EL29 Mindfulness Meditation - Edmonton Lifelong Learners ... Session Class Handouts... · Key Learning #2: Beliefs: Mahayana added the concept of the compassionate Bodhisattva who

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EL29 Mindfulness Meditation

Lecture 2.3: Mahayana Buddhism

Lec. 2.2 Key Learnings: !  Key Learning #1:. Evolution, diffusion & distribution:

Theravada evolved out of India about 200 years after the death of the Buddha and to Sri Lanka, and parts of S.E. Asia. It more or less died out in India.

!  Key Learning #2: Beliefs: “The original teachings of the Buddha” without any additional interpretation.

!  Key Learning #3:. Meditation: Mindfulness meditation is the foundational practice, combined concentration and the other elements of the 8 fold path.

!  Key Learning #4: Icons & symbols: No one really knows what the Buddha looked like, but early images were based on what was known at the time about people in general, plus some symbolic hand gestures, called mudras.

Right now…….how much did you learn from yesterday’s lecture?

What is the key feature about Theravada belief system?

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Lecture Overview

• Evolution, distribution and diffusion

• Belief system • Meditation practices • Icons and symbolism

Key Learnings: !  Key Learning #1:. Evolution, diffusion & distribution: Mahayana

evolved out of India about 600 years after the death of the Buddha and moved out to Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan, and Tibet

!  Key Learning #2: Beliefs: Mahayana added the concept of the compassionate Bodhisattva who defers personal enlightenment to save others. This tradition added much more philosophical interpretations to Buddhism based on the cultures it encountered, but also tried to become more populist with laypeople.

!  Key Learning #3:. Meditation: Forms and varieties of meditation practices expanded with Mahayana, including more lay-oriented chanting of the Buddha’s name as a path to salvation.

!  Key Learning #4: Icons & symbols: A plethora of new Buddha’s and gods appeared with Mahayana and art/symbols expanded significantly and reflected the various cultures Mahayana encountered.

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Divisions of Buddhism !  Three Rafts for Crossing the River

• Theravada Buddhism • Mahayana Buddhism • Vajrayana Buddhism

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Schools of Buddhism - Mahayana

The “Great Vehicle”!  Developed first century C.E.!  Found in Northern Asia (China, Japan, etc.)!  Lay Buddhism – Buddhism “for the masses”!  Devotional – seek guidance from Bodhisattvas (“wise

beings”) & heavenly Buddhas (kwan Yin, Amida, etc.)!  Focus on compassion!  Goal is to become a bodhisattva and assist others

toward enlightenment (the “Bodhisattva Ideal”)!  Diverse schools and sects including:

•  Pureland, Nichiren, Tendai, Shingon, and others

Evolution of Buddhism !  Number of

schools & sects tends to rise over time – true of most religions.

!  More philosophical and scholarly ideas get added on to the original teachers ideas.

!  Complexity rises.

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The Spread of Buddhism!  Within two centuries

after the Buddha died, Buddhism began to spread north and east into Asia

!  To Europe & N. America in the 19th to 20th centuries

!  By 13th century Buddhism had disappeared from India or absorbed into Hinduism

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BUDDHISM COMES TO EAST ASIA

!  “Silk Road” merchants and missionaries transmit Buddhism to China by 65 CE

!  As Han 漢 dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE) declines, Chinese elites turn away from Confucianism to Daoism and Buddhism, often combining elements of each in syncretistic mix

!  By Tang 唐 dynasty (618-907 CE), Buddhism reaches zenith of its popularity in China

!  From China, Buddhism spreads to Vietnam, Korea, and Japan

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CHALLENGES TO BUDDHISM IN CHINA

!  Geographic: difficulty of India-China travel

!  Linguistic: translation of foreign texts and concepts

!  Political: conflicts between rulers and sangha; separation between north and south during “Period of Disunity”

!  Religious: competition with and/or dilution by Confucianism and Daoism

!  Social: traditional Chinese distaste for foreign ways (e.g., celibacy, monasticism, Sanskrit terminology, karma theory)

Quick check: How much can you recall so far?

Which of the following is NOT a Mahayana country?

a)  Japan b)  Korea c)  Sri Lanka d)  China

!  Which of the following is NOT one of the 3 rafts? a)  Theravada b)  Taoism c)  Mahayana d)  Vajrayana

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MahayanaBuddhism

!  DevelopedinIndiaaroundthe4thcentury

!  ExpandsBuddhismtolaypersons!  Moreliberalmonas;ccodes!  Bodhisa<vaideal–libera;onofall

sen;entbeings!  Majortexts

•  Perfec;onofWisdomsutras•  Diamondsutra•  Lotussutra•  Tibetancommentaries

1400 - INTRODUCTIONIntroduc;ontoBuddhism

A Chinese wooden Bodhisattva from the Song

Dynasty (960-1279 CE)

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Theravada vs. Mahayana !  Teaching of the elders !  Key virtue: wisdom (bodhi) !  Religion is primarily for

monk !  Ideal: the Arhat (lonely

saint) !  Nirvana for the individual !  Avoids metaphysical

speculation !  Conservative in views !  Tipitaka texts only !  A bit like Catholicism

!  “”Spirit” of the elders !  Key virtue: compassion

(karuna) !  Religion is for laypersons as

well !  Ideal: the Bodhisattva !  Nirvana delayed until all

beings relieved of suffering. !  Elaborates metaphysics !  More liberal and inclusive !  Many, many texts revered –

wisdom as evolving with sages.

!  A bit like Protestantism

Scholars develop a mythology !  A mythology about the Buddha

developed (Buddhology) !  The Trikaya (Triple Body of the

Buddha) • Dharmakaya (analogous to the

“Godhead”) • Sambogakhaya (analogous to the

“resurrected” Christ) • Nirmanakaya (analogous to the

historical Jesus of Nazareth)

Slide Credit: www.euro-tongil.org/.../PPT/...Carlson/Mahayana%20Buddhism.ppt

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THREE “BODIES” OF THE BUDDHAVERSE:

Mahāyāna Buddhism •  Theravada Buddhism: the 3 marks of all existence

–  Anatta (no self); Dukkha (suffering); Anicca (impermanence)

•  Mahāyāna Buddism added “emptiness,” as the fourth mark of all existence –  Happiness is intrinsic to a healthy mind –  Don’t grasp; just “be” –  Reality is not an illusion; but its real nature (its reality) is

transparent to analysis –  The objective world exists, but its independent existence,

separate from its subjective perception, cannot be found –  A “non-verbal” experience of reality is what is needed


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Buddha’s begin to proliferate! !  Man does not have to save himself; there is help available. !  The authors of salvation are of three kinds:

•  Manushi Buddhas (started from a human base – Gotama Buddha)

!  They came on earth, attained enlightenment, and are now gone. They are teachers

!  Historical Buddha (Gotama) before his enlightenment •  Bodhisattvas

!  Beings who vowed to become Buddhas and have enormous merit; they postponed their entrance to Nirvana to help us

!  Maitreya, Avalokitesvara, Kwan Yin (female Buddha) •  Dhyani Buddhas

!  Meditation Buddhas, never in human form !  Achieved Buddha-hood, but not in human manifestation !  Vairocana, Amitabha are the most appealing of this kind.


Major Schools in Mahayana !  Shingon (“true word”) - this school

stresses uses sacred chants called mantras and if the rituals were carefully followed it would provide security for rulers, children for married couples.

!  The followers attempt to unite with Buddha’s cosmic nature. This school uses “mandalas” which are geometrical designs that present reality in symbolic form.

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MahayanaSchools

!  PureLandBuddhism(China,Japan)•  PureLandBuddhismofferspathtoenlightenmentforpeoplewhocan’thandlethesubtle;esofmedita;onandlongrituals

•  Essen;alprac;ceisthechan;ngofthenameofAmitabhaBuddha:Namuamidabutsu

•  Teachesrebirthinthe“pureland”,asortofBuddhist“heaven”


Nichiren Buddhism (Japan) The Lotus Sutra is the only path to enlightenment. Other Buddhist practices no longer provide a path to enlightenment. Focus on this world, and the importance of the individual. Main practice is chanting: Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (I devote my life to the law itself.)

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SOURCES OF JAPANESE BUDDHISM

!  Buddhism (Tantric, Chan, Pure Land) introduced during 500s CE by Korean immigrants, missionaries, and diplomats

!  Functions of Buddhism in early Japan: 1.  Instrument of diplomacy 2.  Vehicle of civilization 3.  Symbol of political power

!  Shintô-Buddhist syncretism: 1.  theory of honji suijaku 本地重跡 (original reality, manifest traces)

2.  Buddhas and bodhisattvas are honji, kami are suijaku

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MahayanaSchools

!  Zen(Ch’an)Buddhism•  CommoninChina,Japan,

Korea,Vietnam•  BlendsMahayanaBuddhism

withTaoism•  Aimsattakingthera;onal

andintellectualmindoutofthementalloop–itsonlyaboutmedita;on!

•  Zenissomethingyoudo–itcannotbedescribedinwords

•  Twomajorschools!  Rinzai!  Soto


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Zen Buddhism: Aims of Zen !  Zen is life; it is cooking, cleaning,

studying, or whatever one is doing at the time.

!  Zazen and koan practice are important training, but the real practice of Zen is the daily living of life.

!  Buying mushrooms is zazen and talking to Dogen is koan practice for the tenzo monk” (Asian Philosophies, p.238).

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LEGACIES OF THE CHAN/ZEN TRADITION

!  Cements syncretism of indigenous and imported elements (Buddhism/Daoism, Buddhism/Shintô) in East Asian Buddhism

!  Hugely influential on East Asian cultures:

1.  Calligraphy 2.  Cuisine (e.g., tea) 3.  Drama (especially in Japan) 4.  Martial arts (e.g., fencing) 5.  Painting 6.  Philosophy 7.  Poetry 8.  Ritual (e.g., tea ceremony)

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Theravada vs. Mahayana !  Teaching of the elders !  Key virtue: wisdom (bodhi) !  Religion is primarily for

monk !  Ideal: the Arhat (lonely

saint) !  Nirvana for the individual !  Avoids metaphysical

speculation !  Conservative in views !  Tipitaka texts only !  A bit like Catholicism

!  “”Spirit” of the elders !  Key virtue: compassion

(karuna) !  Religion is for laypersons as

well !  Ideal: the Bodhisattva !  Nirvana delayed until all

beings relieved of suffering. !  Elaborates metaphysics !  More liberal and inclusive !  Many, many texts revered –

wisdom as evolving with sages.

!  A bit like Protestantism

Quick discussion to consolidate your memory!

Describe 3 differences between Theravada

and Mahayana Buddhism

Ok to chat with your neighbours






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Zen: Stress on Meditation

!  Is one of the schools in Mahayana. !  It takes its name from the seventh step of the

Eight Fold Path--Meditation dhyana. !  In Chinese this word is “chan” in Japanese, “zen”

!  The Chan movement preferred Siddhartha’s technique of attaining enlightenment through seated meditation.

Zen Buddhism: Practice !  3 aims of zazen: !  (i) Concentration: In practicing zazen one first needs to

still or quiet the mind and learn to focus on the moment (Asian Philosophies, p.239).

!  (ii) Satori: Satori is “the awakening of enlightenment that sees directly into one’s own existence and the existence of others. This direct insight reveals the true nature of things in their dynamic interdependence” (Asian Philosophies, p.239).

!  (iii) Living enlightenment: The third aim of zazen is to live the enlightenment experience in every moment. “It [i.e. enlightenment] is to be lived; every action and every moment should be an action and a moment lived in enlightenment” (Asian Philosophies, p.240).

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Zen Buddhism: Practice !  Koller breaks Zen practice into two broad categories,

(1) zazen and (2) koan practice. !  (1) Zazen - Zazen is sitting meditation, usually done

on a cushion or bench, and facing a blank wall. In this form of mindfulness practice, the Zen practitioner must first control and regulate the body, breath and mind. Once the mind is ‘stilled’ the Zen practitioner cultivates “what is sometimes called a profound silence in the deepest recesses of one’s being, letting go of all dualistic thought and all graspings” (Asian Philosophies, p.239).

!  In other words, it is the cultivation of no-mind.

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Zazen: Friendly reminders from the Master!

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Zen Buddhism: Practice !  (2) Koan practice - Koans play a special role as a

means to sudden enlightenment in Rinzai Zen. Koans are usually dialogues between a Zen master and a student, and involve what appear to be non-sensical responses to a question posed by a student. Koans are designed to push the student beyond dependence on dualistic thinking, or discursive consciousness (see Asian Philosophies, p.239, 241-42).

!  In Soto Zen koans are also used to cultivate mindfulness and ‘achieve’ enlightenment, but Soto Zen practitioners place less of an emphasis on the truths contained in the koans themselves and relate them more to their own lived experience, which is itself treated as the koan (Asian Philosophies, p.241).

The Zen Koan

!  Manual labor also helps one to focus and concentrate and so many of the Zen monastery do various tasks such as kitchen cleaning, minor repairs, etc.

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PoetryandZen

!  ZenoYengoeshand-in-handwithpoetrythatfocusesonevoca;vebrevityandparadoxbecausethroughtheseaglimpseofZen’sessencecanbea<ained.

!  Ex:“Thewildgeesedonotintendtocasttheirreflec;ons,Thewaterhasnomindtoreceivetheirimages.”

ZenHaikus!  ShortpoemsnotabletoZen,whichare3lineslong.Thefirstandthirdlinesareboth5syllablesinlength,whilethesecondis7syllables.Thestructureisnotabsolute.

Ex: AlltherainsofJune:Andoneevening,secretly,Throughthepines,themoon.

!  Translatedhaikusdonotalwaysfollowthestructureabovebecauseitismoreimportanttocapturetheessenceofthepoemthroughmeaning.

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AZenStory!  SomepeoplefindZennotonlyparadoxicalandpuzzlingbut

annoying,evenmaddening.Stories,likepoetry,inZenarealsoshort.!  ThefollowingisastoryaboutalearnedmanwhogoestoaZen

mastertolearnabouttheoldphilosophy.

“Themasterpolitelyinvitedhisvisitortoshareacupofceremonialteawhiletheytalkedtogether.Whenthemasterhadbrewedtheteabythestrictproceduresoftheteaceremony,hebegantopourthewhiskedgreenliquidintothevisitor’scupandcon;nuedpouringun;lthecuphadoverflowed.Eventhenhewentonpouringun;lthediscomfortedguest,unablelongertorestrainhimself,criedoutinagita;on,‘Sir,mycupisalreadyfull.Nomorewillgoin.’Atoncethemasterputdowntheteapotandremarked,‘Likethiscupyouarefullofyourownopinionsandspecula;ons.HowcanIshowyouZenunlessyoufirstemptyyourcup?’”

Avalokiteshvara

Identification with Body/Speech/Mind of an

Enlightened being leads to one’s own spiritual

transformation

Meditation Mantra:

“Om Mani Padme Hum” (means that in

dependence on the practice of a path which is an

indivisible union of method and wisdom, you can

transform your impure body, speech, and mind into the pure exalted body, speech,

and mind of a Buddha)

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Earliest Texts: Prajna-paramita PERFECTION OF PRAJNA / INSIGHT

HEART SUTRA

is ONE OF THE SHORTEST

True spiritual advance is made when we stop relying on the mediation of

any symbols between “us” and “world”

Philosophy demonstrates the superiority of silence; mastering

reality without traditional mediation Chanting is all you need!

The Heart Sutra Avalokiteshvara

while practicing deeply with the Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore,

suddenly discovered that all of the five Skandhas are equally empty,

and with this realization he overcame all Ill-being.

“Listen Sariputra, this Body itself is Emptiness

and Emptiness itself is this Body. This Body is not other than Emptiness

and Emptiness is not other than this Body. The same is true of Feelings,

Perceptions, Mental Formations, and Consciousness…..missing verses.........

Therefore let us proclaim a mantra to praise

the Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore. Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha! Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha! Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha!”

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The many Bodhisattvas & Buddha’s

Siddhārtha Gautama, Shakyamuni “The Buddha”

Avalokiteśvara “lord now looks down” compassion of all Buddhas.

holding a lotus flower. Nālandā, Bihar, India, 9th century CE.

Quan Yin – Mercy Goddess is one of the most universally beloved of deities in the Buddhist tradition. Also known as Kuan Yin, Quan'Am (Vietnam), Kannon (Japan), and Kanin (Bali)

Maitreya Future Buddha, South Korea.

Amitabha –Buddha who does not take a human form

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Buddhist art frequently makes use of a particular set of eight auspicious symbols, Ashtamangala in

domestic and public art

Ashtamangala: first row (left to right): parasol, pair of golden fish, conch; second row: treasure vase, lotus; Last row: infinite knot, victory banner and wheel.

Color in Buddhist Art !  Black symbolizes killing

and anger !  White denotes rest and

thinking !  Yellow stands for

restraining and nourishing

!  Red for subjugation and summoning and

!  Green means exorcism Mystic Padmasambhava

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Buddhist Body Art in the West

Part 2: Hand’s on practice –The Zen Koan

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EL29 Mindfulness Meditation - Edmonton Lifelong Learners ... Session Class Handouts... · Key Learning #2: Beliefs: Mahayana added the concept of the compassionate Bodhisattva who