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INTRODUCTION
Began in 2400 years ago (counted after the birth of Buddha around 543 BCE or 480 BCE)
In northeast region of ancient india (Nepal)
Siddhartha, Gautama, from Sakya clan, became “the awaken one”
It traditionally has been divided into three branches_Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajarayana.
Who is Buddhist?
Coexisted and partnered with other religions
According to U.S. State Department, Buddhist population should be from 400 million to 1.5
billion.
CORE TEACHING
Around second or first century BCE, new sutras written in Sangkrit were
circulated in written form. they focus on the Prajna-Paramita (perfection of
wisdom). They believed to be better than the Pali canon, but just appeared
later because Buddha kept them with the serpent deities who would reveal
them on the right time only. Promise with good Karma for those who copy
and teach
Before late second or early third century, monks from this sect follow
similar vinaya, but after Nagarjuna found the new teaching called
Madhyamaka, new things also introduced.
He argued that Dhamma is a conventional truth not highest truth. He
believed that none had a fixed nature of its own: they were, in fact, all empty
(sunya) of any distinguishing features.
Lotus Sutra
Claimed that the Pali Canon constituted a lower level of truth, which
labeled as Hinayana (lesser vehicle) that can lead to the lower levels of
enlightenment. It is believed Buddha used pali canon to communicate with
those who were not yet ready for higher truths.
No difference between Samsara and Nirvana
Move beyond self and others and need to have compassion for all beings
Go beyond Arhat because Arhat is selfish. Becoming Boddhisattva is their
goal
Only fourth century CE Mahayanists began to establish separate
monasteries. One of their school is called Yogacara which teaching that
consciousness (vijnana) was the only reality (the world was mind only)
EMERGE OF THERAVADA BUDDHISM
For Mahayana, Buddha is explained as using Upaya. What is it? (Read White lies section.)
Buddha Realm (pure land) established by Amitabha Buddha
Devotion gone to the celestial buddhas and boddhisatva not human Buddha.
Buddha bodies
Theravada Mahayana
Dharma kaya
(dharma body)
Boddhisattvas
THE THUNDERBOLT OR DIAMOND VEHICLE (VAJRAYANA)
Third century, went to Srilanka (With Bodhi Tree branch) in Asokha’s reign
Welcomed by King Tissa as state religion
Maha Vihara was established in the city of Anuradapura
To Indonesia in second or first century BCE
China, Cambodia, Burma, and Cambodia in the first century CE
From China, went to Korea around fourth century
To Japan in sixth century
Seventh Century,Vajarayan was taken to Tibet, Mongolia, Southern Russia,
Western China, Napal, and Bhutan.
CHINESE INNOVATION
18th and 19th century, after the colonialism and protectionism in Asia, the western were
interested in Buddhism
Constructed an academic discipline
But could not see how different Buddhist sects connecting one to another to some
extent
In the late 1800s, the American Henry Steel Olcott, ex military man, went to Srilanka
and converted to Buddhism.
He found Buddhist schools and wrote a Buddhist Catechism (good questions and good
answer) to help Srilankans learn basic of components of their religion.
Many scholars followed him to promote Buddhist studies, but focus more on the
original Buddhism than others
Local Buddhist network also revived and promoted Buddhism, especially in Srilanka
and China
In 1893, local budhist network, with the help from World Parliament of Religions in
Chicago, presented Buddhism to the westerners and other Buddhists.
What is Engage Buddhism?