Universalizing Religion (Buddhism)

Buddhism About 400 million adherents Hearth + diffusion? difficult to quantify due to syncretism (combo of diff beliefs) Co-adherents w/ other belief systems; No structured worship/community Hearth + diffusion? India  East + Southeast Asia Diffused hierarchically AND contagiously in India Asoka (B.C. 200s) 1st powerful monarch to embrace Hinduism – spreads it beyond India; was warlike + then coverts/sends missionaries/issues edicts Then, expansion -- contagious diffusion to E + SE Asia through monks, missionaries, and merchants along the “Silk Road” Why is Buddhism not widely practiced in India today? Syncretism; absorbed into Hinduism. Declines in India; influential elsewhere. Three branches Mahayana (56%) (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam) Not as strict Theravada/Hinayana (38%) (Southeast Asia) Strict’ Requires monastic service (being a monk) Tantrayana/Vajrayana (6%) (Tibet, Mongolia)

Buddhism Founding? Siddhartha Four Noble Truths The Buddha; aka Enlightened One Born a Hindu Prince in 563 BCE in Nepal Gave up his wealth + set out on journey of self-discovery 4 trips: “Why does suffering exist?” “How do we end suffering?” Meditated 49 days under bodhi tree, achieved “nirvana” ; becomes “teacher” + preaches 1st sermon @ Deer Park = holy city; says we can end suffering + end cycle/ achieve “nirvana” Four Noble Truths Suffering exists in this world. Suffering is caused by desire. To eliminate suffering, eliminate desire (suffering can be cured) To eliminate desire, follow the Eightfold Path (cure) Nirvana (Enlightenment/total peace) Similarities/Differences to Hinduism? Dharma, Karma, Reincarnation; “Being one with the universe.” Moksha = Nirvana Nonviolence; anti- caste system.

Buddhism Mahayana Theravada Tantayana Calendar View of Buddha Universalizing, so holidays will be based on what? Life of founder Siddhartha's birth @ Lumbini (Nepal) Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya (where he sat under the bodhi tree) 1st Sermon at Deer Park Death at Kushinagara Mahayana Buddha elevated to divine Not as strict in requiring monastic lifestyle Boddhisatvas Enlightenment guides Theravada Buddha = teacher, example Requires monastic sacrifice Tantayana More mystical Mixes in demons + other deities Practice “sky burial”

Origin + Diffusion of Buddhism Mahayana Theravada (Hinyana) spreads to Central Asia then… along silk road to China, Tibet then to Korea and Vietnam Japan = Zen samurai spreads to Sri Lanka, SE Asia

Why is Buddhism not practiced in India today? Syncretism absorbed into Hinduism

Buddhist Art and Architecure

Buddhist Places of Worship stupas mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics collected by Buddha’s followers in South Asia (typically remains of monks or nuns); used as a place of meditation.  pagodas Evolved from stupa concept (also a repository for relics). Mostly found in East Asia (China + Japan) Also part of Shinto landscape Asoka’s pillars Columns dispersed throughout India Know King Asoka, most important figure in the diffusion of Buddhism

Buddhist Symbols

Pagodas (E. Asia) mark locations of temples Stupas (India) house relics