📿World Religions Unit 4 – Buddhism – Branches, Spread, and Influence

Origins and Core Beliefs

• Buddhism originated in ancient India during the 5th century BCE, founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)
• The Four Noble Truths form the foundation of Buddhist teachings:
  • Dukkha: Life is characterized by suffering and dissatisfaction
  • Samudaya: Suffering arises from attachment and craving
  • Nirodha: Suffering can be overcome by letting go of attachments
  • Magga: The Eightfold Path leads to the cessation of suffering
• The Eightfold Path consists of right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration
• The concept of karma holds that actions have consequences in this life and future rebirths
• Buddhists believe in the cycle of rebirth (samsara) and that enlightenment (nirvana) is the ultimate goal, leading to the end of suffering and rebirth

Major Branches of Buddhism

• Theravada Buddhism, the "School of the Elders," emphasizes individual enlightenment and strict adherence to the Buddha's original teachings
  • Prevalent in Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar)
• Mahayana Buddhism, the "Great Vehicle," focuses on the bodhisattva ideal and the concept of emptiness (shunyata)
  • Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who postpone their own nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment
  • Mahayana includes various schools like Zen, Pure Land, and Tibetan Buddhism
• Vajrayana Buddhism, also known as Tantric Buddhism, incorporates esoteric practices and rituals
  • Emphasizes the use of mantras, mandalas, and visualization techniques to accelerate the path to enlightenment
  • Predominantly practiced in Tibet, Nepal, and Mongolia

Key Figures and Texts

• Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, whose teachings form the basis of Buddhism
• Bodhidharma, the monk credited with bringing Chan (Zen) Buddhism to China
• Nagarjuna, an influential Mahayana philosopher who developed the concept of emptiness
• The Pali Canon, the earliest collection of Buddhist scriptures in the Theravada tradition
  • Includes the Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules), Sutta Pitaka (discourses), and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical treatises)
• The Heart Sutra, a concise Mahayana text that encapsulates the concept of emptiness
• The Lotus Sutra, a Mahayana scripture that emphasizes the universality of the Buddha's teachings and the potential for all beings to attain Buddhahood

Spread Across Asia

• Buddhism spread from India to other parts of Asia through trade routes (Silk Road) and missionary activities
• King Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire played a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE
  • Sent missionaries to various regions, including Sri Lanka, where Theravada Buddhism took root
• Buddhism reached China by the 1st century CE and later spread to Korea and Japan
  • In China, Buddhism interacted with native Confucian and Taoist traditions, giving rise to unique schools like Chan (Zen)
• Tibetan Buddhism developed in the 8th century CE, incorporating elements of the indigenous Bon religion and Tantric practices
• Buddhism also spread to Southeast Asian countries (Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos) between the 5th and 13th centuries CE

Buddhist Practices and Rituals

• Meditation is a central practice in Buddhism, aiming to cultivate mindfulness, concentration, and insight
  • Vipassana (insight) meditation focuses on observing the nature of reality
  • Samatha (tranquility) meditation aims to calm the mind and develop concentration
• Chanting sutras and mantras is a common practice in many Buddhist traditions
• Making offerings to the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and monks is seen as a means to generate merit and cultivate generosity
• Observing precepts (ethical guidelines) is essential for lay Buddhists and monastics
  • The Five Precepts for lay Buddhists: abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants
  • Monastic communities follow additional precepts and rules outlined in the Vinaya
• Pilgrimage to sacred sites (Bodh Gaya, Lumbini) is an important practice for many Buddhists

Cultural and Artistic Influence

• Buddhist art and architecture flourished in regions where the religion spread
  • Stupas (reliquary mounds), temples, and monasteries were built to house sacred relics and serve as centers of learning and practice
• Buddhist iconography developed, depicting the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and various deities in sculpture, painting, and other media
  • The Buddha is often represented through symbols (footprints, empty throne, Bodhi tree) or in human form with distinctive features (elongated earlobes, ushnisha)
• Buddhist themes and stories influenced literature, poetry, and performing arts in many Asian cultures
  • The Jataka tales, stories of the Buddha's past lives, became popular subjects in art and literature
• The spread of Buddhism facilitated cultural exchange and the transmission of ideas across Asia
  • Buddhist monks and scholars played a key role in translating texts and sharing knowledge between civilizations

Buddhism in the Modern World

• Buddhism has spread beyond Asia, with a growing presence in Western countries since the 20th century
  • Interest in Buddhist meditation and mindfulness practices has increased in recent decades
• Engaged Buddhism emerged, emphasizing social and environmental activism as a means to alleviate suffering
  • Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk, is a prominent figure in the Engaged Buddhism movement
• Buddhist leaders (Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh) have promoted interfaith dialogue and addressed contemporary issues
• The modernization and secularization of Asian societies have posed challenges to traditional Buddhist institutions and practices
  • Some Buddhist organizations have adapted to changing social norms and incorporated modern technologies in their teachings and outreach

Comparison with Other Religions

• Buddhism is a non-theistic religion, focusing on individual spiritual development rather than worship of a supreme being
  • In contrast, religions like Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism center around belief in God or gods
• The concept of karma and rebirth is shared with Hinduism, but Buddhism rejects the idea of an eternal soul (atman)
• Buddhism emphasizes the importance of personal effort and responsibility in achieving enlightenment
  • Other religions may place greater emphasis on divine grace or intervention
• Like Jainism, Buddhism advocates non-violence (ahimsa) and compassion towards all living beings
• Buddhism's focus on mindfulness and meditation has parallels with contemplative practices in other traditions (Sufism, Christian mysticism)
• The Buddhist concept of emptiness and the impermanence of all phenomena contrasts with the belief in an eternal, unchanging reality in some religious and philosophical traditions