Eastern Religion

  • The Indian Religions
    • Hinduism
    • Buddhism
    • Gautama – aka The Buddha, the Awakened One, Gotama, Sakyamuni. Originated in India and lived around 500 BCE. Considered the founder of Buddhism
    • The Branches of Buddhism
      • Theravada – Primarily found in Southeastern Asian countries. Translates to “Teaching of the Elders”. It is the oldest surviving school of Buddhism. It promotes the concept of insight from experience and analysis, rather than through blind faith. Because experience is highly valued, it is recommended you listen to advice given by elders, since they have tons of it. The cause of existence and suffering (dukkha) is craving (tanha), which brings along defilements (like our seven deadly sins).
      • Mahayana - includes Zen, Nichiren, Pure Land, and Tibetan schools of Buddhism. If you've read any books by Thich Naht Hahn then you are somewhat familiar with Mahayana already.
      • Tibetan
    • Tripitaka- translates to “the Three Baskets”. The textual framework upon which the monastic community (Sangha) is built. The Vinaya Pitaka is one of three books that makes up the Tipitaka.
      • Vinaya Pitaka – translates to “a basket of discipline”. It is a Buddhist scripture that primarily serves as a set of rules for Buddhist monks and nuns. (Similar to St. Benedict’s Rule) It is generally accepted as compiled before the branching of the different schools, right after the time of Gautama’s death. There was no need for it during his lifetime because all of his disciples were enlightened already. Discipline is to be integrated with wisdom (dharma integrated with vinaya). Consists of three parts:
      • Suttavibhanga – basic rules of conduct for monks and nuns (bhikkhus and bhikkhunis) and their origin stories
      • Khandhaka
        • Mahavagga – rules of conduct and etiquette for the community and stories of the Buddha directly after his Enlightenment
        • Cullavagga – elaboration of a monk’s etiquette and duties, as well as disciplinary procedures for offenses committed in the community
      • Parivara – a recapitulation/summary of the other two parts.
    • Buddhist Concepts
      • Refuge/The Three Jewels – three things that the Buddhists take refuge in and look forward to for guidance. They are as follows:
        • Buddha – The Awakened One
        • Dharma – The Teachings (of the Buddha)
        • Sangha – The Community (of Enlightened or other practicing Buddhists)
      • The Five Precepts – code of conduct for Buddhists. They are commitments to abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication. They are to be undertaken voluntarily, not as a command.
    • Terminology
      • Karma – to Buddhists, it is NOT the cause in the “cause and effect” cycle. It is the seeds (karma) sowed by an action that, under certain conditions, will bear fruit/results (vipaka). So it would be better say here the motives behind an action rather than the action itself is karma. However, regardless of the fact that an action had good motives, if it is done through ignorance it can still bear bad fruit. Don’t sow bad karma, READ THIS STUFF.
      • Mudra – a symbolic or ritual gesture (i.e. the stereotypical thing you do with your hands during meditation [jnana mudra]). Most are performed with the hands and fingers, but can also be done with the entire body.
      • Lay/laity – those who are part of a religious order but are not clergy. AKA the church-goers. The coinage “layman’s terms” come from this. Buddhist laity take refuge in the Three Gems and the Five Precepts of conduct. Buddhist terms for a layperson are as follows.
      • Upasaka – male layperson
      • Upasika – female layperson
    • Samana – a wandering ascetic monk (anchorites?)
    • Arahant - someone who has reached the fourth and final stage of enlightenment
  • Jainism