Origins of Buddhism
In order to understand the concepts and practices of modern Buddhism, the philosophical system of Buddhism, and it's impacts on eastern thought it is necessary to understand it's origins. It's namesake, Quatama Buddha, was believed to have lived between the sixth and fifth centuries B.C.E. He is widely agreed to have been born into wealth, perhaps nobility, and, upon realizing the sheer amount of suffering in the world, letting go of his wealth in order to find the truth path upon which life should be lived. After his awakening to the uneccesarity of all frivioulous posessions and the need for the concepts of longing and necessity to be let go he began wandering and spreading his beliefs throughout India and it's eastern borders. His life is shrouded in legend and ambiquity, but he is the figurehead and ideal of Buddhism having been the first to be aknowledged as having achieved Nirvana.
Basic Concepts of Buddhism
Dukkha and The Four Noble Truths
(Dukkha is variously translated as: "Suffering", "Pain", and "Dissatisfaction")
The Middle Path
This path is one of the earliest concepts which Buddha exolted. It is the balance between the Monk and the Hedonist. Because not everybody is yet ready to to walk the Eightfold Path in this life it is necessary for the majority of Buddhists to follow the Middle Path. It is the understanding that our every action effects our Karma and that one cannot achieve Nirvana without labor. It is the beginning of the Buddhists shedding of worldy cares, hopes, and suffering, but it is only a step on the path to true Nirvana.
Rebirth, Karma, Samsara, and, Finally, Nirvana
The concept of Samsara is pivotal in Buddhist believe. Samsara is the concept of constant birth and rebirth, literally translated it means "wandering". Until The Four Noble Truths are realized as being the only way of ascending beyond Dukkha an individual is fated to be trapped in the constantle cycle of death and rebirth caused by ones karma. In order to end this cycle of suffering one must put forth only good Karma into the world. This includes not only good acts but understanding that the true state of the universe is nothingness. That individuality and suffering are merely illusions. Nirvana in its most basic explanation is an individual soul (Buddhists have no actual belief in individualism even in rebirth. That which is reborn is a sort of soul-like energy which is constantly reborn, not an individual human being) letting go of the delusions of Samsara and excepting nothingness absolutely and truly. This is how the cycle of Samsara is ended and those that achieve Nirvana may find peace.
General History of Buddhism in China
It is generally believed that Buddhism was first introduced to China from India through Indian missionaries in late First century or early Second centrury C.E.. When Buddhism first began spreading in China it's advance was slow. The vast majority of Chinese citiznery saw it as heathenistic and undesirable. Much like Christianity, Buddhism only truly entwined itself with Chinese culture when it became increasingly accepted by the nobles, and especially Emperors. In order to sway the populace they highlighted the similarities between Buddhism and the cultural tradition of Daoism. Before long important Buddhist texts were being translated into Chinese and Buddhist beliefs became intertwined with traditional Daoist believes, creating a distinct sect of Chinese Buddhism.
Buddhism and Contemporary China
The position of Buddhism since the rise of Communism has been a tenous issue for most of the latter half of the Twentieth century and the early Twenty-First Century. After enjoying a well established heirarchy and acceptance in Chinese Tradition the sudden shift from a Dynastic sytem to Nationlist Government to Communist leadership caused massive turmoil amongst various previously well established Buddhist systems. Since the rise of the Chinese Communist Government the Dalai Lama, an esteemed religious figurehead and the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, has toured the world in a constant state of protest against the religious and humanitarian oppression seen under Communist leadership. Though recently relgions have gained a stronger foothold in the secular Chinese state, their values are no longer held to the high esteem they were before.
In order to understand the concepts and practices of modern Buddhism, the philosophical system of Buddhism, and it's impacts on eastern thought it is necessary to understand it's origins. It's namesake, Quatama Buddha, was believed to have lived between the sixth and fifth centuries B.C.E. He is widely agreed to have been born into wealth, perhaps nobility, and, upon realizing the sheer amount of suffering in the world, letting go of his wealth in order to find the truth path upon which life should be lived. After his awakening to the uneccesarity of all frivioulous posessions and the need for the concepts of longing and necessity to be let go he began wandering and spreading his beliefs throughout India and it's eastern borders. His life is shrouded in legend and ambiquity, but he is the figurehead and ideal of Buddhism having been the first to be aknowledged as having achieved Nirvana.
Basic Concepts of Buddhism
Dukkha and The Four Noble Truths
(Dukkha is variously translated as: "Suffering", "Pain", and "Dissatisfaction")
- The Truth of Suffering
- The Truth of Cause of Suffering
- The Truth of End of Suffering
- The Truth of the Path that Leads to the End of Suffering
- Right View- Devotion to the teachings of Buddha. Belief that there is an afterlife and a path to Nirvana
- Right Intention- Adopting monastic life and giving up ones home.
- Right Speech- No harmful, decietful, or rude speech.
- Right Action- No harmful or malicous acts. No sexual activity while pursuing the monastic life.
- Right Livelihood- For monks, begging and giving up all worldly actions. No harmful actions towards other beings whether intention or not.
- Right Effort- Guarding ones thoughts against those that are harmful to the pursuit of Nirvana.
- Right Mindfulness- Controlling ones thoughts absolutely. Understanding the impermanence of Mind, Body, and Emotion.
- Right Concentration- Meditation.
The Middle Path
This path is one of the earliest concepts which Buddha exolted. It is the balance between the Monk and the Hedonist. Because not everybody is yet ready to to walk the Eightfold Path in this life it is necessary for the majority of Buddhists to follow the Middle Path. It is the understanding that our every action effects our Karma and that one cannot achieve Nirvana without labor. It is the beginning of the Buddhists shedding of worldy cares, hopes, and suffering, but it is only a step on the path to true Nirvana.
Rebirth, Karma, Samsara, and, Finally, Nirvana
The concept of Samsara is pivotal in Buddhist believe. Samsara is the concept of constant birth and rebirth, literally translated it means "wandering". Until The Four Noble Truths are realized as being the only way of ascending beyond Dukkha an individual is fated to be trapped in the constantle cycle of death and rebirth caused by ones karma. In order to end this cycle of suffering one must put forth only good Karma into the world. This includes not only good acts but understanding that the true state of the universe is nothingness. That individuality and suffering are merely illusions. Nirvana in its most basic explanation is an individual soul (Buddhists have no actual belief in individualism even in rebirth. That which is reborn is a sort of soul-like energy which is constantly reborn, not an individual human being) letting go of the delusions of Samsara and excepting nothingness absolutely and truly. This is how the cycle of Samsara is ended and those that achieve Nirvana may find peace.
General History of Buddhism in China
It is generally believed that Buddhism was first introduced to China from India through Indian missionaries in late First century or early Second centrury C.E.. When Buddhism first began spreading in China it's advance was slow. The vast majority of Chinese citiznery saw it as heathenistic and undesirable. Much like Christianity, Buddhism only truly entwined itself with Chinese culture when it became increasingly accepted by the nobles, and especially Emperors. In order to sway the populace they highlighted the similarities between Buddhism and the cultural tradition of Daoism. Before long important Buddhist texts were being translated into Chinese and Buddhist beliefs became intertwined with traditional Daoist believes, creating a distinct sect of Chinese Buddhism.
Buddhism and Contemporary China
The position of Buddhism since the rise of Communism has been a tenous issue for most of the latter half of the Twentieth century and the early Twenty-First Century. After enjoying a well established heirarchy and acceptance in Chinese Tradition the sudden shift from a Dynastic sytem to Nationlist Government to Communist leadership caused massive turmoil amongst various previously well established Buddhist systems. Since the rise of the Chinese Communist Government the Dalai Lama, an esteemed religious figurehead and the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, has toured the world in a constant state of protest against the religious and humanitarian oppression seen under Communist leadership. Though recently relgions have gained a stronger foothold in the secular Chinese state, their values are no longer held to the high esteem they were before.
A basic summary of Buddhist belief by The School of Life.
References
- Domoulin, H. (1976). The Cultural, Political, and Religious Significance of Buddhism in the Modern World. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- Prebish, C.S. (1975). Buddhism: A Modern Perspective. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- Kalupahana, D.J. (1992). A History of Buddhist Philosophy. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- Gandhara Buddha. 1st-2nd century CE. Height is about 1 meter. Tokyo National Museum. Personal photograph by World Imaging (talk), 2004. Released in the Public Domain.
- Buddhist Dharma Wheel. © Deepak Bhatia / Getty Images
- Traditional Bhavachakra Wall Memorial. CC Wonderlane from Seattle, U.S. Some rights reserved.