World's Wisdom: Buddhism

Using the following sections of reading from the World's Wisdom please summarize each of these sections based on what you read.

Read each of the excerpts / notes and describe / explain the concept of each of the following according to the readings and examples given.

Main Ideas of Buddhism:
Anatta (pg 68)
This concept is similar to the concept of Maya. As humans, we do not have a soul that carries on into the after life or further reincarnations. Who we are is not permanent and we are not defined by our body or physical belongings because these things don't last. Many things in life appear that they hold much meaning, but after we look into them further, we realize there is nothing that lasts except for the actions we take that influence the future. Novak uses an example of a bubble. It appears whole and full, but on the inside there is only air. It is made up of nothing but air, though it appears as more.

Right Mindfulness (Satupatthana Sutta) (pg. 71)
This Sutta text was said to be uttered by the Buddha himself and is like an instruction manual for practicing Buddhists. However, like an instruction manual, it is not necessarily read for pleasure, through it is invaluable when in need of consultation, direction or advice. In general, a sutta is a text spoken by the Buddha himself.

- The Four Foundations:
These four foundations are the first step on the path to renunciation of desire, before one can even begin the eightfold path.

Awareness of the Body
There are five ways the individual can become aware of their body:
1. Watching in-and-out breathing. While in a still sitting position with legs crossed, the individual must control every intake and exhalation.
2. Awareness of the four postures: While sitting, walking, standing or lying down, the individual must be aware of what every part of his body is doing.
3. Mindfulness and clear comprehension of bodily acts. Awareness of the body through every daily action such as eating, drinking, sleeping, speaking and being silent etc.
4. Contemplation of loathsomeness. The individual thinks about his body from head to toe, complete with imperfections. It is what it is, and this reality must be accepted.
5. Cemetery meditations. The realization and acceptance that when we die, our bodies will one day decay and we will be come like the bodies in a cemetery. This reflects the concept of anatta and impermanence.

Awareness of Sensation
The individual must be able to step back from their emotions and not get caught up. Then, the individual may realize, " I have an agreeable sensation," or "I have a disagreeable sensation" it is like stepping away from our thoughts and feelings and looking at ourselves from a lens outside our body, from a second perspective. In this way we may be able to more clearly see our sensations and react in a more controlled and thoughtful manner.

Awareness of Mind
This is the awareness that states are impermanent and moods, like anything in this world, are constantly changing. Therefore there is not such thing as a "bad" or "greedy" or "perfect" person. We are all shades of gray with changing states of being and actions. This influences who we are from moment to moment, as the person we were one second ago no longer exists, and we are some one new.

Awareness of Mind - Objects
The five hindrances are: lust, anger, sloth, restlessness and mental worry, doubting. One must be aware when they are mentally experiencing one of these hindrances, so the hindrance may be overcome. Otherwise, we may get caught up in this hindrance, and it may manifest, such as is with anger.
The five groups of existence (skandhas): materiality, sensation, perception, moods and thoughts. These groups of existence divide every physical and mental factors of our being. They are the planes in which we live and commit actions.


3. Description of Nibbana / Nirvana (pg. 75)

End of Karma: Nirvana is the end of the cycle of the essences of rebirth, and the end of craving and attachment.

Eradication of the Three Poisons: the end of greed, hate and delusion

Deliverance of the Heart: the goal of reaching Enlightenment is not for an award, or to achieve honor, morality or concentration. The goal is to achieve the deliverance of the heart.

End of Old Age and Death: because Nirvana is the end of the cycle of all rebirths, it is therefore the end of old age and dying as well. These two things may also be seen as suffering in life, and Nirvana is also therefore the end of all suffering.

It Is Real: There is another entire state of being in which there is nothing. It is the opposite of the world we live in today of the existing, being and real. It is the unreal, unborn, uncreated. These factors make it possible to escape into Enlightenment from the defined world we live in now.

4. Description of Arahant / Arahat (76)

An arahant is basically the same thing as a Buddha, but the term Buddha is more specific to someone who has rediscovered the path without the aid of another.

Finished: an arahant has achieved all there is to achieve in life. He has learned everything and there is nothing more for him to do. He is steadfast in his actions and being, and now, cannot be swayed from his position.

Happy Indeed: Because arahants have achieved Enlightenment, they do not suffer anymore from greed or selfishness. Therefore they are eternally happy.

Mahayana Buddhism:

5. Mahayana Buddhism - How is Mahayana broken down into 3 key innovations (describe each)
As everything in this world changes and morphs, so does religion. Buddhism has modeled this fact in the split between Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism developed as believers looked back at the original doctrines and rewrote them to become more universal to everyone and that, in their eyes, represented the ideals of the Buddha.

- Emptiness (pg 77 - 80)
Because of the principle of dependent origination, nothing in this world came into being on its own. It is a result of events leading up to it which influenced its birth. Therefore, it is empty of being. The only meaning/significance it has is evaluated by its past or by the future of things to come as a result of it. This also has to do with worship of a god, or Buddha. Mahayana Buddhists believe even core doctrines like the Eightfold path, the Four Noble truths, and Buddha's teachings are empty of being. They hold the importance of their influence and how they came into being. Also, we are empty of being, and therefore are already Buddha-nature. Because we are empty of being there is nothing that really holds significance in our lives. We hold superficial significance to things in our lives when we, ourselves, are already empty of being. The only things that matter in relation to ourselves are the events that created our being and the events we initiate that create the future. This concept can only be learned on one's own.


Those who seek Nirvana are to Be Laughed At: Because everything in the world is already empty of being, everything is Enlightenment, therefore seeking Enlightenment is pointless because it is all around us.

The Heart Sutra: Because everything is empty of being and is therefore Enlightened, wisdom is also Enlightenment and is therefore perfect. Many Buddhas throughout time have relied on the perfection of knowledge and truth to help them attain Enlightenment.

- Bodhisattva ideal (pg. 80 - 82)
A bodhisattva is someone who renounces entry into nirvana to help others on their spiritual path. However, Novak states that the bodhisattva must realize that there is no one to save and no one to do the saving.

From the Diamond Sutra: A Bodhisattva may aid people in their journey to nirvana, but ultimately it is their decision and actions that let them achieve nirvana. Also, a Bodhisattva may not have the notion of his own "being" because everything flows together in life and is indistinct from things before it or after it. He holds no importance on his own, and the concept of being is therefore useless.

The Infinite Compassion of the Bodhisattva: the Bodhisattva temporarily adopts the illusion of "I" to save those who are still unaware of their own absence of self, and to help them attain nirvana through this realization. A Bodhisattva takes on the burden of all the suffering of humankind, and helps each individual escape the cycle of Samsara. A Bodhisattva must not use others for personal merit. The mentality behind the decision to become a Bodhisattva is that it is better for one person to suffer than for many people to suffer.

The Difference Between Bodhisattvas and Other (Non-Mahayana) Buddhists: Other Buddhist sects are sometimes seen to not share their wisdom of Enlightenment to others because they believe that radiating Enlightenment to others would be futile because there are too many people for one person to affect. However, Mahayana Bodhisattvas enlighten others like the rising sun on earth, and have achieved Enlightenment, and only postponed their entrance into nirvana until their death (without rebirth).

- Devotional Buddhism (pg. 82 - 86)

Buddha's real gift to the world was his timeless saving power, or dharmakaya. Because of its timelessness, any point in time is equidistant from it as another point. Therefore, Buddha's saving power can be activated at any point in time. Also, Buddha names an omnipresent reality, which can manifest into countless Buddhas around the world ready at a moment's notice to help those who seek advice through prayer or devotion.

From the Lotus Sutra: This is an excerpt from the Lotus Sutra, and states that Buddha is a rain cloud of universal grace. He preaches grace to all, and refreshes the entire world, without borders or distinctions of race, creed, wealth etc. The last line is "and then, refreshed, just like the plants, the world will burst forth into blossoms"

The Buddha Saves all Beings and They Reach Salvation in Many Ways: This passage states that there are an unlimited number of ways to achieve Buddhahood. Some given examples are meeting former buddhas, learning the law and then practicing charity, and creating images of Buddha.

Rewards for Devotion to the Buddha: If one does not show devotion to Buddha, one can be reborn blind or lame. Therefore, it is important to show thanks in the form of devotion to the Buddha for showing Buddhists how to achieve nirvana. If one shows devotion, one will be rewarded in nirvana with a beautiful palace and kingdom.

The Pure Land of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light: In Mahayana Buddhism, there is a Buddha, Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, who provides a world, the Pure Land of Amitabha, after death, which is much like paradise. Those who have lived a faithful life may enter this world, and then when they are reborn are closer to achieving nirvana in their next life because of the aid of Amitabha. This world helps them focus on the right path to salvation. If they vow to be true, devotional and focus on eradicating desire, they will be admitted into nirvana.

Honen's Teachings on the Nembutsu: Honen was a Japanese Buddhists that developed a practice of Buddhism called Nembutsu. In this practice, followers must give their undivided attention to speaking the name of Amitabha. Honen describes how all revered Buddhas supported his practice more so than any other.

Nirchiren on Faith in the Buddha and the Lotus Sutra: Nirchiren was a Japanese Buddhist prophet who preached that the Lotus Sutra should be spoken by all Buddhists rather than the Amitabha. The Lotus Sutra states that Buddha provided a path to salvation for us, which is compared to a rope dangled down to us in an abyss. Buddha shows us how it is possible for anyone to achieve Buddhahood. Buddha provides his compassion for people through his path to salvation, being the protector and savior, and constantly thinking of us. This is the Lotus Truth.