1. Buddhism

2. Siddhartha Gautama Born ca. 563 BCE Born ca. 563 BCE –Context: asceticism in India and Nepal Life story: Classic story of a quest Life story: Classic story of a quest –How is it unusual? –How does it typify universal human experience? –Four Sights: why are these shocking to Siddhartha? –Enlightenment –Teaching others (45 yrs) Presents “middle way” Presents “middle way” Ideal of enlightenment Ideal of enlightenment Not a god Not a god

3. Four Noble Truths 1. Life is suffering (dukkha) 2. Suffering is caused by desire 3. Ceasing desire will bring an end to suffering 4. Do this through the Eightfold Path

4. Eightfold Path 1. Right views 2. Right intent 3. Right speech 4. Right conduct 5. Right livelihood 6. Right effort 7. Right mindfulness 8. Right concentration

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

6. 5 Precepts of Right Action/Conduct Do not kill Do not kill Do not steal Do not steal Do not lie Do not lie Do not practice sexual immorality Do not practice sexual immorality Do not take intoxicants Do not take intoxicants

7. Triple Gem I take refuge in the Buddha I take refuge in the Buddha I take refuge in the Dharma I take refuge in the Dharma I take refuge in the Sangha I take refuge in the Sangha

8. Doctrines Samsara: cycle of rebirth Samsara: cycle of rebirth Impermanence Impermanence Interdependence Interdependence No self No self Nirvana Nirvana

9. Development of Buddhism No clear successor after the Buddha’s death No clear successor after the Buddha’s death Theravada: most traditional Theravada: most traditional Mahayana: most adapting Mahayana: most adapting Zen: branch of Mahayana Zen: branch of Mahayana

10. Theravadan Buddhism More conservative, strict More conservative, strict –Scriptures: Pali canon SE Asia (Thailand) SE Asia (Thailand) Focus on individual effort Focus on individual effort –Best way: become a monk Universe is not friendly (no gods to help) Universe is not friendly (no gods to help) Wisdom is highest virtue Wisdom is highest virtue –Ideal: arhat heading for nirvana Buddha is an exemplar, not a god Buddha is an exemplar, not a god

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

12. Zen Buddhism Most common form in West Most common form in West focus on emptying, even of most sacred teachings focus on emptying, even of most sacred teachings –critical of verbal reliance, conceptions –remarkably self-critical practices: practices: –zazen (sacred meditation), –koan (problem/riddle) [reason is limited, have to use other forms of knowing], –leading to satori/kensho

13. Zen Oxherding Pictures http://www.hsuyun.org/Dharma/zbohy /Poetry/hsuyun-ox-herding.html http://www.hsuyun.org/Dharma/zbohy /Poetry/hsuyun-ox-herding.html http://www.hsuyun.org/Dharma/zbohy /Poetry/hsuyun-ox-herding.html http://www.hsuyun.org/Dharma/zbohy /Poetry/hsuyun-ox-herding.html Or: http://www.sacred- texts.com/bud/mzb/oxherd.htm Or: http://www.sacred- texts.com/bud/mzb/oxherd.htmhttp://www.sacred- texts.com/bud/mzb/oxherd.htmhttp://www.sacred- texts.com/bud/mzb/oxherd.htm

14. Buddhist Mandalas Focus on center Focus on center Aid to meditation Aid to meditation Also found in Hinduism, Jainism Also found in Hinduism, Jainism Rich in symbolism Rich in symbolism