Ideals of Buddhist Kingship
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Notes and Topics: Synopsis of Taranatha's History
SYNOPSIS OF TARANATHA'S HISTORY Synopsis of chapters I - XIII was published in Vol. V, NO.3. Diacritical marks are not used; a standard transcription is followed. MRT CHAPTER XIV Events of the time of Brahmana Rahula King Chandrapala was the ruler of Aparantaka. He gave offerings to the Chaityas and the Sangha. A friend of the king, Indradhruva wrote the Aindra-vyakarana. During the reign of Chandrapala, Acharya Brahmana Rahulabhadra came to Nalanda. He took ordination from Venerable Krishna and stu died the Sravakapitaka. Some state that he was ordained by Rahula prabha and that Krishna was his teacher. He learnt the Sutras and the Tantras of Mahayana and preached the Madhyamika doctrines. There were at that time eight Madhyamika teachers, viz., Bhadantas Rahula garbha, Ghanasa and others. The Tantras were divided into three sections, Kriya (rites and rituals), Charya (practices) and Yoga (medi tation). The Tantric texts were Guhyasamaja, Buddhasamayayoga and Mayajala. Bhadanta Srilabha of Kashmir was a Hinayaist and propagated the Sautrantika doctrines. At this time appeared in Saketa Bhikshu Maha virya and in Varanasi Vaibhashika Mahabhadanta Buddhadeva. There were four other Bhandanta Dharmatrata, Ghoshaka, Vasumitra and Bu dhadeva. This Dharmatrata should not be confused with the author of Udanavarga, Dharmatrata; similarly this Vasumitra with two other Vasumitras, one being thr author of the Sastra-prakarana and the other of the Samayabhedoparachanachakra. [Translated into English by J. Masuda in Asia Major 1] In the eastern countries Odivisa and Bengal appeared Mantrayana along with many Vidyadharas. One of them was Sri Saraha or Mahabrahmana Rahula Brahmachari. At that time were composed the Mahayana Sutras except the Satasahasrika Prajnaparamita. -
The Emergence of the Mahajanapadas
The Emergence of the Mahajanapadas Sanjay Sharma Introduction In the post-Vedic period, the centre of activity shifted from the upper Ganga valley or madhyadesha to middle and lower Ganga valleys known in the contemporary Buddhist texts as majjhimadesha. Painted grey ware pottery gave way to a richer and shinier northern black polished ware which signified new trends in commercial activities and rising levels of prosperity. Imprtant features of the period between c. 600 and 321 BC include, inter-alia, rise of ‘heterodox belief systems’ resulting in an intellectual revolution, expansion of trade and commerce leading to the emergence of urban life mainly in the region of Ganga valley and evolution of vast territorial states called the mahajanapadas from the smaller ones of the later Vedic period which, as we have seen, were known as the janapadas. Increased surplus production resulted in the expansion of trading activities on one hand and an increase in the amount of taxes for the ruler on the other. The latter helped in the evolution of large territorial states and increased commercial activity facilitated the growth of cities and towns along with the evolution of money economy. The ruling and the priestly elites cornered most of the agricultural surplus produced by the vaishyas and the shudras (as labourers). The varna system became more consolidated and perpetual. It was in this background that the two great belief systems, Jainism and Buddhism, emerged. They posed serious challenge to the Brahmanical socio-religious philosophy. These belief systems had a primary aim to liberate the lower classes from the fetters of orthodox Brahmanism. -
1 Post-Canonical Buddhist Political Thought
Post-Canonical Buddhist Political Thought: Explaining the Republican Transformation (D02) (conference draft; please do not quote without permission) Matthew J. Moore Associate Professor Dept. of Political Science Cal Poly State University 1 Grand Avenue San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 805-756-2895 [email protected] 1 Introduction In other recent work I have looked at whether normative political theorizing can be found in the texts of Early or Canonical Buddhism, especially the Nikāya collections and the Vinaya texts governing monastic life, since those texts are viewed as authentic and authoritative by all modern sects of Buddhism.1 In this paper I turn to investigate Buddhist normative political theorizing after the early or Canonical period, which (following Collins2 and Bechert3) I treat as beginning during the life of the Buddha (c. sixth-fifth centuries BCE) and ending in the first century BCE, when the Canonical texts were first written down. At first glance this task is impossibly large, as even by the end of the early period Buddhism had already divided into several sects and had begun to develop substantial regional differences. Over the next 2,000 years Buddhism divided into three main sects: Theravada, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna. It also developed into numerous local variants as it mixed with various national cultures and evolved under different historical circumstances. To give just one example, the Sri Lankan national epic, the Mahāvaṃsa, is central to Sinhalese Buddhists’ understanding of what Buddhism says about politics and very influential on other Southeast Asian versions of Buddhism, but has no obvious relevance to Buddhists in Tibet or Japan, who in turn have their own texts and traditions. -
Iasbaba's 60 Days Plan – Day 35 (History)
IASbaba’s 60 Days Plan – Day 35 (History) 2018 Q.1) Consider the following pairs. Sculpture Material made from 1. Mother goddess Stone 2. Bearded priest Terracotta 3. Dancing girl Copper Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched? a) 1 and 3 only b) 3 only c) All the above d) None Q.1) Solution (d) Terracotta: Terracotta figures are more realistic in Gujarat sites and Kalibangan. Toy carts with wheels, whistles, rattles, bird and animals, gamesmen, and discs were also rendered in terracotta. The most important terracotta figures are those represent Mother Goddess. Stone Statues: Stone statues found in Indus valley sites are excellent examples of handling the 3D volume. Two major stone statues are: Bearded Man (Priest Man, Priest-King) and Male Torso Bronze Casting: Bronze casting was practiced in wide scale in almost all major sites of the civilization. The technique used for Bronze Casting was Lost Wax Technique. Dancing girl and bull from Mohenjo-Daro. Do you know? Thousands of seals were discovered from the sites, usually made of steatite, and occasionally of agate, chert, copper, faience and terracotta, with beautiful figures of animals such as unicorn bull, rhinoceros, tiger, elephant, bison, goat, buffalo, etc. Some seals were also been found in Gold and Ivory. THINK! 1 IASbaba’s 60 Days Plan – Day 35 (History) 2018 Harappan pottery. Q.2) Arrange the following parts of stupa from top to bottom. 1. Yasti 2. Harmika 3. Chatras 4. Anda Select the correct answer using the codes given below. a) 3-1-2-4 b) 3-2-1-4 c) 2-3-1-4 d) 2-1-3-4 Q.2) Solution (a) Stupa dome is called as Anda. -
Black Sea-Caspian Steppe: Natural Conditions 20 1.1 the Great Steppe
The Pechenegs: Nomads in the Political and Cultural Landscape of Medieval Europe East Central and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 450–1450 General Editors Florin Curta and Dušan Zupka volume 74 The titles published in this series are listed at brill.com/ecee The Pechenegs: Nomads in the Political and Cultural Landscape of Medieval Europe By Aleksander Paroń Translated by Thomas Anessi LEIDEN | BOSTON This is an open access title distributed under the terms of the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, which permits any non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided no alterations are made and the original author(s) and source are credited. Further information and the complete license text can be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ The terms of the CC license apply only to the original material. The use of material from other sources (indicated by a reference) such as diagrams, illustrations, photos and text samples may require further permission from the respective copyright holder. Publication of the presented monograph has been subsidized by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education within the National Programme for the Development of Humanities, Modul Universalia 2.1. Research grant no. 0046/NPRH/H21/84/2017. National Programme for the Development of Humanities Cover illustration: Pechenegs slaughter prince Sviatoslav Igorevich and his “Scythians”. The Madrid manuscript of the Synopsis of Histories by John Skylitzes. Miniature 445, 175r, top. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. Proofreading by Philip E. Steele The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available online at http://catalog.loc.gov LC record available at http://catalog.loc.gov/2021015848 Typeface for the Latin, Greek, and Cyrillic scripts: “Brill”. -
Cape Comorin Volume II Issue II July 2020
ISSN: 2582-1962 Cape Comorin Volume II Issue II July 2020 An International Multidisciplinary Double-Blind Peer-reviewed Research Journal Maurya Dynasty. Myth, Legend or History Daya Dissanayake, Novelist, Poet and Blogger, Udumulla Road, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka Abstract: Over the past two centuries we have created a Maurya dynasty, or which should have been called a Chandragupta dynasty. Though Rama was deified, and the deification extended to Hanuman and Valmiki as we find at Ram Tirth in Amritsar, even Asoka Maurya has not been deified yet, leaving us the freedom to discuss the historicity of the Mauryas. In India Buddha and Mahavira have become founders of two great religious traditions. They are accepted as historical characters, and their biographies cannot be questioned, because it would amount to questioning the faith of people. About other people we come across in the long history of India, specially those who are believed to have lived Before the Common Era, we do not have any solid evidence of writing or archaeological remains to determine their historicity, chronology or about their lives. Their biographies are accepted by many as history, by a few as legends, and could even be considered myths only. We call him Chandragupta assuming he is the same Sandracottus of the Greeks. Bindusara is claimed to be his son, identified as Amitrocades. Aśoka/Devanampiya/Piyadassi is accepted as his grandson, but never mentioned by the Greeks, by any name, Greek or Indian. Chandragupta‟s biography was created by the British, selectively picking from secondary and tertiary Greek sources, and from a drama produced about eight centuries after Chandragupta. -
Depiction of Asoka Raja in the Buddhist Art of Gandhara
Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan Volume No. 54, Issue No. 2 (July - December, 2017) Mahmood-ul-Hasan * DEPICTION OF ASOKA RAJA IN THE BUDDHIST ART OF GANDHARA Abstract Asoka was the grandson of the Chndragupta Maurya, founder of one of the greatest empires of the ancient India (321-297 BC). The empire won by Chandragupta had passed to his son Bindusara, after his death, it was again transmitted to his son Asoka. During early years of his kingship he was a very harsh ruler. But after witnessing the miseries and suffering of people during the Kalinga War (260 BCE.) Ashoka converted to Buddhism and decided to substitute the reign of the peace and tranquility for that of violence. Due to his acts of piety and love for the Buddhist faith he become the most popular and personality after Buddha for the Buddhists. Many legends associated with him i.e. “a handful dust”, “redistribution of Relics”, “ his visit of underwater stupa at Ramagrama” are depicted in Gandhara Art. In the present article an effort has been made to identify and analyze the legends of Ashoka in the light of their historical background. Keywords: Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, Ashoka, Kalanga war, Buddhism. Introduction The Buddhist Art of Gandhara came in to being in the last century before the Christian era, when the Sakas were ruling in the North-West (Marshall, 1973:17) and further developed during the Parthian period (1st century A.D.). Like the Sakas, the Parthians were confirmed philhellenes and proud of their Hellenistic culture, and not only had they large numbers of Greek subjects in their empire but they were in a position to maintain close commercial contacts with the Mediterranean coasts (Ibid: 6). -
Sports and Physical Education in China
Sport and Physical Education in China Sport and Physical Education in China contains a unique mix of material written by both native Chinese and Western scholars. Contributors have been carefully selected for their knowledge and worldwide reputation within the field, to provide the reader with a clear and broad understanding of sport and PE from the historical and contemporary perspectives which are specific to China. Topics covered include: ancient and modern history; structure, administration and finance; physical education in schools and colleges; sport for all; elite sport; sports science & medicine; and gender issues. Each chapter has a summary and a set of inspiring discussion topics. Students taking comparative sport and PE, history of sport and PE, and politics of sport courses will find this book an essential addition to their library. James Riordan is Professor and Head of the Department of Linguistic and International Studies at the University of Surrey. Robin Jones is a Lecturer in the Department of PE, Sports Science and Recreation Management, Loughborough University. Other titles available from E & FN Spon include: Sport and Physical Education in Germany ISCPES Book Series Edited by Ken Hardman and Roland Naul Ethics and Sport Mike McNamee and Jim Parry Politics, Policy and Practice in Physical Education Dawn Penney and John Evans Sociology of Leisure A reader Chas Critcher, Peter Bramham and Alan Tomlinson Sport and International Politics Edited by Pierre Arnaud and James Riordan The International Politics of Sport in the 20th Century Edited by James Riordan and Robin Jones Understanding Sport An introduction to the sociological and cultural analysis of sport John Home, Gary Whannel and Alan Tomlinson Journals: Journal of Sports Sciences Edited by Professor Roger Bartlett Leisure Studies The Journal of the Leisure Studies Association Edited by Dr Mike Stabler For more information about these and other titles published by E& FN Spon, please contact: The Marketing Department, E & FN Spon, 11 New Fetter Lane, London, EC4P 4EE. -
VIOLENCE and DISRUPTION in SOCIETY a Study of the Early
VIOLENCE AND DISRUPTION IN SOCIETY A Study of the Early Buddhist Texts by Elizabeth J. Harris The Wheel Publication No. 392/393 ISBN 955-24-0119-4 Published in 1994 Copyright 1990 by Elizabeth J. Harris Originally published in //Dialogue//, New Series Vo. XVII (1990) by The Ecumenical Institute for Study & Dialogue, 490/5 Havelock Road, Colombo 6, Sri Lanka. Reprinted in the Wheel Series with the consent of the author and the original publisher. BUDDHIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY KANDY SRI LANKA * * * DharmaNet Edition 1994 Formatted for DharmaNet by John Bullitt via DharmaNet by arrangement with the publisher. DharmaNet International P.O. Box 4951, Berkeley CA 94704-4951 * * * * * * * * CONTENTS Introduction Part 1. The Forms of Violence Part 2. Reasons for Buddhism's Attitude to Violence Part 3. The Roots of Violence Part 4. Can Violent Tendencies Be Eradicated? Conclusion Notes * * * * * * * * INTRODUCTION At 8.15 a.m. Japanese time, on August 6th 1945, a U.S. plane dropped a 1 bomb named "Little Boy" over the center of the city of Hiroshima. The total number of people who were killed immediately and in the following months was probably close to 200,000. Some claim that this bomb and the one which fell on Nagasaki ended the war quickly and saved American and Japanese lives -- a consequentialist theory to justify horrific violence against innocent civilians. Others say the newly developed weapons had to be tested as a matter of necessity. Hiroshima and Nagasaki ushered in a new age. Humankind's tendency towards conflict and violence can now wipe out the entire human habitat. -
Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā
Lesley University DigitalCommons@Lesley Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences Mindfulness Studies Theses (GSASS) Spring 5-6-2020 Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā Kyung Peggy Meill [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/mindfulness_theses Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Meill, Kyung Peggy, "Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā" (2020). Mindfulness Studies Theses. 29. https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/mindfulness_theses/29 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences (GSASS) at DigitalCommons@Lesley. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mindfulness Studies Theses by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Lesley. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. DIVERSITY IN THE WOMEN OF THE THERĪGĀTHĀ i Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā Kyung Peggy Kim Meill Lesley University May 2020 Dr. Melissa Jean and Dr. Andrew Olendzki DIVERSITY IN THE WOMEN OF THE THERĪGĀTHĀ ii Abstract A literary work provides a window into the world of a writer, revealing her most intimate and forthright perspectives, beliefs, and emotions – this within a scope of a certain time and place that shapes the milieu of her life. The Therīgāthā, an anthology of 73 poems found in the Pali canon, is an example of such an asseveration, composed by theris (women elders of wisdom or senior disciples), some of the first Buddhist nuns who lived in the time of the Buddha 2500 years ago. The gathas (songs or poems) impart significant details concerning early Buddhism and some of its integral elements of mental and spiritual development. -
A Comparison of Buddhist Music and Dance Between Ancient Cambodian and Yunnan Minority Peoples After Reading the Customs of Cambodia
A Comparison of Buddhist Music and Dance Between Ancient Cambodian and Yunnan Minority Peoples After Reading The Customs of Cambodia Yang Minkang (Music Research Institute, The Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing) [Summary] Over 700 years ago, The Customs of Cambodia was written by Zhou Daguan. It provided a detailed, reliable record and description of the Buddhist culture of Chenla, describing the Buddhist sects, characteristics of temples, Theravada rituals, ritual music activities, and related folklore activities. Compared with the music of some Yunnan ethnic groups that believe in Theravada, such as Dai, Blang, De’ang, etc, they all have some common features. In the vast sea of Chinese historical records, this is another important historical document that records ceremonies and ritual music and dance in detail after the Pyu Music.1 It helps us to understand the ins and outs of Theravada music and dance culture in China today, it also sheds light on the research of Theravada’s cultural history in Southeast Asia. [Keywords] The Customs of Cambodia, Dai Minority, Blang Minority, Theravada, Ritual music. [Chinese Library Classification] J607, J608, J609.2 [Document Code] A [Article ID] 1008-9667(2009)03-0027-08 During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Chenla which was a vassal state of Funan, began to rise. Its original territories included today's northern Cambodia and southern Laos. Around the mid-6th century, A.D, Chenla annexed the eastern border area of Funan and gradually became stronger. In the 7th century, it eventually replaced Funan and became the most powerful Indianized countries in Southeast Asia. During the Song2 and Yuan3 dynasties, this country that once belonged to Funan grew stronger. -
1. Chandragupta Maurya: 2. King Bindusara – Bindusara: 3. Samrat Ashoka – Emperor Ashoka
3/5/2021 Top 10 Maurya Empire rulers who changed the history 1. Chandragupta Maurya: Chandragupta Maurya (Raj: 323-298 BC) was the first founder of the Maurya Empire in ancient India. They succeeded in bringing entire India under one empire. The date of the throne of Chandragupta Maurya is generally considered to be 324 BC, he ruled for approximately 25 years and thus the end of his rule was usually done in 297 BC. Later in 297 his son Bindusara took over his empire. The Maurya Empire is considered to be one of the most powerful empires in history. At the end of his empire, Chandragupta had success in governing all the Indian subcontinent excepting Tamil Nadu and present Odisha. His empire was spread from Bengal to Afghanistan and Balochistan and from west to Pakistan in the Himalayas and the northern part of Kashmir. As well as expanding to Platau in the south. In Indian history, the reign of Chandragupta Maurya is considered the largest rule. Further reading: The complete history of Chandragupta Maurya – Chandragupta Maurya history 2. King Bindusara – Bindusara: Many Indians know that Chandragupta Maurya was the first ruler of the Maurya Empire in Indian history. While Bindusara – Bindusara was the son of the next Maurya ruler and Chandragupta Maurya. In history, the famous ruler Emperor Asoka was the son of Bindusara. He ruled for almost 25 years. Bindusara attained the state of a great state in the estate. He also extended the state to South India. Chanakya also remained prime minister in his time. Bindusara is known as ‘father of son and son of son’ because he was the son of Chandragupta Maurya, famous and mighty ruler and father of the great King Ashoka.