Review: Vedic /Upanishadic Traditions VEDIC TRADITION: Vedic Cosmology Vedic Gods Varna

UPANISHADIC TRADITION: Upanishadic Ideas Universalistic Ideas: Brahman/Atman Samsara kalpa Brhadaranyaka Upanishad: “As he has acted, as he has lived, so he becomes; He who has done good is born again as a good one; He who has done evil, is born again as an evil one”

Heterodox Religions: Jainism and Buddhism Against the Vedic ideas, especially supremacy of priesthood, varna system, materalism of Vedic ritual Non-Theistic Non-Violence and equality Upanishadic ideas: contemplation and questioning Path of renunciation (pre-Vedic ideas) Nastiks = deniers [of the Vedic tradition] Astiks = believers [of the Vedic tradition]

Buddhism Presuppositions: 1.SAMSARA: endless cycle of rebirth and deal 2.KARMA: “action” 3.KALPA: cyclical time of world cycles 4.MAYA: illusion 5.Soteriology: a release from the painful cycles by attaining enlightenment. Upanishadic Ideas: 1.Unity: universal and individual 2.Renunciate / ascetic tradition 3.Emphasis on SELF

The Buddha “Founder” historical figure born in 500 BCE as Prince Siddhartha of the Shakya clan in Lumbini, Nepal After enlightenment became known as the BUDDHA “one who has the knowledge” also known as SHAKYAMUNI, “sage of the Shakya” The Buddha teacher, NOT a god notion of past Buddhas before him (8 Buddhas) his life and events serve as paradigm for ALL Buddhists All Buddhist beliefs in existence before Shakyamuni

The Life of the Buddha Four Major Events as Paradigm 1.Birth 2.Enlightenment (bodhi) 3.First Teaching “Turning the Wheel of Dharma” 4.Death (nirvana)

Birth of the Buddha

Lumbini, Nepal Birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha

Fasting Buddha, 1st century CE

Enlightenment at Bodhgaya

Temple of Enlightenment, Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya

Enlightenment of the Buddha: Victory over Mara (death) attained Bodhi “knowledge Buddha: “one who has the knowledge “Earth-touching gesture” : -earth-goddess as witness

First Teaching at Sarnath, India: Turning the Wheel of Dharma

Teaching the Dharma: :Turning the Wheel of Law” Four Noble Truths: 1.Life is suffering 2.Desire is the cause of suffering 3.The solution is to stop having desire 4.The way to stop desire is to follow the Buddhist Dharma (path) (8-Fold Path) : faith / practice : selfless action : ethical behavior Three Jewels: 1.Buddha (Teacher) 2.Dharma (Teaching) 3.Sangha (Community)

Buddhist Teachings (Dharma) 1) Altruistic action: Having complete, unselfish compassion for others and acting on that compassion. Making continuous effort to seek advancement and to aid others 2) Yogic Meditation: Seeking through concentration and mindfulness the various types of knowledge that led to the Buddhist attainment 3) Detachment: Becoming a beggar or an ascetic in order to detach oneself from all desires.

The Death of the Buddha: Nirvana Ending the cycle of samsara

Relic Cult in Buddhism: Worship and Pilgrimage 1. Bodily Relics of the Buddha STUPA

Buddhist Community Buddhist Sangha: Monastics: Monks / Nuns Lay Commmunity: Male / female Buddhist Texts: Monastic behavior: vinaya Buddhist philosophical treatises and commentaries Buddhist Worship, Ritual, and Art Communicating the key points of religion through symbols Emphasizing faith in religion Art begins around the 3rd century BCE

Buddhist Cosmology: Mount Meru System Buddhist World System: 1.Sacred Mountain: imagined space 2.Fundamental in Buddhist philosophy and art 3.Understanding that is critical in Buddhist thought Web reference: (Circle of Bliss)

Mount Meru World System

Stupas as Mount Meru World System Nepal Tibet Japan

Yogin and Mt. Meru

Yogin and Heart-Mind

Buddhist Vehicles (Yana) Hinayana “Little Vehicle” Shrakayana: Vehicle of the Hearers Theravada: Path of the Elders Pratyeka-buddhayana: Vehicle of the Lone Buddhas Ideal: Arhats Mahayana “Great Vehicle” Ideal: Bodhisattva (lit. “Enlightenment Beings” or Beings destined for Enlightenment) Vajrayana “Adamantine/Diamond Vehicle” best suited for the Kali Yuga: efficious/dangerous Ideal: Mahasiddha (crazy yogin)