Buddhism and Jainism Flashcards
Module 8
Theravada Buddhism
means “the Way of the Elders”
- most conservative, oldest form of Buddhism
-believes there was only one Buddha (Gautama) and he was just a man
- Emphasis on monkhood
- monkhood = no family or “normal life”
- called Hinayana “small vehicle” by Mahayanists
Mahayana Buddhism
means “Large vehicle”
- believes in more than one Buddha
- compatible with having a family and “normal life”
- more adaptable to preexisting traditions and folk religions
- prioritizes compassion for others (karuna)
- little emphasis on monkhood
Commonalities between Buddhism and Jainism
- Originated in Ancient India in 6th c. BCE
- Common vocabulary
- Sprang from Kshatriya caste, - rejected the Vedas and Hindu rituals
- Challenged the priesthood and castes
- Women can be nuns
Life and teachings of Siddartha Gautama Shakyamuni
Siddartha Gautama Shakyamuni came from Kshatriya clan, became the Buddha
Kshatriya caste
The second highest caste level, warriors and teachers, the Buddha and the Mahavira came from kshatriya clans
Dharma in Buddhism
Way of life and thought, the teachings of Gautama Buddha
Where did Buddhism arise?
Ancient India, modern-day Nepal
modern-day Nepal
What is the Bodhi tree?
A tree which the Buddha was meditating under and became enlightened. The place where Gautama became the Buddha.
Four Noble Truths
- Life is suffering
- The cause of suffering is desire
- There is release from suffering
- The way to release is to follow the Eightfold Path
Noble Eightfold Path
- Right view
- Right aim
- Right speech
- Right action
- Right living
- Right effort
- Right mindfulness
- Right concentration
Lay people
Lay people are nonordained members of a church or religious organization, in Buddhism they build up merit helping around the stupa and community so in a later life they would have a better chance at becoming enlightened. Doing good works, spend some period of life in monsastic discipline
What does ahimsa mean?
Non violence
What is anatman?
No soul. No separate, permanent, or immortal self. Human being = a composite of skandhas.
Skandhas
Aggregates. Changing existence. “Each skandha is in permanent flux” Body, perception, feelings, predispositions generated by past existences, reasoning.
What is nirvana?
Quietude of heart; Liberation from samsara and life as a whole, not a place like heaven but rather a higher level of existence free from suffering and desire
Ashoka’s Buddhism
Ashoka, 3rd ruler of Mauryan empire, converted to Theravada Buddhism and sent missionaries out as far as Greece and the Middle East
What is Tripitaka?
Tripitaka = “three baskets” the first Buddhist scriptures, written down in India about 80 BCE on palm leaves and stored in baskets. In Pali language. Also known as the Pali Canon
Pali language
A middle Indo-Aryan language from North India, it is the classic and liturgical language of the Theravada Buddhist canon.
What is Bodhisattva?
A person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings. Refers to someone who has made a resolution to become a Buddha and has also received a confirmation or prediction from a living Buddha that this will be so. The goal in Mahayana Buddhism, to become bodhisattva + salvation for all.
Lotus Sutra
100 BCE - 100 CE, Most popular Buddhist text, contains sayings of the Buddha, Buddhist philosophy and history, much like the Christian Bible
Three major concepts of Mahayana Buddhism
-Trikaya = Three Aspects of the Buddha
-Karuna = compassion
-Shunyata = emptiness
What is Trikaya?
three bodies or aspects of the Buddha
1. The Cosmic Body
2. The Heavenly Body
3. The Earthly Body (manifestation)
What is karuna?
Compassion
What does shunyata mean?
Emptiness, nothing to cling to
What is Stupa?
Shrine in the shape of a dome reaching into the sky
- contains sacred relics of Buddha or remains of famous monks
- Marks sacred sites
- Built by the laity in an act of special merit
What helped Buddhism spread to China?
The Silk Roads, active trade routes, 1st c. CE. Gained prominence in 7th c. under Tang dynasty.
Why was Mahayana Buddhism successful in China?
Compatible with having a family (Theravada focuses on becoming a monk and renouncing “normal life”) and more flexible to fit with preexisting folk religion traditions
Mahavira
Nataputta Vardhamana, known as Mahavira “Great Hero”
- died in ca. 527 BCE
- Founder of Jainism
- Prince of a kshatriya clan,
Tirthankaras
Ford-makers, those who have escaped the cycle of rebirth, Mahavira was the last of twenty-four Tirthanakaras
Jiva in Jainism
True Self, soul, weighed down by karma and matter (different from Hindu jiva)
What happens to the soul in Jainism when it is liberated?
Becomes a Siddha. Liberated jivas don’t have physical bodies; they possess infinite knowledge, infinite vision, infinite power, and infinite bliss - in effect they have become perfect beings.
Gods in Buddhism and Jainism
Gods have to be reborn human to take path of enlightenment, in Buddhism there is no personal or creator god, gods = humans, imperfect and impermanent, finite subject to death and rebirth
What word does the name Jain (Jainism) come from?
Jain = one who follows a jina
jina = conqueror in Sanskrit
- a jina has been victorious over the obstacles to liberation
