Course: World Religions, Cults
and Heresies.
Lesson
Three
Title:
Buddhism
Text: Romans 8:22-23 'For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in
pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting
for the adoption, to wit, the
redemption of our body.'
Theme: Why do people suffer?
Introduction: Buddhism rejects the Christian concept of salvation.
Buddhism does not preach but offers a path for the individual to find personal enlightenment.
Christianity preaches Christ crucified and does not allow for individuality in finding a path to enlightenment.
Buddhism can be practised in different forms and it is not essential to become a Buddhist.
Christianity demands that all people repent and be converted.
Buddhism offers an escape from suffering and the pressures of life.
Christianity sees suffering and the pressures of life as temporal but does not try to escape from them.
Introductory Story: Buddha saw suffering in three forms
· An old man
· Invalid in pain
· Funeral weeping.
Began a spiritual search for truth.
1.
Origins of Buddhism
·
Siddhartha
Guatama born in
Son of Rajah of Kapilavastu.
He had a desire for spiritual truth.
Religious exercises - no peace
Then he meditated
Became enlightened
Road to Nirvana.
Buddha sought to escape suffering through enlightenment.
· Buddha saw suffering as a result of the law of karma (cause and effect).
Christianity sees suffering as a consequence of the fall of mankind.
· Buddha sought to find enlightenment to escape suffering.
Christianity sees suffering as temporal. Christians can look beyond it.
· Buddha saw no value in suffering. Life is a cycle of reincarnations seeking the annihilation of suffering in Nirvana.
Christians are able to encounter suffering with joy.
· Buddha saw the misery of the world as an illusion.
Christians see suffering as real and believe they can have victory in it.
Forms
of Buddhism
·
Hinanyana and Mahayana.
Hinanyana (also called Theravada) - The Lesser Vehicle of Salvation.
Strict
Principal guide - the head.
The way - wisdom.
Religion - the concern of monks.
Buddha - saint and teacher
Avoid rituals and prayer.
Mahayana - The Greater Vehicle of Salvation.
Mahayana is more open.
Principal guide - the heart.
The way - compassion.
Religion - concern of all
Buddha - Saviour
Ritualistic
Personal prayer
·
Vajrayana - Tibetan
Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism and Lamaism
The diamond way. Vajra - an imagined bright light.
Developed 1st century AD in
Mantra - magical spells and chants.
Mudra - physical gestures. Special hand gestures
Mandala - meditation. Yoga
Derives many of its teachings from Vedantic and Tantric influences.
Vedanta - Indian school of philosophy.
Oneness of god (Brahman) and the soul (Atman).
Brahman - reality.
Individual - illusion.
Illusion created by ignorance.
Enlightenment - world is illusion only Brahman is real.
Tantras
6th century AD scriptures associated with the worship of Shakti - Mother of the Universe.
Tibetan Buddhism
Clairvoyant, telepathy and erotic sexual practices.
Male and female energies in everyone, it teaches that the spiritual forces can be united through sexual union.
Tantric art and literature depicts erotic sexual - meditation can unite male and female energies.
·
Lamaism
Vajrayana Buddhism introduced into
Combined with religion of magician priests.
14th century
Two leaders (seen as reincarnated)
Political - Dalai Lama
Spiritual - Panchen Lama
· Zen Buddhism - emphasises meditation and intuition
Originated in
Called Ch'an meaning meditation.
12th century established in
Samurai warriors .
Enlightenment by meditating in the lotus position.
2.
The Scriptures of Buddhism
Tripitaka
Buddha's sermons, sayings, and teachings contained in the Tripitaka (The Three Baskets of Wisdom).
· Vinaya-Pitaka - Discipline basket. Details about the life of the Buddha, the origin of the monastic community, the rules of discipline for monks.
· Sutta-Pitaka - Teaching basket. The teaching of the Buddha and the monks. 547 legends and stories of previous existencies of the Buddha.
· Abhidhamma-Pitaka - Metaphysical basket. Seven books written between 3rd - 1st century BC. Dry, academic teaching intended for specialists.
Other writings
Include:
· Questions of King Milinda
· The Way of Purity.
· Summary of the meaning of higher teaching.
Mahayana Buddhists recognise other texts
·
Description of
the
· Lotus of the Good Law
· Revelation of the teaching in Lanka
· Guide to Perfect Wisdom
3. Teachings of Buddhism
Karma
The law of karma is the law of cause and effect. Man is in bondage to the cycle of consequences from good and evil actions. Karma involves all actions both in morally and physically.
Dharma
All Buddhist teaching called Dharma.
Escape from the cycle of rebirths or reincarnations (Samsara).
Goal - Nirvana which is escape from suffering and pain.
The
Four Noble Truths
· Life is full of suffering
· Desire produces suffering
· The cessation of desire will end suffering.
· The path to the cessation of desire is by the eightfold path.
The
Eightfold Path
· Right Belief
· Right Resolve
· Right Speech
· Right Behaviour
· Right Occupation
· Right Effort
· Right Contemplation
· Right Concentration
Buddhist
Ten Commandments
1. Do not destroy life
2. Do not take what is not given you.
3. Do not commit adultery.
4. Tell no lies and deceive no one.
5. Do not become intoxicated.
6. Eat temperately and not at all in the afternoon.
7. Do not watch dancing, nor listen to singing or plays
8. Wear no garlands, perfumes or any adornments.
9. Sleep not in luxurious beds.
10. Accept no gold or silver.
Ten
Perfections
1. Giving
2. Duty
3. Renunciation
4. Insight
5. Courage
6. Patience
7. Truth
8. Resolution
9. Lovingkindness
10. Serenity
Summary:
1) Buddhism is pessimistic. The goal of Nirvana is the annihilation of suffering. Christianity changes mans nature so that he or she can have great joy even in suffering.
2) Buddhism offers teaching that will lead to enlightenment. Christianity provides a relationship with God that changes the heart. Spiritual experience is the product of relationship.
3) Buddhism teaches a moral code of living but offers an escape. Christianity changes the heart and provides the power to be holy.