Buddhism- Pilgrimage HSC SOR

Syllabus Significant People and Ideas  Contribution to Buddhism of one significant person or school of thought other than the Buddha  The effect of that person or School of thought on Buddhism Ethics  One of the following areas of ethical teachings in Buddhism -Bioethics -Environmental Ethics -Sexual Ethics Significant Practices in the life of adherents  One Significant practice within Buddhism other than daily prayer drawn from -Pilgrimage -Temple Puja -Wesak

Pilgrimage  Once in a life-time undertaking  Intention- devotion and faith  Saddha (Faith) – Professing of confidence in and the sense of assurance based on the understanding that one places on the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha  Shrines- Veneration/Reverence: Purify one’s thoughts  Aim- Share the Buddha’s journey to spiritual enlightenment

Pilgrimage  Purpose  -Gain Good Karma  -Visit significant sites  -Attain understanding  Three stages  -Preperation  -Actual Pilgrimage  -Transformation

1-Preperation  Increased practices of devotion  Puja- Devotion  Samadhi- Meditation  Distinct observation of 5 precepts  Adopting of 5 additional precepts (Monks/Nuns)

2- Pilgrimage  Visit Shrines/Stupas/Other destinations  Attend Temple Puja  Donations  Joining in with Monks

3- Transformation  Guiding others on return  Informing of experiences (Shared)  Discussing/reflecting on Sacred Sites  Veneration of Religious Objects

The Four Sites  Identified by the Buddha in the Mahaparinirvana Sutta  Disciples advised to visit these four places for inspiration  Each have their own significance

Lumbini  Birthplace of the Buddha  Nepal-India Border  Foothills of Himalayas (Modern Nepal)  One of the most Holy and Sacred Places of Pilgrimage  King Asoka constructed 4 stupas and a Stone Pillar  Minor Asokan Pillar- Dedicated to the birth of the Buddha. Historical Evidence  Buddhist Viharas (Monastries)- Archaeological remains from 3 rd Century BC to 15 th century AD

Lumbini

Bodhgaya (buddhagaya)  Site of Enlightenment  Eastern India  "Here on this seat my body may shrivel up, my skin, my bones, my flesh may dissolve, but my body will not move from this very seat until I have attained Enlightenment, so difficult to attain in the course of many kalpas." Voice of the Buddha  Mahabodi Temple- First built 3 rd Century BC by King Asoka  Rebuilt in 5 th /6 th century  50m High Temple, Sacred Bodhi Tree  Vajrasana (The Diamond Throne)- marks where Buddha sat and meditated

Bodhgaya- Mahabodi Temple

The Deer Park in Sarnath  Location of Enlightenment  SE India  First turning of the Wheel of Dharma- Cycle of Rebirth  8 Fold Path  First Sermon  Concepts of Four Noble Truths  Dhameka Stupa- Location of first Sermon, Constructed by ????

Dhameka Stupa

Kushinagar (Kusinara)  Location of death- Passing into mahaparinibbana (reaching of Nirvana)  East India  Long Discourses Identifies this is location of passing  Mahaparinirvana Temple

Mahaparinirvana Temple

Four Additional Sites of Pilgrimage  Identified to commemorate 4 Principal Miracles of the Buddha  Savatthi (Ancient India, Modern N India)- Buddha performed the Twin Miracle- Produced flames from upper part of body, stream of water from lower part. Buddha then ascended to Tavatimsa Heaven to teach the Dhamma  Sankasia (Ancient India, Modern N India)- Buddha descended from Tavatimsa Heaven

Four Additional Sites of Pilgrimage  Rajagha- Buddha tamed the drunken elephant.  Vesali- Band of monkeys dug a pond, offering the Buddha Honey.

Key Beliefs and Pilgrimages  Undertaken to progress towards enlightenment  Veneration of the Statue of Lord Buddha  Offerings- donations and prayers  Removal of shoes- sign of reverance  Acknowledgement of faults- vows of devotion/practice  Recognition of the Dharma

Key Beliefs and Pilgrimages  Significance of Sangha  Monasteries/Stupas allow for pilgrims to join monks in chants, prayers  Dana- Concept of giving (donations, food, assistance)  Practice of the 8 Fold Path  Sila- Morality (Speech, Action, Livelihood)  Samadhi- Concentration (Effort, Mindfullness, Concentration)  Prajna- Wisdom (Understanding, thought)

Significance to Individual  Commitment to Buddhism  Development towards enlightenment  Deeper Reflection  Removal of temptations of ordinary life  Reduce Dukkha (suffering)  Discipline  Understanding of the Buddha  Good Karma/Reduce Bad Karma of previous life  Strengthens Sangha  Diversification of understanding/beliefs

Significance to Sangha  Identity to the community  Development of spiritual life  Connection to beliefs, bonds of community  Individual may undertake pilgrimage on behalf of community  Shared understanding  New customs and teachings