Buddhism Highest law in life “Do no harm to any living creature” Dr. Jessica Stowell, OU Confucius Institute, retired

2 Axial Age 500BCE the spiritual foundations of humanity were laid simultaneously and independently in China, India, Persia, Judea, and Greece.

3 Where and how did Buddhism begin? ww.pacificasiamuseum.org/buddh ism/base.htm 3

4 What do Buddhists believe? multiple schools of thought local culture drives practices Mahayana & Chan/Zen prevalent in East Asia Ideal is Bodhisattva

5 Bodhisattva g/buddhism/base.htm g/buddhism/base.htm

Basic Buddhist Values Compassion Compassion Suppression of ego Suppression of ego Living for others Living for others

3 poisons in Buddhism Delusion Delusion Craving Craving Hostility Hostility

5 precepts of Buddhism Do not kill Do not kill Do not steal Do not steal Do not lie Do not lie Do not be unchaste Do not be unchaste Do not take drugs or drink intoxicants Do not take drugs or drink intoxicants

Buddhism in China Arrived from India 1 st or 2 nd century CE Arrived from India 1 st or 2 nd century CE Clashed with Confucianism Clashed with Confucianism –Redemptive power of charity & good works

10 Journey to the West Xuan Zang brought sutras back to China Xuan Zang brought sutras back to China Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian 634 CE Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian 634 CE

11 Migration of Buddhism Buddhism travels Buddhism travels Buddhism travels Buddhism travels11

Buddhist Temple activity g g g g

Basic Tenets of Buddhism Four noble truths Four noble truths –Life is suffering—life brings frustration, dissatisfaction, sorrow –The cause of suffering is desire for private fulfillment --expectations –We overcome suffering by letting go of selfish desire –We let go of desire by following eightfold path

14 “All things are transitory; those who realize this are freed from suffering. This is the path that leads to pure wisdom” –The Dhammapada 14

15 The Eightfold Path realizing the 4 Noble Truths and making your way to Nirvana realizing the 4 Noble Truths and making your way to Nirvana 15

16 1. Right Understanding Seeing life as it is Seeing life as it is Knowing that happiness cannot come from anything outside Knowing that happiness cannot come from anything outside 16

17 2. Right Purpose willing, desiring and thinking that is in line with life as it is willing, desiring and thinking that is in line with life as it is –order your life around learning to live

Right speech, action & occupation Live in harmony with the unity of life Live in harmony with the unity of life speak & act kindly speak & act kindly live for the welfare of all live for the welfare of all do no harm do no harm treat all creatures as yourself treat all creatures as yourself 18

19 6. Right Effort constant endeavor to train oneself in thought word and action constant endeavor to train oneself in thought word and action –break free from those who follow the way of the world 19

20 7. Right attention keeping the mind where it should be keeping the mind where it should be “an unruly mind suffers and brings suffering; a well trained mind brings health and happiness” “an unruly mind suffers and brings suffering; a well trained mind brings health and happiness” –focus on the positive, kindness, peace of mind 20

21 8. Right meditation means of training the mind means of training the mind “as rain seeps through an ill thatched hut, selfish passion will seep through an untrained mind” “as rain seeps through an ill thatched hut, selfish passion will seep through an untrained mind” 21

22 How does Buddhism function in China now? 20-50% claim Buddhist practice 20-50% claim Buddhist practice often blended with Taoism & Confucian thought often blended with Taoism & Confucian thought 22

The little creek…not religion, not philosophy, but local traditions It nourishes the spirit in… It nourishes the spirit in… –The search for meaning in contemporary China

Common Spiritual heritage : Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism Centered on family Centered on family Pivots on recognition of vital energy—Qi- animating all reality Pivots on recognition of vital energy—Qi- animating all reality World is a sacred place of power & mystery World is a sacred place of power & mystery Humans must cooperate with the power & make it operative in society Humans must cooperate with the power & make it operative in society

Religious freedom or restriction 1982 Document 19 on religious policy 1982 Document 19 on religious policy –Declared 5 religions legitimate:  Buddhism  Taoism  Catholicism  Protestantism  Islam –Document is ambiguous & enforcement capricious

Buddhist temples Government funds used to restore temples destroyed during Cultural Revolution Government funds used to restore temples destroyed during Cultural Revolution New temples constructed with private funds by monks & nuns New temples constructed with private funds by monks & nuns –Gives donors merit through contributions –Important to participate in moral revival of China

27 COMPARISON TO OTHER MAJOR FAITH GROUPS Your turn Your turn 27