1. Buddhism

2. Buddhism in America New configurations New configurations –“In LA, Buddhists who would never have met one another in Asia find themselves neighbors, often with very different cultural experiences of Buddhism” (149). Need for lay education Need for lay education –Few second-generation Buddhist Americans become monks or nuns (159, 161) Adaptation Adaptation –“Buddhism’s three treasures will all be expressed in new ways as the various forms of Buddhism begin to grow. So far, the plant is still young” (164). –http://www.hsilai.org/VirtualTour/virtualmap.html http://www.hsilai.org/VirtualTour/virtualmap.html

4. 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

5. Siddhartha Gautama Born ca. 563 BC Born ca. 563 BC –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

6. 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

7. Eightfold Path: ethics and discipline (157) 1. Right views 2. Right intent 3. Right speech 4. Right conduct 5. Right livelihood 6. Right effort 7. Right mindfulness 8. Right concentration

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

9. Doctrines Samsara: cycle of rebirth Samsara: cycle of rebirth Impermanence Impermanence Interdependence Interdependence Enlightenment Enlightenment Nirvana Nirvana

10. 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

11. Theravada Buddhism Predominant in SE Asia (e.g., Thailand) Predominant in SE Asia (e.g., Thailand) More conservative, strict More conservative, strict –Buddha: an exemplar, not a god –Dharma: Scriptures are the Pali canon Sangha: monastery Sangha: monastery –Best way to reach enlightenment –Community supports monks Universe is not friendly (no gods to help) Universe is not friendly (no gods to help) –Most like teaching of the Buddha –Rely on self for enlightenment: “Impermanent are all created things; strive on with awareness.”

13. Mahayana Buddhism Dharma: More liberal (innovative) Dharma: More liberal (innovative) –Scriptures are Pali canon PLUS other sutras –more open on inclusion of women Buddha: a savior, god-like Buddha: a savior, god-like –offer prayer and worship Sangha: monks and laity Sangha: monks and laity –“Big raft”: Focus on laity, all people –Priests serve laity, can marry –Ideal: Bodhisattva who helps others Universe has helpful and harmful powers Universe has helpful and harmful powers –Offer reverence for gods –Pray for help

15. Zen Buddhism Branch of Mahayana Branch of Mahayana Most common form in West Most common form in West Less ritualistic, less emphasis on scriptures Less ritualistic, less emphasis on scriptures 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

16. American Buddhism “If we don’t build temples, our culture won’t survive in this country” (210) “If we don’t build temples, our culture won’t survive in this country” (210) –Temples as community centers (216) –Entering temple = a world set apart (214) –But, American landscape has also entered temple (216) Different Buddhist groups have different agendas and priorities (216) Different Buddhist groups have different agendas and priorities (216) –Preserve culture (immigrants) –Vehicle for social transformation (non-Asian Americans) –Synthesis of different Buddhist practices (217)

17. Socially Engaged Buddhism Prominent in Vietnam in 1960s Prominent in Vietnam in 1960s –Rooted in interdependence Similar to Americanization of Buddhism: how can Buddhism engage culture in new ways? Similar to Americanization of Buddhism: how can Buddhism engage culture in new ways? –Anti-war, promoting peace-making –Relief efforts for poverty, natural disasters –Rejection of materialism, consumerism in America (216) Happens at same time as waves of immigration to U.S. Happens at same time as waves of immigration to U.S. –Synergistic effect: how can Buddhism thrive by engaging American culture as lay people?