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Home , Alara Kalama, Shin Arahan

I. Timeline

Date Major Events World Events 6th C • Life of Siddhartha Guatama, the historical Buddha (566-486 BCE) • Confucius (551-479) B.C.E. • According to more recent research, he may have lived between 490-410 BCE • Zarathustra (630-553) 5th C • 1st Buddhist Council at Rajagaha (486) after the , under the • Socrates (469-399) patronage of King Ajatasattu. • Plato (427-347) • The Buddhist Canon as it exist today was settled at this Council and • Greek-Persian Wars (490- preserved as an oral tradition. 479) 4th C • 2nd Buddhist Council at Vesali (386) about 100 year after the Parinirvana. • Aristotle (384-322) • First of the occurs in which the Mahasanghika school parts • Alexander the Great (356- ways with the Sthaviravadins and the Theravadins. 323)invades India (327) 3rd C • Indian Emperor Asoka (272-231) converts and establishes the Buddha's • Great Wall of China (250) on a national level for the first time. • Hannibal Barca (247?- • 3rd Buddhist Council at Pataliputra (250) under the patronage of Emperor 183?) Asoka about 200 years after the Parinirvana. • The modern Tipitaka now essentially complete. • Asoka's son and missionary Mahinda established in (247) 2nd C • Beginnings of Buddhism (200). • Buddhist monuments: • Composition of Prajnaparamita literature. Sanchi, Amaravati, Bodhi • Historical record has it that two Buddhist missionaries from India in 68 AD, Gaya, India (185-175) arrived at the court of Emperor Ming (58-75) of Han Dynasty. They enjoyed • Han Dynasty in China (206- imperial favor and stayed on to translate various , one of which, 220) The ' of Forty-Two Sections' continues to be popular even today. 1st C • Entire scriptural canon of School was committed to writing on • Julius Caesar (100-44) palm leaves in Pali at the Aloka Cave, near Matale, Sri Lanka (35-32) • Virgil, Latin poet (70-19) • Milinda-pañha or Questions of King Milinda to Venerable . 1st C • King Kaniska (78-101) convened the 4th Buddhist Council at Jalandhar or in • Jesus of Nazareth (0-33) C.E. Kashmir around 100 C.E. (This is not recognized by the Theravadins). • Destruction of Jerusalem • Buddhism established in Cambodia 100 C.E and in Vietnam 150 C.E. and the second Temple (70) • Composition of Lotus Sutra and other Mahayana Buddhist texts. • The Buddha first • Buddhism enters Central Asia and China. represented in art as human form 2nd C • The Age of Indian Buddhist philosopher Nargarjuna (150) founder of the • Roman Empire reaches the school of Madhyamika ('the '). height of its power 3rd C • Expansion of Buddhism to Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Indonesia. • Three Kingdoms dynasty • The Yogacara () school was founded by Maitreyanatha (220–265) in China • Buddhist influence in Persia spreads through trade. • The Emperor Constantine converts to Christianity (312) 4th C • (310-390) and his brother (420-500) prominent teachers • Gupta dynasty exemplified of the Yogacara school of Buddhism. by Chandra Gupta II (375- • Development of Buddhism in India. 415) dominated North • Translation of Buddhist texts into Chinese by Kumarajiva (344-413) and Central India Hui-yüan (334-416). • Saint Augustine (354-430) • Buddhism enters Korea (372) 5th C • Buddhist monastic university founded at Nalanda, India. • 5th Century Anglo-Saxon • Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hsien visits India (399-414). Invasion of England • Amitabha (Amida) Pure Land sect emerges in China. • Fall of the Western Roman • Srilankan Theravadin nuns introduce full ordination into China (433). Empire (476)

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• Mahayana Buddhism was introduced into Java, Sumatra, Borneo, mainly by Indian immigrants. 6th C • founder of Ch'an () arrives in China from India. (526) • Prophet Mohammed (570- • Sui Dynasty in Chinese History (589-617) beginning of Golden Age of Chinese 632) Buddhism. • The Age of Islamic • Development of T'ien-tai, Hua-yen, Pure Land, and Ch'an schools of Expansion(630-725) . • First built in China • Buddhism enters Japan (538) from Korea, becomes state religion (594). (600) • Jataka Tales translated into Persian by King Khusru (531-579). 7th C • Construction of Potala Palace, Jokang and Ramoche temples to house • Islam sweeps across North Buddha images (641-650) Africa (700-800) • Chinese pilgrim Hsuan-Tsang (602-664) visits India. • Tang dynasty, China (618- 906) 8th C • Academic schools (Jöjitsu, Kusha, Sanron, Hossö, Ritsu, and Kegon) • Nara Period in Japanese proliferate in Japan. history (710-784) • Great debate between Tibetan and Chinese Buddhist schools. • First monastery built in • Ch'an declared heretical in Tibet. Tibet (Sam-ye) (749) • Nyingma School of Tibet Buddhism established. • Moslem invasion of Central • Borobudur Temple complex built in Java. Asia (760) • Jataka Tales translated into Syrian and Arabic under title: Kalilag and Damnag. • Charlemagne (742-814) 9th C • Khmer kings build Angkor , the world's largest religious monument. • Heian Period in Japanese • Tendai School (by Saichö, 767-822) and Shingon School (by Kukai, 774-835) history (794-1185) appear in Japan. • First printed book, • Great Buddhist persecution in China (845) Diamond Sutra, China (868) • Biography of Buddha translated into Greek by Saint John of Damascus and distributed in Christianity as "Balaam" and "Josaphat". 10th C • First complete printing of (983), known as the • Sung Dynasty in Chinese Szechuan edition. History (960-1279) • (900-1000) • Islam replaces Buddhism in Central Asia (900-1000). 11th C • Conversion of King of Pagan (Burma) (1044-1077) by Shin Arahan. • 1000-1100 There was a • Atisha (982-1054) arrives in Tibet from India (1042). Confucian revival in China. • Marpa (1012-1097) begins Kargyu School of . • Edward the Confessor, • Milarepa (1040-1123) becomes greatest poet and most popular saint in English king (1042-1066) Tibetan Buddhism. • Great Schism between •The and bhikkhuni (monk and nun) communities at Anuradhapura, Sri Orthodox and Roman Lanka, die out following invasions from South India. Catholic Churches (1054) • Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism established. • 1st Crusades (1096-1099) • Revival of Theravada and Burma. • Decline of Buddhism in India. 12th C • Theravada Buddhism established in Burma. • Omar Khayyam, Persian • Hönen (1133-1212) founded the Pure Land School of Japanese Buddhism. poet and mathematician • Eisai (1141-1215) founds the Rinzai Zen School of Japanese Buddhism. (1044-1123) • In 1193 the Moslems attacked and conquered Magadha, the heartland of • 1119 Bologna University Buddhism in India, and with the destruction of the Buddhist Monasteries and founded in Italy; Paris Universities (Valabhi and Nalanda) - in that area Buddhism was wiped out. University, in France, is • Buddhism in Korea flourishes under the Koryo dynasty (1140-1390). founded in 1150. 13th C • Shinran (1173-1263 ) founds True Pure Land School of Japanese Buddhism. • Francis of Assisi (1181- • Dogen (1200-1253) founds Soto Zen School of Japanese Buddhism. 1226) • (1222-1282) founds school of Japanese Buddhism named after him. • Magna Carta (1215)

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• Mongols converted to Vajrayana Buddhism. • Mongol conquest of China • Theravada Buddhism spreads to Laos. (1215 - 1279) • Some Buddhist texts still being translated into Arabic, in Persia. 14th C • Bu-ston collects and edits . • China regains its • Rulers of the north (Chieng-mai) and northeast (Sukhothai) Thailand adopt independence from the Theravada Buddhism (becomes state religion in 1360). Mongols under the Ming • Theravada Buddhism adopted in Cambodia and Laos. dynasty (1368) • Tsong-kha-pa (1357-1419) Tibetan Buddhist reformer and founder of Dge- lugs-pa (or Gelugpa, or 'Yellow Hat') order. 15th C • Beginning of Dalai lineage in Tibetan Buddhism. • Leonardo Da Vinci (1452- • In Cambodia, the Vishnuite temple, Angkor Wat, founded in the 12th 1519) century, becomes a Buddhist center. • Columbus "finds" the new world (1492) 16th C • Tibet's Gelugpa leader receives the title of "Dalai" from Altan Khan (1578). • Martin Luther (1483-1546) • "Great Fifth" meets Qing Emperor Shunzhi near Beijing. • Protestant Reformation • Shakespeare (1564-1616) 17th C • Control of Japanese Buddhism by Tokugawa Shögunate (the ruling feudal • Pilgrims in America (1620) government) (I603-1867) • Galileo recants (1633) • Hakuin (1686-1769) monk, writer and artist who helped revive the Rinzai • English Civil War (1642) Zen Sect in Japanese Buddhism. 18th C • Colonial occupation of Sri Lanka, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. • American independence • King Kirti Sri Rajasinha obtains from the Thai court to reinstate the (1776) bhikkhu ordination line which has died out in Sri Lanka. • French revolution (1789-1802) 19th C • New sects begin to emerge in Japanese Buddhism. • Meiji Restoration in • Sri Lankan forest monks go to Burma for reordination (1862) Japanese history, marking • First Western translation of the (German, 1862) end of military rule (1868) • German translation of Lotus Sutra, 1852 and pioneer Buddhist scholars: • Abolition of slavery in Neumann and Odlenburg, first German monk, Nyanatiloka British empire (1833) • First Chinese Temple in San Francisco, USA (1853) • American Civil War • 5th Buddhist Council in Mandalay, Burma where the text of the Pali Canon (1861-1865) was revised and inscribed on 729 marble slabs (1868-1871) 20th C • Buddhist Society of Great Britain founded(1907) • Mahatma Gandhi (1869- • Buddhist Mission Society in Germany founded (1903) 1948) • Chinese control of Tibetan Buddhism (1950) • WW I (1914-1918) • Founding of World Fellowship of Buddhists (1952) • Russian revolution (1917- • Buddha Jayanti Year, commemorating 2,500 years of Buddhism (1956) 1922) • 6th Buddhist Council held at Rangoon, Myanmar (Burma) (1954-1956) • WW II (1939-1945) • Dalai Lama flees Tibet to India (1959) • Cultural Revolution (China) • Tibetan Buddhism spreads to western countries (1966) • First Theravada Monastery established in USA (1966) • Pope John Paul II pardons • First Tibetan (Sakya) Centre founded in USA (1971) Galileo (1995) • Tibetan texts collected, translated and disseminated by Buddhist publishers • The Fall of the Berlin Wall, 1960s the Cold War ends. (1989) • H.H. Dalai Lama receives Nobel Peace Prize (1989)

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II. Start of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama (= Shakyamuni, Buddha) is born into a life a privilege in the Shakya clan: a seer predicted he was destined for either political or spiritual greatness, which inspired his name Siddhartha, or “one who has accomplished his goal.” Traditionally Siddhartha was thought to have been a prince, but recent studies indicate that the Shakya resembles more of an oligarchy than a kingdom. By the age of 16, he is already married to a woman named Yasodhara.

At the age of 29, Siddhartha leaves his palace to witness the – an old man, a diseased man, a decaying corpse, and an ascetic. Shocked that he was exposed to the same human conditions of old age, sickness and death, he cuts his hair, dons the rag robes of an ascetic, and leaves his life behind to search for truth.

Siddhartha finds his first teacher Alara Kalama, who teaches him a state of meditation akimcanyayatana, or the “sphere or state of no-thing-ness.” But realizing that such a state, with no moral or cognitive dimension, had no impact on his human condition, he leaves to find his second teacher Udraka Ramaputra, who teaches him naivasamjnanasamjnayatana, “sphere or state of neither perception nor non-perception.” Also finding this unsatisfactory, Siddhartha resolves to a life of asceticism with five others for 5 – 6 years, practicing extreme measure of torture from holding his breath to reducing his intake of food. In a famous incident, a young girl offers him a bowl of rice and milk when he is weak and starving. Accepting her offer, he suddenly realizes that corporeal austerity is not needed in the quest for spiritual truth, and leaves the ascetic lifestyle. Consequently, the five ascetics leave him. (find more in the Mahasaccaka Sutta) This leads him to realize the Middle Way, a path of moderation between two extremes.

After renouncing the ascetic life, Siddhartha deeply entered a state of meditation under the Bodhi tree (famously in ) for 49 days. During this time, an evil demon named Devaputra attempts to thwart his enlightenment: triumphing over Mara, Siddhartha became known as the Buddha, or “one who is awake.”

Shortly after his enlightenment, the Buddha was hesitant to teach others what he knew – legend says that the king of gods, Brahma, convinced him to teach by arguing that at least some people would understand it. He comes across the five ascetics who abandoned him, and delivers the first sermon Wheel of Dharma, explaining the and the Eightfold path. With the five monks, Buddha forms the first sangha, or community of monks – all barriers of race, sex, previous background were ignored in the sangha. The five ascetics would continue on to become arahants, or “one who is worthy” – people who are advanced in their paths of enlightenment, but haven’t reached full .

For the next 45 years of his life, the Buddha taught many disciples. At the age of 80, he grew seriously ill at Vaisali, and decided he wanted to die, or enter his parinirvana, three months later. Studies indicate the direct cause of his death may have been due to a meal (maybe of pork or truffles) received as from a blacksmith named Cunda, which lead to dysentery. His final words, it is said, was the following: “All composite things are liable to decay (perishable). Strive for (your own liberation) with diligence.”

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III. Different

There are two major schools of Buddhism: Mahayana and Theravada or . There is a third school, the Vajrayana, but it only has a small following.

1. Theravada “Southern Buddhism” “Teachings of the Elders”

In the Buddhist countries of southern Asia, there never arose any serious differences on the fundamentals of Buddhism. All these countries – Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand, have accepted the principles of the Theravada school and any differences there might be between the various schools is restricted to minor matters.

The earliest available teachings of the Buddha are to be found in Pali literature and belongs to the school of the Theravadins, which may be the most orthodox school of Buddhism. This school admits the human characteristics of the Buddha, and is characterized by a psychological understanding of human nature; and emphasizes a meditative approach to the transformation of consciousness. The teaching of the Buddha according to this school is very plain. He asks us to 'abstain from all kinds of evil, to accumulate all that is good and to purify our mind'. These can be accomplished by The Three Trainings: the development of ethical conduct, meditation and insight-wisdom.

The philosophy of this school is that all worldly phenomena are subject to three characteristics : 1. They are impermanent and transient 2. They are all unsatisfactory, and there is nothing in them which can be called one's own, nothing substantial or permanent 3. All compounded things are made up of two elements – the non-material and material. This can further be broken down into five constituent groups, namely the material quality, and the four non-material qualities of sensations, perception, mental formatives and consciousness. When that perfected state of insight is reached – or Nibbana, that person is an or arahant, or “worthy person.” The life of the Arhat is the ideal of the followers of this school, a life where all future births are at an end, where the holy life is fully achieved, where all that has to be done has been done, and there is no more returning to the worldly life.

2. Mahayana “The Great Vehicle”

The Mahayana is not a single group, but more of an umbrella body for a great variety of schools, including Zen Buddhism, , and Tibetan Buddhism. Ch'an or Zen Buddhism, are meditation schools in China and Japan. Pure Land Buddhism teaches that salvation can be attained only through absolute trust in the saving power of Amitabha, and longing to be reborn in his paradise through his grace – this sect is found in China, Korea and Japan. The school in Tibet and Nepal focuses on the secret teaching of Yoga.

It is generally known that the Mahayana branch started from the Mahasanghikas sect, who were the earliest seceders and the forerunners of the Mahayana. They took up the cause of their new sect with zeal, and in a few decades, grew remarkably in power and popularity. They adapted the existing monastic rules, which revolutionized the Buddhist Order of Monks; furthermore, they made alterations in the arrangements and interpretation of the Sutra (Discourses) and the (Rules) texts. And they rejected certain portions of the canon, which had been accepted in the First Council.

According to it, the Buddhas are lokottara (supramundane) and are connected only externally with the worldly life. This conception of the Buddha contributed much to the growth of the Mahayana philosophy. The ideal of the Mahayana school is that of the , a person who delays his or her own enlightenment in order to compassionately assist all other beings and ultimately attains to the highest Bodhi.

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3. Vajrayana “The Thunderbolt Vehicle”

This is the kind of Buddhism predominant in the Himalayan nations of Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and also Mongolia. It is known as Vajrayana because of the ritual use of the vajra, a symbol of imperishable diamond, of thunder and lightning. At the center of Tibetan Buddhism is the religious figure called the lama, Tibetan for "guru," source of another of its names, Lamaism. Several major lineages of developed, beginning in the ninth century with the Nyingma-pa. Two centuries later, Sarma-pa divided into the Sakya-pa and the Kagyu-pa. Three hundred years later, one of Tibet's revered lamas, Tsong-kha-pa, founded the reforming Gelug-pa.

IV. Mahayana influences in China and Japan

ü The Ten Schools of Chinese Buddhism: 1. Reality School or Kosa School or School. 2. Satysiddhi School or Cheng-se School. 3. Three Sastra School or San-lun School. 4. Lotus School or T'ien-t'ai School (absorb the Nirvana school). 5. Garland School or Hua-yen School or Avatamsaka School. (absorb the Dasab-humika School and the Samparigraha-sastra school). 6. Intuitive School or Ch'an School or Dhyana School. 7. Discipline School or Lu School or Vinaya School. 8. Esoteric School or Chen-yien School or School. 9. Dharmalaksana School or Ch'u-en School or Fa-siang School. 10. Pure-land School or Sukhavati School or Ching-t'u School.

4. The Lotus School: It is also called the T'ien-t'ai school. This name is attributed to the Tien-tai Mountain in Che-chiang Province. The school was founded by Zhi Yi during the Sui Dynasty (6th century). The chief text is the Lotus Sutra (the Law-flower Sutra). Others are the Commentary on the Prajnaparamita Sutra, the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, etc. This school divides each of the 10 realms of existence (hells, ghosts, animals, asuras, men, devas, sravakas, pratyeka-buddhas, , and buddhas) into 10 divisions, and each division has 10 qualities making a total of 1000 qualities. These qualities are further multiplied by three (past, present, and future) making a total of 3000 qualities. This school teaches one to visualize these three thousand qualities in an instant. The hundred divisions of realms and the thousand qualities form the sphere of visualization. It teaches one to rest the physical body in 3 aspects and to gain a clear insight into truth from 3 views. Zhi Yi also divided the gospel of Buddha into five periods and the doctrine into eight kinds.

5. Vatamsaka School: Founded by Tu-shun in the T'ang Dynasty (7th century). The foundation work is the Garland Sutra. This school was expanded by Chih-yien, Fa-chang, Ch'en-kuan, Chung-mi and other patriarchs. It treats Buddhism in 5 schools (Theravada, Proto-mahayana, Mahayana, the Intuitive, and the Perfect). These 5 are differentiated into 10 schools of thoughts. It presents 10 Metaphysical propositions and 6 characteristics of things for meditation. To meditate on the fundamental nature of the universe is the door to enlightenment. It is said that one will not appreciate the richness in Buddhism until one has studied the Garland Sutra.

6. The Intuitive School: Bodhidharma in the Liang Dynasty established it in China during the 6th century. This school does not rely on the use of letters. It points directly to the mind and sees into one's own nature. This special transmission outside the scripture was succeeded by Hui-k'o, Shen-ch'an, Tao-sin, Hong-jen, and Hui-neng, the 6th Patriarch. After the 6th Patriarch this school expanded into five, and later seven, schools. It has been very popular over a thousand years and causes most temples in China to acquire the name of Ch'an Temples. Ven. Shu-yun, the 120 years old monk who passed away in 1959, could stay in meditation for ten to twenty days at one stretch. 6

10. The Pure-land School: Based on the Sukhavati Vyuha Sutra, the Great Sukhavati Vyuha Sutra, the Small Sukhavati Vyuha Sutra. This school was established by Hui-yuan of the Chin Dynasty (4th century). He set up the Lotus Society at Chiang-si Province. There were one hundred twenty-three distinguished members including the notable poets Vau-yen-ming and Liu-wei-min. This organization greatly incited the zeal of studying Buddhism among the Chinese. San-tau and Kuang-ming of T'ang Dynasty undertook to popularise this school and were succeeded in spreading it to almost every household. It teaches one to set the mind solely on Amitabha, to recite the holy name and to recite the holy name repeatedly, and one may gain salvation to the Pure-land of Amitabha. The method employed is simple thus it is suited to everyone who has faith in Amitabha, and who resolves to be reborn in the Pureland. The late Ven. Yin-kuang greatly promoted this school. He persuaded people to do good at the same time so as merits may be brought to the Pure-land, the ideal final resort.

ü Japanese Schools of Buddhism

• Tendai (T'ien Tai, Chinese): Founded in Japan by Saicho (d. 822 C.E.), this lineage quickly rose to prominence as the most important lineage in Japanese Buddhism. The basic doctrine of this lineage and the Chinese T'ien Tai are the same, as in their reverence for the Lotus Sutra, but Tendai differs in its emphasis on the mystical and esoteric aspects of Buddhism. The four primary categories of this lineage are (1) morality, (2) monastic discipline, (3) esoteric practices, and (4) meditation.

• Shingon: Founded by Kukai (d. 835 C.E), this lineage grew to rival the Tendai lineage as early as the late ninth century. The Shingon belief system was tantric and taught that through (short, repetitive incantations), meditation and the performance of hand gesture one can gain access to the power of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

• Jodo or Pure Land: Began at the time of the publication of the treatise of Honen (d. 1212 C.E) entitled Senchaku-shu, this lineage traces its scriptural heritage to the Pure Land Sutra (Sukhavati Vyuha), which prescribes loving devotion to the Buddha Amida as a means of being reborn in the Pure Land, or the paradise over which he presides. Pure Land prayer centres on the repetition on the phrase namu amida butsu ("Homage to Amida Buddha") and became one of the most popular forms of .

• Joho Shinshu or True Pure Land: Founded by Shinran (d. 1262 C.E), this lineage takes Pure Land teaching one step further, claiming that humility and faith in Amida's love are in themselves true signs that the redeeming grace of the Buddha has already been bestowed. Amida Buddha seeks and saves without first requiring faith and good works. These spring up spontaneously from Amida's spiritual presence in the heart.

• Nichiren: Named after its founder Nichiren (d. 1282 C.E), this lineage was founded on the Lotus Sutra and taught that the mere repetition of the title of that sutra Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ("Homage to the Lotus Sutra") was sufficient to gain one access to paradise.

• Zen (Soto and Rinzai Sects): The monk Eisai (d. 1215 C.E) is usually considered the first proponent of Zen in Japan, although Ch'an had existed since the early 6th century and probably existed also in Japan before Eisai's time. The earliest forms of Zen generally avoided intellectualism and de-emphasized scriptures, doctrines and ceremonial. Eisai, whose form of Zen took on the name of Rinzai (Lin-chi, Ch.), affirmed the authority of the traditional Buddhist scriptures and used the or meditational riddle as a means of transcending linear thinking. Soto Zen, tracing its roots back to Dogen (d. 1253 C.E), also affirmed the validity of the Buddhist scriptures but de-emphasized the use of and focused solely on extended, silent meditation

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V. Theravada – Mahayana Buddhism Comparison

# TOPIC THERAVADA BUDDHISM MAHAYANA BUDDHISM 1 The Buddha Only the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni) Besides Shakyamuni Buddha, other contemporary and past Buddhas are accepted. Buddhas like Amida (Amitabha) and Medicine Buddha are also very popular. 2 Bodhisattvas Only Bodhisattva is accepted. Avalokitesvara, Mansjuri, Ksitigarbha and Samanthabadra are four very well-known Bodhisattvas besides Maitreya. 3 Objective of Arahant or Pacceka Buddha. Buddhahood (via the Bodhisattva path). training 4 Organization The Pali Canon is divided into three The Mahayana Buddhist Canon consists of Tripitaka of Buddhist baskets (Tipitaka): Vinaya Pitaka of 5 of disciplines, discourses () and Dharma scriptures books, Sutta Pitaka of 5 collections (many analysis. It is usually organized in 12 divisions of suttas) and Abhidhamma Pitaka of 7 topics like Cause and Conditions and Verses. It books. contains virtually all the Theravada Tipikata and many sutras that the latter does not have.

5 Concept of Main emphasis is self-liberation. Besides self-liberation, it is important for Mahayana There is total reliance on oneself to followers to help other sentient beings. eradicate all defilements. 6 Trikaya Very limited emphasis on the 3 bodies of Very well mentioned in Mahayana Buddhism. concept a Buddha. References are mainly on Samboga-kaya or reward/enjoyment body Nirmana-kaya and Dharma-kaya. completes the Trikaya concept. 7 Transmission Southern transmission: Sri Lanka, Northern transmission: Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, route Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Korea, Mongolia and parts of Southeast Asia. parts of Southeast Asia. 8 Language of Tipitaka is strictly in Pali. Dharma Buddhist canon is translated into the local language Dharma teaching in Pali supplemented by local (except for the 5 untranslatables), e.g. Tibetan, teaching language. Chinese and Japanese. Original language of transmission is . 9 Nirvana No distinction is made between nirvana Also known as 'liberation from Samsara,' there are (Nibbana in attained by a Buddha and that of an subtle distinctions in the level of attainment for the Pali) arhat or Pacceka Buddha. three situations. 10 Shakyamuni Basically historical disciples, whether A lot of Bodhisattvas are introduced by Sakyamuni Buddha's Arahats or commoners. Buddha. Most of these are not historical figures. disciples 11 Rituals and There are some rituals but not heavily Owing to local cultural influences, there is much liturgy emphasized as in Mahayana schools. more emphasis on the use of rituals; e.g. Rituals for the deceased, feeding of Petas, tantric formalities (in Vajrayana). 12 Use of Some equivalent in the use of . Heavily practiced in the Vajrayana school of Mantras and Mahayana Buddhism. Other schools also have included some mantras in their daily liturgy.

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# TOPIC THERAVADA BUDDHISM MAHAYANA BUDDHISM 13 Dying and Very little research and knowledge on The Vajrayana school is particularly meticulous in death aspects the process of dying and death. Usually, these areas. There are many inner and external the dying persons are advised to signs manifested by people before they die. There is meditate on , suffering heavy stress in doing transference of and emptiness. practices in the immediate few weeks following death to assist in the deceased's next . 14 This in-between stage after death and All Mahayana schools teach this after death aspect. before rebirth is ignored in Theravada school. 15 One meal a This the norm among the Theravada This is a highly respected practice but it is left to the day practice Sangha. disposition of each individual in the various Sangha. 16 Vegetarianism This aspect is not necessary. In places like Very well observed in all Mahayana schools (except Thailand where daily morning rounds are the Tibetans due to the geographical still practiced, it is very difficult to insist circumstances). However, this aspect is not on the type of food to be donated. compulsory. 17 Focus of Simple layout with the image of Can be quite elaborate; with a chamber/hall for worship in the Shakyamuni Buddha the focus of Shakyamuni Buddha and two disciples, one hall for temple worship. the 3 Buddhas (including Amitabha and Medicine Buddha) and one hall for the 3 key Bodhisattvas; besides the protectors, etc. 18 Schools/Sects One surviving major school following 8 major (Chinese) schools based on the partial of the years of attrition reducing the number doctrines of the teachings. The four schools inclined tradition from as high as 18. towards practices like Pure Land/Amitabha, Ch'an, Vajrayana and Vinaya (not for lay people) are more popular than the philosophy based schools like Tien Tai, Avamtasaka, Yogacara and Madhyamika. 19 Non-Buddhist Mainly pre-Buddhism Indian/Brahmin In the course of integration and adoption by the influences influences. Many terms like Karma, people in other civilizations, there were heavy Sangha, etc were prevailing terms during mutual influences. In China, both Confucianism and Shakyamuni Buddha's life time. Taoism exerted some influence on Buddhism which References were made from the Vedas in turn had an impact on the indigenous beliefs. and Upanishads. This scenario was repeated in Japan and Tibet. 20 Buddha Absent from the teachings of the Heavily stressed, particularly by schools inclined nature Theravada tradition. practices.

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VI. Basic Buddhist Concepts and Facts ü Concepts 1. Three Treasures “Jewels of ”: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha 2. Four Noble Truths of Buddhism: Existence is suffering | The cause of suffering is attachment to desires | Cessation of suffering through Nirvana | Eightfold Path to cessation of suffering 3. The Eightfold Path to Nirvana: doing "right" in eight areas – view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration. 4. Ten non-virtuous acts: Body – killing, stealing, sexual misconduct. Speech – lying, divisive speech, harsh speech, idle gossip. Mind – craving, aversion, delusion. ü Facts 1. There are 3 major Buddhist historical complexes around the world: Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Borobudur in Indonesia, and in Myanmar. 2. According to Pew Research Center, there are approximately 500 million Buddhists worldwide 3. One in seven Asian Americans, or 14%, are Buddhist. Just under one percent of the general public in the United States is Buddhist, according to Pew.

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