The Basic Concept of Buddhism - Literature review Example

The Basic Concept of Buddhism Introduction Buddhism is one of the oldest world religions, which was d on behalf of its founder - the Buddha, which means “the Enlightened One” (Kozak 66). This religion can be seen as an amazing combination of ideas about man and the cosmos. Denying the transcendent God, which is represented in particular in the monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), Buddhism makes it possible for millions of people around the world to find a new opportunity for spiritual salvation and atonement based on self-knowledge and the ability to change one’s thoughts, words and actions. In this regard, the practical part of Buddhism is particularly important, because it allows establishing harmony between the body and the human psyche that is the key to spiritual enlightenment. The practical effectiveness of this religion was one of the reasons for its widespread throughout the world. In general, Buddhism has a right to be called a lifestyle designed to help a person find the psychological tranquility within his/her lifetime. The Emergence and Development of Buddhism Buddha Sakyamuni (a sage of the Shakya tribe), whose real name was Siddhartha Gautama, lived in India in V - IV centuries. BC. e. (Eckel 13). The appearance of this religion is associated with an interesting legend (Kozak 18-20). According to the legend, Siddhartha Gautama lived in a wealthy family and was surrounded by an unprecedented luxury. His parents did everything they could to shield Siddhartha from sadness and sorrow. For this reason, the future founder of Buddhism saw only goodness and joy and knew nothing about human diseases and death. However, when he came of age, he persuaded his father to let him go for a walk outside the palace. These walks gave him the opportunity to learn about the existence of old age, sickness and death that shocked the young man because he did not have any idea about them. Later, the young man met a yogi, and this meeting was the last straw for Gautama’s decision to look for ways to get rid of human suffering and pain. As a result, Gautama developed a religious doctrine, which later received the name of Buddhism. During its development, Buddhism has incorporated many different traditions of the peoples of those countries that fell within the scope of its influence, as well as it identified the lifestyle and thoughts of millions of people in these countries. In general, Buddhism is divided into two main schools: Theravada and Mahayana.  The main difference between Theravada and Mahayana is that Theravada teaches how to achieve personal salvation (nirvana), while the goal of Mahayana is a transition to the state of bodhisattva, i.e. the rejection of personal salvation for the liberation of other living beings (Kozak 101). Buddhism was, and remains a religion, which accepts different forms, depending on where it is distributed. Chinese Buddhism is a religion that speaks to believers in the language of Chinese culture and national perceptions of the most important values ​​of life. Japanese Buddhism is a synthesis of Buddhist ideas, the mythology of Shinto and Japanese culture. Sacred Texts, Objects and Places of Buddhism There is a huge number of Buddhist sources. Buddhist literature is classified into canonical and non-canonical, by a language, country and schools (Eckel 39-41). Currently, the following three variants of the Buddhist canon are known as sacred: 1) Tipitaka – a canon in Pali. It is revered by the Buddhists of Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos; 2) The Chinese Tripitaka. It is recognized by the Mahayana Buddhists in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam; 3) The Tibetan Tripitaka. It it sacred for the peoples of Tibet, Mongolia, Buryatia, Kalmykia, and Tuva. The writings of early Buddhism were saved in the canon of Tripitaka in the Sanskrit language and in the canon Tipitaka in Pali. Tripitaka is a set of Buddhist scriptures, compiled after the death of Shakyamuni Buddha at the First Buddhist Council. “Tripitaka” means “three baskets,” which corresponds to the separation of the sacred books into three sections: Vinaya-Pitaka, Sutra-Pitaka and Abhidharma-Pitaka (Eckel 39). In addition to the texts objects and places associated with the life and teachings of Buddha are considered sacred as well (Stuart). Buddhists often meditate and pray in front of paintings, small figures and statues depicting Buddha. Buddhist temples, as well as a number of sites are also considered sacred. “Once such site is Lumbini, a grove in modern day Nepal where Buddhists believe the Queen Maha Maya gave birth to the boy that would one day become Gautama Buddha” (Stuart). Finally, mandalas (abstract images) are also seen as sacred. Despite their diversity, they “all share purpose of inspiring enlightenment in the viewer and provide spiritual wisdom” (Stuart). The Concept of Buddhism Buddhism teaches that human essence is unchangeable. Human actions can only change the existence of a man and his/her perception of the world. A wrong human behavior causes diseases, poverty and humiliation, while a right one leads to joy and contentment. That is the law of karma (moral retribution), which determines the fate of a man both in this life and his/her future incarnations. Buddhism sees the supreme goal of the religious life in the release of karma and the escape from the circle of samsara. Samsara is a “wheel” of reincarnations of the human spirit from one physical form to another. In Hinduism, the state of a person who has attained liberation is called moksha, and in Buddhism - Nirvana. Nirvana is peace, wisdom, bliss, the fading of life fire as well as of emotions, desires, and passions, which constitute the life of a common person. Yet it is not the death as it is a life, but only in other quality. It is a life of the perfect and free spirit. Buddhism is neither a monotheistic (one God is recognized) nor polytheistic (based on belief in many gods) religion. Buddha did not deny the existence of gods and other supernatural beings (demons, spirits, creatures of hell, the gods in the form of animals, birds, etc.), but believed that they are also subjects to the action of karma and, despite all their supernatural power, cannot escape reincarnations. Only a man is capable “to step on the path” and, sequentially changing him/herself, eradicate the cause of rebirth and reach Nirvana. In order to get free from rebirth, the gods and other beings should be born in human form. The higher spiritual beings, namely, Buddhas and bodhisattvas may appear only among people. Buddhas are the people who have achieved enlightenment and nirvana and preach the Dharma. In turn, bodhisattvas are those who defer passing into nirvana for the sake of helping other creatures. Thus, the Buddhist world does not recognize the God-creator, who is omniscient and omnipotent. Every person is a part of the deity. Denying the transcendent God, Buddhism focuses particular attention on the following “four noble truths” (Kozak 30): a) Life is full of suffering; b) The cause of suffering is addiction to pleasant and unwilling of unpleasant; c) Life is possible without suffering; d) There is a path to get rid of suffering. This path is called “the Noble Eightfold path”. It consists of right views, right intentions, right speech, right actions, right livelihood, right efforts, right awareness, and right concentration. This path allows one to reveal the truth of life, which is enlightenment. Buddhists seek to clear their mind from negative thoughts and feelings. Among these are anger, fear, ignorance, selfishness, laziness, jealousy, envy, and greed to name a few. Buddhism nurtures and develops such pure and beneficial qualities of consciousness as kindness, generosity, gratitude, compassion, diligence, wisdom, and others. Meditation is of particular importance as one of the steps on the path to enlightenment and nirvana. Meditation In the broadest sense, Buddhist meditation is a collection of physical and spiritual perfection methods associated with the three groups of practices of the Eightfold path. In the narrow sense, Buddhist meditation is defined as “cultivation”, which consists of a practice of introspection, the concentration of attention (Samadhi and Dhyana), and the intuitive insight of the true basis of Buddhist teachings (Conze 32; Kozak 49). In general, Buddhist meditation is presented by spiritual practices aimed at achieving the main goals of Buddhist culture, namely the liberation from samsara, the achievement of nirvana, and the attainment of the state of Buddha - Love, Compassion, Equanimity, and other similar spiritual conditions. Meditation includes many techniques that aim to develop mindfulness, concentration, peace, and enlightenment. Сonclusion The Buddhist teachings are widely spread in all the most important parts of Asia. In each of these regions, Buddhism has adapted to local customs and traditions and, in turn, each culture has influenced with its own characteristics. It is not surprising as it corresponds to the basic Buddhist method of teaching using “skillful funds.” Many techniques and methods exist that one can use in order to overcome his/her problems and constraints, or help others solve their problems effectively. Thus, although there are many different forms of Buddhism, they are all based on Buddhas teachings. Buddhism can be regarded as a kind of way of life, which gives a person a guide for having calm and harmonious life. Harmony of body and soul is the main task, which is achieved not only through meditative practices, but also with the help of the right thoughts, words and behavior. Works Cited Conze, Edward. Buddhist Meditation. New York: Routledge, 2008. Print. Eckel, Malcolm David. Buddhism. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2010. Print. Kozak, Arnie. The Everything Buddhism Book: A Complete Introduction to the History, Traditions, and Beliefs of Buddhism, Past and Present. 2nd ed. Avon: Adams Media, 2011. Print. Stuart, James. “What Buddhists Consider Sacred.” Opposing Views.com. n.d. Web. 26 Jan.2015. Read More