Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers: The Age of Division 220-589
The Three Kingdoms 220-316 Western Jin 265-316 Northern China controlled by alien tribes from the north The result of this social unrest was damaging to Confucianism, but it increased the popularity of Daoism and Buddhism.
Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers Seven sages of the Bamboo Grove
Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers Sixteen Kingdoms (304-439) nearly ruined destroyed the culture of China. Eventually, China once again came together under Emperor Xiaowen (r. 471-99) Slavery and serfdom became a way of life in China
Buddhism—the middle way Spin-off of Hinduism and rejection also of Jainism Had a strong missionary zeal in the early centuries Buddhists can be found throughout all Asia Lived between 560-480 BCE Sheltered life to avoid four troubles: - Dead body
- Aged person
- Diseased person
- Ascetic monk
Gautama discovered suffering
Buddha’s Pilgrimage Meditation yielded Enlightenment (at the age of 35) Tanha (desire, carving) ties us to the endless cycle Travels to Banaras—Deer Park and reunited with his five ascetic friends who become his disciples
Teachings of Buddha Rejected sexism and caste-ism Nuns included Laity obeyed five rules: don’t kill, steal, lie, engage in improper sex, use drugs/alcohol Many parallels with Christ—neither seemed to have intended to start a new religion, both rejected rituals, etc. of other faiths Karma Anatman—the soul doesn’t exist Nirvana—extinguishing of carving or tanha
Four Noble Truths There is suffering The cause of suffering is craving Suffering ends when craving ends The path to the cessation of craving is the Noble Eightfold Pathway A present-day parable: http://www.wolverton-mountain.com/articles/buddha__was__correct_about__one.htm
Eightfold Pathway Right understanding Right intention Right speech Right action Right effort Right mindfulness Right concentration - The Eightfold Pathway can be divided into three categories:
- Conduct-avoid doing harm to others
- Meditation-provides a clear view of impermanence
- Wisdom-the understanding of suffering and impermanence
Development of Buddhism Emperor Asoka of India converted to Buddhism Buddhism flourished in India for awhile
Hinayana Theravada Buddhism found in SE Asia, Sri Lanka Conservative and individualistic group Many Buddhas throughout history Relics important Release is found in self-denial and mediation Vicarious monks—support the monks and you do well Part-time monks Wat similar to a church
Mahayana Buddhism Expansive Buddhism—leaves parable (parallels Calvin’s baby-talk parable) Buddha’s “incarnation” Missionary inclusion similar to Hinduism as B’ism spread, but back in India it was absorbed into the black hole of Hinduism
Mahayana Buddhism Pure Land Sect—parallels heaven, followers can marry and go to “church” Intuitive Sects—Zen seek insight like bo tree by using koans, caused Boston Tea Party, satori is the flash of enlightenment. Rationalist—pragmatists Sociopolitical Sect—Nichiren, simple B’ism, patriotic Tibetan Buddhism
Daoism—the way of nature
Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers: Differential Regional Development China was divided north and south by the mid part of the 5th century—the Chinese “equivalent” of medieval Europe. Northern China old-line families, Confucian traditions central to life, elitist, state-builders, tied to outside ideas from Central Asia including Buddhism Southern China nostalgic refugees p. 103, explored the arts, sought the good life, calligraphy and painting emphasized, Buddhism was translated into traditional Chinese Weltanschauung (worldview) (Perhaps a parallel could be made with America’s division North and South.)
Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers
Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers
Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers
Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers
Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers
Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers
Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers
Buddhism, Aristocracy, and Alien Rulers
Dostları ilə paylaş: |