Unit 2, Lecture 6: Pure Land and Zen Buddhism

Pure Land Buddhism Regional Buddhism: Japan, popular and moved other places Amitabha: The Buddha of Infinite Light Long ago known to become Buddha: when practicing realized impossible for most people to reach enlightenment due to passions - People need a way to make it easier “easy path” Vowed to make Pure Land for rebirth to make it easy for enlightenment with no temptations for those willing to even if wicked Pure Land as the Easy Path: to rebirth in next life in special world (Pure Land) outside of samsara, wheel of rebirth - Jiriki: “self-power” (sages – harder path) - Tariki: “other-power” (cf. grace, unmerited but from Amitabha) - Pure Land only this, give up Jiriki The Eighteenth Vow: say his name 10x to entrust to him if attain perfect enlightenment and become Buddha The Nembutsu: Namu Amida Butsu --> I bow to Amitabha Buddha - Says to do throughout life, constantly, only Honen (founder in Japan) 1133-1212: teacher that separated it from China Wrote One-Sheet Document teachings to show it’s NOT secret teachings: Not about mediating properly, but by reciting Nembutsu and believing in Amitabha is enough Worried and wanted common people to reach liberation (hunters killing demerits so this method still works for them) ------------------------Zen Buddhism (Japanese Buddhism): founded by Bodhidharma from India, China, Japan - Dhyana: meditation (India) --> Chan (China) --> Zen (Japan) - Strenuous self-effort: sleepy during med -> ripped eyelids -> grew tea (caffeine) o Disciple wasn’t acknowledged during his mediation -> cut arm (offering) showing sacrifice -> asked to calm mind - AKA Shakyamuni Buddha: gave unique sermon of only picking up flower o 1 disciple only understood -> first wordless transmission of Buddhism o The Flower Sermon: Zen as “a special transmission, outside of scripture, not dependent on words” The 10 Ox Herding Pictures: Trying to find and control Ox (original, true mind without shaping) --> non-dualism, everything you do is Zen Buddhism - Meditation methods to break out of normal Rinzai School – Koan (object of meditation): short puzzle/riddle to break out of everyday words/concepts o Ex. “mu” = no/not, sound of 1 hand clapping, face before born - Satori: flashes of insight in enlightenment (many, gradual steps) o Master: present understanding of koan (poem, kick him)