Buddhism
Buddhism in America
New configurations
– “In LA, Buddhists who would never have met one another
in Asia find themselves neighbors, often with very different
cultural experiences of Buddhism” (149).
Need for lay education
– Few second-generation Buddhist Americans become
monks or nuns (159, 161)
Adaptation
– “Buddhism’s three treasures will all be expressed in new
ways as the various forms of Buddhism begin to grow. So
far, the plant is still young” (164).
– http://www.hsilai.org/VirtualTour/virtualmap.html
Triple Gem
I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dharma
I take refuge in the Sangha
Siddhartha Gautama
Born ca. 563 BC
– Context: asceticism in India and Nepal
Life story: Classic story of a quest
– How is it unusual?
– How does it typify universal human experience?
– Four Sights: why are these shocking to Siddhartha?
– Enlightenment
– Teaching others (45 yrs)
Presents “middle way”
Ideal of enlightenment
Not a god
Four Noble Truths
1. Life is suffering (dukkha)
2. Suffering is caused by desire
3. Ceasing desire will bring an end to
suffering
4. Do this through the Eightfold Path
Eightfold Path:
ethics and discipline (157)
1. Right views
2. Right intent
3. Right speech
4. Right conduct
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration
Right views
Right intention
Right concentration Right speech
Right mindfulness Right conduct
Right effort Right livelihood
Doctrines
Samsara: cycle of rebirth
Impermanence
Interdependence
Enlightenment
Nirvana
Development of
Buddhism
No clear successor after the Buddha’s
death
Theravada: most traditional
Mahayana: most adapting
Zen: branch of Mahayana
Theravada Buddhism
Predominant in SE Asia (e.g., Thailand)
More conservative, strict
– Buddha: an exemplar, not a god
– Dharma: Scriptures are the Pali canon
Sangha: monastery
– Best way to reach enlightenment
– Community supports monks
Universe is not friendly (no gods to help)
– Most like teaching of the Buddha
– Rely on self for enlightenment: “Impermanent are all
created things; strive on with awareness.”
Mahayana Buddhism
Dharma: More liberal (innovative)
– Scriptures are Pali canon PLUS other sutras
– more open on inclusion of women
Buddha: a savior, god-like
– offer prayer and worship
Sangha: monks and laity
– “Big raft”: Focus on laity, all people
– Priests serve laity, can marry
– Ideal: Bodhisattva who helps others
Universe has helpful and harmful powers
– Offer reverence for gods
– Pray for help
Zen Buddhism
Branch of Mahayana
Most common form in West
Less ritualistic, less emphasis on scriptures
Focus on emptying, even of most sacred teachings
– critical of verbal reliance, conceptions
– remarkably self-critical
practices:
– zazen (sacred meditation),
– koan (problem/riddle) [reason is limited, have to use other
forms of knowing],
– leading to satori/kensho
American Buddhism
“If we don’t build temples, our culture won’t survive
in this country” (210)
– Temples as community centers (216)
– Entering temple = a world set apart (214)
– But, American landscape has also entered temple (216)
Different Buddhist groups have different agendas
and priorities (216)
– Preserve culture (immigrants)
– Vehicle for social transformation (non-Asian Americans)
– Synthesis of different Buddhist practices (217)
Socially Engaged
Buddhism
Prominent in Vietnam in 1960s
– Rooted in interdependence
Similar to Americanization of Buddhism:
how can Buddhism engage culture in new
ways?
– Anti-war, promoting peace-making
– Relief efforts for poverty, natural disasters
– Rejection of materialism, consumerism in America (216)
Happens at same time as waves of
immigration to U.S.
– Synergistic effect: how can Buddhism thrive by engaging
American culture as lay people?