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Review: Vedic /Upanishadic Traditions

Review: Vedic /Upanishadic Traditions. VEDIC TRADITION: Vedic Cosmology Vedic Gods Varna. UPANISHADIC TRADITION: Upanishadic Ideas Universalistic Ideas: Brahman/Atman Samsara kalpa. Brhadaranyaka Upanishad: “As he has acted, as he has lived, so he becomes;

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Review: Vedic /Upanishadic Traditions

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  1. Review: Vedic /Upanishadic Traditions VEDIC TRADITION: Vedic Cosmology Vedic Gods Varna

  2. UPANISHADIC TRADITION: Upanishadic Ideas Universalistic Ideas: Brahman/Atman Samsara kalpa Brhadaranyaka Upanishad: “As he has acted, as he has lived, so he becomes; He who has done good is born again as a good one; He who has done evil, is born again as an evil one”

  3. Heterodox Religions: Jainism and Buddhism • Against the Vedic ideas, especially supremacy of • priesthood, varna system, materalism of • Vedic ritual • Non-Theistic • Non-Violence and equality • Upanishadic ideas: contemplation and questioning • Path of renunciation (pre-Vedic ideas) • Nastiks = deniers [of the Vedic tradition] • Astiks = believers [of the Vedic tradition]

  4. Buddhism Presuppositions: SAMSARA: endless cycle of rebirth and deal KARMA: “action” KALPA: cyclical time of world cycles MAYA: illusion Soteriology: a release from the painful cycles by attaining enlightenment. Upanishadic Ideas: Unity: universal and individual Renunciate / ascetic tradition Emphasis on SELF

  5. The Buddha • “Founder” • historical figure born in 500 BCE • as Prince Siddhartha of the Shakya clan in • Lumbini, Nepal • After enlightenment became known as the BUDDHA • “one who has the knowledge” • also known as SHAKYAMUNI, “sage of the Shakya” • The Buddha • teacher, NOT a god • notion of past Buddhas before him (8 Buddhas) • his life and events serve as paradigm for ALL Buddhists • All Buddhist beliefs in existence before Shakyamuni

  6. The Life of the Buddha Four Major Events as Paradigm Birth Enlightenment (bodhi) First Teaching “Turning the Wheel of Dharma” Death (nirvana)

  7. Birth of the Buddha

  8. Lumbini, Nepal Birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha

  9. Fasting Buddha, 1st century CE

  10. Enlightenment at Bodhgaya

  11. Temple of Enlightenment, Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya

  12. Enlightenment of the • Buddha: • Victory over Mara (death) • attained Bodhi “knowledge • Buddha: “one who has the • knowledge • “Earth-touching gesture” : • -earth-goddess as • witness

  13. First Teaching at Sarnath, India: Turning the Wheel of Dharma

  14. Teaching the Dharma: :Turning the Wheel of Law” Four Noble Truths: Life is suffering Desire is the cause of suffering The solution is to stop having desire The way to stop desire is to follow the Buddhist Dharma (path) (8-Fold Path) : faith / practice : selfless action : ethical behavior Three Jewels: Buddha (Teacher) Dharma (Teaching) Sangha (Community)

  15. Buddhist Teachings (Dharma) • Altruistic action: Having complete, unselfish compassion for others and acting on that compassion. Making continuous effort to seek advancement and to aid others • 2) Yogic Meditation: • Seeking through concentration and mindfulness the various types of knowledge that led to the Buddhist attainment • 3) Detachment: • Becoming a beggar or an ascetic in order to detach oneself from all desires.

  16. The Death of the Buddha: Nirvana • Ending the cycle of samsara

  17. Relic Cult in Buddhism: Worship and Pilgrimage 1. Bodily Relics of the Buddha STUPA

  18. Buddhist Community • Buddhist Sangha: • Monastics: Monks / Nuns • Lay Commmunity: Male / female • Buddhist Texts: • Monastic behavior: vinaya • Buddhist philosophical treatises and commentaries • Buddhist Worship, Ritual, and Art • Communicating the key points of religion through symbols • Emphasizing faith in religion • Art begins around the 3rd century BCE

  19. Buddhist Cosmology: Mount Meru System Buddhist World System: Sacred Mountain: imagined space Fundamental in Buddhist philosophy and art Understanding that is critical in Buddhist thought Web reference: www.huntingtonarchive.osu.edu (Circle of Bliss)

  20. Mount Meru World System

  21. Mount Meru World System

  22. Stupas as Mount Meru World System Tibet Nepal Japan

  23. Yogin and Mt. Meru

  24. Yogin and Heart-Mind

  25. Buddhist Vehicles (Yana) • Hinayana “Little Vehicle” • Shrakayana: Vehicle of the Hearers • Theravada: Path of the Elders • Pratyeka-buddhayana: Vehicle of the Lone Buddhas • Ideal: Arhats • Mahayana “Great Vehicle” • Ideal: Bodhisattva (lit. “Enlightenment Beings” or Beings • destined for Enlightenment) • Vajrayana “Adamantine/Diamond Vehicle” • best suited for the Kali Yuga: efficious/dangerous • Ideal: Mahasiddha (crazy yogin)

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