1. Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism
Sects of The Buddhist Philosophy

2. Theravada Buddhism

3. 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

4. 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

5. Wood Printing Blocks for Tripitaka

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Meditation

11. 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

12. Mahayana Buddhism

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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 .

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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)

20. Bodhidharma

21. 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?

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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