Buddhism

__Subdivisions__
• • **[|Theravada Buddhism]** Theravada Buddhism is strongest in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Burma (Myanmar). It is sometimes called Southern Buddhism and is one of the largest subdivisions of Buddhism. • **[|Mahayana Buddhism]** Mahayana Buddhism is not a single group but a collection of Buddhist traditions. • **[|Korean Zen Buddhism]** Korean Zen (Son) Buddhism focuses on the enlightenment of a sudden awakening. • **[|Nichiren Buddhism]** Nichiren Buddhism differs from other schools of Buddhism in focusing on this world, and in its view that it is the only correct tradition. • **[|Pure Land Buddhism]** Pure Land Buddhism offers a way to enlightenment for people who can't handle the subtleties of meditation, endure long rituals, or just live especially good lives. • **[|Tibetan Buddhism]** Tibetan Buddhism is a religion in exile, forced from its homeland when Tibet was conquered by the Chinese. This article is a detailed look at its history and practices. • **[|Zen Buddhism]** The essence of Zen Buddhism is achieving enlightenment by seeing one's original mind (or original nature) directly; without the intervention of the intellect. • **[|The New Kadampa Tradition]** Some Buddhists and non-Buddhists regard the New Kadampa Tradition as a cult, but the organisation has continued to grow. __Chronology of the Early History of Buddhism in China__ Mission to India; Indian monk in Luoyang translates "Sutra of 42 Sections." ||
 * __Women in Early Buddhism__** Once the order of Bhikkhunis was founded a large number of distinguished women from various social backgrounds came to adorn this Order, attracted by the power of the Buddha's teaching and the freedom which the new Order offered them. Many of these Bhikkhunis attained to the supreme bliss of enlightenment. The stories, sayings and deeds of these distinguished Bhikkhunis are recorded in many places in the Pali Canon, most notably in the //Therigâtha//, a compilation of verses uttered by these Theris when they saw the clear light of the Dhamma, and which constitutes a part of the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Sutta Pitaka.
 * **Date** || **Event** ||
 * 62 CE || Emperor Ming Ti's dream.
 * 255 || First Chinese translation of "Lotus Sutra." ||
 * 260 ff. || Dharmaraksha, born in a Yue-chi family in Dunhuang, travels in Inner Asia learning numerous languages; settles in Luoyang where presides over translation of some 165 Buddhist books, including "Nirvana Sutra," Chapter 25 of "Lotus Sutra." Major contributor to making Mahayana texts intelligible in Chinese. Among other noteworthy translations in period, the //Futianjing// ("Teaching of the Buddha Concerning the Various Activities to Cultivate Merit Fields"), by Fali and Fajü. ||
 * ca. 335 || Influence in China of Indian monk Buddhasinha; for first time becomes legal for ordinary people to take Buddhist monastic vows. ||
 * late 4th-early 5th c. || Hui-yüan (334-416) active in Nanjing; popularized idea of salvation through Amitabha Buddha, laying foundations for "Pure Land" sect. ||
 * ca. 416-418 || Faxian and his Indian collaborator translate //Mahaparinirvana Sutra// in Ch'ang-an. Period when Northern Liang ruler was major patron of Buddhism and sponsored creation of major cave shrines. ||
 * 446-452 || Persecution of Buddhism in north. ||
 * 502-549 || Emperor Wu of Liang dynasty in south, important patron of Buddhism. Took Buddhist vows himself; in 504 ordered elite to abandon Daoism and practice Buddhism; in 517 decreed destruction of Daoist temples. ||
 * 574-578 || Persecution of Buddhism. ||
 * 581 || Establishment of Sui dynasty (581-617), which soon unifies China. Beginning of period (continuing into subsequent T'ang dynasty, 618-907) of great flourishing of Buddhism as "state religion." Period of construction of some of most impressive caves at Dunhuang. ||
 * 629-645 || Xuanzang's journey. ||
 * 2nd half 7th c. || Building of Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Ch'ang-an. ||
 * 690-705 || Usurper Empress Wu identifies herself with Buddha of the Future, Maitreya; sponsors carving of the giant Buddha statue in Cave 96 at Dunhuang. ||
 * 842-845 || Persecution of Buddhism in central regions of China. ||

1.)Where started? It started in Contrary to popular belief, Buddhism started in India around 5th century B.C. (present day India-Nepal border). http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_did_Buddhism_start 2.) Basic beliefs/Code for living/Rules/Practices. · They don’t believe in any god or gods. · Most Buddhists believe a person has countless rebirths, which inevitably include suffering. · A Buddhist seeks to end these rebirths. Buddhists believe it is a person's cravings, aversion and delusion that cause these rebirths. Therefore, the goal of a Buddhist is to purify one's heart and to let go of all yearnings toward sensual desires and the attachment to oneself. · Buddhists follow a list of religious principles and very dedicated meditation. When a Buddhist meditates it is not the same as praying or focusing on a god, it is more of self-discipline. Through practiced meditation a person may reach Nirvana -- "the blowing out" of the flame of desire. · Buddhism provides something that is true of most world religions: disciplines, values and directives that a person may want to live by. http://everystudent.com/features/connecting.html?gclid=COSO_5y5m48CFQwsOAod6m2Feg 3.) Spread of religion—how? When? Where? Military action/war? http://www.buddhistview.com/site/epage/8069_225.htm

· **Buddhism was given official backing by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (r. 272-231 BC), and Buddhist monuments, such as the great //stupa// at Sanchi, were built. Over the following centuries Buddhism -with its emphasis on over- coming suffering and breaking out of the endless cycle of rebirth through discipline, meditation, good works and the banishing of desire -spread throughout much of** **Asia****, reaching** **Japan** **in the 6th century AD. Great Buddhist centres, based around religious communities, developed.**

4.) Where located today (also include map for this)

Buddhism doesn’t have any gods in reality they only have leaders the leaders are Buddha, the Later Buddhists (27 Total), and the Noble Disciples of Buddha (2 Chiefs, 8 monks, 3 nuns, 5 Laymen, 5 Laywomen) Buddha didn’t consider himself close to god he simply taught that the way to get to complete Nirvana.
 * Name of gods

People live and die then are reincarnated over and over until they reach Nirvana in their lifetime.
 * Afterlife

There are 8 symbols in Buddhism called the “Ashtamangala” these eight auspicious symbols are:
 * Symbols

Endless Knot- Lotus Flower- Victory Banner- Wheel of Dharma- Treasure Vase - Golden Fish Pair- Parasol- Conch Shell- The **Vinaya Pitaka**, containing disciplinary rules for the Sanghas of Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as a range of other texts including explanations of why and how rules were instituted, supporting material, and doctrinal clarification. The **Sūtra Pitaka** contains the actual discourses of the Buddha. The **Abhidharma Pitaka** contains commentaries of Buddha's teachings.
 * Books