How do you see Buddhism? A question that’s been running through this mind of late is focused on the very nature of Buddhism: What makes Buddhism? Considering I’ve been practicing it, in one form or another, for well over twenty years, it seems a rather basic question to be asking. But, then, it can be an extremely useful exercise to review one’s understanding now and then, can’t it?
The basics of Buddhism seem pretty clear, and I’ll run through them below, but as mentioned above, I’ve practiced different forms of Buddhism over the years, not just Theravada Buddhism, which has been the central focus of this blog (and my own offline endeavors over the past dozen years or so). Other Buddhist and non-Buddhist teachings and techniques have influenced me, however. Anyhow, what of the basics that no self-respecting – or no-self-respecting – Buddhist would disagree with? Here’s a brief list:
· The Four Noble Truths
· The Noble Eightfold Path
· The Three Characteristics
· The Triple Gem/Refuge
· Renunciation (Precepts, vows, monasticism, etc.)
· Dependent Arising
· Karma & Rebirth
· Wisdom & Compassion
The above is my list of basic Buddhist teachings and practices, thought out over a period of ten minutes! You may disagree with the inclusion of certain elements or the exclusion of others – please leave a comment and let me know. As stated above, it seems unlikely that any Buddhist in their right mind (or right no-mind!) would object to the inclusion of the above elements as being basic to the Buddhadharma. With my albeit limited knowledge of Zen/Chan Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism, I can’t see such figures as Thich Nhat Hanh or the Dalai Lama disagreeing with much on the list.
One aspect of the Dharma & Vinaya of the Buddha not mentioned above is meditation, although it would be included in an explanation of the Noble Eightfold Path. Again, Theravada, Zen & Tibetan forms of Buddhism all put great emphasis on the practice of meditation and mindfulness to develop the mind and awaken to the way things are (the Dharma). From the mantra and visualization techniques of Tibetan Buddhism to the ‘just sitting’ and koan (‘riddle’-solving) practices found in Zen Buddhism, there’s a commonality to be found with the samatha-vipassana meditations of Theravada Buddhism.
Sure enough, there are cultural, doctrinal, and linguistic differences between the various forms of Buddhism. Looking at the devotional attitude towards Amitabha Buddha found in Pure Land Buddhism and the recital of the name of the Lotus Sutra in Nichiren Buddhism, the Buddhadharma might appear to be a set of religions rather than just one. But these differences still all stem from the Four Noble Truths discovered and taught by the Buddha over two and a half thousand years ago. They all aim to release living beings from suffering. May we all be released from suffering!
P.S. Please feel free to use the comments feature of this blog directly below and share your vision of the Dharma. What do you class as the essential elements of Buddhism? Do you see Theravada, Zen, Tibetan, Pure Land, Nichiren etc. as different versions of the Dharma, or are some just too far from your idea of what qualifies as Buddhism?
9 comments:
You've surely listed all the basics as I know them, too.
For myself, though, I include "non-self" and "non-attachment" as extremely key to the practice. I suppose, though, this might fall under the category of wisdom.
One key teaching for me is a paraphrase of the Buddha: "Cling to nothings whatsoever as I, Me, or Mine." This has informed a lot of my practice.
Practically speaking, the center of Buddhism for me is its position as a common-sense science of happiness. No other philosophy I know of has such a brilliantly simple goal.
Hi Mercurious.
Along with impermanence & suffering non-self is one of the three characteristics, isn't it? Non-attachment is an important part of the practice too, you're right. And it certainly takes wisdom to develop non-attachment!
True happiness - a synonym for Nirvana in the Buddhist scriptures - is, as you write, a kind of science. This scientific aspect to Buddhism makes it particularly relevant in the modern scientific age when so many people are led to a materialistic & nihilist view of life. The Middle Way of the Buddha is neither theistic nor atheistic in reality. It isn't agnostic either. It is the gnosis of Buddhahood, and that's something even great scientists don't yet begin to understand!
Thanks for stimulating comments, Mercurious.
G
As for the qualities of which you may know, 'These qualities lead:
to dispassion, not to passion;
to being unfettered, not to being fettered;
to shedding, not to accumulating;
to modesty, not to self-aggrandizement;
to contentment, not to discontent;
to seclusion, not to entanglement;
to aroused persistence, not to laziness;
to being unburdensome, not to being burdensome':
You may definitely hold, 'This is the Dhamma, this is the Vinaya, this is the Teacher's instruction.'"
I think this passage from the Anguttara Nikaya sums up what Buddhism and the Dhamma is all about. As long as a practice leads to those aforementioned things it leads in the direction of Dhamma.
Hi Gary,
I came up with pretty much the same list of basics, but Justin's post says it all. I don't know enough about the many flavors available to even have an opinion of whether some do or do not qualify.
Kris
Hi Gary,
I can't think of anything more to add to your list. Like 'mercurious', perhaps i can share what i found meaningful in my practice: "When we discern phenomena for what it truly is, there is nothing to renounce nor anything to relinquish."
with metta
Nothing much I can add to your excellent quote, Justin. Perhaps it could be added that as this quotation form the Tripitaka is so broad, it lives plenty of space for all of the various types of the Buddhadharma to operate in.
Hi Kris. It's possibly a good thing not to 'muddy the waters' with too much knowledge of the many versions of the Buddhadharma that exist. We can't practice them all simultaneously, can we? :)
Another great quote, Solitaire. Discerning phenomena for what they truly are is definitely what all the various Buddhist practices ultimately aim for.
Nice comments, everyone!
G
I celebrate the different Buddhist traditions. The beauty of Buddhism (one of them) is the way that Buddhism blends with traditional culture and yet maintains the essence of the Dharma.
You're right there, James. This blending of a people's culture & the Buddhadharma is one of the beauties of Buddhism. It is also what has produced such great spiritual traditions as Chan/Zen in China & Japan & the Theravada forest traditions in Sri Lanka & Thailand.
Homage to the blessed, noble, and perfectly self-awakened one!
G
Post a Comment