Download Assessment Task-Belief Systems Buddhism

5/22/2013 1:00:00 PM
Assessment Task-Belief Systems
BuddhismBuddhism is a religion that is indigenous to India. It encompasses a range of
traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings involving Siddhartha
Gautama (AKA) the Buddha meaning “the awakened one”. The Buddha lived
and taught in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent between the 6th and 4th
centuries BCE. This religion is closely and is mainly associated with Sri Lanka,
India and parts of Asia.
The two major parts of Buddhism are generally recognized as: Theravada (“The
School of the Elders”) and Mahayana (“The Great Vehicle”). Theravada has a
widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Mahayana is generally
followed and found throughout East Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam,
Singapore, Taiwan and many more. Both branches are now found throughout
the world, conservative estimates are between 350 and 750 million. Higher
estimates are between 1.2 and 1.7 billion. It is also recognized as one of the
fastest growing religions in the world.
Buddhist schools vary on the exact nature of the path to liberation, the
importance and canonicity of various teachings and scriptures, and especially
their respective practices. The foundations of Buddhist tradition and practice are
the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the
community). Taking “refuge in the triple gem” has traditionally been a
declaration and commitment to being on the Buddhist path, and in general
distinguishes a Buddhist from a non-Buddhist. Other practices may include
ethical precepts ; support of the monastic community; renouncing conventional
living and becoming a monastic; the development of mindfulness and practice
of meditation; cultivation of higher wisdom and discernment; study of
scriptures; devotional practices; ceremonies; and in the Mahayana tradition ,
invocation of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Assessment Task-Belief Systems
DaoismAlso known as Taoism, Daoism traces its roots to 6th century BCE Chinese
philosopher Laozi. Laozi wrote the iconic book Dao De Jing on the tenets of the
Dao. Laozi’s successor, Zhuangzi, further developed daoist principles. Writing
in the 4th century BCE, Zhuangzi recounted his famed “Butterfly Dream”
transformational experience, where he dreamt he was a butterfly but upon
awakening, posed the question “Was it the butterfly dreaming he was
Zhuangzi”.
Daoism as a religion didn’t really flourish until hundreds of years later around
100 CE, when Taoist hermit Zhang Daoling founded a sect of Daoism known as
the way of Celestial Matters. Through his teachings, Zhang and his successors
codified many aspects of Daoism. Unlike Buddhism Daoists do not believe that
life is suffering. Daoism believes that life is generally happy but should be lived
with balance and virtue. The two religions often butted heads when both wanted
to become the official religion of the Imperial Court. Daoism eventually become
the official religion of the Tang Dynasty (618-906 CE) but in later dynasties it
was supplanted by Buddhism. In the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368)
Daoists attempted to gain favor with the Yuan court but lost several debates
against Buddhists in 1281. As a result many Daoists texts were burned.
During the cultural revolution from 1966-1976, many Daoist Temples were
destroyed. Following economic reforms in the 1980’s many have been restored
and the number of Daoists have grown. There are currently 25,000 Daoists,
priests and nuns in China and over 1500 temples. Daoist beliefs have changed a
lot in the course of history. In the 2nd century the Shangqing school of Daoism
emerged that focused on meditation, breathing and recitation of verses.