3 Traditions of Buddhism

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

3 Traditions of Buddhism 3 Traditions of Buddhism Find something... Search 3 Traditions of Buddhism Theravāda (“Teaching of the Elders”), also called “Southern Buddhism,” mainly dominant in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. This tradition generally focuses on the study of its main textual collection, the Pali Canon as well other forms of Pali literature. The Pali language is thus its lingua franca and sacred language. This tradition is sometimes denominated as a part of Nikaya Buddhism, referring to the conservative Buddhist traditions in India who did not accept the Mahāyāna sutras into their Tripitaka collection of scriptures. It is also sometimes seen as the only surviving school out of the Early Buddhist schools, being derived from the Sthavira Nikāya via the Sri Lankan Mahavihara tradition. East Asian Mahāyāna (“Great Vehicle”), East Asian Buddhism or “Eastern Buddhism,” prominent in East Asia and derived from the Chinese Buddhist traditions which began to develop during the Han Dynasty. This tradition focuses on the teachings found in Mahāyāna sutras (which are not considered canonical or authoritative in Theravāda), preserved in the Chinese Buddhist Canon, in the classical Chinese language. There are many schools and traditions, with different texts and focuses, such as Chan (Japan: Zen) and Pure Land. | 1 3 Traditions of Buddhism Vajrayāna (“Vajra Vehicle”), also known as Mantrayāna, Tantric Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism. This category is mostly represented in “Northern Buddhism,” also called “Indo-Tibetan Buddhism” (or just “Tibetan Buddhism“), but also overlaps with certain forms of East Asian Buddhism (i.e. Shingon). It is prominent in Tibet, Bhutan, and the Himalayan region as well as in Mongolia and the Russian republic of Kalmykia. It is sometimes considered to be a part of the broader category of Mahāyāna Buddhism instead of a separate tradition. The main texts of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism are contained in the Kanjur and the Tenjur. Besides the study of major Mahāyāna texts, this branch emphasizes the study of Buddhist tantric materials, mainly those related to the Buddhist tantras. Tags: Buddhism India Mahāyāna sutra traditions Tripitaka | 2.
Recommended publications
  • Some Observations on the Present and Future of Buddhist Studies* by D
    THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BUDDHIST STUDIES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 93-^.M Roger Jackson Dept. of Religion Carleton College Northfield, MN 55057 V''-, W=:- ..- '• / USA cT£ . O"". °^ EDITORS Peter N. Gregory Ernst Steinkellner University of Illinois University of Vienna Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA Wien, Austria Alexander W. Macdonald Jikido Takasaki University de Paris X University of Tokyo Nanterre, France Tokyo, Japan Steven Collins Robert Thurman Concordia University Columbia University Montreal, Canada New York, New York, USA Volume 15 1992 Number 1 CONTENTS L ARTICLES 1. The Violence of Non-Violence: A Study of Some Jain Responses to Non-Jain Religious Practices, by Phyllis Granoff 1 2. Is the Dharma-kaya the Real "Phantom Body" of the Buddha?, by Paul Harrison 44 3. Lost in China, Found in Tibet: How Wonch'uk Became the Author of the Great Chinese Commentary, by John Powers 95 U. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Some Observations on the Present and Future of Buddhist Studies, by D. Seyfort Ruegg 104 HL AN EXCHANGE The Theatre of Objectivity: Comments on Jose Cabezon's Interpretations of mKhas grub rje's and C.W. Huntington, Jr.'s Interpretations of the TibetaV Translation of a Seventh Century Indian Buddhist Text, by C W. Huntington, Jr. 118 On Retreating to Method and Other Postmodern Turns: A Response to C. W. Huntington, Jr., by Jos6 Ignacio Cabezdn 134 IV. BOOK REVIEWS 1. Choix de Documents tibttains conserve's d la Bibliotheque Nationale compliti par quelques manuscrits de I'India Office et du British Museum, by Yoshiro Imaeda and Tsugohito Takeuchi (Alexander W. Macdonald) 144 2.
    [Show full text]
  • 4.35 B.A. /M.A. 5 Years Integrated Course in Pali A.Y. 2017-18
    Cover Page AC___________ Item No. ______ UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI Syllabus for Approval Sr. No. Heading Particulars Title of the B.A./M.A. Five Year Integrated Course In 1 Course Pali Eligibility for As per existing Ordinances & policy 2 Admission Passing As per University Credit Semester System 3 Marks 2017 Ordinances / 4 - Regulations ( if any) No. of Years / 5 5 Years Semesters P.G. / U.G./ Diploma / Certificate 6 Level ( Strike out which is not applicable) Yearly / Semester 7 Pattern ( Strike out which is not applicable) New / Revised 8 Status ( Strike out which is not applicable) To be implemented 9 From Academic Year 2017-2018 from Academic Year Date: Signature : Name of BOS Chairperson / Dean : ____________________________________ 1 Cover Page UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI Essentials Elements of the Syllabus B.A./M.A. Five Year Integrated Course In 1 Title of the Course Pali 2 Course Code - Preamble / Scope:- The traditional way of learning Pali starts at an early age and gradually develops into ethically strong basis of life. Now at the university though we cannot give the monastic kind of training to the students, the need of the time is -a very strong foundation of sound mind and body, facing the stress and challenges of the life. There is necessity of Pali learning for a long time from early age which few schools in Maharashtra are giving, but not near Mumbai. Mumbai University has only one college which satisfies the need of Pali learning at the undergraduate and graduate level those too only three papers in Pali. The interest in the study of Pali language and literature is on the rise.
    [Show full text]
  • “Siam's Borān Buddhism” from the Reign of Rāmā I (1782-1809 CE.)
    The Dhammakāyānussati-kathā: A Trace of “Siam's Borān Buddhism” from the Reign of Rāmā I (1782-1809 CE.) Woramat Malasart A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Arts Of the University of Otago, Dunedin New Zealand June 4, 2019 Abstract The Dhammakāya text genre appears in manuscripts, inscriptions, and printed texts found in Central Thailand, Northern Thailand, and Cambodia. Texts belonging to this genre share the same core Pāli verses, and date back to the Ayutthaya period. In this thesis, I transliterate, translate, contextualise and analyse the Dhammakāyānussati-kathā, “Words on the Recollec- tion of the Body of Dhammas,” which was part of the Suat Mon Plae, a collection of Bud- dhist chanting rituals compiled during the 1st reign (1782-1809), using a historical-critical approach to the text. The Dhammakāyānussati-kathā consists of verses composed in Pāli fol- lowed by the Thai translation, using a traditional method called yok sab. The first three parts of the Dhammakāyānussati-kathā share the core Pāli verses of the Dhammakāya text genre, but the final section, which praises the Buddha‟s physical body, is different. The Pāli vers- es describe the Buddha‟s auspicious marks including radiance, hair, height, etc., verses that are also found in the Golden Manuscript Braḥ Dhammakāya, a text that can be dated to the 1st reign. Today, the Dhammakāyānussati-kathā is not well-known in Central Thailand, but its similar texts are still used in Northern Thailand and Cambodia during buddhābhiṣeka and the ritual of installing the Buddha‟s heart into a Buddha statute and chedī.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhism, Democracy and Dr. Ambedkar: the Building of Indian National Identity Milind Kantilal Solanki, Pratap B
    International Journal of English, Literature and Social Science (IJELS) Vol-4, Issue-4, Jul – Aug 2019 https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.4448 ISSN: 2456-7620 Buddhism, Democracy and Dr. Ambedkar: The Building of Indian National Identity Milind Kantilal Solanki, Pratap B. Ratad Assistant Professor, Department of English, KSKV Kachchh University, Bhuj, Gujrat, India Research Scholar, Department of English, KSKV Kachchh University, Bhuj, Gujrat, India Abstract— Today, people feel that democratic values are in danger and so is the nation under threat. Across nations we find different systems of government which fundamentally take care of what lies in their geographical boundaries and the human lives living within it. The question is not about what the common-man feels and how they survive, but it is about their liberty and representation. There are various forms of government such as Monarchy, Republic, Unitary State, Tribalism, Feudalism, Communism, Totalitarianism, Theocracy, Presidential, Socialism, Plutocracy, Oligarchy, Dictatorship, Meritocracy, Federal Republic, Republican Democracy, Despotism, Aristocracy and Democracy. The history of India is about ten thousand years and India is one of the oldest civilizations. The democratic system establishes the fundamental rights of human beings. Democracy also takes care of their representation and their voice. The rise of Buddhism in India paved the way for human liberty and their suppression from monarchs and monarchy. The teachings of Buddha directly and indirectly strengthen the democratic values in Indian subcontinent. The rise of Dr. Ambedkar on the socio-political stage of this nation ignited the suppressed minds and gave a new hope to them for equality and equity.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhism in Myanmar a Short History by Roger Bischoff © 1996 Contents  Preface  1
    Buddhism in Myanmar A Short History by Roger Bischoff © 1996 Contents Preface 1. Earliest Contacts with Buddhism 2. Buddhism in the Mon and Pyu Kingdoms 3. Theravada Buddhism Comes to Pagan 4. Pagan: Flowering and Decline 5. Shan Rule 6. The Myanmar Build an Empire 7. The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries Notes Bibliography Preface Myanmar, or Burma as the nation has been known throughout history, is one of the major countries following Theravada Buddhism. In recent years Myanmar has attained special eminence as the host for the Sixth Buddhist Council, held in Yangon (Rangoon) between 1954 and 1956, and as the source from which two of the major systems of Vipassana meditation have emanated out into the greater world: the tradition springing from the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw of Thathana Yeiktha and that springing from Sayagyi U Ba Khin of the International Meditation Centre. This booklet is intended to offer a short history of Buddhism in Myanmar from its origins through the country's loss of independence to Great Britain in the late nineteenth century. I have not dealt with more recent history as this has already been well documented. To write an account of the development of a religion in any country is a delicate and demanding undertaking and one will never be quite satisfied with the result. This booklet does not pretend to be an academic work shedding new light on the subject. It is designed, rather, to provide the interested non-academic reader with a brief overview of the subject. The booklet has been written for the Buddhist Publication Society to complete its series of Wheel titles on the history of the Sasana in the main Theravada Buddhist countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Early Buddhist Metaphysics: the Making of a Philosophical Tradition
    EARLY BUDDHIST METAPHYSICS This book provides a philosophical account of the major doctrinal shift in the history of early Theravada tradition in India: the transition from the earliest stratum of Buddhist thought to the systematic and allegedly scholastic philosophy of the Pali Abhidhamma movement. Conceptual investigation into the development of Buddhist ideas is pursued, thus rendering the Buddha’s philosophical position more explicit and showing how and why his successors changed it. Entwining comparative philosophy and Buddhology, the author probes the Abhidhamma’s shift from an epistemologically oriented conceptual scheme to a metaphysical worldview that is based on the concept of dhamma. She does so in terms of the Aristotelian tradition and vis-à-vis modern philosophy, exploiting Western philo- sophical literature from Plato to contemporary texts in the fields of philosophy of mind and cultural criticism. This book not only demonstrates that a philosophical inquiry into the conceptual foundations of early Buddhism can enhance our understanding of what philosophy and religion are qua thought and religion; it also shows the value of fresh perspectives for traditional Buddhology. Combining philosophically rigorous investigation and Buddhological research criteria, Early Buddhist Metaphysics fills a significant gap in Buddhist scholar- ship’s treatment of the conceptual development of the Abhidhamma. Noa Ronkin received her PhD from the University of Oxford. She is currently a lecturer in the Introduction to the Humanities Programme and a Research Fellow at the Center for Buddhist Studies, Stanford University. Her research interests include a range of issues associated with Indian Theravada Buddhist philosophy and psychology, the Abhidhamma tradition and comparative Indian philosophy.
    [Show full text]
  • The Transformations of a Buddhist Symbol of Evil
    ABSTRACT MALLEABLE MāRA: THE TRANSFORMATIONS OF A BUDDHIST SYMBOL OF EVIL by Michael David Nichols Despite its importance to the legend of the Buddha’s enlightenment and numerous Buddhist texts, a longitudinal, diachronic analysis of the symbol of Māra has never been done. This thesis aims to fill that gap by tracing the Evil One’s development in three spheres. Chapter one deals with Māra in the Nikāya texts, in which the deity is portrayed as a malign being diametrically opposed to the Buddha and his teachings. Chapter two discusses how that representation changes to ambivalence in certain Mahāyāna sūtras due to increased emphasis on the philosophical concepts of emptiness and non-duality. Finally, chapter three charts the results of a collision between the two differing representations of Māra in Southeast Asia. The concludes that the figure of Māra is malleable and reflects changes in doctrinal and sociological situations. Malleable Māra: The Transformations of a Buddhist Symbol of Evil A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Miami University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Comparative Religion by Michael David Nichols Miami University Oxford, Ohio 2004 Adviser _______________________ Prof. Elizabeth Wilson Reader _______________________ Prof. Julie Gifford Reader _______________________ Prof. Lisa Poirier CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . 2 CHAPTER ONE “MāRA OF THE MYRIAD MENACES” . 6 CHAPTER TWO “MāRA’S METAMORPHOSIS” . 24 CHAPTER THREE “MāRA MIXED UP” . 46 CONCLUSION “MāRA MULTIPLIED” . 62 BIBLIOGRAPHY . 67 ii Introduction “The eye is mine, ascetic, forms are mine…The ear is mine, ascetic, sounds are mine…The nose is mine, ascetic, odors are mine…The tongue is mine, ascetic, tastes are mine…The body is mine, ascetic, tactile objects are mine…The mind is mine, ascetic, mental phenomenon are mine…Where can you go, ascetic, to escape from me?”1 The deity responsible for these chilling lines has many names.
    [Show full text]
  • The Art of Reading and Teaching Dhammapadas: Reform, Texts, Contexts in Thai Buddhist History1
    THE ART OF READING AND TEACHING DHAMMAPADAS: REFORM, TEXTS, CONTEXTS IN THAI BUDDHIST HISTORY1 JUSTIN THOMAS MCDANIEL Speaking of nineteenth century Buddhist reform in Thailand Charles Hal- lisey writes: “[B]eginning in the eighteenth century and continuing throughout the nine- teenth century, there was a radical shift in the interpretation of Buddhist thought, a process of reformation which was encouraged by leading mem- bers of the Buddhist monastic order, and supported by the authority of the Siamese throne…[T]his process of reinterpretation included reform of the Buddhist monastic order, an insistence on strict ritual, canonical funda- mentalism, and purity of ordination…[T]he fact that the Thai developments were clearly not determined by the presence of antagonistic Westerners pro- vides a useful reminder that we should avoid attributing too much force to the ‘West’ (or Christianity, or Protestant assumptions, or Orientalism) in the changes to Theravada Buddhism…These developments also open up the possibility that…there may have been an equally productive elective affin- ity between some European and some Theravadin responses to moder- nity”(Hallisey 1996: 48-49). Further, a general call for scholars to understand why certain Buddhist texts endure while others disappear: “[T]he survival of any particular text is not self-explanatory, but in fact it is normally the case that the texts fade in their significance as social change occurs, then we need to discover how those texts which do endure are main- tained. In part, this will require us to look at the manner in which texts were circulated — the technology, practices, and institutions which made their sur- vival possible—but especially the processes by which certain texts were sin- gled out as worth preserving.
    [Show full text]
  • A Historical and Comparative Analysis of Renunciation and Celibacy in Indian Buddhist Monasticisms
    Going Against the Grain: A Historical and Comparative Analysis of Renunciation and Celibacy in Indian Buddhist Monasticisms Phramaha Sakda Hemthep Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Master of Philosophy Cardiff School of History, Archeology and Religion Cardiff University August 2014 i Declaration This work has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree. Signed …………………………… (Phramaha Sakda Hemthep) Date ………31/08/2014….…… STATEMENT 1 This dissertation is being submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MPhil. Signed …………………………… (Phramaha Sakda Hemthep) Date ………31/08/2014….…… STATEMENT 2 This dissertation is the result of my own independent work/investigation, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by footnotes giving explicit references. A Bibliography is appended. Signed …………………………… (Phramaha Sakda Hemthep) Date ………31/08/2014….…… STATEMENT 3 I confirm that the electronic copy is identical to the bound copy of the dissertation Signed …………………………… (Phramaha Sakda Hemthep) Date ………31/08/2014….…… STATEMENT 4 I hereby give consent for my dissertation, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter-library loan, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organisations. Signed …………………………… (Phramaha Sakda Hemthep) Date ………31/08/2014….…… STATEMENT 5 I hereby give consent for my dissertation, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter-library loans after expiry of a bar on access approved by the Graduate Development Committee. Signed …………………………… (Phramaha Sakda Hemthep) Date ………31/08/2014….…… ii Acknowledgements Given the length of time it has taken me to complete this dissertation, I would like to take this opportunity to record my sense of deepest gratitude to numerous individuals and organizations who supported my study, not all of whom are mentioned here.
    [Show full text]
  • The Trend of the Role of Ramańńa Nikāya in the Next Decade in Mon State
    THE TREND OF THE ROLE OF RAMAÑÑA NIKĀYA IN THE NEXT DECADE IN MON STATE Ven. Za Wa Na A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University C.E. 2017 The Trend of the Role of Rãmañña Nikāya in the Next Decade in Mon State Ven. Za Wa Na A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University C.E. 2017 (Copyright by Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University) ii Thesis Title : The Trend of the Role of Rãmañña Nikāya in the Next Decade in Mon State Researcher : Ven. Za Wa Na Degree : Master of Arts ( Buddhist Studies) Thesis Supervisory Committee : Asst. Prof. Dr. Phramaha Hansa Dhammahaso : Pali V, B.A. (Philosophy) M.A. (Buddhist Studies) : Ph.D. (Buddhist Studies) : Asst. Prof. Dr. Sanu Mahatthanadull : B.A (Advertisement) M.A (Buddhist Studies) : Ph.D. (Buddhist Studies) Date of Graduation :16/ 03 / 2017 Abstract This qualitative research has three main objectives namely: (1) to study the origin and development of Rãmañña Nikāya in Mon State, (2) to study the characteristics and practices of Ramañña Nikāya Association, (3) to analyze the Trend of the Roles of Ramañña Nikāya in the Next Decade in Mon State. The result of the study found that Mon Buddhism began and develop before Pegan, during Pegan and after Pegan from three periods during conflict civil war. Based on the results of the analysis, the study presents possible solutions to the conflict. These periods will present and explain various conditions based on the results of the analysis from a long time in the history of Ramañña Nikāya.
    [Show full text]
  • The Curricular Canon in Northern Thailand and Laos
    THE CURRICULAR Introduction: What defines a CANON IN NORTHERN canon? THAILAND AND LAOS In 1983 Charles Keyes wrote: Justin McDaniel* "the evidence from monastery libraries in Laos and Thailand ... reveals that what Abstract constitutes the Theravadin dhamma for people in these areas includes only a small portion ofthe total Tipi~aka, some Nissaya texts are idiosyncratic vernacu­ semi-canonical commentaries such as lar notes composed and used by Bud­ Buddhaghosa's Visuddhimagga, a large dhist monks in Northern Thailand and number of pseudo-jataka and other Laos between the 16th and early 20th pseudo-canonical works, histories of centuries. They evince a particular rela­ shrines and other sacred histories. tionship of the authors with the classi­ Liturgical works, and popular commen­ cal (i.e., originally composed in Pali) taries. Moreover, for any particular scripture of Theravada Buddhism as temple-monastery in Thailand and Laos well as with their intended audie~ce. the collection of texts available to They reflect certain understandings of th~ people in the associated community are the notions of authorship, textual au­ not exactly the same as those found in thenticity, the possibility of translation, another temple-monastery." 1 and homiletics. A comprehensive study reveals the early development of Bud­ Steven Collins used this statement and dhist curricula in the region and a de­ the research that supported it to develop tailed study pedagogical methods used his notion of a "ritual canon." The in these texts affords us a way to de­ "ritual canon[s]" are the collections of scribe the nature of Buddhist belief and texts used at any particular monastery practice with much greater precision.
    [Show full text]
  • Annam Nikaya Buddhism on Vietnamese Style in Thailand: History and Development
    Annam Nikaya Buddhism on Vietnamese Style in Thailand: History and Development 1Phra Raphin Buddhisaro, Phichet Thangto & Lampong Klomkul Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Thailand 1E-mail: [email protected] Abstract The purpose of this academic article was to study Annam Nikaya Buddhism on Vietnamese Style in Thailand focusing on the history and the development. The article was written by using documentary study, area study with the historical method, and participatory observation. Results of the study indicated that Annam Nikaya is one of the Buddhist sects in Thailand. It has been modeled from Vietnam for more than 200 years and still preserving the identity of Buddhism following the Vietnamese way of self. At the same time, the blends became part of Thai society such as dress, prayer, and practice in some respects that correlated the retention in Thailand under the encouragement of the monarchy and the government. There is an administrative structure base on the Thai Sangha Acts and the number of temples and monks is increasing continually and are currently developing as a part of Thai society. Keywords: Anam Nikaya; Buddhism; Vietnam Introduction From the research called “The History of Buddhism in Vietnam (2009)”, Tai thi Nguyen is the editor with authors are Dinh Minh Chi and others conducted a research on “the history and development of Buddhism in Vietnam” which reflected the development of Mahayana Buddhism in Vietnam. The work of Minh Chi (1993) on “Buddhism in Vietnam” or Chinnak (2016) in the research study on “The Buddhism in Vietnam: History, Cultural and Social Relationship- Buddhism in Vietnam: History, Cultural and Social Relationship.” This information is given the whole development of Buddhism in Vietnam and forwarded to various lands including Thailand that was influenced by Mahayana Buddhism as shown in the work of Zhibin (2017) on “The Development of Chinese Nikaya Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand”.
    [Show full text]