Buddhism Huston Smith II

1. The three dividing questions in buddhism mainly concern themselves with the importance of different elements of life. The first question asks if humans are interdependent on each other, living in a tight knit community, or if the independence of each man is more important. The second question asks if the universe is indifferent to humans or if it is connected to humanity. The third question asks whether compassion or wisdom is a more important trait. These divisions in the weighing of importance caused buddhism to split.

2. The primary difference between the two major buddhist schools stems from a disagreement about how to reach enlightenment. Mayahana states that Compassion and Wisdom are essentially the same thing and that by practicing them, one will reach enlightenment. Theravada claims that enlightenment may only be reached through life long study and acquisition of wisdom which is distinct from compassion. (compassion is not ignored in Theravada, one's wisdom should teach them compassion). Mayahana is called the Great Raft for its focus on helping others and its all encompassing nature, where Theravada (originally called Hinayana meaning little raft) is now called the way of the elders on account of the focus on wisdom.

3. Theravada:

- Emphasis on individual's journey to enlightenment

- Humans are solo in this universe and are not connected to it

- Wisdom is key

- Strict social structure of monks

- Goal is to be Arhat, in a state of perfect concentration

- Metaphysical interpretation of Buddha (Some sort of deity)

Mayahana:

- Everyone is interconnected and enlightenment must be reached collectively

- There is a force in the universe that guides humans

- Compassion is key

- No social structures

- Helping others reach nirvana once you've reached it is important

- Buddha was entirely human, with no divine characteristics

Buddhism Huston Smith I

1. Buddhist Texts are exceptionally difficult to comprehend due to their vague and morphing history. Similar to the Bible, the first buddhist texts weren't written until at least 150 years after the death of the Buddha. During this time, the morals and stories of the buddha were passed through oral traditions and could have quite possibly been changed or lost. These stories were influenced heavily by ancient traditions as well and by the time a solid text came to fruition, it had been the subject of several cultural biases. Also, the Buddha was not the most verbal of leaders, often refraining from long lecture style lessons and mostly just leading by example. The lack of writing and general language from the buddha also contributes to the difficulties in comprehending the texts.

2. Nirvana is the liberation of the soul from the limitations of the physical and impermanent world. This is the overall end-goal in buddhism. The farthest extent to which we can imagine nirvana is as a state of being that is permanent, stable, and peaceful, however this is still just a figment of the imagination. For one, we can not understand something we have never experienced, it's essentially like trying to explain what death is like. Secondly, Nirvana is a release from the impermanent world. Given that we operate solely in this impermanence, it is impossible to comprehend the permanence of nirvana.

3. Annata is the anti-soul concept in buddhism. Buddhists believe that everything has a certain essence which is the accumulation of causes and effects throughout the history of the universe that have lead to its existence in time and space. This intricately interconnected system of beings is certainly a metaphysical concept in buddhism for it carries with it a magic of unity in the universe, but it does not constitute an everliving and transcendent soul in the typical western style of thought.

4. Karma in buddhism refers to the aforementioned system of cause and effect. This causation theory states that every action has a cause, and an effect, all directing the path of destiny. This concept is confusing for although there is a CAUSE for every action, all action is random and determined by the actor. This causality in buddhism essentially states that everything one does is important because it will have an effect on the future, even thousands of years down the line, and everything one does is controlled by the individual, meaning one can control their impact on the future. This impact on future generations is the transmigrating essence of the person (not a soul, but a lasting impact on the world).

5. The belaboring of Annica served to devalorize the idea of a transmigrating soul. As mentioned before, buddhism has no such concept for it is seen as limiting and confined to interpretations in the impermanent world.

6. It is impossible to describe the afterlife in buddhism, just as it is impossible to describe nirvana. Once one exits this world of impermanence through nirvana and then eventually death, they are forever disconnected from the happenings of this world. Again, given that we operate and think in this world of impermanence, it is impossible for us to comprehend the states of permanence such as nirvana or the afterlife.

Buddhism Packet 7-11

7. Books such as the bible were produced to relay a mystical story to capture the imagination of a wide audience of believers. The texts of the Buddhist are revered simply as the teachings of the first buddha, and are written in a manner more conducive to appealing to the monks, and the people who are already proficient in spiritual matters.

8. Bodhisattvas are other worldly beings, like spirits. They are not necessarily divine, although showing faith in the bodhisattvas is representative of the faith one shows for the ways of Buddha. The Bodhisattvas also help other beings in their journey through life.

Symbols:

1. Black Manjusri: The spirit of wisdom. This spirit helps people recognize the truths and path that will help them escape the cycle of rebirths.

2. White Tara: The life sustainer. This is the highest respected buddha and is said to bring long life.

3. The Third Eye: Symbolic of the all seeing aspects of the Bodhisattva. Also representative of compassion.

9. Certain depictions of the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas are uniquely Chinese. The translation of texts into chinese resulted in these specific changes and manifestations of the beings and their characters. Japanese buddhism lays claim to several uniquely japanese sects of the religion, such as the Rinzai or Soto. There is also the interpretation of the Lotus flower, introduced in the japanese Tendai Buddhism.

10. Tantras are concerned with the subjects of meditation, ritual, symbolism and magic. Magic is an outlier in terms of its inclusion here, for it is not something taught in the traditional buddhist teachings. Tantric Buddhists believe that by following their tantras, they will attain enlightenment faster than by following the example of Bodhisattvas.

11.

Devotion:

The devotion to Buddha is not like the devotion showed to God in western religions. More so it is a reverence for his teachings and way of life, as well as a respect for him as a person. Many people thank buddha for bringing these teachings to the common man. The devotional practices may look much like worship of buddha, however this is not the case. Worship is directed more at the ideas he presented, of which he is a physical manifestation for people to focus on.

Impermanence:

Buddhism's primary philosophy is that fulfillment in this life is trivial. Everything we perceive is an illusion, including happiness. Thus, all is also impermanent. For if one is attached to something that does not truly exist, or is truly unimportant, they will surely be struck with suffering. Buddhism is focused on knowing the impermanence of all, and therefore avoiding attachment to impermanent things.

Walking Spirits:

Spirits in Buddhism are not divine and there is no one god. Rather, spirits live amongst us, in life. These spirits have made their way to enlightenment and are therefore worthy of respect, for they may teach us much.

Buddhism Concepts

1)

4 Noble Truths:

- All existence is unsatisfactory and filled with suffering (dukkha)

- Dukkha is derived from attachments to the world, searching for something permanent and stable in a transient world.

-If Dukkha ceases totally, one is in nirvana, which can be achieved only by one's own effort

-This can be achieved through the eightfold path

Samma(eightfold path):

- Right understanding

- Right thought

- Right speech

- Right action

- Right livelihood

- Right effort

- Right mindfulness

- Right Concentration

Conditioned Arising:

- A 12 link chain explaining how everything is connected and how attachment to error arises. Unravelling this chain reveals nirvana. According to this belief, everything in the world is interdependent nirvana is the only independent thing.

2)

Life of Buddha:

- Childhood: Born wealthy and protected from suffering.

- Great Renunciation: Life as a homeless and ascetic man.

-Enlightenment: Under the Bodhi tree, he attains enlightenment where Brahma tells him to share his teachings with the world.

The Image:

-8-spoke wheel symbolizes Buddha's teachings of the 8-fold path

-Treasury of Desire: Symbolizes all desires which must be lost to gain enlightenment

- Superman: The wisdom bump symbolizes one of Buddha's elevated qualities

3)

Buddha Image:

Standing Buddha - Signs of wealth (large earlobes, long robes, jewelry). His bodily positions still portray images of kindness and compassion.

Buddha is portrayed in several ways, usually depicting certain stages of his journey to enlightenment.

5 Symbols:

Superman:

-Certain marks denote the elevated qualities of Buddha, such as the dot on the forehead.

Meditation Throne:

-Persisting presence of Buddha. Its a common aspect of art and portrays a devotion to the way of Buddha.

Buddha Halo:

-Holiness of Buddha. A tribute to Buddha's pureness and success in enlightenment, not a devine symbol.

Hair:

-Ascetic life. This represents Buddha's early journeys on the path to enlightenment.

Posture:

-Represents different practices or rituals such as meditation.

Part V

Vaishnavism:

• This is the community of Hindus dedicated to the Vishnu form of God. They are the largest group as well. Devotees belong to one of four sampradayas (sects) of Vaishnavism, the primary two focusing their venerations on Krishna and Rama, the two main representations of Vishnu as God. Vaishnavas are personalists who tend towards the bhakti traditions over any other. This branch of Hinduism dates back at least 5,000 years (millions according to the Vaishna world view). After the 12th century AD, bhakti renaissance occurred, bringing back large amounts of devotional sentiment. Centers of worship were revived and the religion gained millions of followers.
• Main Writings:
• Mahabharata
• Ramayana
• Gita
• Vishnu Purana
• Vedanta Sutras

Shaktism:

• Shaktism focuses on the deity, Devi, most often in the form of Shiva's wife. This is a complementary focus to Shaivism and in fact derives much of its philosophy from it. This sect emphasizes the non-difference between matter and spirit. This branch of Hinduism is known for sacrifices to the Gods.
• Main Writings:
• Devi Purana
• The Tantras
• Mahabhagavata Purana

Part IV

Upanishads:

• The Upanishads are Hinduism's primary philosophical texts. the name means "sitting near" in sanksrit, alluding to the nature of the Upanishads being taught by a guru. The Upanishads are broken into 108 main verses concerning everything from atman, to reincarnation, all the way to moksha. They are considered to be the first formal spiritual direction in the Vedas. The sage Vyasa Badarayana attempted to systematize the teachings of the Upanishads by writing the Vedanta Sutras, a series of 550 aphorisms with different commentaries written on each. These texts, Upanishads and Vedanta Sutras, are considered the more difficult to understand, as people in Kali-Yuga are less philosophically inclined.

Bhagavad-gita:

• This is the most well known Hindu scripture in the world. It is the spiritual treatise spoken by Krishna to Arjuna in preparation for battle. It covers several Hindu concepts about the Supreme, the Gunas, and the Atman. There is discussion as to how the different types of Yoga can lead to liberation as well. Now it is usually printed with extensive commentary on all 700 verses.

Dharma Shastras:

• These are the guidelines pertaining to codes of conduct, civil and criminal law, and punishment and atonement. These laws are both religious and secular. The Manu Smriti is the most important of these law giving texts. It establishes the Hindu lifestyle and explicitly states the place of the four varnas and ashrams (as merit based positions, not birth influenced). The text also deals with laws of inheritance, adoption, and government.

Part III

Food and Prasada:

• Hinduism has been called the "kitchen religion" as a result of the importance placed on food's role in life and health (both physical and spiritual).
• Vaishnas:
• Classify all foods into the three Gunas (good: vegetarian food prepared properly and offered to the gods before consumption, pleasureable: sweets or food prepared in a lazy way, and bad: meat).
• Observe many prep work laws (i.e. food must be prepared no more than three hours before consumption).
• Shaivites observe fewer food laws, but are still largely vegetarian.
• Shaktas are inclined towards meat (although still do not eat beef out of respect for the cow)
• Milk products are essential
• Spices are for taste and digestive health
• Role in Worship:
• Prasad is considered to purify the mind, body and spirit.
• Temple cooks are Brahmans and follow strict standards of cleanliness
• This is because it is believed that the consciousness of the cook enters the eater via the food, so it is best to have a spiritually righteous person cook.
• Taking prasad is believed to incline the mind towards spirituality
• Prasad is important on festival days
• Prasad offered to Gods is passed to worshippers by priests at the shrine or as worshippers leave the Mandir.

Simple Living, High Thinking:

• According to the Gunas, human civilization can be divided into Cities (tamas), Towns (rajas), and Villages (sattva).
• Simple life styles are encouraged by the gita and it is believed that it is easier to achieve a sattvic status in a rural setting.
• Sustainability and peace is essential to sattvic living.
• Morning is most sattvic time. Most hindus wake up between 4 and 6, bathe in a natural water source, clean with natural things and perform some type of worship or meditation.
• Shops open late and a siesta is taken after lunch (this is the main meal because it is believed that digestion is best at high sun).
• Life is in touch with nature and the elements
• Water comes from natural sources, cooking is done on open fires, villages have earth floors and walls of earth and dung.
• Animals are integral to society. The are used for waste disposal, cart pulling, religious ceremonies, etc...