Study Guide 7

Asian Behavior and Thought 3/20/13

Study Guide 7 – Mahayana Buddhism

Questions for reading and discussion. Important terms.

I. For Friday, Mar. 22. Early Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism

Read: Ch. 8: pp.134-139. Review Early Buddhism – Basic Teachings (handout, and on Blackboard). On Mahayana Buddhism, read: Ch. 6: pp. 100-106; Ch. 7: pp. 110-114, 121-123. Also: Mahayana Buddhism – Essential Teachings (handout, and on Blackboard.) (2nd ed., Ch. 8: pp.125-130; Ch 6: pp.93-8; Ch 7: pp.102-6, 112-5)

1 What are the four sublime states?

2 What is Early Buddhism’s view of material well-being?

3 How does the ethical life of lay persons compare with that of monks and nuns?

4 Outline an overview of the general spread of Buddhism through Asia.

5 How is Mahayana Buddhism distinguished from Early Buddhism (referred to in text usually as Theravada Buddhism)?

6 In Mahayana Buddhism what is a bodhisattva?

karuna

Pure Land

Amitabha

Chan

Zen

bodhisattva

II. For Monday, Mar. 25. Mahayana Buddhism

Reread: Ch. 6: pp. 100-106; Ch. 7: pp. 110-114, 121-123. Review: Mahayana Buddhism – Essential Teachings (handout, and on Blackboard). (2nd ed. reread Ch 6: pp.93-8; & Ch 8: 116-118, 121-125)

1 Review: how is Mahayana Buddhism distinguished from Early Buddhism (referred to in text usually as Theravada Buddhism)? Which, if either, has more appeal to you?

2 How does the conception of Buddha change?

3 What is the relation of nirvana to samsara?

4 What are the meaning of emptiness (shunyata) and “suchness” (tathata)?

5 In the original Buddhist view can nirvana be reached by ritual or worship? What reasons or purposes do worship and ritual have?

6 How has the Buddhist view of women compared in theory to historical practice?

Lotus Sutra

Nagarjuna

shunyata (emptiness)

dharma

dependent co-arising (dependent origination)

Three Bodies (Trikaya)...