Introduction to Buddhism Ven. Geshe Thupten Dorjee University of Arkansas

Reading Assignment Maguire: Introduction Maguire: Notes on the Text 00 - INTRODUCTION 2Introduction to Buddhism

Geshe Thupten Dorjee 50 Years In Exile Born in Tibet during the Chinese Communist invasion in – escape to Bhutan Drepung Loseling Monastery in South India – Original monastery established in Lhasa, Tibet in 1416 – After the 1959 invasion, the monastery was forced to close and was almost completely destroyed Geshe Lharampa (equivalent to Ph.D. in philosophy) 2002 – Geshe Ngarampa (tantrayana) INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Geshe Lharampa Degree 25 Years of study: Major Buddhist and non-Buddhist Indian Philosophy texts, Tibetan culture, and history 1.Prajnaparamita: Perfection of Wisdom (Tibetan, Pharchin) 2.Madhyamika: Middle way Philosophy (Tibetan, Uma) 3.Pramana Vertika Karika: Valid Cognition (Tibetan, Namdrel) 4.Abhidharma: Buddhist Metaphysics (Tibetan, Zoe) 5.Vinaya: Buddhist Ethics (Tibetan, Dul-Wa) INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Geshe Ngarampa Degree Geshe Ngarampa = Doctor of Philosophy in Tantra Gyuto Tantric University, North India. Advanced studies: 4 Categories of Buddhist Tantra. Tantra literally means “continuum”; refers to the set of esoteric teachings and practice of Buddhism. Four Categories of Tantra 1.Action Tantra (Kriya Tantra) 2.Performance Tantra (Carya Tantra) 3.Yoga Tantra 4.Highest Yoga Tantra (Anuttarayoga Tantra) INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Typical Curriculum of Study Collected Topics on Valid Cognition: Logic, epistemology, and psychology. Debate manual: Commentary on Dignaga’s “Compendium on Valid Cognition” by Dharmakirti (7 th century). Emphasis on debate Buddhist philosophy is based on logic and reason 9 hours per day are devoted to discussion and intellectual understanding of Buddha’s teachings Requires memorization of all root texts (thousands of pages) INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Debating the Tenets INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Introduction to the Tenets Perfection of Wisdom – 7 years – 70 topics related to the spiritual path of Buddhist practitioners at all levels, – Based on Maitreya’s (fourth century) Ornament for Clear Realizations and various commentaries. Middle Way – 4 years – Madhyamika philosophy based Chandrakirti’s (7 th century) Entrance to the Middle Way. – 10 Bodhisattva perfections and grounds are covered, although the main topic is emptiness INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Introduction to the Tenets Abhidharma – 4 years – Topics such as cosmology, meditative states, and psychology – Based on Vasubandhu’s (4 th century) Treasury of Abhidharma. – Also study Non-Buddhist Systems for better understanding of Buddhist Philosophy “For Gelugpa, it is much more important to memorize and debate than it is to read broadly.” INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Introduction to the Tenets Tantrayana – Gyuto Tantric University – Requires successful completion of oral examination in front of the entire college of monks – Tests the candidate’s knowledge and memorization of the root Guyasamucha (King of Tantrayana) texts and related topics INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Textbooks Jack Maguire: Essential Buddhism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs and Practices Geshe Sonam Rinchen: Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Maguire’s Questions 1.How did Buddhism begin? 2.How did it turn into such a dynamic force in the world? 3.What do its adherents believe? 4.How do they express their faith? 5.Why are so many westerners drawn to it? 6.What is its relevance to our individual lives and to society as a whole? INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Three Basic Formats Maguire describes “three basic formats” of Buddhism: 1.Theravada 2.Mahayana 3.Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism) While Maguire uses “Vajrayana” to distinguish between “Tibetan Buddhism” and other forms, Vajrayana is better viewed as a particular practice within Mahayana Buddhism INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Buddhist Philosophical Schools Tibetan Mahayana Perspective Hinayana – Theravada Vaibhasika Sautantrika Mahayana – Sutra (sutrayana) Cittamatra Madhayamika – Svatantrika – Prasangika – Tantra (Tantrayana, Vajrayana) Kriya Tantra Carya Tantra Yoga Tantra Anuttarayoga Tantra INTRODUCTIONIntroduction to Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism Most common in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Burma (Myanmar) Emphasizes monasticism Arhat ideal (individual liberation) Major texts (written in Pali) – Tipitaka (3 Baskets) Vinaya Pitaka Sutta Pitaka Abhidhamma Pitaka INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism Developed in India around the 4 th century Expands Buddhism to laypersons More liberal monastic codes Bodhisattva ideal – liberation of all sentient beings Major texts – Perfection of Wisdom sutras – Diamond sutra – Lotus sutra – Tibetan commentaries INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Mahayana Schools Zen (Ch’an) Buddhism – Common in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam – Blends Mahayana Buddhism with Taoism – Aims at taking the rational and intellectual mind out of the mental loop – Zen is something you do – it cannot be described in words – Two major schools Rinzai Soto INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Mahayana Schools Tibetan Buddhism – Importance of the Lama or teacher – Importance of ritual and initiations – Preoccupation with relationship between life and death – Rich visual symbolism – Prominence of supernatural beings – Elements of earlier Tibetan religions INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Mahayana Schools Vajrayana Buddhism – Developed in India around the 5 th century CE – Came to Tibet in 7 th – 8 th centuries CE – Often viewed as the third major school of Buddhism, after Theravada and Mahayana – Esoteric, secret practices designed to achieve enlightenment quickly INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Mahayana Schools 4 Major Tibetan Schools 1.Nyingma 2.Sakya 3.Kagyu 4.Gelug INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Mahayana Schools Pure Land Buddhism (China, Japan) – Pure Land Buddhism offers path to enlightenment for people who can’t handle the subtleties of meditation and long rituals – Essential practice is the chanting of the name of Amitabha Buddha: Namu amida butsu – Teaches rebirth in the “pure land”, a sort of Buddhist “heaven” INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism Nichiren Buddhism (Japan) The Lotus Sutra is the only path to enlightenment. Other Buddhist practices no longer provide a path to enlightenment. Focus on this world, and the importance of the individual. Main practice is chanting: Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (I devote my life to the law itself.)

Atisha’s Questions 1.What is a practitioner of the Great Vehicle like? 2.Can the altruistic intention arise in an ordinary person? 3.Does one need to hold the individual liberation vows as a basis for the Bodhisattva Vow? 4.When someone holding the individual liberation vow takes the tantric vow, does the individual liberation vow become the tantric vow or does that person then old two vows? 5.Do skillful means and wisdom need to be combined or not in order to complete the two great stores of merit? 6.Which is the correct view, Cittamatra or Madhyamika? 7.How does one enter the door of Mahayana secret mantra? INTRODUCTION Introduction to Buddhism

Reading Assignment Maguire: Chapter 1 Atisha: Introduction Atisha: Prologue 00 - INTRODUCTION 23Introduction to Buddhism