Intro to world

• Nontheistic


  Absence of belief in a supreme deity
• Nontheistic religions


  • Emphasizes understanding suffering and achieving enlightenment
  • Acknowledges existence of gods (devas) but discourages worship
• Siddhartha Gautama


  • Central figure, also known as the Buddha
  • Founded Buddhism around 500 B.C.E. after attaining enlightenment
• Sacred Scriptures (Tipitaka)


  • Sutta Pitaka
  • Vinaya Pitaka
  • Abhidhamma Pitaka
• Tipitaka


  • Contains teachings, disciplinary codes for monks, and reflective philosophies
• Core Teachings of Buddhism


  • Focuses on ethics, self-understanding, and liberation from suffering
  • Rejects belief in an eternal soul (atman)
  • Four Noble Truths: Identify origin of suffering, cause, cessation, and path to end suffering
  • Eightfold Path: Guide to right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration
• Law of Dependent Origination

  • Every effect has a cause, and every cause has an effect
  • Virtuous actions produce good results, while bad deeds result in evil consequences
• Impermanence of Things


  • Everything subject to change and decay
  • Five uncontrollable processes: old age, sickness, dying, decay, death
• Nirvana


  • State of perfect peace and liberation from suffering
  • Achieved through extinguishing passions and desires
  • Attainable in this life by anyone (arhat)
• The Sangha


  • Monastic community founded by Siddhartha
  • Must take refuge in Buddha to be accepted into the sangha
  • Preserve and transmit Buddhist teachings
• Worship and Observances


  • Stupas: Commemorative monuments containing sacred relics
  • Vesak: Celebrates birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha
  • Other celebrations include Magha Puja Day, Sangha Day, Asalha Puja Day, Dhamma Day, Uposatha, Pavaran Day, Enlightenment Day, Kathina Day, and Bodhi Day
• Monks involved in political and social activism
• Historical involvement of women in the sangha with some stipulations, despite societal views of inferiority
• Nontheistic


  Absence of belief in a supreme deity
• Mahayana Buddhism


  • Emerged from doctrinal differences within Buddhism, known as the "Great Vehicle"
  • Widespread in China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, and Tibet
  • Most popular branch of Buddhism globally
• Nontheistic religions


  • Emphasizes understanding suffering and achieving enlightenment
  • Acknowledges existence of gods (devas) but discourages worship
• Tzu Chi Foundation


  • International humanitarian organization founded in 1966
  • Mission is to relieve suffering and create a better world
  • Volunteer-based, operating in 67 countries
• Siddhartha Gautama


  • Central figure, also known as the Buddha
  • Founded Buddhism around 500 B.C.E. after attaining enlightenment
• Historical Background of Mahayana Buddhism


  • Dates back to 1st century B.C.E.
  • Systematic philosophical articulation by Nagarjuna in 1st century C.E.
  • Rooted in China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea
• Sacred Scriptures (Tipitaka)


  • Sutta Pitaka
  • Vinaya Pitaka
  • Abhidhamma Pitaka
• Sacred Scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism

  • Accepts Theravada texts
  • Includes Sutra Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, and Abhidharma Pitaka
  • Lotus Sutra is prominent, emphasizing Buddha nature in all beings
• The Tipitaka contains teachings, disciplinary codes for monks, and reflective philosophies
• Core Teachings of Buddhism


  • Focuses on ethics, self-understanding, and liberation from suffering
  • Rejects belief in an eternal soul (atman)
  • Four Noble Truths: Identify origin of suffering, cause, cessation, and path to end suffering
  • Eightfold Path: Guide to right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration
• Beliefs and Doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism

  • Concept of Trikaya or "Three Bodies" representing different aspects of Buddha-hood
  • Bodhisattva ideal: aspiring to enlightenment for all beings
  • Ten bhumis (grounds) and paramitas (perfections) are essential for attaining Buddha-hood
• Law of Dependent Origination

  • Every effect has a cause, and every cause has an effect
  • Virtuous actions produce good results, while bad deeds result in evil consequences
• Impermanence of Things


  • Everything subject to change and decay
  • Five uncontrollable processes: old age, sickness, dying, decay, death
• Worship and Observances in Mahayana Buddhism

  • Prayers, chants, and offerings to Buddhas and bodhisattvas
  • Rituals can be elaborate, including meditation and pilgrimage
  • Important symbols include the lotus, dharma wheel, and mudras (hand gestures)
• Nirvana


  • State of perfect peace and liberation from suffering
  • Achieved through extinguishing passions and desires
  • Attainable in this life by anyone (arhat)
• Tibet's historical conflict with China and India, leading to oppression of Tibetan Buddhism
• The Sangha


  • Monastic community founded by Siddhartha
  • Must take refuge in Buddha to be accepted into the sangha
  • Preserve and transmit Buddhist teachings
• Buddhist monks' ritual suicides as protest in the 20th century
• Worship and Observances


  • Stupas: Commemorative monuments containing sacred relics
  • Vesak: Celebrates birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha
  • Other celebrations include Magha Puja Day, Sangha Day, Asalha Puja Day, Dhamma Day, Uposatha, Pavaran Day, Enlightenment Day, Kathina Day, and Bodhi Day
• Confucianism


  • Flourished during the Zhou dynasty
  • Philosophers like Confucius sought solutions to social problems
• Monks involved in political and social activism
• Historical involvement of women in the sangha with some stipulations, despite societal views of inferiority
• Confucius


  • Born in 551 B.C.E. in Lu, China, from a noble family
  • Emphasized love of learning and mastery of various arts
  • Held government positions but faced frustration
  • Spent 13 years wandering, returned home to teach
  • Died in 479 B.C.E., leaving a legacy of disciples
• Mahayana Buddhism


  • Emerged from doctrinal differences within Buddhism, known as the "Great Vehicle"
  • Widespread in China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, and Tibet
  • Most popular branch of Buddhism globally
• Confucian Beliefs


  • Belief in Tian: Concept of heaven or an all-encompassing God
  • Rectification of Names: Importance of playing societal roles properly
  • Disagreement between Mengzi (innate goodness) and Xunzi (evil nature) on human nature
  • Five Constants: Ren (benevolence), Yi (righteousness), Li (propriety), Zhi (wisdom), Xin (fidelity)
  • Filial Piety: Importance of family relations and respect for elders
• Tzu Chi Foundation


  • International humanitarian organization founded in 1966
  • Mission is to relieve suffering and create a better world
  • Volunteer-based, operating in 67 countries
• Sacred Scriptures of Confucianism

  • Five Classics, including the Book of Change, History, Poetry, Rites, and Spring and Autumn Annals