Historical Development of Buddhism Flashcards
AO3: What does Williams say about the linguistic nature of Buddhist schools uniqueness?
In ‘Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundation’, Williams presents an ‘essentialist fallacy’ giving rise to the idea that because we use the same word there must be ‘a core, an essence, identified by relevant definition’.
AO3: What historical evidence is there of Buddhist belief diversifying?
The Enryaku-ji monastery was influential on Eisai, Dogen, Honen, Shinran and Nichiren yet they all founded their own sects.
AO3: How did Buddhism initially diversify?
Monks travelling within Japan, China and Korea absorbed new beliefs, modifying their practices.
AO3: What core Buddhist beliefs unify the religion?
TFNT, TEP, The Refuges, The Three Lakshanas and enlightenment and meditation.
AO3: What forces shaped Japanese Buddhism?
Social, political and cultural forces.
AO3: What about the Japanese schools of Buddhism makes them similar to each other?
They are a linear development of Cha’an Buddhism found in China.
AO3: How is Zen Buddhism not unique?
What the teacher passes on is a way to achieve enlightenment just as Gautama did for six years after the renunciation.
AO3: How does Pure Land lack uniqueness?
Concerned with how the least moral will achieve rebirth anywhere else than the hell realm. Enforces virtue of metta and karuna.
AO3: What vow is Pure Land Buddhism similar to?
The Bodhisattva vow which helps other sentient beings achieve enlightenment.
AO3: How does Nichiren Buddhism lack uniqueness?
Focus on upaya - skilful means - and devotion towards the Gohonzon is no different from other Buddhist Rupas ie. Kamakura Daibutsu.
AO3: How may Zen Buddhism be seen as unique?
Its close link to social status - Rinzai Zen for the ruling class and Soto for the general populace.
Rinzai Zen also strongly linked to martial arts and Samurai tradition.
AO3: How is Pure Land Buddhism unique?
Reliance is removed from Jiriki (own power) to Tariki (other power), provided by the Amida Buddha.
AO3: How is Nichiren Buddhism unique?
There is an entirety of focus on the Lotus Sutra and the devotional practice of chanting the Daimoku.
AO3: How may Japanese Buddhism be seen as unique overall?
The lineage between student and teacher is held in such a high esteem ie. Pure Land focus on Honen.
AO3: How may Japanese Buddhism be seen as unique overall?
The lineage between student and teacher is held in such a high esteem ie. Pure Land focus on Honen.
AO3: How do the Koan, Nembutsu and Daimoku show importance towards Upaya?
They cater in their own way ‘according to the capacities of sentient beings’ (Lotus Sutra).
AO3: Who does each practice engage with?
Koan - Those who are self-reflective and intellectual.
Nembutsu - Those who need Tariki of Amida to progress on the magga.
Daimoku - Those with busy lives with daily recitation sufficing as devotional practice.
AO3: What does the Parable of the Raft outline?
‘You should let go even of the Dhammas’.
AO3: What is arising of Dukkha caused by?
Tanha or craving.
AO3: How is the Koan important in addressing tanha?
It breaks through so that the ‘I’ with an ego is removed - ‘letting go’ can then happen as anatta is recognised.
AO3: What Buddhist Pictures illustrate letting go well?
The Ten Ox Herding Pictures - A herder (the Zen student) searching for the Ox but by the eight picture there is an empty circle.
AO3: How does Williams argue letting go to be a key part of Pure Land Buddhism?
The vow made to Amida - ‘leaving good and evil to the natural working of Karmic Law’ - If there is no self, Jiriki, one must rely on Tariki.
AO3: What do Shiro and Hakamaya debate about about Japanese Buddhism?
If it is faulty when based in temples and monasteries as it is elitist and nationalist.
AO3: What about the Japanese Buddhism debate makes the nembutsu and Diamoku very important?
They are not dependent upon monasteries or monks.
