Buddhism & 6th c. Thought (PDF)

BUDDHISM SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE ARRIVAL OF Setting the THE BUDDHA stage for the arrival of the Buddha 3 schools/currents influenced dev. of Buddhism 1) Vedic Religion 2) Shramana movement 3) Jainism VEDIC RELIGION By Buddha's time… Vedi...

BUDDHISM SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE ARRIVAL OF Setting the THE BUDDHA stage for the arrival of the Buddha 3 schools/currents influenced dev. of Buddhism 1) Vedic Religion 2) Shramana movement 3) Jainism VEDIC RELIGION By Buddha's time… Vedic sacrifices: more & more complex. Some rituals could extend for over a yr & require wealth & employ large # of priests.  VEDIC RELIGION By Buddha's time… This had 2 effects: 1) Poorer & less powerful excluded fr. many more elaborate rituals. (Could not afford to perform complex & expensive rituals.) VEDIC RELIGION By Buddha's time… This had 2 effects: 2) Brahmins wielding more power focusing on proper/correct perform. of sac. BUT Also see beginnings of a long trad. of religious & philosophical speculation (found in the Upanishads).  Let’s review! Teachings fr. Upanishads (last portion of Vedas) This is what was believed at the Buddha’s time: l Devaluation of fire sacrifice & devas l Shift fr. mundane to spiritual/other-worldly concerns lReincarnation (Cycle of samsara) lEternal soul/self -> atman l Monism -> Brahman (Unconditioned Reality) l Liberation (moksha) achieved through enlightenment -> realization of the identity of atman=Brahman l Practice of meditation 3 schools/currents influenced dev. of Buddhism 1) Vedic Religion 2) Shramana/ascetic movement 3) Jainism  3 schools/currents influenced dev. of Buddhism Shramanas = Ascetics Important in dev. of Indian religions (esp. in the emergence of Buddhism, Jainism, & other non-Vedic religious movements in the 6th c. BCE), all of which were influenced by or part of the broader shramaṇa milieu. Key features of shramaṇas include: Renunciation of worldly life, incl. social & material attachments. Self-discipline through ascetic practices like fasting, celibacy, & meditation. Commitment to spiritual liberation, which could be pursued through various philosophical & meditative paths. 3 schools/currents influenced dev. of Buddhism Shramanas = Ascetics Typically rejected the authority of the Vedas & the ritualistic practices of the Brahmins (Priests), focusing instead on personal spiritual effort, often through meditation, asceticism, & ethical conduct.  Shramanas Renounced / gave up material possessions & comforts. Shramanas tended to be fr. non-brahmanic castes of Indian society.  ASCETICISM Severe self-discipline & avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons. E.g. Fasting celibacy (abstaining fr. sex) sleep deprivation no clothing  ASCETICISM Generates tapas (heat) which can be used to exit cycle of reincarnation (samsara) by reuniting atman & brahman.  TRADITION OF ASCETICISM IN HINDUISM An ascetic: One who engages in asceticism. known as shramanas, sadhus & sannyasis Wandering ascetics  TRADITION OF ASCETICISM IN HINDUISM Some ascetics relinquish even their clothing, & are thus naked wandering ascetics who choose to live a homeless life.  TRADITION OF ASCETICISM IN HINDUISM Sometimes ascetism is coupled w/ self-mortification, or mortification of the flesh. Practice of deliberately inflicting physical or emotional pain on oneself as a means of disciplining the body, seeking spiritual growth, or atoning for perceived wrongdoing.  ASCETICISM Severe austere practices as presented in a Buddhist text (Digha-nikaya): - never sleeping lying down - never staying in a house - standing on 1 leg for 10 yrs - holding arm above head for yrs 3 schools/currents influenced dev. of Buddhism 1) Vedic Religion 2) Shramana movement 3) Jainism  JAINISM Religion founded by man known as Mahavira, who lived at same time as the Buddha. This religion was centered around non-violence.  JAIN PRACTICE NON-VIOLENCE-> very imp. value in Jainism Covering mouth so as not to inhale insects Sweeping ground before walking to not injure beings.  JAIN PRACTICE NON-VIOLENCE-> very imp. value in Jainism Jain nuns with mouth coverings.  JAIN PRACTICE EXTREME PRACTICE OF NON-VIOLENCE: Sallekhana (Fasting to death) Practiced only undertaken by spiritual adepts  JAIN PRACTICE: sallekhana http://leadership.ng/features/457622/the- right-to-die-indias-jains-on-focus Meditation & yogic practice also found in Jainism Mahavira Founder of Jainism Setting the stage for the arrival of the Buddha Now that you understand the environment in which the Buddha was born and lived, have a look at the presentation on his life.