Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism Sects of The Buddhist Philosophy

Theravada Buddhism

Scripture Large collection of scripture The Pali Canon Large collection of scripture Pali language (dialect of Sanksrit) Records conversations of the Buddha Considered a spiritual masterpiece

Scripture The Tripitaka The Three Baskets Created after the Buddha’s death 500 elders agreed on a definite body of the Buddha’s teachings Palm leaf manuscripts kept in three woven baskets Sutta Pitaka Basket of discourse Literal words attributed to the Buddha Vinaya Pitaka Basket of discipline Contains regulations of monastic life Abhidhamma Pitaka Basket of special doctrine

Wood Printing Blocks for Tripitaka

Worship and Practice The Triple Gem The Buddha The Dharma The Sangha

The Triple Gem: The Buddha I go to the Buddha for refuge One takes refuge in the Buddha not by worshiping him, but by paying homage to him as a supreme teacher

The Triple Gem: The Dharma I go to the dharma for refuge Does not cure suffering (like medicine), unless we take it and embrace it

The Triple Gem: The Sangha I go to the sangha for refuge ½ million Theravidin monks in SE Asia Shaved heads, simple robes, ownership of basic items, celibate, alms bowl Spiritual guidance, blessings, advice Monasteries are the center of village life No nuns (became sexist as religion developed) Vipassana Meditation

Meditation

Devotional Practices Consecrating a new Buddha image Close eyes with beeswax Cover head with cloth Meditate Preach about the Buddha and dharma throughout the entire night train image initiate image Strong sangha unity

Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana in General Goal of all to be liberated; no monastic heirarchy Practice of monastics and laypeople equally Different divisions and practices within; differs from uniformity of Theravada Honors the teachings of the Pali Canon Honors the teachings of extensive Buddhist literature (Perfection of Wisdom scripture) Practices deeds and qualities of Buddhas and bodhisattvas Emphasizes the importance of religious experiences Dharma is not only embodied in scripture Each school offers a special set of methods or skillful means for enlightenment, but they maintain many common characteristics

Bodhisattvas “Being of wisdom” All beings are capable of enlightenment Postpone their own enlightenment for the sake of helping others find their own enlightenment Four Great Bodhisattva Vows Beings are infinite in numbers, I vow to save them all The obstructive passions are endless in number, I vow to end them all The teachings for saving others are countless, I vow to learn them all Buddhahood is supreme achievement, I vow to attain it

The Buddha In Theravada Buddhism, the Buddha is viewed as a historical figure In Mahayana Buddhism, the Buddha is regarded as a universal principle He is immanent in the universe Three bodies The Buddha has three forms When it occupied the earth in the form of Siddhartha Gautama, it took on the Body of Magical Transformation (nirmanakaya ). Body of Bliss (sambhogakaya ) occupies the heavens in the form of a ruling and governing god of the universe. Body of Essence (dharmakaya ), which is the principle underlying the whole of the universe. This Body of Essence, the principle and rule of the universe, became synonymous with Nirvana .

Sects of Mahayana Buddhism Rationalist Sect Reason and study of scripture in search of enlightenment Pure Land Sect Live virtuous life Recited Amitabha’s (a Buddha) name Achieve salvation and life after death in “pure land of Western Paradise.” Priests can marry Sunday service

Sects of Mahayana Buddhism Sociopolitical Sect Japanese All sects of Buddhism are a perversion to true teachings of the Buddha Sects are teaching falsehoods...therefore everyone is suffering

Sects of Mahayana Buddhism Intuitive Sects Zen and Ch’an Basic principles Enlightenment as an individual matter Meditation Realization of the Buddha nature within themselves Externals, texts, monastic disciple, temples are important, BUT only direct insight can lead to enlightenment Sudden flash of insight, not rational thought, scripture or faith Intuition or inspiration comes after a period of meditation

Sects of Mahayana Buddhism Bodhidharma Legendary life Mission from India to China Taught emperor that he found truth in meditation and sudden insight Retired to a cave, spent ten years meditating Kept falling asleep, fit of rage, cut of his eyelids Tea sprouts sprung up as they hit the ground Tea introduced to India from China monks could stay up this way)

Bodhidharma

Sects of Mahayana Buddhism Zen Masters Teachers of novices KOANS: riddles Reason is to be distrusted; people must deliberately confuse reason before they can find truth Carefully constructed an go beyond reason Sound of one hand clapping?

Vajrayana Buddhism Sect of Mahayana Most elaborate branch Developed in India, moved to Tibet. Historically practice in Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and Mongolia; Currently practiced throughout the Tibetan diaspora and in N. America and Europe

Vajrayana Buddhism Shamanistic religion in Tibet called Bon. 7th Century CE, powerful Tibetan king became interested in Buddhism. Sent a group of students to India to study Buddhism, all died on their journey through the heat. One member of a second group survived and returned with Sanskrit texts. After being translated in Tibetan, declared national religion and encouraged Buddhist virtues. After a combination of Bon features and Buddhist features were couple, Vajrayana (the “Diamond Vehicle”) or Tantrayana

Vajrayana Buddhism Advanced esoteric path: speeds up the path and allows enlightenment in one lifetime. Extreme, rigorous practices derived from tantric yoga of India Construct and indestructible “diamond body” that will allow them physically to sustain entries into the intense energies of higher levels of consciousness Lamas-guide disciples through a series of tantric practices (highest teachers) Some considered incarnate of bodhisattvas Trained from very young age; can help people advance toward Supreme Truth

Vajrayana Buddhism Deity yoga: meditating on one of the many deities who embody various qualities that the practitioner wishes to manifest Levitation, clairvoyance, meditating continuously without sleep, warming body from within while sitting naked in snow.

The Dalai Lama Dalai Lama: Tibetans suffered persecution from communist Chinese (1951) destroying monasteries and scriptures, killing 1/6 of people. Hundreds in exile include the Dalai Lama; spiritual and political leader. Speaking appearances have made revival in interest of Buddhism Dharamsala: headquarters in northern India Read passage on pg 157 of your textbook