TOPIC 2 - TAKING REFUGE
THE THREE JEWELS
THE BUDDHA
Bikkhu's must be prepared to live as Buddha did. Therefore, Siddhartha's life is seen as an ideal to follow.
First followers were given the authority to admit believers to the Sangha. This was done by reciting a formula, called the TRISARA.
Buddhists believe in MAITREYA, a Buddha who will appear in the future to restore the Dharma once it has died out. All Buddha's are believed to teach the same truth, only, it is adapted to their circumstances.
THE DHARMA
Can be understood to mean 'reality' or 'thing', but generally Buddhists understand the Dharma to be the 'law of life' itself - a truth about how the world works. Therefore, The Dharma is said to be the very teachings of Buddha himself.
The five precepts are essential to the Buddhist way of life. These are known as PANSIL, and are not absolute rules, but guidlines to make spiritual progress by developing good karma and avoiding bad karma. When a Buddhist takes refuge in the Three Jewels, they embrace the Pansil.
The PANSIL: 1. Abstain from taking life. 2. Abstain from taking what is not freely given. 3. Abstain from the misuse of the senses. 4. Abstain from wrong speech. 5. Abstain from taking drugs and alcohol, which cloud the mind.
Buddhists believe that what does not conflict with the central teachings of the Buddha does no harm, provided individuals do not put their trust in rituals to help them as if by magic. The flexibility of the Dharma is what keeps it alive!
The Buddha did not teach the answers to the questions most commonly posed in Western Philosophy. This was for two reasons. Firstly, people would not understand the answers even if they were told them. Secondly, the questions are a distraction form the real purpose of the Buddha's teachings, which is to understand suffering and achieve peace.
THE SANGHA
After Buddha died, it was feared that people would abandon the teachings and worship Buddha, instead. Therefore, COUNCILS met to agree on a conduct; however, the Buddha himself was weary about taking matters of religion on authority alone.
Three months after Buddha's death, the first council assembled. Once satisfied on the teachings of the Buddha, the Buddhists recited them together, but they were not written down for hundreds of years.
The second council met a hundred years later. The rules seemed too restrictive , and the PROGRESSIVES argued that the rules should therefore be relaxed. The ELDERS disagreed, however, sighting that the only way to achieve buddhahood was to strictly follow the teachings of Buddha.
The Elders therefore started the THEREVADA tradition, whilst the Progressives started the MAHASANGHIKA movement. From this, twenty different Buddhist groups were established. and despite their differences, still conversed. This is because they still saw themselves as belonging to one Sangha.
EMPEROR ASOKA
Founded the Indian Empire and led bloody conflicts, before discovering the teachings of the Dharma and became an upaska, which is a lay Buddhist. Hence forth, Asoka allowed all religions to be practised within India, and giant stones, pillar and Stupas were erected, offering spiritual, moral and religious guidelines to the masses.
A third council met to discuss the PALI CANON, which is a collection of scriptures believed to be the exact teachings of The Buddha. The council also resolved to send missionaries out into the world to spread the Dharma. The Dharma was first taught to the King of Sri Lanka, who really appreciated it.
THE THREE YANAS
HINAYANA: strict adherence to the rules and teachings of the Buddha.
MAHAYANA: progressive Buddhism favoured by those of the second council.
VAJRAYANA: involves ceremonies and gestures which involve the emotions and imagination that are all aimed at achieving enlightenment more quickly.
ANAGARIKAS
A person who spends two years in a role that is part way between a lay person and a monk. They are allowed to handle money, which is very helpful for the administration of a monastery.
MONASTIC SANGHA
Buddhists whom follow the PANSIL, but additionally chose to: 1. refrain from eating after midday so that the mind can focus on enlightenment. 2. Refrain from dancing, singing and watching unsuitable entertainments, so that they do not develop worldly attachments. 3. Refrain from scents and garlands, as the Dharma becomes no truer if it smells nice. 4. Refrain from sleeping on high or broad beds, as sleep is a necessity rather than an indulgence. 5. Refrain from handling gold or silver, as again, this may lead to worldly attachments.