Huston Smith: Buddhism

Part I: Basic Buddhist Concepts According to Smith:
starting on page 112 at the heading titled: Basic Buddhist Concepts and read through 119 ending at Big Raft and Little. Answer the following questions:

What is the biggest problem faced when trying to understand some of the core ideas / beliefs of Buddhism? (pages 112 - 113)
1. the distance of time between his spoken records and his written records
2. the amount of recorded information, though Siddhartha was consistent between his beliefs, interpretations on them differed
3. the interpretations of the information

The Buddha's silence at crucial points shows his extreme focus on the metaphysical and how nothing else mattered. This, as Smith states, is similar to someone so focussed on their goals that hobbies become a waste of time to them. Buddha spent his time describing how to live our life, and not on concepts like God or other certain beliefs.

How does Smith describe / define Nirvana? Is it possible to conceive of what Nirvana is? Why or why not?

Nirvana is the absence of everything physical. Therefore, it is difficult to describe it because we describe things by the way they are seen, heard, smelled, felt or tasted. None of these senses apply to Nirvana the way none of them apply to concepts like love, or air. Therefore, it is not possible to conceive of Nirvana. In Buddhism, it is more important to act now and focus on following the Eightfold path than worrying about where you will end up.


How or what is Anatta, according to Smith? (115)

Buddha believes there is no outliving soul called Anatta. Instead, matter from anatta is reborn with the same materials and concepts, and rules of life. This is like a flame being passed from candle to candle. Actions in lives of people past reflect how we are born into this life. Our actions act like a chain of events and create the world for the people of tomorrow. However,in the present, will is not controlled.

How does Smith describe the concept of transmigration and its relation to karma? (115 - 116)

1) people's actions of the past influence our current state today
2) through our free will we can influence the future state with our actions
3) nothing is passed on except ideas, impressions and feelings

Our personal relation with Karma is as follows:
1) Everything about us, our physical, our thoughts of other people and our reactions are as a result of our family, or previous generations.
2) We are not bound by these constraints, we can choose to change our thoughts and actions to influence the new world of tomorrow.

Contrasting to Hinduism, there is no soul that is passed through different bodies, only the results of actions are passed on to future generations.

According to Smith, why did the Buddha belabor the concept of Annica?
The concept of annica is important because it states that everything in our physical world is impermanent, a point the Buddha stressed. Once we overcome our attachment to impermanent objects we will be freed from our suffering. Therefore this is an important point to realize. Every physical thing is constantly changing and is not the same from one moment to the next. Humans are held together through "skandas", just threads held together as loosely as yarn. Therefore since everything is constantly changing, nothing is permanent. If we hold onto our attachment to a blossoming tree, the next day, the blossoms may fall and it won't be the same tree. Therefore we must loose our attachment to physical things and focus on the mind which is eternal.

What is the biggest problem, according to Smith, when trying to answer the question "Do humans survive bodily death?" (117 - 118)

Ordinary people carry their strands of desire with them to be satisfied in other carnations. However, the Arhat is not reborn and his desire is extinguished. It is difficult for Buddha to answer the question because the two extremes, yes and no are both untrue. It is the middle path that is correct, but it is inexpressible in terms we know of now.

We must sever the ties between our spiritual sense and our body's sense. If our Arhat is tied to our physical desires we will not be able to be free from those desires. However, the farther our Arhat grows from our bodies, the more it will be freed from the events of the world. The Buddha's followers shared that when they separated their Arhat from their body, the world seemed to broaden with each step they took. It seemed to become limitless without the restraints of the body.



Part II: Split in Buddhism:
Start reading on page 119, ending on page 127. Answer the following questions:

When trying to understand the split in Buddhism, Smith argues that the divisions arise from three basic questions: What are the three questions and how do they relate to Buddhism? (120 - 121)
1. Are people dependent or interdependent?
Do we need a God to show them the right way to live their lives, and whom they rely on from the creation of the universe and guidance to live correct lives until He returns or a Messianic age arrives?
or Are we independent, creation was not caused by a God, and we know the right way to live our lives, and know where we are going because we set our own goals?

The two basic views people have are either that they got to where they are today solely because of their own determination and hard work, or they got to where they are today because of the environment where they grew up and the people they grew up around and learned from.

2. What is the relation between humans and the Universe? Is it friendly or dangerous?

This question more or less refers to the basic question of are we alone/ is there a God. Is the universe powered by a higher being, or do we power it ourselves? God can be there to guide us and provide a direction and grand plan for humanity. The other belief is that we are independent and can provide our own goals and get there on our own.

3. What is the best part of the human, the head or the heart?

Basically, do we use our head or our heart to make our decisions. Are we logical or emotional? Therefore, our morals, decisions and actions reflect our inner influences. It reflects the argument between Scientific religion and other religions.

These three questions have divided all religions around the world into many sects that have spread throughout the world, such as Christianity into Roman Catholicism and Protestantism and many more sects.

Buddhism split because of these three questions.
Group 1: held wisdom as the most important aspect of the religion, through meditation one can achieve wisdom, nirvana and freedom from desire.
Group 2: believed that humans are more social creatures than individual and we need each other. Through compassion for other human beings we can attain enlightenment. To them, love is the greatest thing in the world.

Smith outlines the basic differences between the schools in a single paragraph on page 121 - what are the main divisions he points out and what do the different names Mahayana and Hinayana (Theravada) mean?

Read pages 122 - 127 and outline the major differences Smith gives for the division between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.

"yana" means boat, and refers to the fact that both these sects supply a means for one to attain nirvana

Mahayana- more free in terms of worship. Anyone can be a Mahayana Buddhist from the brick layers to the professional people. Because of this, worship can be performed anywhere and at anytime. "Maha" means great, and is the largest sect of the two.
-follow the actions with which Buddha lived his life, for example not staying in Nirvana, but returning to the people to help them achieve Nirvana
1. Progress is measured by the advancement of all people. One person's destiny is liked to the destiny of all people.
2. There is a godlike essence in everything on earth, everything is a part of god.
3. Compassion must be placed before anything. Meditation can be destructive if one has not yet reached out to another to aid them, and treat them well.
4. Mahayana Buddhists are very involved in society, and almost everyone marries, including priests. Service to their religion for the benefit of all people is their primary concern.
5. the Ultimate goal is to become an Arhat, who has followed the path without straying
6. Buddha helps all people attain enlightenment through his drawing "rays of his jewel hands"

In general, Mahayana is the more liberal Buddhist sect and has developed many new practices and has created a god of Buddha and Mahayana Buddhists sometimes chant his name to give themselves strength. Also, newer Buddhist texts are accepted into the religion, and Mahayana Buddhists explore more spiritual possibilities.


Hinayana- very focussed form of worship and believers must give up everything of the physical world. To them, following the path is a full time job. Hina means little, and is the smaller sect of the two. However, the sect did not like that name and changed it to Theravada, the way of the elders.
-follow the written texts of the Buddha
1. Progress is measured by the individual's evaluation based on their understanding of the beliefs and Buddhist way of life
2. We are all alone in the universe. There is no God to help us, and we must rely on our own competency to further ourselves.We are fully responsible for all our actions, the path we take and how we get to our end goal.
3. Through everything, wisdom is the most important aspect because it teaches us about the 4 Noble Truths.
4. The sangha is important. There are monasteries everywhere to remind people of the spiritual nature of their lives and of the world. There are also monks and nuns who are partially isolated from society, however they rely on society for the necessary requirements like food, and are venerated by society.
5. The ultimate goal is the Boddhisattva, one who upon reaching the brink of nirvana renounces it to return to the people and teach them the wisdom he has learned, and live in the service of others
6. Buddha was an incredible, special teacher. He provided a valuable example because of his humanness that all people could relate to and know that what he achieved, they can achieve.

In general, Theravada is the more fundamentalist version of Buddhism because is adheres to only the original texts and only practices meditation and invocations of deeper faith. It does not worship Buddha and realizes he is still human though he achieved nirvana.