha (southeast Asia) Mahayana Enlightenment can be attained in one lifetime, accomplished even by a lay person, largest major tradition (northeast Asia) Vajrayana Tantric Buddhism, transition from Mahayana, thought to be enactment of Buddhist ideas in an individual’s life (Himalayan, Tibet, India) ———————————————————————————————————————————— 10 Religion and Ethics Assessment Task 3 Page | 30