The Way of Buddhism

The Way of Buddhism

Table of Contents

1. Introduction..........................................................................................3

2. Origin..................................................................................................3

3. Buddha's Teachings.................................................................................4

4. Buddhist Branches..................................................................................4

5. Asoka Maurya.......................................................................................5

6. The Spread of Buddhism in Asia

6.1. Sri Lanka...........................................................................................6

6.2. South-East Asia...................................................................................7

6.3. China................................................................................................8

7. Buddhism Today....................................................................................9

References................................................................................................11

1. Introduction

It would be relevant to start this research with the "definition" of Buddhism. I put the word definition in quotes because an exact definition of Buddhism would be imprecise as the content of such a vastly cultural phenomenon could not be limited to just a few lines. However, to provide the initial account on Buddhism we may apply a "definition". The following definition is preferred by the Buddhists themselves: "Buddhism is a tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development. Buddhists strive for a deep insight into the true nature of life and do not worship gods or deities" (Morgan, 23).

2. Origin

Buddhism started with a real living person, the Buddha, who created its teachings. The Buddha was born in the Terai lowlands near the foothills of the Himalayas, just inside the borders of modern-day Nepal. The word 'Buddha' was not his real name, but an honorific title meaning 'enlightened one'. The Buddha's real name was Siddhartha Gautama. The conventional dates for his life were 566-486 BC. His father, Suddhodhana, was the ruler of the kingdom of Kosala and Siddhartha, and therefore he was born into a life of wealth and privilege (Buddhism: Step by Step).

At twenty-nine Guatama (Buddha) left his father's palace, disillusioned with his life of prosperity and ease. He realized that everything was temporary, and that one day he, as well as everyone else, would succumb to sickness, old age, and death. However, he also believed there must be a way to escape this suffering, and that way would be found in some form of higher awareness or enlightenment. Buddha created his own teachings and preached them among the public. For six years he traveled and preached these ideas, and made a favorable impression at the courts of North-East India (Buddhism: Step by Step).

3. Buddha's Teachings

Buddha's teachings say that salvation can be achieved through escape from samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The state of Nirvana (or the state of Enlightenment) is liberation from the passions and problems of ordinary mortals, and is believed to be achieved by following the Eightfold Path, the route to escape, or enlightenment from suffering. This Eightfold Path considers right understanding, intention, speech, conduct, occupation, effort, mindedness, and concentration, ultimately leads to Nirvana when the soul is released from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Buddha's teachings are summarized in the Eightfold Path, the Four Noble Truths (the truth of dukkha, which is humanity accompanied by suffering that comes when one desires something, and how to escape this desire), and the paticca-samuppada (the analysis of the twelve-step circle of cause and effect that makes up samsara, and continues the cycle of desire and suffering). Buddhist commitment can be summarized in the Three Jewels, which state: "I take refuge in the Buddha; I take refuge in the Dharma; I take refuge in the Sangha." The Sangha is the communal organization of the bhikkhus, or monks. (Bowker, 171-173).

4. Buddhist Branches

Buddhists are divided into two mainstream branches. Theravada ('teaching of the elders'), or Little Vehicle, comprises about 38 percent of Buddhists. This branch looks upon Buddha as a self-redeemed human being. It is predominant in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Mahayana, or Great Vehicle (hence their belittling reference to Theravada as 'minor vehicle'), comprises about 56 percent of Buddhists. Mahayana has numerous forms and divisions, and recognizes Buddha as divine incarnation. It is most common in Nepal, China, Japan, and Korea. Theravada Buddhism is conservative and basic in its styles, while Mahayana Buddhism is compromised of more complex rituals, scriptures, and gallery of saints (bodhisattvas). Vajrayana, or Tantric Buddhism, is sometimes considered a third branch, but others see it as a subset of Mahayana. Vajrayana Buddhists believe they can obtain an accelerated path to enlightenment using Tantra techniques. This branch is found mainly in Tibet, Bhutan, and Northern India (Wikipedia).

Early Buddhism is said to have divided into eighteen lineages (or systems) after disputes over the nature of the Three Jewels. Of the earliest lineages, none can clearly be found in later Buddhism. Theravada is recognized as the oldest surviving lineage, and has become the leading type of Buddhism in South-East Asia. Still, Theravada has been continually split over questions of basic control, ordination practice, as well as the significance of doctrine and meditation (Wikipedia).

In Japan, a form of Buddhism called Zen developed that placed a strong emphasis on mysticism. Zen Buddhism gained popularity in the US during the 1960s and again during the 1980s.

Another