Buddhist Studies - La Trobe University A 13 week distance education unit taught online from La Trobe University. Explores the origins and evolution of the Buddhist tradition and its contemporary place in society and follows the progress of buddhism through Indian history focusing on its responses to local cultural, political and economic conditions. http://www.latrobe.edu.au/asianstudies/Buddha/index.html
Extractions: Distance Learning Buddhist Studies is taught via a mix of correspondence, email lists and phone based communication between staff and student. This year two units are available Buddhism Past and Present and Buddhist Meditation Traditions. See what some former students have said about the units Note: These units will not be available in 2005 for one year. This unit is an investigation of Buddhist meditation traditions. It looks at the ancient Indian context within which meditation developed and the practice of meditation in the contemporary world. We explore definitions of meditation and the role of meditation in the Buddha's life and investigate the characteristics of jhana, vipassana, samatha and metta meditations and their relationship with puja and protection rituals. We then consider contemplation of the Buddha and meditation in the context of the lay community and the Buddhist nuns' order. We briefly sample aspects of Mahayana traditions from Tibet, Japan and China and conclude with a review of two centuries of Western involvement in Buddhist meditation traditions.
Buddhism And Its Spread Along The Silk Road The civilizations which flourished along the Silk Road in the first millenniumCE were open to cultural and religious influences from both East and West. http://www.silk-road.com/artl/buddhism.shtml
Extractions: "There one sees a structure of an elevation prodigious in height; it is supported by gigantic pillars and covered with paintings of all the birds created by God. In the interior are two immense idols carved in the rock and rising from the foot of the mountains to the summit....One cannot see anything comparable to these statues in the whole world." Besides silk, paper and other goods, the Silk Road carried another commodity which was equally significant in world history. Along with trade and migration, the world's oldest international highway was the vehicle which spread Buddhism through Central Asia. The transmission was launched from northwestern India to modern Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Xinjiang (Chinese Turkistan), China, Korea and Japan. Buddhism not only affected the lives and cultures on those regions but also left us with a world of wonders in arts and literature. (Figure on the right: Princes from Central Asian states in Lamentation, Dunhuang Cave 158. After Sakyamuni entered nirvana, princes of different Central Asian states gathered to express their grief, crying, beating their chests, piercing themselves with swords or knives, or cutting off their noses or ears. This painting not only depicts their devotions to Buddha, but also accurately presents the appearances, garments and customs of different nations along the Silk Road and the history of cultural exchange between them.)
Buddhist Bioethics Redmond (1992) discusses the relationship of buddhism to medicine from Concepts of Disease in buddhism, in Buddhist Studies Present and Future, ed. http://www.changesurfer.com/Bud/BudBioEth.html
Extractions: Goldsmiths, University of London Published in the Journal of Buddhist Ethics , Volume Two, 1995 ISSN 1076-9005 It has not gone unnoticed that the Buddhist aim of eliminating suffering coincides with the objectives of medicine (Duncan et al, 1981; Soni, 1976). The Buddhist emphasis on compassion finds natural expression in the care of the sick, and according to the Vinaya the Buddha himself stated "Whoever, O monks, would nurse me, he should nurse the sick" (Zysk, 1991:41). Buddhist clergy and laity have been involved with the care of the sick for over two thousand years. The Indian Buddhist emperor Asoka states in his second Rock Edict that provision has been made everywhere in his kingdom for medical treatment for both men and animals, and that medicinal herbs suitable for both have been imported and planted. Birnbaum (1979) and Demieville (1985) provide good general introductions to Buddhism and medicine. Buddhism appears to have played an important role in the evolution of traditional Indian medicine (Zysk, 1991), and there are many parallels between Buddhist medicine, as recorded in the Pali canon, and Aayurveda (Mitra, 1985). There are short monographs by Haldar on the scientific (1977) and public heath aspects (1992) of medicine in the Pali sources. It is likely that as Buddhism spread through Asia it would have interacted with indigenous medical traditions promoting the cross-fertilization of ideas. Redmond (1992) discusses the relationship of Buddhism to medicine from Theravaada and Mahaayaana perspectives and compares Buddhist and Daoist concepts of disease. Discussions of Tibetan medicine may be found in Clifford (1984), Dhonden (1986), and Rechung (1976), while Ohnuki-Tierney (1984) discusses illness and culture in contemporary Japan.
ON REBIRTH: Buddhism And Reincarnation Exerpted from Paul Williams, The Unexpected Way On Converting from buddhism to Catholicism. http://www.angelfire.com/realm/bodhisattva/rebirth.html
Extractions: The Buddhist position on rebirth is always stated to be that the rebirth is neither the same as, nor different from, the one who died. The Buddhist sees our present life as a causal continuum. We are constantly changing, with each moment of our life arising in causal dependence upon a preceding moment that has since ceased, and acting to cause the next moment in the continuum. It is a bit like the flow of a river. This flow that we are is made of Five Strands : physical matter, sensations, determinate perceptions, additional factors like volition (intentions), and consciousness. These are called the Five Aggregates (Sanskrit: skandha ). They are each a flow, each constantly changing. Upon this fivefold flow we superimpose for everyday practical purposes a singular identity, called by a name like 'Archibald', or 'Fiona'. Thus we are in fact a bundle, or a bundle of bundles. But because of beginningless ignorance we have a tendency to overrate this practical everyday unity, and to think that there is some sort of unchanging essence constantly present. The presupposed unchanging essence, the stable referent for the use of 'I', we think of as our 'Self' (Sanskrit:
Index buddhism in Brazil a Bibliography. buddhism IN BRAZIL A BIBLIOGRAPHY. http://cmrocha.sites.uol.com.br/
Malaysian Buddhist Association Promote buddhism through Dharma propagation and research. Provides news, activities, funds and photo gallery. Main office in Penang, branches countrywide. http://www.malaysianbuddhistassociation.org.my/
Buddhist Traditions An introduction to buddhism, with a Thai flavor, by way of cartoons, humor, andcommentary. Digital Dictionary of buddhism (Japan) http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/gthursby/rel/buddhism.htm
Buddhism In Toronto - Centre List of Buddhist temples and centres in Toronto Centre. http://buddhismcanada.com/toronto-c.html
Buddhism Glossary On the website of a university Buddhist study and practise group. http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/glossary.html
Extractions: Generic term applied to a collection of traditional doctrines and precepts; also means the home or collecting-place of the law or truth; the peerless law; the ultimate absolute truth. The Four Agamas are as follows: (1) Dirghagama, "law treatises on cosmogony; (2) Madhyamagama, "middle" treatises on metaphysics; (3) Samyuktagama, "miscellaneous" treatises on abstract contemplation; (4) Edottaragama, "numerical" treatises on subjects treated numerically.The sutras of Theravada are referred to at times as the Agamas. Agara The fundamental consciousness of all sentient beings. As defined by the Yogacara School, Alaya means the "storehouse", implying that this consciousness contains and preserves all past memories and potential psychic energy within its fold; it is the reservoir of all ideas, memories and desires and is also the fundamental cause of both Samsara and Nirvana. Almsgiving
Houston Shambhala Meditation Center Offers meditation instruction and group practice supporting the paths of Shambhala Training and Vajrayana buddhism. Includes news, events, and photo gallery. http://web2.airmail.net/dharma/
Extractions: Houston Shambhala Meditation Center Home Introductory Information The Gates of Shambhala Regular Practice Schedule News and Coming Events ... Make a Donation "Our life is an endless journey; it is like a broad highway that extends infinitely into the distance. The practice of meditation provides a vehicle to travel on that road. Our journey consists of constant ups and downs, hope and fear, but is a good journey. The practice of meditation allows us to experience all the textures of the roadway, which is what the journey is all about."
Basic Teachings And Philosophical Doctrines Of Buddhism Places where Theravâda spread Theravâda buddhism is presently practiced in Shri During the Theravâda period, buddhism also spread into Afghanistan, http://www.friesian.com/buddhism.htm
Extractions: THE BASIC TEACHINGS OF BUDDHISM budh , "to wake up"), was born to a royal Ks.atriya family. At his birth there was a prophecy that either he would become a world conqueror, or he would "conquer" the world by renouncing it and becoming a Buddha. His father preferred the more tangible kind of conquest and tried to shield Siddhartha from all the evils of life that might tempt him into spiritual reflection. This strategy backfired; for when, about age thirty, Siddhartha finally did experience evils, by encountering a sick man, an old man, a dead man, and a wandering ascetic, he determined immediately to renounce the world and seek enlightenment like the ascetic. This violated Siddhartha's duty as a householder, since his wife had just given birth to their first child, but Vedic duties and the traditional four stages of life were no longer of interest to him. After years of fasting and other ascetic practices, during which he supposedly subsisted on as little as one grain of rice a day, Siddhartha felt that he had achieved nothing. He ceased his fasting, but then sat down under a tree with the determination not to arise until he had achieved enlightenment. The tree became the
Los Angeles Dari Rulai Temple Of Chinese Buddhism Learn Chinese buddhism, zen meditation, treasure vase, the medicine Buddha dharma, prajna akasagarbha and healing with master Yu Tian Jian, living buddha Dechan Jueren. http://www.dari-rulai-temple.org
Extractions: Welcome to the Los Angeles Dari Rulai Temple The Dari Rulai Temple was established in Los Angeles by the Great Enlightener Golden Crown Dharma King, Living Buddha Dechan Jueren. Living Buddha Dechan Jueren holds the complete teachings of the Mahavairocana Buddha passed down by Nagarjuna Bodhisattva to Subhakarasimha, Vajrabodhi, and Amoghavajra. Are you, or do you know someone suffering from illness? Please consider stopping by for our free healing Sunday prayer service if you live in the Los Angeles Area, or browse our services page for ways to receive spiritual help. Want to learn how to meditate? Living Buddha Dechan Jueren has empowered his senior disciples to transmit Buddha Dharma. You can check out our calendar of ongoing classes or even request an instructor to travel to your area.
Extractions: For information on ordering click here. The oldest known date in the history of India is the death of the one called Buddha in 483 BC, and even that date is somewhat controversial. Buddha means "one who is intuitive, awakened, or enlightened." The famous historical person known as Buddha was also called the Tathagata, which means "the one who has come thus," and Shakyamuni, which means "the sage of the Shakya tribe." He is said to have lived eighty years, and thus was probably born in 563 BC. His father Suddhodana of the Gautama clan was elected king of the Shakya tribe by its five hundred families just south of the Himalaya mountains in the realm of influence of the powerful Kosala monarchy. The son was born in the Lumbini garden and named Siddartha, which means "he who has accomplished his aim." Many myths and legends surround the birth of Siddartha, but most of these seem to have been developed centuries later in the Jatakas . A famous seer named Asita predicted that the child would either become a great king or, if he left home, a great teacher. His mother Maya died seven days after giving birth, and her younger sister Mahapajapati, who was also married to Suddhodana, became his foster mother.
World Almanac For Kids Read about the origin, growth, and teachings of buddhism. http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/religion/buddism.html
Extractions: BUDDHISM, a major world religion, founded in northeastern India and based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha, or Enlightened One. Buddhism today is divided into two major branches known to their respective followers as Theravada, the Way of the Elders, and Mahayana, the Great Vehicle. Followers of Mahayana refer to Theravada using the derogatory term Hinayana, the Lesser Vehicle. Buddhism has been significant not only in India but also in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, and Laos, where Theravada has been dominant; Mahayana has had its greatest impact in China, Japan, Taiwan, Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as in India. The number of Buddhists worldwide has been estimated at between 150 and 300 million. The reasons for such a range are twofold: Throughout much of Asia religious affiliation has tended to be nonexclusive; and it is especially difficult to estimate the continuing influence of Buddhism in Communist countries such as China.
Buddhism Buddhist Studies WWW Virtual Library The Internet Guide to buddhism and BuddhistStudies This site provides a guide to Internet resources on buddhism. http://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/Internet/buddhism.htm
Extractions: "The Asian Classics Input Project presents a database containing texts from the Kangyur and Tengyur (classical collections of Sanskrit literature in Tibetan translation), and the Sungbum (Tibetan language commentaries on these) transliterated into roman (ASCII) characters. These texts span the time period from the Fifth Century, BCE to the twentieth Century, CE. The database has been produced primarily for scholars of classical Asian literature and other interested persons. Text entry is accomplished by Tibetan monk scholars at Sera Mey Monastic University and other nearby centers in southern India." The Edicts of King Ashoka
Buddhism History of buddhism Basic Beliefs Geographic Concentration buddhism Terms Links to More buddhism Sites. BOROBUDUR BEYOND THE REACH OF TIME http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/buddhism/buddhism.html
Extractions: Buddhism History of Buddhism Basic Beliefs Geographic Concentration Buddhism Terms ... Links to More Buddhism Sites BOROBUDUR - BEYOND THE REACH OF TIME: restoring Indonesia's great Buddhist shrine. Video from the Roland Collection. var Video_ID=16 To play this video you will need Real Audio. Get it free here Thai Buddha statue Written by Sara Wenner, 2001
Definition Of Buddhism A no holds barred attack on buddhism by Our Lady's Warriors, an informal group of Catholic Laity who defend the fullness of Truth in the Catholic Faith by remaining obedient to the Holy See and Magisterium and fighting dissent within the Church. http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/dissent/defbuddh.htm
Extractions: The religious, monastic system, founded c. 500 B.C. on the basis of pantheistic Brahminism. The speculations of the Vedanta school of religious thought, in the eighth and following centuries, B.C., gave rise to several rival schemes of salvation. These movements started with the same morbid view that conscious life is a burden and not worth the living, and that true happiness is to be had only in a state like dreamless sleep free from all desires, free from conscious action. They took for granted the Upanishad doctrine of the endless chain of births, but they differed from pantheistic Brahminism both in their attitude towards the Vedas and in their plan for securing freedom from rebirth and from conscious existence. In their absolute rejection of Vedic rites, they stamped themselves as heresies. Of these the one destined to win greatest renown was Buddhism. I. THE FOUNDER Of Buddha, the founder of this great movement, legendary tradition has much to say, but very little of historical worth is known. His father seems to have been a petty raja , ruling over a small community on the southern border of the district now known as Nepal. Buddha's family name was Gotama (Sanskrit
Extractions: Member of GSAnet Banner Swap A history of pantheism and scientific pantheism by Paul Harrison. Are you a pantheist? Find out now at Scientific Pantheism. Preparing a woman for ritual intercourse, Rajasthani, 18th century. At first sight nothing seems more alien to the oldest form of Buddhism, Theravada, than Tantric Buddhism. Where Theravada urges us to reflect on the repulsiveness of the body, Tantric Buddhism tells us to revere it as a temple and to indulge its most sensual impulses. Theravada preaches the renunciation of all desires: Tantric Buddhism their over-fulfillment. These are very real and significant differences. If we regard nirvana as an ultimate reality which is revered as virtually divine, then most Mahayana schools of Buddhism are pantheisms of the world-rejecting and world-denying varieties (see Varieties of Pantheism ). Tantric Buddhism is a pantheism of the world-accepting variety which sees nirvana in the midst of sense-phenomena. Tantric Buddhism also laid great emphasis on mantras (incantations), on
Learning Guide Academic introduction to buddhism and Zen by Guy Newland, Ph.d., Central Michigan University. http://www.chsbs.cmich.edu/Guy_Newland/REL 320/Learning Guide Folder/learning_gu
