1 The Buddha and His Background Jeffrey L. Richey, Ph.D. REL 260 Buddhism Berea College Spring 2004

2 INDIA IN GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT

3 ANCIENT INDIA Ancient Indian society = fusion of: 1. aboriginal (Indus) peoples (c BCE) 2. “invading” (Aryan) peoples (c BCE) Indo-Aryan (“Vedic”) religion = synthesis of Indus and Aryan traditions: 1. Patriarchal (with matriarchal elements) 2. Polytheistic 3. Orthoprax 4. Organized around oral (later textual) transmission of liturgical traditions (Veda = “knowledge”)

4 VEDIC SOCIETY Divided into 4 hereditary occupational divisions (varņa = color) and innumerable subdivisions (jati = caste): 1. Brāhman (priest) 2. Kşatriya/Rājanya (warrior) 3. Vaiśya (merchant/artisan) 4. Śūdra (peasant) On margins of fourfold society are Dalits (so-called “untouchables”), who perform menial and polluting tasks: 1. Corpse handlers 2. Executioners 3. Hunters and fishermen 4. Leatherworkers

5 TRANSCENDING THE VEDAS Later Vedic texts (c BCE) show interest in inner truth underlying outer ritual Contemplation of Brahman (omnipresent, immaterial, ineffable source of all) supersedes sacrifices to deities Concept of samsara (circle of rebirth) replaces earlier idea of afterlife as reunion with ancestors Primary goals: eliminate avidya (ignorance) and gain jñana (knowledge)

6 JÑANAMARGA: THE WAY OF KNOWLEDGE Overcome maya (illusion, especially the illusion of separation between ātman, one’s essential self, and Brahman) Realize unity of Brahman and ātman: “That is the Real: That is the Self: That you are!” Avoid actions (karma) that promote selfishness Maximize selflessness Through knowledge of one’s true self and positive karma, attain mokşa (liberation from samsara and full union with Brahman)

7 GAUTAMA SIDDHARTHA ( BCE?) Born in 6 th or 5 th century BCE (“Axial Age”) in northeastern India to kşatriya family Renounces family and varna in young adulthood Develops “middle way” (moderated asceticism) and achieved nirvāna (complete awareness of true nature of reality) As Şakyamuni (“Sage of the Shakya Clan”) and Buddha (“Awakened One”), teaches disciples from both genders and all classes; dies at age 80

8 THE BUDDHA’S PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT Early life of luxury renders him incapable of critical perception of reality “Four Sights” lead to 4 life- changing realizations: 1. Seeing an elderly person (everything decays) 2. Seeing an invalid (everything suffers) 3. Seeing a corpse (everything perishes) 4. Seeing a renunciant (detachment is possible) Subsequently, he adopts practice of severe asceticism – but this too renders him incapable of thinking clearly about the nature of things After abandoning both seductive luxury and grinding poverty, he attains clarity of mind in solitary meditation Meditation culminates in 3 crucial insights: 1. Anitya (impermanence) 2. Duhkha (dissastisfaction) 3. Anātman (no permanent self)

9 THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUDDHIST INSTITUTIONS Early Indian Buddhism tremendously diverse in doctrines and practices Oral canon of authoritative teachings first compiled within a few years of Şakyamuni’s death, but not recorded in writing until 1 st century BCE – Tripitaka (“Three Baskets”): 1. Sūtra (discourses of the Buddha) 2. Vinaya (monastic regulations) 3. Abhidharma (philosophical and psychological commentaries) Şakyamuni regarded as fully human, non-divine, now absent being At same time, relics of Şakyamuni jealously guarded and piously regarded among early Buddhist communities Sangha (community of Buddha’s disciples) develops threefold division: 1. Bhikşu / bhikşuni (men and women in settled monastic communities) 2. Forest monks and nuns (peripatetic) 3. Householders (lay followers)

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