Research Paper
Florida Atlatic Univercity College of Educatio k-6
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Buddhists
Jupiter/Tuesday
1:00-3:50pm
Summer 2013
I.
As Indo-Aryan Brahmans began to occupy
Buddhist India in the twelfth century they claimed special privileges and forced
their beliefs on the country (Kitagawa, 2009). Buddhists were against the caste
system, as well as the sacrificial cult and metaphysical concepts (Ehman,
2010). Hinduism eventually became about by the beliefs of the Brahmans and the
Buddhist beliefs. Therefore, Buddhist temples and universities were destroyed
and turned into Hindu temples. There was much social and political upheaval
throughout the country during the clearing of land for the autocratic society.
Eventually, the Buddhists were pushed out and the Hindu religion remained
(Kitagawa, 2009).
In 2001,
Buddhists were devastated by the Taliban in Afghanistan when they proceeded to
destroy two ancient stone statues of Buddha. The reason behind this demolition
was to stop the belief of false idols. The Taliban was fanatic about destroying
anything in their path they considered non-Islamic, regardless of its
historical past. Currently, after the Taliban is no longer a superpower in
Afghanistan, the government began to rebuild the statues (Internet #3).
The most
recent challenges faced by Buddhists is occurring in the heavily militarized
Chinese territories of Tibet. The Tibetan struggle is not against the Chinese
people or the nation, but government policies. Tibetans are fallowing the
Middle Way, “which seeks genuine autonomy for Tibetans within the framework of
the Chinese constitution,” (Internet #2). This issue is further described in
the current events section.
II.
A.
The Buddhism values are embedded in the natural way of life and components of
this life fallow the three refugees or jewels. The first refugee is the
Buddha, based on Siddhartha Gautama because he overcame his worldly desires and
obtained enlightenment (Ehman, 2009). Buddha never called himself a god (Ehman,
2009) and follows know that his words were not etched in stone, but “one if
free to criticize them or to reinterpret them” (Layman, 1976). The second refugee,
that of the Dharma, is the teachings of Buddha and are contained in the Pali
Canon (Ehman, 2009). These teachings emphasize the Noble Eightfold Path and other
beliefs held by all members of this religion. The final jewel is the Sangha,
which is the community of monks (Layman, 1976). Historically they lived from
place to place and begged for food, but the Sangha in modern day typically live
in monasteries.
Within the monasteries the monks
practice the Four Noble Truths. The universality of suffering is the first Truth. This
states that all life in dominated by suffering physically, emotionally, and
psychologically. These can take the form of any event that occurs in a human’s
life from birth to death. The second Truth concerns the origin of suffering,
which is clinging to life. By engaging in this act one is giving into desire,
binding one to this Earth. However, to achieve nirvana, or the extinction of suffering, is to eliminate all
desires, including that of existence. Lastly, leading a life that will help one
attain nirvana is the fourth Truth.
This path is achieved by doing good deeds and meditation as well as following
the Noble Eightfold Path (Layman,1976).
As a subgroup of the values of the
Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path commonly called the middle way,
lists certain right ways of being. First is the right view, which refers to the Four Noble
Truths and the nature of self. Next, includes the right aspirations of
denouncing life, discarding worldly possessions and being unselfish. Then,
Buddhists have to take part in the right speech by not saying harsh words or
engage in foolish chatter. Fourth is the right behavior which means to not take
part in drinking intoxicants or taking drugs, not lying or stealing, not
committing adultery, and not taking life. The right of livelihood means to only
take part in vocations that do not harm any living thing and not partaking in
self-indulgent actions. Subsequently, the right effort refers to the suppression
of all bad states of mind by encouraging altruistic behavior and
fostering peacefulness. The seventh part is the right mindfulness or
attentiveness which means to maintain a strict control over one’s mind and
body. The final aspect is the right concentration. By obtaining this one can
eventually obtain blissful peace with a compassionate heart and perfect wisdom
(Layman, 1976).
Buddhists
believe that the Three Attributes characterize all aspects of existence:
suffering, impermanence, and soullessness. The mark of suffering occurs
because the rebirth process produces pain and the life processes are full of
suffering, referring to the first of the Four Noble Truths. Impermanence is the
doctrine that nothing is lasting and that things change. To cling to permanence
means to cling to existence which impedes the path to nirvana. By undoing the causes of this, one can ensure the rebirth
process does not happen by following the Wheel of Life. This doctrine states
that one is in a cyclical life cycle and it has twelve parts: ignorance,
predispositions, consciousness, mentality and body, six sense minds and body, feelings
and discriminations, sensations and perceptions, desire, clinging, process of
becoming, birth or rebirth, then sorrow and pain. This cycle will continue
until nirvana is obtained. The third
doctrine is the soullessness, which is a critical aspect that breaks away from
Hinduism. The belief is that there is no core to any living being, but are made
of elements. These elements come together to form a being and include matter,
sensations, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness. When that being
passes, these elements fall apart, but are not destroyed because this is where karma is introduced. Karma states that if one lives a good
life, one will pass on to a higher plane of existence in the next. These
elements continue on as well and come back in future rebirths (Ehman, 2009).
The
Buddhist community is comprised of monks, nuns, and laypeople who take vows on
the proper conduct. The laypeople are the ones who support monks by
providing shelter, food, clothes and any other necessity. In turn, the
laypeople receive merit for helping Buddhists. They take vows that consists Five
Precepts. These include not destroying life, stealing, practicing unchastely,
lying or deceiving, or drinking intoxicants. Upon taking these vows, the monks
and nuns are expected to take an additional five. These are stricter and
include to eat moderately and not after midday, to not engage in dancing or
singing (forms of frivolity), to avoid wearing ornaments or jewelry, not to
sleep in high broad beds, and to not accept gold or silver (Ehman, 2009).
Ceremonies
and festivals are numerous and are often a day of great joy, but they are not
universal. There are many days that are common among the different sects with
the most important being Buddha Day or Visakah Puja. This celebrates the birth
of Buddha in May on the full moon. Dharma Day or Asalha Puja is the day to pay
homage to the Buddha on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, which is
approximately July. Lastly there is the Sangha Day, or Magha Puja, which takes
places on the full moon of the third lunar month, or March. This marks the day
when 1250 enlightened saints, who were the Buddha's followers, returned from
their wanderings simultaneously to pay respect to Buddha (Internet #1).
B. Buddhists have contributed
their ideology which has been evident by the culture in which Buddhists live. The
values of being a good person who does unselfish acts is exemplified within the
culture by the viewpoints on war, prejudice, poverty, pollution, and drug abuse.
Through the Eightfold Path and Truths monks and nuns hold a respect for life
and peace without judgment. They take what they need and nothing more as well
as helping others in need. By mainly growing their own food, they contribute to
the Go Green movement and reduce pollution. Finally, within the Five Precepts
of the Buddhist community, it is stated to not drink intoxicants or engage in
drug abuse (Layman, 1976).
III.
The sayings of the Buddha are in the book The
Dhammapada, but it should be noted that no written record was kept in the
Buddha’s lifetime (Ehman, 2009). In regards to the mind, Buddha said, “The
mind travels afar, acts alone, is incorporeal, and it haunts a cave; those who
will control it escape the bonds of bedevilment” (Cleary, 1995). This is
referring to the idea of nirvana,
which is unable to obtain if the mind stays in the cave and is not controlled.
Buddhists have a goal to eventually obtain nirvana,
and the way to do this is to follow the Three Attributes (Ehman, 2009). The
second saying is as follows: Just as a bee takes the nectar and leaves
without damaging the color or scent of the flowers, so should the sage act in a
village (Cleary, 1995). This is referring to living an unselfish life without
obsessions. This is a key factor in living the life of a Buddhist because to
hold onto permanence is to cling to existence. One is to not destroy life or do
harm to anything and to not hold aggressive attitudes or hostile behaviors.
IV.
A. “Buddhism
in the U.S. is primarily made up of native-born adherents, whites and converts,”
(Internet #4). Only one in three is of Asian descent and three quarters are
converts. Within the United States, Buddhists consists of 0.7% and Buddhist
make up roughly 6-7% of the world population, who mainly live in China.
Buddhism has a relatively stable population rate, which was also 6% in 2008. In
the United States, the average Buddhist makes less than $30,000, had no
children, has completed college and is thirty to forty-six years old (Internet
#4).
B.
The most controversial and shocking events to take place include the self-immolations
of Tibetan Buddhists in the parts just recently occupied by China and its rule.
The Buddhist Eightfold Path says to not murder, this includes suicide. The
self-immolations are typically young Buddhists, which could symbolize a change
within the structure. Buddhists are crying for help, and it has gotten to where
force may be an option for some to be heard. Also shocking is the community of
monks who are trying to allure followers by hip-hop and alcohol. This is
evident of breaking two doctrines: not to engage in dancing or singing and to
not drink intoxicants. These issues have yet to be solved and the political
protests are getting worse .
V.
Bibliography
Books:
Ehman, M.A. (2009). Path of
Freedom Path of Light. Fort Myers: The Satyagraha Institute.
Cleary, T. (1995).
Dhammapada: The Saying of Buddha. New York: Bantam Books.
Kitagawa, J.(2002). Religious Traditions of Asia: Religion,
History, and Culture. Great Britian: Psychology Press.
Layman,
E.M. (1976). Buddhism in America. Boston: Emma McCloy Layman.
Internet:
#1 Buddhist
Ceremonies: Festivals and Special Days. (1976-2012). http://www.buddhanet.net/festival.htm
#3.
Kakissis, J. Afghanistan rebuilds Buddhist statues destroyed by Taliban. (27
July 2011). http://www.scpr.org/news/2011/07/27/27917/bit-by-bit-afghanistan-rebuilds-buddhist-statues/
#4 Portrait and Demographics of U.S Religious
Affiliation. (20 Sept 2012). http://religions.pewforum.org/portraits
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