Buddhism: A History and Chronology Buddhism in India Before 2200 BCE: - Indus Valley Civilization - refers to people living in the Indus River Valley in India in the third millenium BCE (c. 2500 BCE) - significant evidence for the worship of goddesses in conjunction with bull or ram figures - Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were the principle cities of the region, c. 2500-1250 BCE - the region was well-organized with evidence of well-developed societies, scholarship, etc. 2200-1500 BCE: -Indus Valley civilization disappears (due to possible invasion by Aryans arriving c.1500 BCE?) -Religious oral traditions and hymns began to be collected 1000-500 BCE: -The Vedas and the religious diversity of Hinduism is rooted in the Indus Valley civilization -Collection of Expositions, which include Brahmanas and Upanisads, which are also included in the scriptures of Hinduism -The upanisads are a written composite and philosophical exploration on works orally composed. -They intend to present the meaning of religious practice and thought up against or in response to the Vedas. -a few centuries before the life of Buddha, a tradition of Wanderers wanted liberation, and were the early roots of Buddhism. -Two kinds of Wanderers: • Orthodox: Brahmanas • Heterodox: Samanas • 563-483 BCE: -Life of The Buddha, or Siddhartha Gautama, The Buddha * Buddha is the great teacher from the Buddhist tradition * his teachings are based in the Vedic tradition * referred to as the enlightened one or one who has awakened -Brief chronology of Siddharthas life: * born into the ksatriya varna as son and heir of a local ruler * accidentally attained a meditational experience in youth * sneaks out of the palace and finds and old man, a sick man, a corpse, and an ascetic; IE: the Four Passing Sights * wants to overcome the sickness, suffering, and death in the world that he witnessed in those 4 people * age 29, Siddhartha renounces the world and begins the path to enlightenment * when enlightened, Siddhartha, now The Buddha, experiences the cornerstone of the 4 Noble Truths and the 4 dhyanas * Buddha dies around 483 BCE * Note: Siddharthas birth and death dates are controversial. It is widely held in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia that Siddharthas life spanned from 624-544 BCE, and in Europe, America, and India from c.566-486 BCE, and further in Japan from 448-368 BCE. 500-250 BCE -period of the 4 Councils of Buddhism * First Council (after Buddhas death c. 483 BCE) --location: Rajagrha --500 monks gathered to compile Siddharthas teachings (into a sort of canon), establishing a direction for Buddhism after Siddharthas death * Second Council (c.383 or 373 BCE) --location: Vaisali --questioning of the 10 points --possible time of the Great Schism according to some sources * Second Second Council, or 2/3 Council (around 346 BCE) --location: Pataliputra --first true Great Schism of Buddhism, where the Samgha, or Buddhist order/group split into two separate schools, called Mahasamghikas and Sthaviras * Third Council (c.250 BCE) --location: Pataliputra --schism again occurs to separate a third school called sarastivadins --Asoka(c. 270-230 BCE) was overseer 269-232 BCE -Asoka is the third monarch of the Mauryan Dynasty in India * c.258, Asoka leads a bloody military campaign in the village/region of Kalinga * the witness of such carnage inspired his conversion to Buddhism * as a king, he brought India together * referred to as the pious ruler, establishing a sense of social justice in the region (ie. social service, medical care, humane treatment of the masses) * became a lay disciple * ruled over the third council * sent out missionary efforts to spread Buddhism to other places, i.g: Indian sub-continent, Burma, Sri Lanka, etc. * Dharma-conquest -- reigned with good moral principles Nagarjuna (c.150-250 CE): -associated with the Madhyamika school of Mahayana Buddhism -advocate of the Middle Way between asceticism and hedonism in Buddhist practice -remembered for his teachings on emptiness or sunyata -confusion about the biography of Nagarjuna persists, as texts are attributed to him over a five hundred year period -his principle work is Mulamadhyamikakariakas, in which he critically examines other schools of Buddhism of his time period Asanga (c.315-390 CE): -founder of the yogacara school of Mahayana Buddhism -emphasized the practice of Yoga or meditation (hence, Yogacara) -the elder brother of the prominent Buddhist philosopher, Vasubandhu -known for his treatise on The Seventeen Stages of yoga, as instructed by bodhisattva Maitreya -also, Asangas Abhidharmasamuccaya attempts to exlicate the elements of phenomenal existence from the perspective of the Yogacara school Vasubandhu (forth or fifth century CE): -converted from Abhidharma Buddhism to Mahayana -followed his brother Asanga in converting from Abhidhgarma Buddhism to Mahayan Buddhism, in particular, the Yogacara school (eventually the Vijnanavada school for Vasubandhu) -he is connected historically to three distinct persons, and thus his biography is not clear -later in life he moves from a concentration on Yoga practice to Buddhist theory -he was the author of Abhidharmakosa, an encyclopedic work on Buddhist doctrines and philosophy -Author of Vimsatika (20 verses) and Trimsika (30 verses) Dignaga (c.480-540 CE:) -the ascribed founder of Buddhist logic -early on, affiliated with the vatsiputriya school of Abhidhgarma Buddhism, later the Nayaya school -studied under the great buddhist philosopher Vasubandhu (Vijnana-vada phiosophy) -thought to have written more than a hundred treatises on logic -was the first Buddhist thinker to consider seriously the validity or invalidity of knowledge Paramartha (c.498-569 CE): -a notable biographer, missionary and translater of the Buddhist tradition -studied at the famous Universtity of Nalanda -spent a considerable amount of time on mission in china -while in China he sitinguished himself as a translator of Sanskrit scriptures into chinese (translating the equivalent of 275 volumes in Chinese) -he was largely responsible for the introduction of Vasubandhus philosophy to China Dharmapala (c.530-561 CE): -associated with the yogacara school of Mahayana Buddhism -his most influential work is the Parmattha-dipani -principally responded to the work of an earlier thinker, that of Buddhagosha -studied at the famous University of Nalanda, later becoming its abbot -made significant contributions to the Buddhist discussion of self and consciousness from a Yogacara school perspective -a Chinese pilgrim-monk who travelled to India in search of the roots of the Mahayana buddhist tradition (late Sui and early Tang dynasties) -great Buddhist scholar and advisor to the emperor of China -studied extensively both the Abhidhgarma and Mahayana Buddhist traditions, as well as the contemporary, standard Vedic curriculum -he contributed significanly to the Chinese Buddhist canon as a translator of Indian texts into chinese (this was well funded bye the Chinese government, as he had excellent connections) -his work in its more pure form lives on in the Hosso school of Japanese Buddhism Dharmakirti (c.600-660 CE): -in early life Dharmakirti studied extensively the scholarship of the Vedas and other buddhist phiosophy -he eventually pursued the study of logic, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Dignaga -was the student of a direct pupils of Dignaga -widely considered a genius of his time, Dharmakirtis theory of knowledge forced numerous revisions within the works of other thinkers and other traditions -significantly, he challenged the divine infallibility of the Vedas Formation of Schools of Indian Buddhism Buddhism Outside India: Southeast Asia CEYLON (Sri Lanka) 247 BCE -One possible view of Buddhism in spread into Ceylon -Asoka, emperor of India, sends Mahinda to Ceylon on a missionary trip, who introduces Buddhism to Ceylon 250-210 BCE: -Second possible view of Buddhism is spread into Ceylon -Devanampiyatissa leads the conversion of the island 3rd Century CE: -A sect of Vaitulyavada makes an enterance into Ceylon 4th Century CE: VIETNAM 111 BCE: -Meu-Po, a Buddhist fugitive from China, propogates Mahayana Sutras in Vietnam 2nd Century CE: -A-Ham, one of the 2 major Vietnamese sects of Buddhism, begins to take shape 3rd Century CE: -Mahayana and Abhidhgarma missionaries travel through Vietnam 580 CE: -Vinitaruci spreads second major Vietnamese Buddhist school, called Thien 820 CE: -Vo-ngon-Thong continues to develop the Thien school of Buddhism 968-980 CE: -Dinh Bo-Linh spreads a form of Buddhism known as Amidism KOREA 1st Century CE: -Koreas early development is intimately tied to its relations with China (keeping in mind that the process of development is interactive) -Earliest form of religion in Korea is called Shamanism -Chinese colonies spring up in Korea -Buddhism is transmitted to Korea during the Three Kingdoms Period (c.370-670CE) 372-384 CE: -Monk Shun-tao from china introduces Buddhism to Korea -Monk Malanada spreads Buddhism farther in 384 CE -the first Buddhist monastery erected on Korean soil (c.376) -broad regional reception and acceptance of Buddhism under the Seradian monk Maranania (c.384-onward) 528 CE: -Monk Ichadon was martyred, and therefore this is the official date of introduction -the last of the Three Kingdoms, that of Silla, embraces Buddhism 6th and 7th Centuries CE: -in conquering the other two kingdoms, that of Koguryo and Paekehe, Silla found it politically advantageous to support the spread of Buddhism -Korean monks are sent to China to bring back Buddhist teachings -the scholastic schools of Chinese Buddhism were introduced into Korea -ideologies were consolidated and new schools were organized -Pomnany brings Chan (in Korean: Son) school of Budddhism, taught by Tao-hsin, the fourth patriarch of the Chinese Chan school, back to Korea 935-1392 CE: -called Koryo Period -Buddhism reaches its peak importance at this time in Korea -the Koryo School of Buddhism inspires a reconciliation between the Son and scholastic schools -the unification of these two schools would occupy numerous religious figures over the next centuries 14th and 15th Centuries CE: -Yi dynasty in power (c.1392) -Kings were hostile toward Buddhists BUDDHISM IN CHINA Table of Chinese Dynasties Shang 1766-1125 BCE Chou 1122-256 BCE Chin 221-206 BCE Han 206 BCE -220 CE The Three Kingdoms Wu 222-280 CE Wei 220-265 CE Shu 221-263 CE _ Western Chin 265-316 CE Eastern Chin 317-420 CE Liu Sung 420-479 CE Chi 479-502 CE Liang 502-557 CE Chen 557-589 CE Sui 581-618 CE Tang 618-907 CE Wu-Tai 907-960 CE Sung North 960-1127 CE Sung South 1127-1279 CE Yuan 1280-1368 CE Ming 1368-1644 CE Ching 1644-1912 CE Centuries Before 1st Century BCE: -Taoism and Confucianism are existing religions in China 1st Century BCE - 1st Century CE: -Buddhism begins to enter China along trade routes -Buddhism was often mistaken for a simple form of Taoism -Mahayana was preferred over Abhidhgarma 61-64 CE: -Emperor Ming sends embassy to import Buddhism into China 2nd Century CE: -Emperor Huan mentioned to worship Buddha -Monks arrived in China to produce texts and translations 200-400 CE: -Buddhism officially introduced at 219 CE -Buddhism adapts to China, and to taoist religion, from 220-419 CE -Sun-Lun school in China-founded by Kumarujiva (343-413) - was a master of translation, translating many influential Mahayana texts into Chinese 420-588 CE: -Buddhism divides into sects. -the death of Bodhidharma, first Chinese Chan patriarch (c.527 CE) 589-617CE: -Hsuan-i, or hidden significance commentaries are written revelaing the characteristics of each sect -known as the period of consolidation of Buddhism in China 618-906 CE: -In 845, Taoist Emperor Wu-tsung sends Buddhism into a decline -The scholastic sects of Buddhism disappeared during this time-official representation of Buddhism -After the death of Wu-tsung, the popular sects of Buddhism were revived -A new school called chen-yen was started as well 907-Present -printing of the Buddhist canon begins (c.972 CE) -the popular schools of Chinese Buddhism continued on through this period -a Buddhist revival occured from 1890-1947, led by Tai-hsu -in 1949, Buddhism was suppressed by Communist leaders -Both Honen and Shinran were Japanese Chu-she -founded by Paramartha in 6th century CE -organized by Hsuan-tsang from 596-664 CE -corresponds to the Indian school Abhiharma Fa-hsiang -founded by Paramartha -organized by Hsuan-tsang and Kuei-chi from 632-682 CE -corresponds to Indian school Yogacara San-lun -founded by Kumarajiva, who lived from 344-413 CE -organized by Tao-sheng from 360-434 CE -corresponds to Indian school Madhyamika Chen-yen -founded by subhakarsimba -corresponds to Indian word mantra, which means true word -founded between 618-906 CE A-pi-to-mo -founded during the Liang Dynasty She-lun -founded during the Liang Dynasty San-Lun -founded between 344-413 CE Lu -founded during the Tang Dynasty A-pi-ta-mo -founded in 645 Cheng-shih Tien-tai -founder: Hui-ssu (515-576 CE) -no corresponding Indian school -organizer: Chih-i (538-597 CE) Hua-yen -founder: Tu-shun (557-640 CE) -organizer: Fa-tsang (643-712 CE) -no corresponding Indian school Chan -founder: Bodhidharma (470-520 CE?) -Bodhidharma: first Chinese patriarch -Indian correspondence: dhyana, the word for meditation -divided into 2 schools that later reunited under the Ming Dynasty Lin-chi -founded by Lin-chi I-hsuan (867 CE) -taken to Japan by Eisai (1141-1215 CE) -known in Japan as Rinzai Zen Tsao-tung -founded by Tung-shan Liang-Chich (807-869 CE) and Tsao-shan Pan-chi (840-901 CE) -taken to Japan by Dogen (1200-1253 CE) -known in Japan as Soto Zen Ching-tu -founder: Hui-yuan (334-416 CE) -organizer: Tan-luan (476-542 CE) -2 sects in Japan: *Jodo Shu: - pure land Buddhism started by Honen (1133-1212 CE) *Jodo Shinshu - true pure land Buddhism started by Shinran (1173-1262 CE) BUDDISM IN JAPAN Chronology of Japanese Historical Periods: Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun (prehistoric and protohistoric up to 6th century CE) Taika 645-710 Nara 710-784 Heian 794-1185 Kamakura 1185-1333 Muromachi 1333-1568 Momoyama 1568-1600 Tokugawa 1600-1867 Meiji 1868-1911 Taisho 1912-1925 Showa 1926-1945 Postwar 1945-Present 538 CE: -official introduction date of Buddhism into Japan -Korean religious figures visit Japan during the 6th century with envoys spreading Buddhism in order to obtain peace with Japan -distinguishable beginning for Buddhism in Japan (c.552 CE) -prince regent Shotoku (died 621) helped with the early development of Japanese Buddhism by writing commentaries of scriptures -Buddhism is declared the state religion of Japan (c.594 CE) 710-794 CE: -known as Nara Period -a new phase in the development of Japanese Buddhism -Nara Buddhism: a combination of 6 academic schools from China, sprung up during this period -6 schools of Nara Buddhism: • Kusha (Abhidharmakosa sect) • Joitsu • Ritsu (based on vinaya) • Sanron (Madhyamika, San-lun) • Hosso (Yogacara, Fa-hsiang) • Kegon (Hua-Yen) -Emperor Shomu, Empress Shotoku, and Hosso monk Gyogi, aided in the growth of Buddhism at this time -the Taiho reforms of 702 CE caused some resistance to Buddhism 794 CE: -beginning of the Heian Period in Japan -capital of Japan is changed to Kyoto (794) -ruler at time is Emperor Kammu -the high water mark of Japanese Buddhism -2 schools came from China: --1. Tendai (Tien-Tai) -- brought by Saicho (767-822 CE) --2. Shingon (Chen-yen) -- brought by Kukai (774-835 CE) -esoteric Buddhism (mikkyo) -these 2 schools did clash along with the success they both found in this time period 1192 CE: -beginning of Kamakura Period -power held by a group of Samurai -new schools of Buddhism begin that are strictly Japanese: NAME: FOUNDER: NOTES: Pure Land (Jodo) Honen (1133-1212 CE) _ True Pure Land (Jodo Shinshu) Shinran (1173-1263) Shinran was a disciple of Honen Nichiren Nichiren (1222-1282 CE) Sokagakki school founded after 1945 defeat of Japan by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi as Nichiren spinoff Rinzai Zen (Lin-chi) Eisai _ Soto Zen (Tsao-tung) Dogen (1200-1253 CE) _ BUDDHISM IN TIBET Origins of Tibetan Buddhism -two origins: --1. Indian Buddhism coming from Gupta Dynasty --2. Native religions of Tibet -Indian Buddhism was spread to Tibet in 2 ways: --1. scholars (Santarakshita) of monastic universities bringing it back --2. wandering Tantric saints introducing it (Padma Sambhava) ----Tantric Buddhism was also influenced by Tantric Hinduism -most of Buddhist transmission occurred during the 8th century CE -Buddhism declared the state religion of Tibet (791 CE) -4 main sects, which are lineages of transmission from masters to diciples exist in Tibetan Buddhism -two major sects include: --1. rNying-ma - introduced in the 7th and 8th centuries CE --2. dGe-lugs - introduced by Tsung-kha-pa (1357-1419 CE) -based upon Bon, Mahayana, and Tantra -bases itself on the four baskets: • vinaya • surtras • abhidharma • getri -four nine vehicles of Buddhism: • Hinayana • Mahayana • Vajryana • Mantrayana • 5 books of Yogacara LINEAGE OF THE DALAI LAMA Gedun Truppa 1391-1475 CE Gedun Gyatso 1475-1542 Sonam Gyatso 1543-1588 Yonten Gyatso 1589-1617 Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso 1617-1682 Tsangyang Gyatso 1683-1706 Kesang Gyatso 1708-1757 Jampel Gyatso 1758-1804 Luntok Gyatso 1806-1815 Tsultrim Gyatso 1816-1837 Khendrup Gyatso 1838-1856 Trinley Gyatso 1856-1875 Thupten Gyatso 1876-1933 Tenzin Gyatso 1935-Present
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 00:35:25 +0000
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