Middle way, a philosophy of compromise and moderation

Buddha did not give a mystical or supernatural explanation for any odd observation. He realized that the truth is rarely found in the extremes. He practiced instead "observe yourself as you eat to see what works for you and what does not".

Buddha realized that instead of roaming in the forest for enlightenment, he should practice of Yoga & Meditation to control the temptation. Ego, Anger, Greed, Lust & Attachment, are the causes of human's pain & Suffering.

Tolerance and compassion

Impermanence - shunyata

Many teachers have used concepts such as: "Impermanence" (to be ever changing) or "Maya" - illusory and not real. Some scholars have discounted the Buddha’s teachings, claiming that he is promulgating a belief in "emptiness" or "nothingness." However, teachings about shunyata (emptiness) are not only found in Buddhist literature, but are also prominent in the writings of many of the saints. "It (God) is neither existent nor non-existent (shunya), its nature is beyond the reach of senses and thought." [Gorakh Nath] "Meditation on the Formless (shunya) is enjoyed by all knowers of Truth." [Sant Kabir]

Buddhism by the Numbers

Major schools of thought

Mahayana ("greater vehicle") Buddhism, in which statues and pictures of Buddha are shown, became popular around 100 AD.

Hinayana followers say that the path to nirvana is an individual quest. Mahayana followers believe that everyone can attain nirvana, and they aspire to reach the state of Buddhahood not for themselves, but also help other living entities.

Vajrayana means "thunderbolt" or "diamond" vehicle contains tantric and shamanistic practices.

Zen begins in China and spreads to Japan and elsewhere. It focuses on specific meditative approaches to the path of enlightenment. Pure Land is prominent in Japan and focuses on the reverence of Buddha Amida, or the Buddha of "boundless light."

Zen meditation - Mind cleaning?

Sacred texts

Buddhism important places

Timeline of Buddhist History

Nirvana sutra

Buddha/Buddhism misunderstood:

[From http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part12/chap3.htm] Many believe that Buddhism ceased to have a large following in India because it came under the attack of Sankara. This is not true. There are very few passages in the Acarya's commentaries critical of that religion, a religion that was opposed to the Vedas. Far more forcefully has he criticised the doctrines of Sankhya and Mimamsa that respect the Vedic tradition. ......Udayanacarya, the tarkika, and Kumarilabhatta, the mimamsaka, opposed Buddhism for its refusal to accept Vedic rituals.

Buddhist Ideas and practices absorbed by Hinduism

Prior to Gupta Era, royal people were influenced by buddhist and Jain monks. From Gupta Era, Shaivam and Vaishnavam were revived. 12th century, the biggest library at Nalanda was destroyed by invasions. Some idols were converted as gods of their faiths. Gaya Asura, may be an earlier Buddha statue, below Vishnupada. Kushinara Rambhar Bhavani, Sal Kusa Madhava, Puri Jagannatha, Gaya Vishnupada temple, Annapoorni (earlier Manimegala) have Buddhist links.

Nagarjuna

Siddhartha vs Yashodhara

In a scene from Tibetan motion picture “Samsara”, a high Lama Tashi left the monastery to marry and father a son. Tashi has unwittingly recreated the moment when Gautama Buddha left his wife Yashodhara and his son Rahul. His wife Pema has ridden ahead of him and met him at the outskirts of the monastery. She asks questions which every one should ask. Only a man could have made the choice, when he left his family in the night without a word. No woman can walk away from their child. All scriptures are silent on this.
Pema asks: Was Yashodhara broken hearted when Siddhartha left her so cruelly? Did she feel anger or dispair? And what did she tell their son Rahul when he got older? How did she explain to a young man a father’s choices such as Prince Siddhartha made? Mother can not desert, but father can!
Scriptures discuss about how Gautama suffered from having to make such a cold decision, his Family in exchange for enlightenment. But silent on the subject of Yashodhara’s much greater suffering. Yashodhara was a deeply compassionate and even saintly person, always engaged in acts of charity.

Does one need to abandon their duty to achieve enlightenment?

Later Indian scriptures highlighted the importance of duty and greatness of grahastha (married life supporting the society). In Indian marriages, there will be a ceremony called Kasiyatra, to discourage people from becoming monks, but serve society as responsible family men.

Points to think

Some thoughts on Buddhism

Buddhism is a technology for mindfulness. First is an appreciation of the present moment. One can be distracted from our immediate life by worry, anger, regrets, doubts, living in past memories, etc.
anṛśam kṣama śantir ahimsa satyam arjavam | adroho nabhimanaśca hrīs-titikṣa śamas tatha | panthano brahmaṇastvete |
The path to merge with Brahman is sincerity, patience, peace, non-injury, truth, honesty, non-malice, non-arrogance, modesty, tolerance and tranquillity (Kapila-go-samvada — Shanti Parva).

The primary purpose of food was to keep the body alive, healthy, and strong. We keep ourselves healthy to reduce life’s suffering and to not to be dependent.

The first precept in Buddhism is to refrain from killing. The Buddha saw defensive war as a sad necessity.

Monks begged for food and provided teaching on the Way in return for donations of food. This included walking through villages with begging bowls and taking the food back to share, while offering guidance, advice, teachings, and blessings. Monks were basically teachers, walking doctors or counsellors.

Some Buddhists are strict vegetarians when it comes to not eating meat, and this is likely to include not eating eggs, as well. Eating dairy is rare because it is not part of an Oriental diet. The notion of being vegan is much closer to Jainism and certain yogic traditions than it is to Buddhism. It is good not to get involved in the lives and choices of others. Let’s focus on making wise choices each ourselves!

Monastries or Buddhist temples are places to pray , mediate , or just a quiet place to think.

Gautama Buddha and Other Saints

There were many Bodhisattvas like: Vyasa; Kapila; Jadabharta; Hermes; Orpheus before Siddhartha who became Buddha. Buddha literally means the Enlightened One. Gautama Buddha has stated that, there have been countless Buddhas in the past and can expect many in future. Attainment of perfection/buddha hood is the birthright of the every human.

Later saints came to correct certain effects of the people following Buddhist way of leaving their families and becoming monks in hundreds of thousands. It is to correct the anomalies of people blindly becoming monks, neglecting family life. Overtime Some Monasteries became corrupt and immoral.

Shunyatta is explained as a state of equilibrium of both the positive as well as negative in equal measures. It is also described as the "Fullness of the Void" and the "Emptiness of the Full".

The impermanence of this world, made Siddhartha to search for right knowledge. Life seemed a paradox or riddle to him.

All Indian religious sects including Buddhism agree on:
Life is filled with anguish and discontent
Ddukha) is caused by craving, clutching or attachment.
Love/compassion with out attachment or expectations is a way to liberate oneself from suffering.
The doctrines of Karma and Rebirth.

Buddha preached the impersonal doctrines known as Panchasila – five doctrines. Lord Buddha’s teaching comprise the moral and spiritual laws that govern life. His realization was that all lives are equally sacred. The notion that one life is superior to another is born of ignorance. Alleviate pain by all possible means and should in no way add to it. Avoid becoming a slave to desire/craving. All who wants to live must learn to let live.
The last doctrine is in regard to right livelihood. Right thinking necessarily leads to right career. Ability to distinguish between good and bad, between permanent and impermanent is known as right thinking. The individual welfare is dependent on the general welfare is right thought. One should earn one’s living by noble and upright means. Life lived by exploiting other ultimately leads to grief.

Humans (living beings) may come and go, but the laws that govern life persist for ever.

Bodhi Tree

The Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka is said to the oldest and longest-surviving tree in the world. It was planted in 288 BC during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, and brought from India by Princess Sangamitta. It is considered to be the oldest specimen of a tree that has been regenerated for over 2,000 years.

Unknown miscreants or Kings Pushyamitra Shunga and Shashankalike have cut off branch or parts of old holy tree in Bodh Gaya few tumes, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

Divine beings or Deities

Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions also recognize five primary Buddhas: Vairocana, Aksobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi. Each is associated with a different consort, direction, aggregate (or, aspect of the personality), emotion, element, color, symbol, and mount.

There are many Buddhas like, Bhaisajyaguru (the Buddha of medicine), Nageshvara Raja (the king of the Nagas), Adi-Buddha, Vajradhara, Samantabhadra and Vairocana. The first Buddha is also associated with the concept of Dharmakaya. Some historical figures are also seen as Buddhas, such as the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna and Padmasambhava.

Several female Buddhas are also recognized, such as Tara in Tibetan Buddhism, who comes in many forms and colors. Other female Buddha figures include Vajrayogini, Nairatmya, and Kurukulla. Major bodhisattvas include: Guanyin, Maitreya, Samantabhadra, Manjushri, Ksitigarbha, Mahasthamaprapta, Vajrapani and Akasagarbha.

In Tibetan Buddhism, a Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, the major bodhisattvas are known as the "eight great bodhisattvas": Ksitigarbha, Vajrapani, Akasagarbha, Avalokitesvara, Maitreya, Sarvanivaraṇaviṣkambhin, Samantabhadra and Manjushri. Female Bodhisattvas include Vasudhara and Cundi. Some consider Dalai Lamas and the Karmapas to be emanations of bodhisattvas.

The most popular bodhisattva in the East Asian pantheon is Guanyin (the East Asian form of the Indian Avalokitesvara), who is also believed by Buddhists to take on numerous manifestations, among which are several other bodhisattvas such as Cundi and Cintamanicakra. In addition, Buddhist traditions in different countries have also absorbed native deities into their localized Buddhist pantheon, sometimes as Bodhisattvas. Some examples are Guan Yu in Chinese Buddhism, and Hachiman in Japanese Buddhism.

Avalokiteshwara

Thayumanavar sings about similar conceptual deity Paraparam, which is composed of male and female principles (like Yin-Yang or ardhanareeshwara). This Supreme Being is managing, controlling, performing operations, for the benefit of souls. His songs are full of the divine bliss and his key teaching is to discipline the mind, control desires and meditate peacefully.
சீராருந் தெய்வத் திருவருளாம் பூமிமுதல் | பாராதி யாண்ட பதியே பராபரமே.
O Paraparam, Lord of the well-being! who rules over the entire world from the earth and bestows blessings with great power!!!
எல்லோரும் இன்புற்று இருக்க நினைப்பதுவே | அல்லாமல் வேறொன்று அறியேன் பராபரமே.
Every one should be happy is my only wish. I know nothing else my Lord.

Buddhism - east asian traditions

Hindu or Buddhist

For some Buddhists, Buddha's existence as a historical person is not of critical importance, since the Dharma is based on the teachings themselves, not on specific people or any kind of miracle they might have performed. Gautama Buddha did not write anything down, following oral tradition. His disciples held a council after his death and then composed the Pali Canon. In Sri Lanka at the period of 1st century AD, The Tripitaka was compiled at the Matale Aluvihara.

One of Buddha's teachings is that you should never believe everything that you are told (Kalama Sutra). Always question everything and not blindfully put faith in anything. Buddhism is all about free inquiry and questioning everything, even its own teachings! Major contributions by Gautama Buddha is about MIDDLE PATH (not extreme luxury nor extreme pain) and Meditation. May be like Personal journey to self discovery.

‘Om mani padme hum’, the six-syllabled Sanskrit mantra, particularly associated with Avalokiteshwara (the Bodhisattva of compassion), and a primary mantra of Tibetan Buddhism, where the lotus signifies purity and spiritual fruition and thus, awakening. Mani Padme is preceded by ‘Om’ and followed with ‘Hum’, both syllables widely known as divine sounds.

Life and Death are one, a continuum, and they are not separated. Divisions are arbitrary and fuzzy. Birth and dying are process. If you want to know life or death, you can only know it by experiencing it.

The Nature of Reality

*Sunyata refers to changing scenes or impermanent existence. Impermanent existence refers to the transient, ever-changing nature of all things, where nothing is static or eternal. This applies to physical objects, environments, and even our own thoughts, emotions, and consciousness.
The suffering (dukkha) arises when we cling to impermanent experiences and resist the natural flow of change.
Because existence is impermanent, neither pain nor joy lasts forever. Be resilient and hope for the best and move on. Recognizing this allows for greater patience during difficult times and prevents from taking positive moments for granted. This concept can be integrated into daily mindfulness.
Dharma (from root dhri) means to hold together or to sustain. Dharma is also a word for truth, duty, responsibility.
Impermanent existence is the truth or Universal law. Laws or Concepts which will be applicable for any period (Universal and all times). This law is eternal or Sanatana Dharma (सनातन धर्म ) meaning "eternal dharma" or "eternal order".
The only constant is change. [Greek philosopher Heraclitus]

It is also believed that Everything is Impermanent except:
Almighty God described as infinite, unchanging, and ever-present;
The Self (Atman) or pure consciousness, remains untouched by the changing phenomena of the mind and body;
An unconditional divine love or compassion;

The Buddha avoided speculating on cosmic origins, noting that existence is an endless chain of causes and conditions. The universe go through endless cycles of formation, existence, destruction, and void before reforming. All living beings including devas are subject to the same universal laws as everyone else. Some traditions describe concepts like the ultimate, formless reality—the very essence and interconnected nature of all things.

Both Buddhist and advaitist traditions share a belief in an unmanifest or attribute-less ultimate reality (Brahman or Sunyata or Nirvana) and treat the material world as an illusion (Maya). Advaitist accepts the eternal reality of the Atman (the soul), whereas Buddhist rejects the permanent Atman (doctrine of Anatta).
Similar to Mathematical concepts of Zero and Infinite. Both are conceptual.

Another popular explanation: The image of a wave rising and falling above a body of water describes the reality. Both the ocean and a wave are symbols. The wave symbolizes all thoughts, feelings, sensations, and physical actions. What experienced or observed are temporary scenes or forms are like waves, that arise, change, and subside back into the vast, eternal infinite ocean of existence.

Ancient Greek philosophers like Heraclitus of Ephesus popularized the phrase panta rhei ("everything flows"). Nothing is static and all things are in constant motion and transformation. The River Metaphor: "You cannot step into the same river twice". Heraclitus taught that change is not chaotic, but governed by a supreme rational order, the logos. Plato felt that the physical, material world is defined by constant impermanence and and always changing. Other philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, viewed impermanence as a fundamental law of nature to be accepted gracefully.

Thanks to Impermanence, bad or good things will not lost for ever and can makes life meaningful. Everything is Possible and can hope for the best.

ஒம்! நமொ பகவத்யை ஆர்ய-ப்ரஜ்ஞாபாரமிதாயை!
ஆர்ய-அவலொகிதெஶ்வரொ பொதிஸத்த்வொ,
hail! reverenche to the fortunate and noble perfection of wisdom the noble buddha-to-be avalokiteshvara,
கம்பீராம் ப்ரஜ்ஞாபாரமிதா சர்யாம் சரமாணொ,
வ்யவலொகயதி ஸ்ம பன்ச-ஸ்கந்தாம்ஸ்
தாம்ஶ் ச ஸ்வபாவஶூன்யான் பஶ்யதி ஸ்ம.
while dwelling deep in the practice of the perfection of wisdom, beheld these five constituent groups (of mind and body) and saw them empty of self-nature.
இஹ, ஶாரிபுத்ர, ரூபம் ஶூன்யதா, ஶூன்யதைவ ரூபம்;
ரூபான் ந ப்ஃட்தக் ஶூன்யதா, ஶுன்யதாயா ந ப்ஃட்தக் ரூபம்;
யத் ரூபம், ஸா ஶூன்யதா; ய ஶூன்யதா, தத் ரூபம்;
here, shariputra, form is emptiness, emptiness is surely form; emptiness is not different from form, form is not different from emptiness; whatever form there is, that is emptiness; whatever emptiness there is, that is form.
எவம் எவ வெதனா-ஸஞ்ஜ்ஞா-ஸம்ஸ்கார-விஜ்ஞானம்.
இஹ, ஶாரிபுத்ர, ஸர்வ-தர்மா꞉ ஶூன்யதா-லக்ஷணா,
the same for feelings, perceptions, volitional processes and consciousness. here, shariputra, all things have the characteristic of emptiness,
அனுத்பன்னா, அநிருத்தா; அமலா, அவிமலா;
அனூனா, அபரிபூர்ணா꞉.தஸ்மாச் ஶாரிபுத்ர, ஶூன்யதாயாம்
ந ரூபம், ந வெதனா, ந ஸஞ்ஜ்ஞா, ந ஸம்ஸ்காரா꞉, ந விஜ்ஞானம்;
no arising, no ceasing; no purity, no impurity; no deficiency, no completeness. therefore, shariputra, in emptiness. there is no form, no feeling, no perception, no volitional processes, no consciousness;
ந சக்ஷு꞉-ஶ்ரொத்ர-க்ரான-ஜிஹ்வா-காய-மனாம்ஸி;
ந ரூப-ஶப்த-கந்த-ரஸ-ஸ்ப்ரஷ்டவ்ய-தர்மா꞉;
ந சக்ஷூர்-தாதுர் யாவன் ந மனொவிஜ்ஞான-தாது꞉;
there are no eye, ear, nose, tongue, body or mind; no forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, thoughts;
no eye-element (and so on) up to no mind-consciousness element;
ந அவித்யா, ந அவித்யா-க்ஷயொ யாவன்
ந ஜரா-மரணம், ந ஜரா-மரண-க்ஷயொ;
ந து꞉க-ஸமுதய-நிரொத-மார்கா;
ந ஜ்ஞானம், ந ப்ராப்திர் ந அப்ராப்தி꞉.
no ignorance, no destruction of ignorance (and so on) up to no old age and death, no destruction of old age and death; no suffering, arising, cessation, path; no knowledge, no attainment, no non-attainment.
தஸ்மாச் ஶாரிபுத்ர, அப்ராப்தித்வாத் பொதிஸத்த்வஸ்ய
ப்ரஜ்ஞாபாரமிதாம் ஆஶ்ரித்ய, விஹரத்ய் அசித்தாவரண꞉,
சித்தாவரண-நாஸ்தித்வாத் அத்ரஸ்த்ரொ,
விபர்யாஸ-அதிக்ராந்தொ, நிஷ்டா-நிர்வாண-ப்ராப்த꞉.
therefore, shariputra, because of the buddha-to-be’s non-attainments. he relies on the perfection of wisdom, and dwells with his mind unobstructed, having an unobstructed mind he does not tremble,
overcoming opposition, he attains the state of nirvana.
த்ர்யத்வ-வ்யவஸ்திதா꞉ ஸர்வ-புத்தா꞉ ப்ரஜ்ஞாபாரமிதாம்
ஆஶ்ரித்ய அனுத்தராம் ஸம்யக்ஸம்பொதிம் அபிஸம்புத்தா꞉.
all the buddhas abiding in the three times. through relying on the perfection of wisdom. fully awaken to the unsurpassed perfect and complete awakening.
தஸ்மாஜ் ஜ்ஞாதவ்யம் ப்ரஜ்ஞாபாரமிதா மஹா-மந்த்ரொ,
மஹா-வித்யா மந்த்ரொ, (அ)னுத்தர-மந்த்ரொ, ஸமஸம-மந்த்ர꞉,
ஸர்வ து꞉க ப்ரஶமன꞉, ஸத்யம், அமித்யத்வாத்.
therefore one should know the perfection of wisdom is a great mantra, a great scientific mantra, an unsurpassed mantra, an unmatched mantra, the subduer of all suffering, the truth, not falsehood.
ப்ரஜ்ஞாபாரமிதாயாம் உக்தொ மந்த்ர꞉ தத்-யதா:
கதெ, கதெ, பாரகதெ, பாரஸங்கதெ, பொதி, ஸ்வாஹா!
இதி ப்ரஜ்ஞாபாரமிதா-ஹ்ஃட்தயம் ஸமாப்தம்
in the perfection of wisdom the mantra has been uttered in this way: gone, gone, gone beyond, gone completely beyond, awakening, blessings!thus the heart of the perfection of wisdom is complete

Dhammapada