Buddhism
Indian religion or philosophy
Inspired by Hinduism and Jainism
Open-minded
Tolerant of other religions
Egalitarian, casteless
Non-Materialist
Initially misogynistic
History
Founded partly as a reaction to the unequal caste system
Reflects the emergence of Vaishya (merchants) held back in power by Brahmin (priests) & Kshatriya (warriors)
Women wanted to live ascetic lives to escape from social traditions. At first, Gautama denied women from Buddhism, then he accepted, but created misogynistic rules that place nuns in subordinate position to monks.
Buddhist monks set up the earliest universities in history.
Buddhism declined in South Asia due to the resurgence of Hinduism and attempts by Brahmin and Kshatriya to regain power, but flourished throughout Asia.
In post-colonial India, Ambedkar and other scheduled castes escape caste oppression by converting to Buddhism.
Deities
Initially, Buddha is regarded as the teacher, not the divine. Then, some started worshipping him as the divine.
Monastic order
Buddhists can choose to live as lay persons or become monastics.
Marriage is disallowed for monastics.
Branches
- Theravada
- Older
- More conservative
- Bodhisattva reserved to few
- Mahayana
- Newer
- More liberal
- Bodhisattva open to everyone
Concepts
Three Jewels
Three core values of Buddhism
- Buddha: the Enlightened One
- Dharma: teachings of Buddha
- Sangha: Buddhist community of monks and nuns
Four Noble Truths
Four core beliefs of Buddhism
- Dukkha: the world is full of suffering
- Samudaya: suffering is caused by desire
- Nirodha: eliminate suffering by eliminating desire
- Magga: eliminate desire by following the Eightfold Path
Eightfold Path
Path taken by Buddhists to attain Nirvana
Nirvana
Freedom from hatred, greed, and delusion
Liberation from samsara
Ultimate goal of Buddhism
Similar to Moksha in Jainism
Bodhisattva
Someone on the path to bodhi
Ajitani Hifumi