| Buddhism |
| |
|
| Overview |
| |
- Buddhism originated with the
enlightenment and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (563-480 BC)
- Rejected the notion that only a few
could attain enlightenment (this was essentially a rejection of
the caste system and the authority of the Brahmin and Vedas)
- Rejected belief that one could rely on
gods for salvation
- Discouraged metaphysical speculation
|
| Central Concepts |
The pivotal values/core
concepts of all Buddhism are summed up in the Four Noble Truths
that the Buddha taught:
- Life is suffering
- Suffering comes from self-centered
desire
- If one overcomes self-centered desire,
suffering ends
- One can overcome self-centered desire
by following the Eight Fold Path (the Buddha's basic teachings).
|
| Branches of Buddhism:
While embraced many paths to the goal of
release from samsara, Buddhism divided into many branches, each
claiming to be the best (or only way) to nirvana.
- Theravada (way of the elders)
- Mahayana (the greater way)
- Vajrayana (the diamond way)
The following chart illustrates the main
differences between Theravada and Mahayana. |
|
THERAVADA
|
MAHAYANA
|
|
Human beings are emancipated through self-effort,
without supernatural aid
|
Human aspirations are supported by divine powers and the
grace they bestow.
|
|
Key virtue: wisdom
|
Key virtue: compassion
|
|
Attainment requires constant commitment, and is
primarily for monks and nuns
|
Religious practice is relevant to life in the world, and
therefore to lay people
|
|
Ideal: the Arahat who remains in nirvana
after death.
|
Ideal: the bodhisattva.
|
|
Buddha : supreme teacher.
|
Buddha a savior.
|
|
Minimizes metaphysics
|
Elaborates metaphysics.
|
|
Minimizes ritual
|
Emphasizes ritual
|
|
Practice centers on meditation
|
Includes petitionary prayer
|
|
Vajrayana is a unique
form of Buddhism that evolved in Tibet.
- Uses ritual, visualization and symbols
to reach enlightenment in a very short period of time.
- Spiritual leaders (lamas) are believed
to reincarnate themselves for the sake of others.
- Dalai Lama is considered to be the 14th
incarnation of the bodhisattva of compassion.
|