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Complete notes for the religious depth-study, Buddhism...

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Buddhism Principal Beliefs and Ideas 1) 2) 3) 4)

Three Jewels Eightfold Path Four Noble Truths Karma, Samsara, Nirvana

The 3 Jewels: 1) The Buddha, the enlightened one 2) The Sangha, the monastic order of Buddhism 3) The Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha

 4 Noble Truths o o o o

Suffering exists (Dukkha) There is a cause of suffering (Samudāya) The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha) The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering, the eight-fold path (Magga)

 Eight-fold Path o Right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right "Samadhi" (meditative absorption or union)

 5 Precepts o o o o o

Abstain from harming sentient beings (Ahimsa  non-violence) Avoiding theft and cheating Avoiding sexual misconduct Avoiding lying and other forms of false speech Maintaining sobriety

 Karma (moral causation), Samsara (life is a repetitive cycle of birth, aging, death, rebirth), Nirvana (eternal state of being  when samsara ceases to be)

Significant Practice in the life of Adherents --Wesak Describe the significant practice of Wesak  

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Wesak Puja is the annual ritual celebrating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death or parinirvana. Wesak is considered the holiest day of the calendar for Theravada Buddhist, as they believe in one Buddha. However, it is not as sacred for the Mahayana adherents, as Buddha Gautama was not their only Buddha. Each country/region has its own traditions of Wesak

Ritual

What happens

Importance of what happens

Dawn Ceremony

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Morning of Wesak. Adherents gather at their local temple to witness the raising of the Buddhist flag Sing hymns in honour of the 3 Jewels

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Following the Dawn Ceremony. Monks pour water over statue of Buddha.

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Bathing of the Buddha

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Practising the Precepts

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This is the belief upon which the entire purpose, function and enactment of Wesak is based. During this time, devout Buddhists abstain from eating meat and

Adherents celebrate the Buddha’s life and spiritual achievements (attaining and reaching enlightenment) They bring their offering and the Buddha’s shrine  through that, they attain a communal sense of belonging, identity and a meaning and purpose through unifying with the Buddhist community The pouring of water is symbolic of the belief in spiritual cleansing, and ridding an adherent of bad karma, as well as selfish or hateful thoughts, which could lead to accumulating bad karma. This provides them with a chance to achieve new spiritual truth or enlightenment. These moral precepts aim to rid the adherent of any Nirodha (cause) of Dukkha. It is the things such as the Three Poisons (greed, hatred, desire) which inhibit Buddhist’s ability to break the cycle of

Variations across variants

Quotes

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“Should a person perform a meritorio deed, he should do again and again…bli is the accumulation merit” (Dhamma-p 118)

drinking alcohol in an effort to observe and recommit to the First and Fifth Precepts.

Samsara. Hence, it is leading adherents to the Third Noble Truth.

Demonstrate how Wesak expresses the belief of Buddhism All rituals and offerings of Wesak are symbolic and show respect and gratitude to the Buddha, and his Dharma 3 Jewels:  Adherents light candles and lanterns and they are presented to the Buddha to symbolise his enlightenment 3 Jewels  Devoting Buddhists may make an effort to follow all 10 precepts to demonstrate support and respect for the 3 Jewels, in particular the Sangha  During Wesak many abstain from eating meat and drinking alcohol in an effect to recommit to the 1st and 5th precept. In Sri-Lanka, all slaughter houses and liquor shops are closed by government decree of Wesak. Buddhists in Sri-Lanka often wear simple white clothing to publicity display their commitment to the Dharma and Anatta (no-self)  In Cambodia, Laos and Thailand a candle lit procession, led by Buddhist monks, Circumambulate temples (Viharas) three times each time thinking about all of the three Jewels.

Karma, Samsara, Nirvana:  

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Adherents present offerings to the Buddha to help accumulate merit and generate good karma Adherents pour buckets of water over the shoulders of a statue of the Buddha as a reminder that they need to purify their minds from the poisons (greed, hatred and ignorance). In Burma, good karma is generated by capturing fish in dwindling ponds and releasing them into open lakes and rivers. Flowers are also presented to the Buddha to symbolise impermanence (anicca)marks of existence In Burma, Bodhi tree are sprinkled with scented water and garlanded with flowers, to show reverence for the tree that the Buddha reached his enlightenment under Nirvana

Analyse the significance of this practice for both the individual and the Christian community Individuals

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Through the celebration of Wesak and participating in its rituals, adherents are confronted with the fundamental questions of the meaning of life, the inevitability of Dukkha (suffering) and the way to meet it (Nirodha) and be released from it, by reaching Nirvana and escaping the endless cycle of Samsara. It is a chance for individuals to put aside time to think more deeply about core beliefs, fundamental themes of life and the Buddha and his Dharma Adherents also think about what Enlightenment means to them and how they might move further on their path to achieving it. This usually involves a focus on observing the Precepts and other facets of Buddha’s Dharma and accumulating merit and good karma. An understanding of the Four Noble Truths, derived from Wesak, provides adherents with a proper sense of direction and purpose in life.

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Of all Buddhist ceremonies, Wesak is the only one which is commonly celebrated by Buddhists of all schools and has provided the bond for their unity and solidarity. Both the Sangha and laity participate, indicating the great importance of the Buddha as a behavioural exemplar for all adherents Wesak is one of the most commonly formed rituals of public devotion in Buddhist countries. The rituals serve as an agent in uniting Buddhist mentally and in some cases physically (i.e. circumambulating the temple), in working together towards a common goal of basing their life and behaviour on the practices and Dharma of the Buddha. Rituals performed together, such as group chanting of the sutras and Buddha’s Dharma. During the festival, a particular focus is made on marginalised groups within the community, particularly the disadvantaged; such as poor, elderly, disabled and sick. Adherents are encouraged to focus their efforts on bringing about happiness for those less fortunate people in their community and removing some of their sources of Dukkha (suffering), rather than themselves. o Important element of dana (Generosity) and being charitable throughout the festival. A western example of dana is the organisation of group blood donations at hospitals.

Ethical teaching --Environmental Ethics Ethical teachings: Generosity and non-attachment; loving kindness and compassion; and wisdom in the sense of clearing reality  3 Jewels  4 Noble truths  5 Precepts  Karma, Samsara, Nirvana

Environment – ‘surroundings’

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Where life exists maintaining and preserving. o It is a “universal responsibility” (14th Dalai Lama) to have clear awareness Ethical approach: right understanding of its nature, cease of three poisons that cause harm/destruction of one’s life An adherent’s “Right view” is their ‘oneness’ with the environment o Understanding the dynamic relationship that humanity influences or affects the environment, and vice versa  adherents need to be aware of and understand they need ‘inner balance’ in order to detach the three poisons (greed, ignorance, hatred) from their life, thus adherents are knowing and participating in the journey towards attaining Enlightenment. Intention is an integral factor of ethics as it generates Karma. o Wholesome/skilful actions  generates good Karma.  Dana (generosity)  Metta (loving kindness/compassion) o Unwholesome/unskilful actions  generates bad Karma.  Three poisons  Selfish o For essay only- make sure to add clarity on:  If intentions are good, good karma  If unintentionally do bad, no bad karma, no good karma either Buddhists know the truth through counteracting the three poisons Samadhi (meditation/consciousness) cultivates Prajna (wisdom) which results in Sila ethical conduct).

14th Dalai Lama  

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“According to Buddhist teaching, there is a very close interdependence between the natural environment and the sentient beings living in it.” (14th Dalai Lama) The environment is integral not only for this generation but also for future generations. Therefore, if humanity exploits the environment in extreme ways, even though benefits may arise from it now, in the long term we will suffer and future generations will suffer. In order to succeed in the protection and conservation of the natural environment, it is imperative adherents attain “internal balance within human beings themselves” (14th Dalai Lama). The abuse of the environment, which has resulted in such harm to the human community, arose out of ignorance of the importance of the environment. o As such, adherents must have “compassionate thought” (14th Dalai Lama), as their central motivation to achieve having a ‘warm heart’, thus allowing a sense of mental peace for the adherent. Ultimately, a sense of “universal responsibility is the real source of strength, real source of happiness.” (14th Dalai Lama). If contemporary generations exploit resources available (i.e. trees, oceans, minerals) to them without regard for coming generations, it inhibits future adherents from acting out their belief of the first precept due to nothing being left.

o Therefore, for the preservation of the environment, the key point is to have a genuine sense of universal responsibility, based on love and compassion, and clear awareness.

-ISSUES Deforestation 

Deforestation is the cause of large scale human modifications to the natural ecosystem. These modifications significantly interrupt the functioning of the ecosystem. Thus causing native flora and fauna to be severely affected o The most dramatic impact is a loss of habitat for millions of species

Role of Ethics on Adherents: 

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Adherents are guided by the Dharma to abstain from altering the environmental through the first precept “abstain from harming sentient beings”, thus they are guided stand against deforestation In order to achieve enlightenment, adherents are interrupted by “right intention” to associate the morality of the issue, thus breaking the cycle of Samsara

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Buddhist monks in Thailand ordained trees and covered them with robes to prevent them from being logged. Ajahn Pongrak, a former Buddhist monk, organised villagers near Chang Mai to help reforestation after it was destroyed by a tobacco company.

Global Warming 

Global warming is the result of human activity altering atmosphere processes  increased air and water temperatures, thus affecting the functioning of the natural ecosystem.

Role of Ethics on Adherents: 

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Adherents are guided by the first precept and the Eight-fold paths ideology of “right views” and “right mindfulness” and action in order to eliminate the issue of global warming, thus allowing them to achieve enlightenment Additionally, the law of causation governs the intentions of adherents and guides them to contribute positively to the ethical issue of global warming in order to register good karma, and ultimately break the cycle of Samara

Pollution 

Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials to the environment “pollutants” which damage the quality of air, water, and soil. The result of pollution is the interactions of human activity affecting the biophysical, such as cars (carbon pollution), coal burning, waste etc. pollution is a global phenomenon expanding from populated urban areas to the sublimity of the arctic ice sheets.

Role of Ethics on Adherents  

Adherents are guided to tackle the use of pollution by “right mindfulness”, “right action”, and “right intention”. Right mindfulness should be considered when disposing of personal and industrial waste, such as packaging, recycling and energy use.

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Adherents are called to ethically and morally discern from taking what is freely given, false speech, and harming sentimental beings in the process of polluting harmful elements to the environment. “First and foremost, I will not harm in thought, word, or deed.” (SSS v41)

Examples of further Buddhist contribution to the environment  

Thai Tibetan Buddhists have distributed books throughout villages which include stories and teaching related to the environment The Vietnamese monk, Thich Mat Hanh has devoted his energy to teaching “Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to human and nature”

Variations in Schools of Buddhism & Environmental ethics 

Al l t hr eeschool sofBuddhi sm;Ther avada,MahayanaandVaj r ayana,hav e concer nf ort heenv i r onment .Al l s chool shav eadi st i nc t i v ef ocusont he1st pr ecept( Ahi msa)  abs t ai nf r om c aus i nghar mt os ent i entbei ngs .

Theravada 

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Asks its adherents to “abstain from all kinds of evil, to accumulate good and to purify the mind”, which can be accomplished through correct ethical conduct (Sila), meditation (Samadhi) and wisdom (Prajna). Specifically focus’ on craving and desire as the cause of environmental degradation, in recognition of the negative role of these things in our life change in our relationship with nature.

Mahayana 

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The compassionate Bodhisattva is revered as the ideal embodiment of spiritual fulfilment. Therefore, the Bodhisattva’s focus is therefore deep compassion for sentient beings All sentient beings, have the ability to achieve the highest level of spiritual realisation. Therefore, by killing such a being you are preventing it from achieving enlightenment in its present life effecting its karma and Samsara Buddhahood is an enduring principle throughout the universe. Mahayana Buddhists could focus their energy on learning a Buddhist who has had a special relationship with the environment

Vajrayana 

His holiness the 14th Dali Lama placed special emphasis on environmental ethics, he stressed that greed is the cause of environmental degradation, and that humanity can no longer claim ignorance to their adverse impact on the world

Significant Person --King Asoka

Explain their contributions to the development and expression of Buddhism King Asoka had 5 key contributions to the development of Buddhism, these include:

Pilgrimage sites

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Theest abl i s hmentofPi l gr i mages i t es gi v eBuddhi s tadher ent st heoppor t uni t y t or eflectont heBuddhaandhi sDhar ma Becausehesawt hewor t hofhumani t yandwant edt odi mi ni s ht hesuffer i ngt hat peopl ehadast hei rr eal i t yf orhumani t y ,s pr eadt hei deal sofBuddhi s m t hat washi smot i v e Awaypeopl ecoul dcomet oseet het r ut handhav er i ghtvi ewandi nt ur nt hey canmak et hei rowncont r i but i onsi nt os oci et y .

Propagated Buddha’s Teachings - Thepr opagat i onofBuddha’ sDhar ma donet hr oughr ockedi ct sandpi l l ar s , s pr eadi ngt het eac hi ngsoft heBuddhat hr oughouthi sempi r e o Want edt opr omot et hebel i eft hatBuddhi s m wasat r ut hf ul wayofspi r i t ual dev el opmentf oral l peopl e. o Hewant edt opr omot et het eac hi ngs.

Government Reform  Establishment a ‘new’ code of law - Theest abl i s hmentofgov er nmentpol i c y bas edonBuddhi sti deal s ,pr ov i ngt he powerofBuddhi s m asapol i t i cal s y s t em  Reflected the banning of animal sacrifice, encouraging vegetarianism, promoting equality for all etc.  Did this to safeguard the morality of his empire, based the on Dhammapada o In doing so, he aimed to generate good karma as he promoted the path to enlightenment. He ultimately wanted to see  He wanted to promote the journey of enlightenment, he wanted people to see that this was the purpose and this gives meaning to life.

Third Buddhist Council emovi ngmonkswhohel d s tcounc i l pur gedt heSangha r - The3rdBuddhi her et i cal v i ewsorwer et eachi ngher esi es  Convened in 326BCE  In doing so he ensured that a consistent Buddhist Dharma and a uniform code of conduct for the Sangha was being held throughout the Buddhist world  To ensure heresy wasn’t being taught, a fifth book of the Abhidhamma Pitaka, called the Kathavatthu was developed  sole purpose of the book was to refute heretical teachings o Wanted to consolidate the ‘true teaching’ because there were many heresies going on. So that adherents could take refuge in the Sangha (3 Jewels)

Buddhist Missionary Activities - Asokacommi ss i onedt hes endi ngofmi ss i onar ymonk st oni nedi ffer entr egi ons ar oundI ndi a,t husspr eadi ngBuddhi s mt hr oughoutt hes ubcont i nent  Most successful in Sri Lanka

Analyse the Impact of this significant person on Buddhism -

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Eventually put into dot-point format  Add more quotation for 20/20 King Asoka had a significant impact on Buddhism. His main impacts were: 1)Theest abl i shmentofPi l gr i magesi t esatLumbi ni( bi r t h) ,Bodhgay a ( enl i ght enment )andSar nat h( 1stt eachi ngsoft heDhar ma) .Thes esi t esf or m t hecent r al pi l gr i magef orBuddhi s tadher ent s ,asov er400, 000Buddhi st sv i s i t t hesel andmar k sannual l y .Thesehav eas ubst ant i ali mpactonBuddhi sm as t heypr ov i deBuddhi s tadher ent st heoppor t uni t yt or efl ec tont heBuddhaand hi sDhar mav i at hei rvi si t at i onofwher ehewasbor n,enl i ght enedandt aught hi sfir s tDhar ma. 2)Sec ondl y ,hehadani mpactt hr ought hepr opagat i onofBuddha’ sDhar ma. Thr oughr ockedi ct sandpi l l ar s ,k i ngAs okabr oughtt heBuddhi stDhar mat o t hepeopl eofI ndi a.Thr ought heeffor t sofKi ngAsok a,t heBuddha’ st eachi ngs wer espr eadt hr oughouthi sempi r e( whi chcov er edmos tofI ndi a) .Maj orand mi norr oc kedi ct sr ockedi ct saswel l aspi l l aredi ct swer es t r at egi cal l ysetup t hr oughoutt heempi r et ospr eadBuddha’ st eac hi ngs .Edi ct spr omot edAhi ms a ( nonv i ol enc e) ,Met a( ki ndnes s) ,Si l a( et hi cal conduct )andDana( Gener os i t y ) . Forex ampl e,r ockedi ct6r epr es ent sMet a“ Tr ul y ,Icons i dert hewel f ar eofal l t obemydut y ” .Hi ghl i ght i nghi si mpactonBuddhi s mt hr oughpr omot i ngl ov i ng ki ndnes st oal l . 3)Thi r dl y ,As okahadamaj ori mpactonBuddhi sm t hr oughhi se st abl i shmentof gover nmentpol i cybasedonBuddhi s ti deal s ,Asok apr ov edt hepowerof Buddhi sm asapol i t i cal s y s t em.Hi sempi r ewasf oundedont heBuddhi st et hi cal t eachi ngssuc hasAhi ms a,t hi swasr efl ect edi nhi sbanni ngofal l ani mal s ac r i fice,encour agi ngofv eget ar i ani sm,bui l di ngofhos pi t al sf or humansandani mal s,bui l di nguni v er s i t i es ,pr omot i ngequal i t yf oral l peopl e r egar dl essoft hei rcas t e,andenc our agi ngr el i gi oust ol er ance.Hewasan ex c el l entadmi ni st r at or ,ev i dentt hr ought hebui l di ngofr o...