EL29 Mindfulness Meditation Lecture 2.2: Theravada Buddhism What did the Buddha teach? The Four Noble Truths: Right now.! To live is to suffer From our last lecture, what are the four noble truths of Buddhism?! The cause of suffering is self-centered desire, craving & attachments! The solution is to eliminate desire and attachment, thus becoming awake or Nirvana ( extinction )! The way to Nirvana is through the Eight-Fold Path 1
Lecture Overview Evolution, distribution and diffusion Belief system Meditation practices Icons and symbolism Key Learnings:! Key Learning #1:. Evolution, diffusion & distribution: Theravada evolved out of India about 200 years after the death of the Buddha and to Sri Lanka, and parts of S.E. Asia. It more or less died out in India.! Key Learning #2: Beliefs: The original teachings of the Buddha without any additional interpretation.! Key Learning #3:. Meditation: Mindfulness meditation is the foundational practice, combined concentration and the other elements of the 8 fold path.! Key Learning #4: Icons & symbols: No one really knows what the Buddha looked like, but early images were based on what was known at the time about people in general, plus some symbolic hand gestures, called mudras. 2
Key Learnings:! Key Learning #1:. Evolution, diffusion & distribution: Theravada evolved out of India about 200 years after the death of the Buddha and to Sri Lanka, and parts of S.E. Asia. It more or less died out in India.! Key Learning #2: Beliefs: The original teachings of the Buddha without any additional interpretation.! Key Learning #3:. Meditation: Mindfulness meditation is the foundational practice, combined concentration and the other elements of the 8 fold path.! Key Learning #4: Icons & symbols: No one really knows what the Buddha looked like, but early images were based on what was known at the time about people in general, plus some symbolic hand gestures, called mudras. Evolution of Buddhism! Number of schools & sects tends to rise over time true of most religions.! More philosophical and scholarly ideas get added on to the original teachers ideas.! Complexity rises. 3
THERAVĀDA CHRONOLOGY! 294 BCE: Pali canon (collection of Theravāda scriptures) complete (oral)! 250 BCE: Theravāda introduced to Sri Lanka by Aşokan missionaries! 100 BCE: Pali canon transcribed in written form! 100 CE: Theravāda introduced to Burma and central Thailand! 600s CE: Theravāda begins to disappear from India! 1200s CE: Theravāda introduced to Laos and Cambodia! 1279 CE: Last orthodox Theravāda nuns (in Burma)! 1498 CE: Portuguese invaders attempt to replace Theravāda with Christianity in Sri Lanka! Late 1800s CE: Westerners help revive Theravāda in Sri Lanka; first Westerner ordained as Theravāda monk 7 The Spread of Buddhism! Within two centuries after the Buddha died, Buddhism began to spread north and east into Asia! To Europe & N. America in the 19 th to 20 th centuries! By 13 th century Buddhism had disappeared from India or absorbed into Hinduism 4
9 Schools of Buddhism - Theravada The Way of the Elders (a.k.a.: the small vehicle )! Oldest school of Buddhism! Found in southern Asia (Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, etc.)! Monasticism is the ideal life for achieving Nirvana! A do-it-yourself approach to enlightenment! Focus on wisdom and meditation! Goal is to become a Buddha! Fairly unified in belief & practice (some cultural differences) 5
THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUDDHIST INSTITUTIONS! Early Indian Buddhism tremendously diverse in doctrines and practices! Oral canon of authoritative teachings first compiled within a few years of Şakyamuni s death, but not recorded in writing until 1 st century BCE Tripitaka ( Three Baskets ):! Şakyamuni regarded as fully human, non-divine, now absent being! At same time, relics of Şakyamuni jealously guarded and piously regarded among early Buddhist communities! Sangha (community of Buddha s disciples) develops threefold division: 1. Bhikşu / bhikşuni (men and women in settled monastic communities) 2. Forest monks and nuns (peripatetic) 3. Householders (lay followers) 11 Theravada Buddhism! Most common in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Burma (Myanmar)! Emphasizes monas@cism! Arahat ideal (individual libera@on) Introduc@on to Buddhism 00 - INTRODUCTION 12 6
Buddhist Temples! Not designed for layperson congregational worship! Focus is on a learning place for monastics. Todaiji Temple Nara period, constructed 745 Quick check: How much can you recall so far? Which of the following is NOT a major Theravada country? a) Thailand b) Sri Lanka c) Cambodia d) Japan! What is the central goal of a Theravadan monk? a) To help lay-people with problems, have weddings & funerals b) Attain personal liberation/nirvana c) Help all beings attain liberation/nirvana d) Give sermons on Sunday 7
Key Learnings:! Key Learning #1:. Evolution, diffusion & distribution: Theravada evolved out of India about 200 years after the death of the Buddha and to Sri Lanka, and parts of S.E. Asia. It more or less died out in India.! Key Learning #2: Beliefs: The original teachings of the Buddha without any additional interpretation.! Key Learning #3:. Meditation: Mindfulness meditation is the foundational practice, combined concentration and the other elements of the 8 fold path.! Key Learning #4: Icons & symbols: No one really knows what the Buddha looked like, but early images were based on what was known at the time about people in general, plus some symbolic hand gestures, called mudras. Theravada Background A conservative branch of Buddhism that adheres to Pali scriptures and the nontheistic ideal of self-purification to nirvana The oldest record of the Buddha's teachings Sometimes called 'Southern Buddhism'. More derogatory term is Hinayana (lesser vehicle) 8
THERAVĀDA! By 200 BCE, all early Indian Buddhist sects disappear except for one: Theravāda ( Way of the Elders )! Theravāda claims to be custodian of authentic teaching of Şakyamuni, especially in terms of anātman doctrine and vinaya practice! Through Aśoka s sponsorship, Theravāda becomes established throughout South and Southeast Asia 17 THERAVĀD SOTERIOLOGY (religious doctrines)! Emphasis on individual, rational progress toward nirvāna throughout multiple rebirths:! The concept of rebirth and no-self/soul is doctrinally challenging for Buddhism! For laypersons, arhat = object of veneration! For monastics, arhat = model for imitation 18 9
What are some Buddhist texts?! Tripitaka (the Pali Cannon) the Three Baskets : Vinaya ( discipline ) rules for monastic life Sutta ( discourse ) sermons of the Buddha Abhidhamma (metaphysical teachings )! Dhammapada collected sayings of the Buddha! Other texts used by specific schools an ongoing collection of knowledge achieved by enlightened beings. Steps to becoming an Arhat 1. Sotapanna ("stream-enterer"), which is a process where you convert by completely overcoming false beliefs. 2. Sakadagamin ("once-returner") which is the symbolic process of being reborn again, attained by diminishing lust, 3. Anagamin ("never-returner"), which means one who will be reincarnated in heaven. In this stage you become an Arhat. 4. Arhat ("worthy one"), one who has attained full ( saint ) enlightenment.during life 10
THERAVĀDA MONASTICS! Monastics are generally seen as the most serious practitioners, who instruct laypersons while pursuing nirvāna as their goal during this lifetime! Young boys often join at an early age (7) with consent of parents, for varying lengths of time.! Since 13 th century CE, only men have been accepted as Theravāda monastics.! At the time of the Buddha, women could also be ordained as nuns. 21 THERAVĀDA MONASTICS! Monks (and nuns in the West) undertake the training of the monastic order (the Vinaya) which consist of 227 rules (more for nuns).! Within these rules or precepts are five which are undertaken by all those trying to adhere to a Buddhist way of life. 1. Not eat after noon 2. Not to attend entertainments 3. Not to indulge in adornments 4. Not to use luxurious bedding 5. Not to accept money 22 11
THERAVĀDA LAITY! Laypersons take Five Precepts : 1. Not to kill 2. Not to steal 3. Not to commit sexual misconduct 4. Not to lie 5. Not to take intoxicants! Laypersons generally seen as deferring nirvāna until future lifetimes, while gaining karmic merit by supporting monastics and accepting their instruction 23 Problems & challenges for Theravada Buddhism! Meditation not practiced in all temples!! Monks dependent on villagers for support, tends to exclude laypeople from practice, except in: Gaining merit from supporting monks helps in the next lifetime. Lay practice tends to be devotional by praying to Buddha statues for merit or luck. Younger people losing interest in religion.! Buddhist doctrine has always been complex and difficult to explain to the average person.! Celibacy requirement discourages participation.! A model that doesn t work in N. America or Europe very well. 12
Modern Theravada: Main Points 1. There is an equal importance to the practices of meditation, sutta study, discussion, and devotional practices. But there is especially an emphasis on meditation and sutta study over rites, rituals, and ceremonies. 2. Men and women can practice together in a monastic environment. 3. The Dhamma can be taught in English or other language of the local community. 4. An international electronic sangha can exist. 5. All Buddhist traditions are not only vehicles toward complete perfect enlightenment but that they can teach each other. 6. Lay persons can not only teach other lay persons but can teach monks as well. 7. Women can teach men... and monks. 8. Women can become fully ordained bhikkhunis (nuns), if they so choose. 9. One can interpret the planes of existence as physical places or as mental states and neither view precludes one from being called a Buddhist. 10. A tendency to move toward vegetarianism and concern for the environment. Modern Theravadins would most likely be vegetarian or at least mostly vegetarian. Modern Theravada: Main Points! Becoming most popular in North America Small temples and retreat centers springing up Focus on weekend or longer retreats (cost)! Serious monks in Asia still striving for Nirvana. However, some temples becoming a place to drop-off difficult children or animals like a boarding school. Some temples quite wealthy if they have a wealthy benefactor others quite poor. 13
Quick check: How much can you recall so far? Which of the following is NOT a Theravada practice of monks? a) Practicing meditation b) Casting out demons for villagers c) Studying the 3 baskets d) Begging for alms from villagers! Which of the following is NOT a practice of Lay Buddhists? a) Pray to Buddha for luck or merit b) Give food to monks c) Go to services on Sunday d) Following the 5 precepts Key Learnings:! Key Learning #1:. Evolution, diffusion & distribution: Theravada evolved out of India about 200 years after the death of the Buddha and to Sri Lanka, and parts of S.E. Asia. It more or less died out in India.! Key Learning #2: Beliefs: The original teachings of the Buddha without any additional interpretation.! Key Learning #3:. Meditation: Mindfulness meditation is the foundational practice, combined concentration and the other elements of the 8 fold path.! Key Learning #4: Icons & symbols: No one really knows what the Buddha looked like, but early images were based on what was known at the time about people in general, plus some symbolic hand gestures, called mudras. 14
Mindfulness: part of the 8-fold path to liberation Vipassana Samatha The Theravada tradition has two forms of meditation. Samatha! This is the earliest form of meditation, and is not unique to Buddhism.! It's used to make the mind calmer and take the person to higher jhanic states. (Jhanic are 'states of consciousness ).! The effects of Samatha meditation are temporary, but a Samatha is necessary stepping stone skill toward Vipassana practice. Vipassana (mindfulness)! This form of meditation is used to achieve insight into the true nature of things.! This is very difficult to get because human beings are used to seeing things distorted by their preconceptions, opinions, and past experiences.! The aim is a complete change of the way we perceive and understand the universe, and unlike the temporary changes brought about by Samatha, the aim of Vipassana is permanent change. 15
Satipatthana Sutra The Discourse on the Establishing of Mindfulness (Vipassana)! A how to manual.! Based on being mindful of 4 states: The body & breath The feelings Thoughts & emotions All other states of consciousness.! Practice the 4 foundations of mindfulness full time for 7 days, 7 weeks, or 7 years and you will achieve nirvana! Key Learnings:! Key Learning #1:. Evolution, diffusion & distribution: Theravada evolved out of India about 200 years after the death of the Buddha and to Sri Lanka, and parts of S.E. Asia. It more or less died out in India.! Key Learning #2: Beliefs: The original teachings of the Buddha without any additional interpretation.! Key Learning #3:. Meditation: Mindfulness meditation is the foundational practice, combined concentration and the other elements of the 8 fold path.! Key Learning #4: Icons & symbols: No one really knows what the Buddha looked like, but early images were based on what was known at the time about people in general, plus some symbolic hand gestures, called mudras. 16
Theravada Buddhist Iconography Statue of "the Buddha calling the earth to witness," one of the most common depictions. The Buddha's hands are in the bhūmisparśa mudrā (Earth-touching position) Statue of "the Buddha meditating." The Buddha's hands are in the dhyāna mudrā position (Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Phrabāng, Laos) Theravada Buddhist Iconography Statue of the Buddha with his hand upraised in the abhāya mudrā (fearlessness) position. He is draped with monastic robes, with the right shoulder bare. (Phutthamonthon, Thailand) Reclining Buddha (Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Phrabāng, Laos) 17
Theravada Symbols Wheel of the Dharma 8 fold path Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, India The lotus, symbolic of the individual's journey up through the "mud" of existence to bloom, with the aid of the dharma, into pure enlightenment. The stupa, the reliquary in which the Buddha's physical remains are contained a powerful symbol of both his physical death and continued presence in the world. Deer Park at Sārnāth, and also the protective qualities of the dharma. Satipatthana Sutra The Discourse on the Establishing of Mindfulness (Vipassana)! A how to manual. Final quick quiz to consolidate your memory!! Based on being mindful of 4 states: The body & breath The feelings Thoughts & emotions All other states of consciousness.! Practice the 4 foundations of mindfulness full time for 7 days, 7 weeks, or 7 years and you will achieve nirvana! What are the 4 foundations of mindfulness? Ok to chat with your neighbors 18
Part 2: Hand s on practice - Walking Meditation 19