Buddhism

Story of the Buddha

  What kind of story is this? – Is it about a hero, or an “everyman”? – Does it remind you of any other stories?

Discuss your favorite detail of the story – What do you think it means? Does it express an aspect of Buddhist belief?

Siddhartha Gautama

     Born ca. 563 BCE – Context: asceticism in India and Nepal Life story: Classic story of a quest – How is it unusual?

– How does it typify human experience?

– Four Sights  why are these shocking to Siddhartha?

– Enlightenment – Teaching others (45 yrs) Presents “middle way” Ideal of enlightenment Not a god

Narrative

  Used in religion: – To reveal – To teach memorably, personally – To alter relationships, cultivate empathy “Religion is my story being shaped by another story” (L. Cunningham, J. Kelsay) – Life itself has a narrative quality – Certain stories are paradigms, like the Exodus or story of Buddha – Applying the story to one’s life distinguishes mere history from an experience of the sacred

Myth

    Type of narrative Answers questions about how people relate to sacred reality and to their world – Origins – Identity – Purpose Universal in scope, often in setting Deals with universal truths – Its meaning is not primarily about history (particular time and place) or science (empirical) but what is true universally (at all times and places)

Four Noble Truths

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Life is suffering (

dukkha

) Suffering is caused by desire Ceasing desire will bring an end to suffering Do this through the Eightfold Path

Eightfold Path

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Right views Right intent Right speech Right conduct Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right concentration

Right concentration Right views Right intention Right speech Right mindfulness Right effort Right livelihood Right conduct

5 Precepts of Right Action/Conduct

     Do not kill Do not steal Do not lie Do not practice sexual immorality Do not take intoxicants

Triple Gem

   I take refuge in the Buddha I take refuge in the Dharma I take refuge in the Sangha

Doctrines

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Samsara

: cycle of rebirth (Smith: transmigration) – Governed by karma Impermanence Interdependence No self Nirvana

Development of Buddhism

    No clear successor after the Buddha’s death Theravada: most traditional Mahayana: most adapting Zen: branch of Mahayana

Theravada Buddhism: The Way of the Elders

      Older form; more conservative (conserving) – Scriptures: Pali canon SE Asia (Thailand) Focus on individual effort – Strong emphasis on monasticism, Sangha Universe is not friendly (no gods to help) – Meditation used, but not prayer Wisdom is highest virtue – Ideal: arhat (“worthy one” who has extinguished desire) Buddha is an exemplar, not a god

Mahayana Buddhism: The Big Raft

     More liberal (innovative) – Scripture: Pali canon PLUS Lotus Sutra – more open on inclusion of women “Big raft”: Focus on laity, all people – Priests serve laity, can marry More a sense of power in the universe – Offer reverence for gods Focus on compassion – Ideal: Bodhisattva who helps others Buddha a savior, god-like – offer prayer and worship

Zen Buddhism

    Most common form in West focus on emptying, even of most sacred teachings – critical of verbal reliance, conceptions – remarkably self-critical Focus on “experiential perspective radically different from the ordinary” (Smith, 132) practices: – zazen (seated meditation), – koan (problem/riddle) [reason is limited, have to use other forms of knowing; Smith, 134] – leading to satori/kensho

Zen Oxherding Pictures

  Illustrate stages of spiritual growth – Herdsman = worldly “self” – Ox = true nature http://www.sacred texts.com/bud/mzb/oxherd.htm

Buddhist Mandalas

    Focus on center Aid to meditation Also found in Hinduism, Jainism Rich in symbolism – Concentric circles and squares – Figures: Buddhas, spirits – Natural elements – Color