Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
sixth century BC.From here, it diffused with missionary
monks and traders via trade routes into China, and from
there, across the Korean peninsula to Japan. It also
spread southward and became established in Sri Lanka,
and from there it spread seaward to Southeast Asia.
Adapted to local circumstances, Buddhism diversi-
fied and evolved into many schools of thought. An exten-
sive body of literature was created, and many temples
and monasteries accumulated rich collections of sacred
topics, tablets, and scrolls.
Buddhism and its various schools evolved from the
teachings of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, born around 563 BC
in what today is Nepal. After years in search of an explana-
tion of life' s harsh realities, he awakened to a profound
conclusion: The cause of suffering is desire. This realiza-
tion was the key to his enlightenment as the Buddha.
That the world is filled with suffering and that suffer-
ing is caused by desire became the first two of the Four
Noble Truths. The third is that it is possible to get rid of
suffering by overcoming desire. The fourth Noble T Truth
tells one how to achieve this goal by following the Eight-
fold Path. By choosing this “right path” of behavior (e.g.,
right knowledge, aspiration, and livelihood), one can
achieve nirvana . As inscribed on the wall of a temple I vis-
ited in Myanmar: “ Nibbana is not situated in any Bhumis
[stages of being] nor is it heaven. It is a state which is de-
pendent upon ourselves.” Nirvana is an indescribable state
of desirelessness and peacefulness. It is absolute bliss.
Buddha advocated withdrawal from the material
world of desire into a contemplative mode, making med-
itation a key part of Buddhist practice. He also empha-
sized being generous, kind, and vowing not to harm
people or animals. Consequently , vegetarianism is widely
practiced in Buddhism.
As Buddhism diversified with expansion, two main
schools of thought developed. Mahayana Buddhism is
practiced in China, Korea, Japan, and, because of Chinese
influence, in Vietnam. This school holds that salvation
can be achieved through the intercession of divine beings.
Mahayana Buddhists believe the Buddha to be their sav-
iour but may commune with other deities as well.
One of the most popular of these divine beings is the
Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (in Sanskrit, the lord who looks
in every direction). A Bodhisattva is one who postpones
entry into nirvana in order to save other beings. Avalokites-
vara is most popular in his female form and is enshrined in
virtually all Buddhist temples. She is known as Kuan-Yin in
China, Kannon in Japan, and Kwanum in Korea.
Theravada Buddhism developed in Sri Lanka as the
monastic expression of Buddha' s teachings. It places
Figure 1-7
This Indian man is a “saddhu —a holy man who has divested him-
self of worldly possessions to seek the One Ultimate Reality . His tri-
dent indicates that he is a devotee of Shiva. Saddhus migrate among
sacred sites and live off donations from the public. As a true saddhu
(not a beggar), this man asked for nothing. He was merely present.
Y es, I did make a donation. Photograph courtesy of B. A. Weightman.
life. If a woman deliberately harms or kills another person
or an animal such as a lizard, she might be reborn as that
lizard in her next life. T To quote a 1960s saying: “Keep
your karma clean!”
Hinduism is entrenched in all aspects of Indian cul-
ture. We will learn more about its impact on society and
development in the chapters on South Asia.
BUDDHISM
Buddhism also originated in northern India, in part as a
reaction to the excesses of Hinduism prevalent by the
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