Buddhism

Buddhism

1. Mahayana

   • Zen
     • Key Practices
       • Master - pupil bond
         • Koans!
       • Rinzai Zen: Meditation, martial arts and ceremonies are very important
       • Soto Zen: Zazen meditation ("sitting meditation")
         • Done with eyes open facing a wall
           • Because Soto Zen accepts that we're a part of the material world
       • The tea drinking ceremony
       • Zen monks can cook and grow their own food
         • However begging rounds are carried out as good practice
         • Very different to Therevada
           • Could be argued it isn't "real Buddhism"
       • Arts are practised such as calligraphy, painting and poetry - meant to help penetrate directly into reality
     • Key teachings
       • Importance of meditation features heavily in both schools
       • Bodhidharma taught that there were two gates to enlightenment: Meditation and Study
       • Rinzai Zen: Enlightenment can happen at any time - "ah-ha moment"
       • Soto Zen: It's important to live in poverty and rely most on meditation - live frugally
       • We need to realise our own Budda nature
       • Humour is important - we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously!
     • History:
       • Created by BodhiDharma in the 15th century
         • He created Shao-lin, a monastery specialising in martial arts
           • He was said to have insulted the emperor of Southern China by telling him that good deeds (sponsoring monasteries, e.t.c.) wouldn't do anything
             • I.e. downplaying the importance of karma
         • He did a nine year meditation in a cave in Northern China
           • Developed meditation in this time to aid his physical health
       • Japanese and Chinese name originate from dhyana - means meditation
       • In 1191 Eisai founded Rinzai Zen
       • Dogen founded Soto Zen
     • Key People
       • Thich Nhat Hanh
       • The Dalai Lama
   • Pure Land
     • Main Teachings:
       • Based on the beliefs of Amitabha Buddha
       • You just need faith in Amitabha Buddha to reach the "Pure Land"
       • Karmic energy doesn't matter - as long as you recite Amitabha's name enough you will be enlightened
       • The Pure Land is the land of Amitabha and is called Sukhavati
         • It's a land of plenty - "rich in a great variety of flowers and fruits"
           • Can be compared to the Christian Garden of Eden
       • Anyone can become enlightened!
       • You can study scripture alongside it but it isn't an integral part
       • Antinomian religion (no rules) - has recieved criticism for this!
     • Main Practices:
       • Recite Amitabhas name in the form "Namu Amida butsu" which means "I take refuge in Amitabha Buddha"
       • Visualise Amitabha Buddha and The Pure Land to get there
         • Compare to other faiths when it isn't viewed as possible or respectful to visualise the deity
       • Follow the five practices:
         • Reciting scripture
         • Meditating on Amitabha and his practices
         • Worshipping Amitabha
         • Chanting Amitabha's name
         • Making praise and offerings to Amitabha
     • History:
       • Founded by Honen - Japanese Buddhist monk
       • Has become very popular in Japan and Western cultures
   • Nichren
     • Main Teachings:
       • Focuses hugely on the Lotus Sutra
       • You just have to recite it and Nichren's name to reach enlightenment
     • History:
       • Founded by Nichren Daishonin upon the belief that a new school was required as traditional ones were insufficient to reach enlightenment
         • Japan and Buddhism were "going to the dogs" Denise Cush on Nichren's views
   • Key texts
     • Parable of the poison arrow
       • The Buddha told this parable in an effort to show people that we should just live our lives and act instead of always questioning it - we don't have time for this!
       • Told by Thich Nhat Hanh
     • Parable of the Burning House
       • The Buddha told this parable to
     • Lotus Sutra

2. Therevada

   • Focuses on teachings and scriptures
   • "The way of the Elders"
   • The older school - stems from the first teachings of the Buddha
   • Women not thought able to reach enlightement

3. The Three Marks Of Existence/Lakshanas: Anicca; Anatta; Dukka

   • Anicca: Impermanence
     • Kita Gotami and the mustard seed parable
     • Causes Dukkha
   • Anatta: No Self
     • Questions of King Melinda
       • Chariot analogy
   • Dukka: Suffering or "unsatisfactoriness"
     • Caused by the Wheel of Samsara and three fires
       • Ignorance, greed and hatred
         • Rooster, pig and snake in the middle of the wheel
     • Three types

4. The five precepts

   • One shall refrain from sexual misconduct
   • One shall refrain from taking intoxicating substances
   • One shall refrain from taking what is not freely given
   • One shall refrain from harming living beings
   • One shall refrain from speaking untruths

5. The Six Realms of Existence

   • The God realm
     • Opulent; luxurious - hard to achieve enlightenment
   • The demigod realm
   • The human realm
     • Easiest realm to achieve enlightenment in
   • Hell realm
     • Nasty
   • The hungry ghost realm
   • The animal realm

6. The Four Noble Truths

   • Life is suffering
   • There is a cause of suffering
   • There is an cessation to suffering
   • This cessation lies in the Noble Eightfold Path