Buddhism |
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Overview |
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- 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
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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).
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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
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MAHAYANA
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Human beings are emancipated through self-effort,
without supernatural aid
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Human aspirations are supported by divine powers and the
grace they bestow.
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Key virtue: wisdom
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Key virtue: compassion
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Attainment requires constant commitment, and is
primarily for monks and nuns
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Religious practice is relevant to life in the world, and
therefore to lay people
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Ideal: the Arahat who remains in nirvana
after death.
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Ideal: the bodhisattva.
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Buddha : supreme teacher.
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Buddha a savior.
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Minimizes metaphysics
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Elaborates metaphysics.
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Minimizes ritual
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Emphasizes ritual
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Practice centers on meditation
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Includes petitionary prayer
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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.
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