-
Mahayana
- Means "great vehicle"
- school of Buddhism which developed after the Buddha's parinirvana
- Emphasizes the boddhisatva path, emptiness, etc
- differed from Hinaya (lesser vehicle)- anyone can attain enlightenment, less selfish- working for the betterment of all beings
- multiple buddhas
- ***not a total rejection of Hinaya**
-
Hinaya
- means "lesser vehicle"
- a name given to early/conservative schools of Buddhism by Mahayana Buddhism
- Therevada Buddhism included in this
- were more orthodox and considered selfish by Mahayana- seeking enlightenment for self
- more emphasis on the monastic community
-
Bodhisattva
- means "enlightenment being"
- in Mahayana Buddhism means one who has postponed personal liberation in favor of a compassionate effort to save all sentient beings
- no longer just refers to the historical Buddha
- now refers to anyone aspiring to complete perfect enlightenment, motivated by compassion
-
Boddhisattva of Comapssion
(Avalokiteshvara, Kuan Yin, Kannon)
- "lord who looks down with compassion"
- depicted with many arms- activities she encompasses to help others
- took on a very important role in Mahayana Buddhism which emphasizes compassion
-
Buddhafield/ Pureland
- refers to the realms in which Buddhas in Mahayana Buddhism reside
- certain practices can lead to rebirth in desired purelands
- the most popular is the land of Amithaba- the land of bliss
-
Amida/ Amitabha Buddha
- The Buddha of "eternal life"
- the buddha of "unlimited light"
- -rules over Western Paradise
- resides in the Land of Bliss, Sukhavati
- by reciting the nembutsu, one can be reborn in the realm of Amida
-
Pureland Buddhism
- School of Mahayana Buddhism
- major texts focus on the Buddha of Unlimited Light- Amida
- By meditating, nembutsu, practitioners can be reborn into the pureland of Amida
-
Prajnaparamita (Perfection Wisdom) literature
- Part of Mahayana Buddhism
- can refer to all sutras or the perfection of widom itself
- includes writing on:
- Bodhicitta (thought of awakening- seed of enlightenment, everyone can achieve enlightenment)
- 6 Perfections
- Devotion of Bodhisattvas
- Emptiness
-
skillful means
- upaya
- a key concept in Mahayana Buddhism
- it involves tailoring the message and passage of Buddhism to whatever practitioners need to get them on the path
- portrayed in the Parable of the Burning House- the father/Buddha getting the children out of the fire
- the means by which the Buddha or bodhisattvas make the complex and difficult teachings of Buddhsim understandable to persons of varying mental faculties
-
Emptiness
- "sunyata"
- Key concept in Mahayana Buddhism and subject of Prajnaparamita sutras
- goes farther than idea of anatman- states that even dharmas/five aggregates are empty
- Expained in the heart of understanding through "interbeing"
-
Interbeing
- Term in the Heart of Understanding
- coined as a way to understand emptiness
- you can see everything in nothing
- ex: idea of garbage and rose
-
Heart Sutra
- a text in the prajnaparamita , part of Mahayana literature, one of the prajnaparamita sutra-perfection of wisdom discourses
- a dialog between the Buddha and disciples
- The Heart of Understanding is a commentary on this sutra
- discusses Emptiness
-
Thich Nhat Hanh
- Wrote the Heart of Understanding
- protested war in Vietnam, and violence in world
- coined "Engaged Buddhism"
- founded the Order of Interbeing- Chan/Zen Buddhism for monastics and lay people
-
mindfulness
- important to Mahayana Buddhism
- everyone has a seed of mindfulness in them
- it is a type of energy, being aware, opposite of forgetfulness
-
6 Perfections/Paramitas
- Part of the Boddhisatva Path in Mahayana Buddhism
- 1. Giving
- 2. Morality
- 3. Patience
- 4. Vigor
- 5. meditation
- 6. wisdom
- Paramita means "going beyond"
- These along with 4 more are part of the Bodhisattva Path
-
Buddha nature (tathagatagarbha)
- means "womb of the Tathagata"
- doctrine found in Yogacara
- influences Tantra as well
-
Vajra
- "admantine"
- represented by a diamond-bolt scepter
- represents the male power in nature, wisdom, prajna
- part of vajrayana Buddhism
- it is a popular ritual item in practice
- should be combined with bell/female power/compassion
-
Bell
- a popular ritual item in Vajrayana Buddhism
- represents the female power, compassion
- should be combined with the male power, prajna, wisdom
-
14th Dalai Lama
- Tenzin Gyatso
- was once the political, now just religoius leader of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, but resigned his role
- won the Nobel Peace Prize
- Trying to gain autnomy, not independence for Tibet
- advocates for non-violence
- advocates for the Middle Way Approach, 5 point peace plan
-
[Dalai Lama’s] Middle Way Path
- Approach of the Dalai Lama to Tibet and Chinese relations
- they do not accept their status, but are not seeking independence
- they want autonomy, but want protection and preservation of their culture, religion, national identity
- also explain benefits to China- security and territorial integrity, peaceful borders
-
5 Point Peace Plan
- Plan of the Dalai Lama
- 1) transform Tibet into a Zone of Peace
- 1) Abandonment of China's Population transfer policy
- 2) Respect Tibetan human rights and freedoms
- 3) Restore and Protect natural environment of Tibet (no nuclear dumping)
- 4) Commencement of negotions for future status of Tibet
-
tantra
- Buddhist esoteric school that originated in India
- emphasizes techniques centered around teh use of mantras, mandalas, sexual imagery and psychological techniques
- transgression is a key aspect- as a way to understand non-duality
- the master-disciple relationship was key because of the dangerous nature of some of the practices
- emphasized the male and female union
- *a fast track to enlightenment
-
Vajrayana
- a Buddhist school which developed from Mahayana Buddhism
- use the same doctrinal material as Mahayana, but the key difference is the role of Tantra
-
Kangyur
- "Translation of the Buddha's Word"
- Portion of the Tibetan Buddhist canon containing what is thought to be the Buddha's authoritative teaching
- includes Vinaya, Perfeciton of Wisdom literature, other Mahayana Sutras and Tantras
-
Tengyur
- Translation of Commentaries
- In the Tibetan Canon
- Includes hymns of praise, and commentaries on the Tantras and the Sutras
- Indian Translation and Tibetan commentaries on scripture
-
Mantrayana
- another name for tantric Buddhism
- it emphasizes mantra in Vajrayana Buddhism
- Means "tantric vehicle"
- emphasis on meditaion and ritualistic practice
-
Mantra
- in Tantric Buddhism means a "tool for thinking"
- uses the symbolic power of sounds as a means for directly experiencing things as they really are
- blended with mandala and mudra
- the speech portion of tantric practice
- **powerful invocations addressed to the dieties
- deepen spiritual connections
-
Mandala
- a symbolic diagram of a Buddha realm
- Used in visualization to help meditative practices in Tantric Buddhism
- a world in which the practitioner is the central Buddha
- should be used in concert with Mudra and Mantra to incorporate the whole body
-
Mudra
- body movements, especially hand movements, that have symbolic significance and bring the body more directly into Tantric practice
- should be practiced with Mantra and Mandala to incorporate mind body and speech
- they deepen the connection with the deity
-
deity yoga
- part of Tantra which refers to the experience of meditative visualization of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas represented in things such as mandalas
- they personify one's own Buddha potential
-
Padmasambhava/Guru Rinpoche
- played an important role in the First Dissemination of Buddhism in Tibet- deemed the "precious guru"
- developed the Nyingma school
- a tantric practitioner who had the power to defeat demoic forces in Tibet to allow the dissemination of Buddhism in Tibet
- gained affection from people in Tibet
-
Tibetan Empire 7-9th Centuries
- Was important during the time of the Dissemination of Buddhism into Tibet
- Sometimes made it difficult becasue warlords thought it threatened supremacy and social aristocracy did not want the monastic members gaining too much power
- ruled by King Trisong Gampo, Detsen, and future leaders
-
Samye Monastery
- first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet
- Under rule of King Trisong Detsen--> revitalized Buddhism brought in by Gampo
-
Milarepa
- the chief disciple of Marpa
- he went through many trials to gain teachings of Marpa
- But became one of the most revered people in Tibetan Buddhism
- Used extremely austere practices
- embodies the ideal path to enlightenment- life of austere, unattached, tantric yogi
-
Marpa
- master/teacher of Milarepa
- the ideal master, had good lineage- his wisdom from past masters
- put him through trials before he gave him teachings
- studied in India with Naropa
-
Kagyu School
- Tibetan Buddist school tracing its origins to Marpa, who studied under Naropa and learned the cycle of the Cakrasamvara
- Brought back the 6 yogas of naropa and teh Great Seal
-
Geluk School
- Sect of Tibetan Buddhism founded by Tsongkhapa based on the lineage of Atisa Kadampa sect
- Known as the "yello hat" sect
- revitalized the monastic vows
- the Dalai Lama is a member of this school
-
Naropa
- an Indain scholar who turned yogin
- Passed his teaching on to Marpa
-
Dakmena
- Wife of Marpa
- she represents compassion and was a complement to Marpa
- represents the ideal of tantric union of male and female
- he needed both of them
-
Tsangnyön Heruka
- author of Milarepa
- hagiography of life of Milarepa
- used to give instruciton and instruction to practitioners
-
Socially Engaged Buddhism
- A contemporary form of Buddhism that engages actively yet nonviolently with the social, economic, political, and ecological problems of society
- focus changed from inner peace to inner and outer peace
- focused on social change
- blend Eastern and Western ideas
-
BR Ambedkar
- was activist who converted to Buddhism
- fought for the rights of the Untouchables
- did not agree with karma however
- "Educate, Agitate, Organize"
- had his own form of Buddhism: Ambedkarism-shift of focus from suffering to social injustice
- first Untouchable to get a Phd, 2nd to graduate high school
-
Sarvodaya
- "well-being of all"
- part of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in Sri Lanka
- founded by AT Ariyaratne
-
AT Ariyaratne
- established the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in 1958
- it involved dharma for social change
- took influences from people like Ghandi- ahimsa for example
- you should give your time and labor for the well-being of others
-
Tzu Chi Compassionate Relief Association
- founded by Cheng Yen, Buddhist nun
- the largest charitable organization in Taiwan
- founded to help the pooor through charity work and medical care, education
-
Venerable Cheng Yen
- Buddhist nun
- founded Tzu Chi Compassionate Relief Association
- meant to help the poor, largest charitable organization in Taiwan
- through charity, medical care and education
-
Jon Kabat-Zinn
- uses mindfulness and Zen meditation in programs for pain management and for treating stress-related disorders
- Founded Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society
- apply their work to other places like schools and prisons
-
Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society
- founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn
- uses mindfulness and Zen meditation techniques in programs for pain management and to treat stress related disorders
- it has be used in places like prisons and schools
- an example of the broad reaching of Buddhism
-
Greystone Mandala
- founded by Bernard Tetsugen Glassman in the 1980s
- dedicated to Zen social engagement
- includes a Bakery, Family Inn and health centers for HIV/AIDS sufferers
- sometimes not liked by Buddhism because it takes part in consumerism, but done to help other, not to compete
-
Bernard Tetsugen Glassman
- founded Greystone Mandala
- originally was a Buddhist monk- a Zen Buddist
- worked to help the poor and homeless uplift themselves
- through bakery, family inn, health centers
-
Buddhist Peace Fellowship
- founded by Robert Aitken
- concerned that Buddhists be engaged in social applications of their experience
- promotes collaboration within Buddhism
-
1893 World Parliament of Religions
- part of teh World's Columbian exposition
- first formal gathering of representatives of Eaastern and western spiritual tradions
- 1st introduction of Buddhsim and other Asian traditions to the West
- had originally just seen cultural Buddhism
-
Heart of Understanding (Thich Nhat Hanh)
- a commentary on the Heart Sutra
- explaines ideas of emptiness through interbeing
- attempts to make concepts more accessible to western culture
-
Life of Milarepa
(Tsangnyön Heruka)
- a hagiography- sacred biography of Milarepa
- its purpose is to give hope, inspiration and it is also instructional
- also gives a world view of Vajrayana Buddism at the time of its writing
- has a narrative, biographical and religious aspect
-
Lotus Sutra
- part of the Prajnaparamita
- sutra that emphasizes the practie of the 6 perfections
- emphasizes skillful means
- also addresses the idea of the Buddha not achieving final enlightenment in order to help other beings- selfless
|
|
