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Buddhist Identities

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Buddhist Identities Buddhist identities GENERAL INFORMATION FOLIO Religious freedom and mutual respect for different religions is an integral part of the UWA community. Acknowledging and respecting Buddhist identities as one of several religions/belief systems followed by students and staff at UWA requires, in part, a basic understanding of what Buddhism and being a Buddhist is about. Buddhists in Australia • Buddhism was first introduced to Australia in the mid to late 1800s with the arrival of Chinese, Sri Lankan and Japanese gold miners, pearl divers and sugar plantation workers. • A small number of Buddhists from the Anglo-European community settled in Australia during the 1920s. • The first Buddhist monastery in Australia was set up in 1971 in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. • The establishment of Wat Buddharangsee, Wat Buddha Dhamma and the Chenrezig Institute, as well as smaller general Buddhist associations, Zen groups and Tibetan groups began in the late 1970s and early 1980s. • During the 1990s, immigration from Southeast Asia expanded Buddhist numbers considerably. In the 1996 Census approximately 199,000 people identified as Buddhist. In the 2001 Census, the number had increased by about 79% to 360,000. In the 2011 Census, 2.2% of the total population identified as Buddhist. • People from various Asian backgrounds such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia and the Tibetan regions have set up Buddhist communities in Australia. • Buddhism is the fastest growing religion in Australia according The main source of faith and practice for Buddhists is the to the last census and it is increasingly being practised by Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha). people of non-Asian background. Most Buddhists believe: About Buddhism • in the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and follow the ‘Eightfold Path’ • nothing in the world is fixed or permanent Buddhism began in India during late 500BCE from the teachings • everyone is influenced by past actions (karma) of a prince named Siddhartha Gautama who later came to be • rebirth can occur in human form, animal form, as a ghost, known as Gautama Buddha, meaning ‘enlightened one’. In in a blissful state or in a state of woe, although beliefs about Sanskrit (ancient Indian language), the term Buddha means ‘The rebirth vary. Awakened One’. A Buddha is a person who, as a consequence of having realised the fullest potential of the mind, is released Buddhists strive to attain a state of permanent inner peace from the cycle of birth and death. Buddhists are motivated by (happiness) by recognising and eliminating negative, unhelpful wisdom and compassion. Buddhists celebrate and revere the states of mind and cultivating positive, helpful states of mind. Buddha as an enlightened being rather than as a god or an Buddha’s teachings explain how to do this. It is possible for incarnation of God. anyone to attain Buddhahood. Cultural Diversity and Inclusive Practice Toolkit cdip.staff.uwa.edu.au Schools of Buddhism • Right Speech – controlling one’s speech so that it does not harm others, for example, avoiding lying, gossip and Although there may be different traditions within each school, slander the central teaching is common – the teaching of Buddha • Right Action – avoiding actions considered harmful to Shakyamuni. The differences between the schools of Buddhism oneself or any other living creatures rest on the emphasis they place on particular aspects of the • Right Livelihood – earning a living in a way that does not teachings and the interpretation of rules governing the conduct cause harm or suffering to others, for example, avoiding of the Sangha (Buddhist spiritual community). occupations that involve the selling of intoxicants, firearms or animals for slaughter Theravada • Right Effort – exerting a constant attentiveness to lifestyle • Right Mindfulness – constant awareness about the effects The Theravada School adheres strictly to the original teachings of one’s actions so as to avoid harmful actions of Buddha as contained in the Pali canon (scripture) and • Right Concentration – attaining serenity by cultivating the emphasises the goal of personal salvation for the individual mind through meditation. follower. The importance of the community of monks is also characteristic of the Theravada tradition. Theravada countries include Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos. Buddhist religious observance Mahayana Place and style of worship The Mahayana School is not as strict as the Theravada School The main place of worship for a Buddhist is the temple, which in its interpretation of the monastic code of conduct. The often includes a shrine, a statue of Buddha and offerings. importance of followers becoming Buddhists for the salvation Contemplation and meditation are essential practices of of living beings is also emphasised. Zen Buddhism, a branch Buddhists; along with making offerings, reciting prayers and of Mahayana Buddhism, strongly emphasises the practice of chanting mantras. meditation. Mahayana countries include Tibet, Nepal, China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea. Buddhist symbols The most popular symbol of Buddhism is the Buddha statue. Vajrayana Other symbols of Buddhism include the Dharma wheel with its The Vajrayana School’s interpretation of the teachings is eight spokes that refer to the Eightfold Path, and the lotus flower essentially the same as the Mahayana School but differs in that which often represents the inherently pure potential of the mind. it emphasises the importance of acceptance of a personal guru (teacher) who initiates his followers into what has been called Buddhist dress code ‘secret teachings’ (tantra). Meditation and special prayers known • Buddhism has no prescribed dress code for lay Buddhists. as mantras are also characteristic of the Vajrayana tradition. • Buddhist monks shave their heads and wear a robe that is Vajrayana countries include the Tibetan regions, Mongolia and usually brown, tan, orange, red, maroon and saffron or grey. Nepal. • Buddhist nuns also shave their heads and usually wear a brown, white, grey, maroon and saffron or pink robe. The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path Dietary requirements and restrictions The central teachings of all schools of Buddhism are based on Regulations governing food depends on which branch of the Four Noble Truths. The goal of the Buddhist is to recognise Buddhism is practised and in what country. and remove the first two noble truths and realise, through • Meat and fish are generally not eaten by the Theravada and practice, the other two. The Four Noble Truths are: Mahayana traditions because it is considered bad karma 1. Life is subject to mental and physical suffering and (since animals can be reincarnated as humans and vice versa). frustration (dukkha). • Some followers of the Mahayana and Theravada tradition are also vegans. 2. The origin or cause of dukkha can be attributed to selfishness • Buddhists from China and Vietnam usually do not eat onion, and desiring/craving things for oneself, for example, sensual shallots, chives, garlic or leek. Commonly referred to as ‘five pleasures, wealth and power. pungent spices’, these foods are believed to increase one’s 3. The overcoming of dukkha is known as nirvana – a state of sexual desire and anger. mind that transcends desire and suffering. • Buddhist monks fast from all food on the new and full moon of each lunar month. 4. One attains the state of nirvana by following the • Buddhists generally abstain from mind altering substances Eightfold Path: such as alcohol. • Right Understanding – knowledge that the Four Noble Truths lead to overcoming dukkha • Right Thought – genuinely wishing to break free from desire Cultural Diversity and Inclusive Practice Toolkit Significant Buddhist festivals and Parinirvana Day (Nirvana Day/Death of the Buddha) celebration dates This is a Mahayana Buddhist date that celebrates the passing away of Buddha. It provides an opportunity to reflect on Buddhist festivals provide an opportunity for celebrating and one’s own future death and on people who have recently expressing devotion and appreciation of the Buddha and his died. Meditations are conducted for those recently deceased, teachings. The dates and the way that festivals are celebrated providing them with help and support. Parinirvana Day is also vary between countries and Buddhist traditions. With the known as Nirvana Day. This festival is celebrated in January by exception of Japan, most Buddhists use the lunar calendar. Vietnamese Buddhists. For specific dates, see the UWA Interfaith Calendar at http://www.equity.uwa.edu.au/welcome/cultural_diversity/ Spiritual dimensions at UWA interfaith_calendar UWA provides a range of services and groups which support The UWA Interfaith Calendar is designed to: the spiritual life of students and staff and provide opportunity for • raise awareness of the religious diversity at UWA interchange and discussion between individuals and groups. • assist heads of departments/supervisors to plan and manage Information on events, facilities and groups/clubs is available times when religious observance may conflict with work or at http://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/life/health/spiritual/ study requirements of staff and students at UWA. support Buddha Day http://www.guild.uwa.edu.au/home/subcouncils2/soc/directory Considered the most important festival of the Buddhist year, Religious observance Buddha Day commemorates the birth and enlightenment Where it is reasonable and practicable to do so, flexible work of Buddha in Mahayana Buddhist countries.
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