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Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 6 Buddhism Chapter 6, Introduction: Buddhism A Human-Centered Religion Sanskrit budhi = to wake up Human centered religion—responsibility for spiritual development on individual Purpose = to be awakened or enlightened to what is real Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (circa 560-483 BCE) Kshatriyas (warrior caste) in India (present day Nepal) Buddha = Awakened One Teachings lead to Nirvana = to extinguish or blow out suffering, impermanence, delusions, & all that continues samsara; the spiritual goal of Buddhism Human being—neither god not messenger Respect as most compassionate person through bowing to image; not worship 2,500 years old Theravada & Mahayana (subdivided) are two main branches Complex history & vast sacred texts Simple to elaborate rituals & meditative practices Most live in Asia but spreading in Europe, Australia, & North America Chapter 6, Introduction: Buddhism The Basics • The purpose behind Buddhism is to be enlightened about that which is real • Founder: Siddhartha Gautama • The goal of Buddhism is to attain Nirvana “Bliss”, the extinction of suffering, impermanence, delusion, & all that seemingly keeps the life cycle going • Two main branches: Theravada Buddhism - priest centered Mahayana Buddhism - embraces / encourages all people’s participation (American Buddhism) Chapter 6, Section 1: A Brief History of Buddhism Origin = birth of Siddhartha Gautama in 560 BCE Continues w/ the preservation of his teachings through the Four Councils Began in India, spread throughout Central, Eastern, & SE Asia In modern times has become worldwide due to meditation, spirituality, & wisdom Siddhartha Gautama Shakyamuni = sage of the Shakya clan—Gautama’s nickname Kshatriya caste; father a king in small Nepalese village; mother Queen Maya Dreamed she conceived through an elephant’s touch = king or holy man On way to father’s house in 560 BCE born miraculously in Lumbini Gardens From her right side, 7 steps, “No more births for me”, mom died 7 days later Father raised a pampered prince—comfortable & sheltered from suffering Married Yasodhara at 16 & bore son Rahula; at 19 traveled outside boundaries Four Sights = old man, sick man, corpse, & holy man w/out possessions At 29, left wife & son for the forest (vanaprastha) & simple robes of a holy man Lived as a wandering ascetic for 6 years—meditation & fasting Questioning the meaning of life, especially suffering Tempted by Mara the stealer of Wisdom—thirst, lust, discontent, & sensuality Chapter 6, Section 1: A Brief History of Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama cont. Enlightened under bodhi tree (fig)—Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar Returned to Deer Park & hesitantly preached wisdom to 5 ascetics Middle Way = neither indulgence nor asceticism lead to moksha from samsara Living in the middle of the spectrum consists in following the Four Noble Truths The fourth truth is to live the Noble Eightfold Path 5 ascetics followed him & formed the sangha—monastic & later entire community Traveled, preached, converted near home & then at home—wife, son, & cousin Died at the age of 80 from food poisoning & entered Nirvana around 483 BCE “Nothing is permanent” & “You must work out your own salvation w/ diligence” Cremated, relics divided where he traveled, stupas built to house, pilgrimages The Four Councils Buddha didn’t leave a successor or writings but Dharma = teachings to “uphold” Concern over the purity of his teaching about righteous acts to uphold laws of nature First Council—500 monks; 1 yr. post death; preserve by reciting memories Second Council—100 yrs. later; liberal practices of monks; unlawful; split Chapter 6, Section 1: A Brief History of Buddhism cont. The Four Councils cont. Sthaviras (conservative—10) & Mahasanghikas (liberal—8) — subdivided more Theravada was 1 of 10 Sthaviras & only one still in existence today Mahasanghikas = forerunners of modern Mahayana Buddhism (Great Ox Cart) Third Council—conversion of King Ashoka in 200’s BCE after disenchantment with war led to rapid growth (stupas—relics, monasteries, & missionaries to Ceylon (Sri Lanka)—Tissa, Greece—Antiochus II, & Egypt—Ptolemy II) but also some questionable practices Fourth Council—evolution of Mahayana Buddhism as distinct sect by 100 CE brought more lay people into Buddhism but also various interpretations of scripture so two meetings were held—Sri Lanka & Kasmir (India/Pakistan) Buddhism in India Great strides in India in 1st few centuries of CE—continued monasteries & stupas Under the Gupta dynasty (240-550)—but also universities/missionaries: Nalanda Rise in Mahayana Buddhism as education available to all via two channels Monks became elitist & laity drifted away to bhakti Hinduism Chapter 6, Section 1: A Brief History of Buddhism cont. Buddhism in India cont. These factors along with Hun invasion in 470 CE almost killed Buddhism in India Huns defeated in 528 CE but Buddhism never recovered Theme: when Buddhism declines in one place it rises in another Chinese Buddhist pilgrims came to India & returned w/ knowledge & texts Partial recovery under the Pala dynasty—“protector”; 700-1200 CE; Tibetan monastery focus Invasion of Muslims & end of Pala dynasty ends Buddhism in India until 1900 CE Slow return of Buddhism to birthplace: 1) exiled Tibetan Buddhists by Chinese communism & 2) Hindu conversion in India to protest caste system Buddhist Expansion Beyond India 1. Central Asia—shortly after the death of Buddha introduced Important for centuries in: Afghan-, Uzbek-, Tajik-, and Pak- istan Shared religious landscape including Christianity Ultimately Islam was dominant Chapter 6, Section 1: A Brief History of Buddhism cont. Buddhist Expansion Beyond India cont. 2. Southeast Asia—introduced via Ceylon (Sri Lanka today) In Malaysia & Indonesia with Hinduism until 900 CE when Islam replaced both Thailand & Myanmar—Theravada Buddhism Vietnam—Mahayana Buddhism Kampuchea (Cambodia)—Mahayana until 1000 CE then Theravada European colonialism & Chinese communism overwhelmed & devastated but did not destroy; slow revival today 3. China—early CE; slowly joined Confucianism & Taoism; heavily engrained Ch’an & Pure Land Buddhist schools of thought developed in China Moved to Korea—deep reverence to the Tripitaka = early Buddhist scriptures From Korea to Japan—Ch’an Buddhism became known as Zen & 2 other sects; rulers embraced but Shintoism did not at first; can’t distinguish after awhile 4. Tibet—Vajrayana Buddhism (aka Tantric) emerged from Mahayana Buddhism; emphasis on mantras, rituals, & meditation as paths to Enlightenment 1300 CE idea that monastery leaders are avatars of bodhisattvas = beings that refrain from entering Nirvana out of compassion to help others enter; deities from Mahayana Buddhism Called lamas & head of lamas is called Dalai Lama = political leader in Tibet as well until 1959 when exiled to Dharamsala, India by Chinese communists Chapter 6, Section 1: A Brief History of Buddhism cont. Buddhism in Modern Times Buddhist meditation, wisdom, & spirituality has attracted interest of West Non-Buddhist writers & thinkers but not until modern times Sporadic encounters until British colonization in 17th century John of Damascus translated life of Buddha; 8th century—Barlaam & Josephat Francis Xavier in Japan & Matteo Ricci in China in 16th century Western intellectuals got European translations of Buddhist texts from British Henry David Thoreau translated French sutra into English in US 19th century railroad expansion brought Chinese Buddhist immigrants & agriculture brought Japanese Buddhist immigrants to Hawaii & California World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893—Japanese Zen master D. T. Suzuki influenced American author Allen Ginsberg & monk Thomas Merton 20th century decline in Soviet Union, China, Tibet, SW Asia due to communism As declined in East, rose in the West—England & California One of the fastest growing world religions—isolated Individualism, self-help, & self-realization Chapter 6, Section 1: A Brief History of Buddhism cont. The Dalai Lama Exiled spiritual & political leader of Tibet 1989 Nobel Peace Prize “Mental peace, not hatred & competition, can bring world peace” “True religion must be a destroyer” “The aim of religion applied rightly is always the same—better human beings” Nonviolent campaign to end 40 years of Chinese persecution & genocide in Tibet Tibetan people are “good hearted” Historical gifts = spirituality, peace, nonviolence, relationship to nature & people You Tube Video: Buddhism The Life of Buddha: BBC Documentary Chapter 6, Section 1: A Brief History of Buddhism cont. Facts about Siddhartha Gautama: • • • • Born about 560 BCE & died about 483 Born into a Hindu warrior caste Was married at 16-years old & fathered one son At 19, he encountered four things his father had tried to shield from him • Reached enlightenment by taking up meditation on this suffering & the cycle of rebirth; he wrote no texts • Converted many countrymen by preaching that moksha could be attained by the Middle Way Chapter 6, Section 1: A Brief History of Buddhism cont. Middle Way – the teaching the liberation comes from neither sever asceticism nor from a life of wild indulgence; his insight came from watching a man tuning a string instrument The “Four Sights” - what Gautama’s father tried to shield from him • Siddhartha ‘saw’: Old age; Illness; Death; Ascetic (renouncing material comforts to live a self-disciplined life) Bodhi tree – the fig tree where Buddha found enlightenment Chapter 6, Section 1: A Brief History of Buddhism cont. Dharma – upholding with cosmic laws or with a natural order; for Buddhists, dharma is the teaching of Buddha Bodhisattva - someone who compassionately refrains from entering nirvana in order to save others; is worshiped as a deity in Mahayana Buddhism Buddha’s Influence • Catholicism – St. John of Damascus, St. Francis Xavier, Thomas Merton • American’s – Henry David Thoreau, Chinese immigrants building the railroads Chapter 6, Section 1: A Brief History of Buddhism cont. Who is the Dalai Lama? The head Tibetan Buddhist monastic leaders • A “lamas” is the leader of a monastery A political leader of Tibet • Until the Chinese communist government forced them out of Tibet in 1959 Mandala – sacred geometric symbols, art • A spiritual & ritual symbol of Buddhism, representing the Universe. The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA3su0ECdPc Chapter 6, Section 1 Review Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Briefly summarize the birth, Enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama. What were the main issues addressed by each of the Buddhist councils? What attracted King Ashoka to Buddhism? Why were the Japanese attracted to Zen Buddhism? List countries in Asia where Buddhism took hold, at least for some time. Who is the Dalai Lama? Chapter 6, Section 2: Sacred Stories & Scriptures Buddha & immediate followers wrote no texts—recitation of memories Few generations removed from Buddha & went on for many centuries Open canon—able to add books to scriptures: like H; unique from J, I, & C Enormous corpus; many genres & languages; poor translations; division Summary here of major texts; little agreement among of within branches Scriptures of Theravada Buddhism Tripitaka– “3 Baskets”; early Buddhist scriptures; passed down orally from 4th to 1st century BCE in Sanskrit; written down in Pali so aka Pali Canon; authoritative scripture for Theravada Buddhists; words of historical Buddha • Vinaya Pitaka—ordered code of monastic discipline (monks 227 & nuns 311); rule & explanatory story; life & ministry of Buddha • Sutra Pitaka—discourses of Buddha; source of moral and doctrinal teaching; Buddha’s birth & Nirvana • Abidharma Pitaka—Buddha’s psychological teachings; doctrinal analysis; popular amongst monks/students; other branches add material here Chapter 6, Section 2: Sacred Stories & Scriptures cont. Scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism Own version of the Tripitaka but also other unique texts Lotus Sutra–“The Lotus of the True Law”; attribute to Buddha; probably several generations; final teachings of the Buddha; most important with Tripitaka 2nd; universal message All living things possess Buddha-nature so all, not just monastics, can achieve Enlightenment Bodhisattva ideal—while work on Nirvana help others attain; share wisdom & compassion Perfection of Wisdom—how to attain the wisdom of a boddhisattva; go beyond ordinary & rational to the transcendent; use paradoxes to solve contradictions; light & darkness = finite Scriptures of Vajrayana Buddhism Kanjur—“Teachings”; contains Theravada & Mahayana & unique texts Sutra = discourses on Buddha’s teachings Adds tantric texts from India & China—Sanskrit ritual/worship acts of body, mind, spirit to harness/appropriate energy of Ultimate Reality to untie with it; how to do Examples: mandala (sacred geometric symbol) & mantra (sacred word/phrase) Tantur– “Translation of the Treatises”; commentaries on Kanjur Tibetan Book of the Dead—most popular; writings of death, dying, rebirth, & especially the transmigration of the soul; read at death or recently after You Tube Videos: Buddhism Buddhist Sects & Scriptures: Southern/Theravada Buddhist Sects & Scriptures: Eastern/Mahayana You Tube Videos: Buddhism Buddhist Sects & Scriptures: Northern/Vajrayana Buddhist Sects & Scriptures: Pure Land/Ch'an & Zen Chapter 6, Section 2: Sacred Stories & Scriptures cont. Scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism: Lotus Sutra The final teachings of the Buddha which makes Enlightenment available to everyone Perfection of Wisdom A treatise on how to achieve the perfection of wisdom of a bodhisattva Tripitaka Three baskets Orally passed down the words of historical Buddha Chapter 6, Section 2 Review Questions 1. 2. 3. In English, what does the term Tripitaka mean? What is the most popular Mahayana sacred text? What is the most popular Vajrayana sacred text? Why? Chapter 6, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices The Four Noble Truths are the center of all Buddhist beliefs From earliest sermons of the Buddha Can’t achieve samsara without Leads one to the Noble Eightfold Path or living of the Middle Way Heart of all Buddhist practices—avoid extremes & all in moderation The Four Noble Truths 1. Life is Filled with Suffering • Physical & mental; karma causes samsara = endless cycle of suffering • Built into all nature—impermanence, incompleteness, imperfections, & discontentment • Anatma = no soul; not self; permanent self does not exist; ignorance of this causes suffering; soul can’t be God & self at the same time 2. The Cause of Suffering is Desire • Believing the soul is real & permanent rather than anatma causes cravings • Lack of satisfaction causes suffering & if satisfied it is impermanent Chapter 6, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices The Four Noble Truths cont. 3. To Cease Suffering, One Must Cease Desiring • The only thing that is real is Nirvana which is the end of samsara & therefore the end of suffering • Happens when we free ourselves from desires & cravings & embrace anatma 4. The Path to the End of Suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path • The Middle Way between self-denial & self-indulgence; moral standard Hindus & Buddhists agree on existence of samsara but disagree on cessation of it Hindus—moksha = realization that atman is one with Brahman (immortality) Buddhists—Nirvana = realizing that the individual self does not exist (enlightenment to the reality of the human condition); not + or – but just is Chapter 6, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. Perfection of these practices leads to enlightenment & attaining Nirvana The Noble Eightfold Path 1. Right Understanding—summation of the Four Noble Truths (cause, endurance, & end of suffering) 2. Right Thought—replacing wrong thoughts with right ones; single-heartedness 3. Right Speech—speak truthfully & kindly; no lying, slander, gossip, or harshness 4. Right Conduct—no cheating, stealing, murder, or sexual misconduct 5. Right Livelihood—not to earn a living by harming other living things (e.g. drugs) 6. Right Effort—diligent in removing bad thoughts & cultivating good ones 7. Right Mindfulness—knowing oneself and being aware of ones thoughts & deeds 8. Right Concentration—meditation through concentrating on one object with full attention allows one to dispel distractions & gain enlightenment Three categories of the path = morality, meditation, & wisdom Cyclical in nature: morality to meditation to wisdom & back to morality Chapter 6, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. Community The 3 Jewels of Buddhism = Sangha, Buddha, & Dharma Core of Buddhism that is proclaimed upon conversion Development in understand of sangha from only monks/nuns to include lay Two parts of sangha depend upon one another—spiritual vs. human food Community is essentially the same but slight differences Theravada—arhat = worthy one who has attained Nirvana already in this life; monk or nun; celibate Mahayana—bodhisattva = compassionate one who has elected to delay enlightenment; lay, monk, or nun; also celibate; add rules about witnessing Zen—Japanese sect that works rather than begging for alms Shin—Japanese sect that permits monks to marry You Tube Videos: Buddhism The Four Noble Truths & The Noble Eightfold Path The Enthusiastic Buddhist: 4 Truths The Enthusiastic Buddhist: 8 Path Chapter 6, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. The Four Noble Truths 1. The path to the end of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path 3. To cease suffering one must cease desiring 2. Life is filled with suffering: both physical and mental 4. The cause of suffering is desire Chapter 6, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. • Buddhist understanding of suffering 1. 2. 3. Physical / emotional Change / transitory Illusion of pleasure (disconnect) • Catholic understanding of suffering (it is a mystery) Human (finite) condition (after the fall) Suffering is redemptive (through Jesus’ death, though in itself suffering is not good) Humans are to work to alleviate suffering Chapter 6, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. The Four Noble Truths • Anatma – “no soul”, “not self”; Our invisible “non-spiritual self” (seen as our soul in Western religions) • Sangha – a Buddhist community of priests/nuns (contemporary practices includes laypeople) • Three “Jewels” of Buddhism Buddha – “Enlightened one” Dharma – the teachings of Buddha Sangha – those who study and practice Chapter 6, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. Right Concentration The Noble Eightfold Path Characterized by 3 stepping stones Meditation, Morality, Wisdom Right Thought Right Understanding Right Conduct Right Speech Right Mindfulness Right Effort Right Livelihood Chapter 6, Section 3 Review Questions 1. 2. 3. Name and explain the Four Noble Truths. List the three major categories of the Noble Eightfold Path. What are the Three Jewels of Buddhism? Chapter 6, Section 4: Sacred Time No special day of the week for worship Offerings to Buddha at any time for Theravadan & Mahayanan Mahayanan also to other buddhas & bodhisattvas Incense (good virtue), flowers (impermanence), or candles (enlightenment) Bowing to image of B(b)uddha = respect for not worship of buddha nature Meditation Central for all Buddhists—last 3 of Noble 8-Fold Path Right-effort, -mindfulness, & -concentration are forms of meditation Way to enlightenment thru heightened awareness as means to good karma Mindfulness of Breath —1st learned; focus on ebb & flow of breath; distractions creep up; concentration strengthens if persist; inner calm of whole person Meditation of Loving-Kindness —begins with Mindfulness of Breathing as most meditations do; focus on self by saying loving things about self; turn to others (love, neutral, and dislike); wish all well A Place for Meditation—Central Juvenile Hall in East Los Angeles; inmates Chapter 6, Section 4: Sacred Time cont. Puja Part of the daily practice of life for Buddhists & Hindus Monks in monasteries & laity in homes Image of the Buddha; for some ancestral representation Flowers (beauty & impermanence), fruit (what good conduct brings), water (purity/goal & example), incense (good conduct), candle (dispel ignorance) Gratitude to Buddha for Dharma that points to Enlightenment & Nirvana Reverence—remove shoes, folding hands, bowing, prostration (for some) Prayers, mantra, meditation on Dharma, recitation of 3 Jewels & 5 Precepts = life, property, sexual-misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants Not confined to home—Buddhist shrines & temples; public places & images Statues (some paintings) of Buddha but variety of materials, sizes, & places Mahayanan include bodhisattvas (statues & painting) in reverence Reminder of how to live but also source of power & good karma Chapter 6, Section 4: Sacred Time cont. Festivals Two major categories—life of Buddha & the sangha Minor festivals—seasons esp. spring & autumn; national/regional not religious Celebrating the Buddha Visakha–“Buddha Day”; most holy; Theravada; May full moon; birth, death, & enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama; light = lanterns & candles; image & sermon Mahayana celebrate on 3 separate days; bathing image to reverence & remind all need to cleanse faults, procession Celebrating the Sangha Began as a mendicant (begging) order of monks; nomadic; preaching Dharma 3 month break during monsoon season = Rains Retreat For monks but laity consider it time of great holiness Ends with festival put on by laity—monks given new robes who gain spiritual power Hope that radiates onto them to shorten samsara Chapter 6, Section 4: Sacred Time cont. Celebrating the Buddhist Life Cycle Buddhism plays little role in life cycle rites of passage except for death Tibetan Book of the Dead—death as a sacred act b/c life after death through rebirth Important rituals aimed at assisting higher rebirth & attainment of Nirvana No specific rituals for birth, initiation, or marriage—according to local custom Birth is connected to samsara & therefore suffering Karma from previous existences determines present character Often Buddhists marry civilly with no specific Buddhist element present Monk from local sangha will bless after in temple, shrine, or home Often includes chanting and sermon on married life You Tube Videos: Buddhism Visakha (Vesak): Festival of Lights Rains Retreat-Katina You Tube Videos: Buddhism Mindfulness of Breathing Loving-Kindness Chapter 6, Section 4: Sacred Time cont. Meditation Mindfulness of Breath; Mantras Goal: gain wisdom Offerings to Buddha Flowers, Fruit, Water, Incense Candlelight Buddha Day Born, became Enlightened, died On same day Puja Rituals to honor the deity; generally performed in homes Celebrating the Buddhist Lifecycle Death rituals celebrated as holy Rebirth Celebrating Sangha Celebrated during the 3-month rainy season Chapter 6, Section 4: Sacred Time cont. Five Precepts 1. Do not take the life of any living creature 2. Do not take anything not freely given 3. Abstain from sexual misconduct 4. Refrain from untrue and deceitful speech 5. Avoid intoxicants Chapter 6, Section 4 Review Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. Why is meditation important for Buddhists? Briefly describe Mindfulness of Breathing meditation. How do Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism celebrate the birth of the Buddha? What is the origin of the Rains Retreat? Chapter 6, Section 5: Sacred Places & Spaces The monastery is the primary sacred place for Buddhists; connected to a temple In Theravada, men must spend time before marriage & after kids grown in one Lay people maintain & provide food for monks to share in merit of monks Temple Equally sacred to monastery in Theravada Buddhism—home of monks Laity come to center for religious rites, instruction, devotion, & meditation Images & statues/depictions of stories of the life of Buddha; place for a sermon Stupas are usually present contained the relics of Buddha Mahayana & Vajrayana temples will enshrine other buddhas & bodhisattvas Stupas Originally small mounds of brick or stone to house relics of Buddha near temple Expanded to house relics of other buddhas & objects Grew into pagodas = large, elaborately decorated towers/domes w/ curved roofs Circumambulation in Vajrayana Chapter 6, Section 5: Sacred Places & Spaces cont. Places of Pilgrimage Other sacred spaces are connected to the life/ministry of Buddha—India/Nepal Lumbini Gardens Birth place of Buddha; Nepal; pilgrimage site shortly after death in 483 BCE Ashoka built a 22 ft. pillar in 3rd century CE to memorialize Bodh Gaya Bodhi tree where Buddha meditate & was enlightened is located here; India Present tree is descendent of original tree; sandstone slab marks Enlightenment Footprint in stone is from Buddha; saplings from tree transplanted All pilgrimage sites; pilgrims decorate & offer flowers Sarnath (India) Deer Park near Varanasi; 1st sermon (4 Noble Truths) & followers; Ashoka stupa Kushinara (India) Place of the death of Buddha; 1500 year old red stone statue of Buddha reclining Kushinara Nirvana Temple built in 1956 to mark 2,500th anniversary of entrance You Tube Videos: Buddhism Enthusiastic Buddha: Pilgrimage Holy Sites of Buddhism Chapter 6, Section 5: Sacred Places & Spaces cont. Stupas Hold important relics of the Buddha or other important figures Relics – a piece of the body, clothes, items of a saint Temples Monks live at temples and perform religious devotions (lay people come to meditate); Enshrined images of buddhas Pagodas Large stupas with elaborately decorated Towers and domes Chapter 6, Section 5 Review Questions 1. 2. 3. Name a difference between a Theravadan temple and a Mahayanan temple. How does a pagoda differ from an ordinary stupa? Name the four major sites of pilgrimage related to the life of Siddhartha Gautama. Why are these significant? Chapter 6, Section 6: Buddhism Through a Catholic Lens Sources of Agreement Peace & compassion —Christianity preaches & Buddhists live; non-violence; walk gently & speak/act kindly Monasticism —4th century Middle Eastern caves for Christians; shelter for Buddhist monks during monsoon season Meditation —content different but experiences can be quite similar Thomas Merton —Catholic proponent of inter-religious dialogue with Buddhists which began in 1968 in Bangkok, Thailand monks Jesus Christ & Siddhartha the Buddha Similarities —miracle birth; tempted before public ministry; followers; miracles (water & multitude); preached a message; path to freedom; founded a world religion; spread quickly (Buddhism = East & Christianity = West); today Buddhism = West & Christianity = East; few around origin (Israel & India) Differences —divinity; socio-economic; marriage; K. of God vs. cessation of suffering Chapter 6, Section 6: Buddhism Through a Catholic Lens cont. Suffering Common theme but distinct approach Buddhists—all who are not Enlightened or in Nirvana are prone to suffer Negative activity of past lives causes one to return for another life of suffering To break this cycle of samsara, one must stop desires & cravings by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path 3 categories of suffering: physical/emotional; life change or transition (attachment); pain in the midst of pleasure (illusion that pleasure will please) Not pessimistic but life giving source of peace & true happiness Catholics—part of finite human condition 2 categories of suffering: natural disasters; humans (due to Original Sin) Suffering is never good per se but Christ’s death & resurrection transforms God does NOT create or desire suffering but rather the cessation of—heaven Humans can be the instrument to alleviate but remains a mystery Most important is trust in God who provides the necessary grace Judgment & own resurrection of the body = cessation You Tube Videos: Buddhism Catholic-Buddhist Dialogue Thomas Merton & Buddhism Chapter 6, Section 6: Buddhism Through a Catholic Lens cont. Similarities • • • • Emphasis on peace and compassion Long monastic tradition The practice of meditation Parallels between the life of Jesus and Buddha Chapter 6, Section 6: Buddhism Through a Catholic Lens cont. Differences • • • Jesus claimed to be divine, Buddha did not Jesus’ message was about the Kingdom of God, Siddhartha’s was about the cessation of suffering, non-self The understanding of the meaning and purpose of suffering Chapter 5, Section 6 Review Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. Name two similarities and two differences between Jesus and Siddhartha. How is compassion manifested? Why would Buddhists say there is no such thing as pure pleasure? What is an opportunity for dialogue between Catholic and Buddhist monastics? Chapter 6: Buddhism Conclusion Buddhism is a very unique world religion Divine beings are not central, but they do not deny the existence of gods The human person is central, but they deny the existence of the soul Suffering is a part of life but it can be extinguished through the 8-Fold Path Meditation is the method thru which one gains wisdom & compassion as one realizes there is no permanence in life Paradoxically, realizing all is impermanent leads to the only permanent bliss – Nirvana Chapter 6: Buddhism Vocabulary Nirvana Ascetic Middle Way Sangha Relics Dharma Bodhisattva Lamas Tripitaka Mandala Mantra Anatma Samsara Arhat Puja Stupa Pagodas Chapter 6 Review Questions (Extra Credit) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Briefly summarize the life of Siddhartha Gautama. What is the Middle Way? Highlight the accomplishments of the First Council. Outline the expansion of Buddhism beyond India into the continent of Asia. How did the rise of communism in Asia affect Buddhism? What is the Tripitaka? What is the role it plays in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism? What is the Tibetan Book of the Dead and why is it popular? Compare the traditional role of monks to lay people in Buddhism. Briefly compare and contrast Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhism. What is the difference between Hindu and Buddhist understandings of samsara? Chapter 6 Review Questions cont. (Extra Credit) 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. What are the Three Jewels of Buddhism? When are they recited? What is the meaning of anatman to Buddhists? What is Nirvana? How is it attained? What are the three main categories of the Noble Eightfold Path? What is the festival celebrated most by Buddhists? How do Theravada and Mahayana Buddhists celebrate that festival, generally? Why do Buddhists not have standard life cycle rites for birth and marriage but they do for death? What is a stupa? How is it used? Name the Buddhist pilgrimage sights related to the birth, life, and death of Siddhartha Gautama. List three similarities and three differences between Jesus Christ and Siddhartha Gautama. How do Catholics and Buddhists each explain the cessation of suffering?