Answering exams

Explain the different attitudes to the Buddha in Theravadan Buddhism and Mahayana buddhism (25 Marks)

...and how to hit those high marks!

Explain = Knowledge and understanding

   This means you must show your knowledge about the two different branches of Buddhism then contrast and compare them! 

The introduction

• This should be about 1 paragraph and should contain the two different descriptions. The first paragraph MUST layout what the essay will be about. 
• It SHOULD NOT contain any facts or new information on Buddhism. It is concerned with the layout of the essay only
• For example,  "This essay will demonstrate the key differences between Theravadan and Mahayana Buddhism, particularly focusing on the key ideals and traditions. In addition, it will briefly touch on...."

The definition

• Some of the exam marks rely on your knowledge and understanding of the topic you are going to talk about.
• Make sure your second paragraph concerns itself with defining the two major topics.
• You DO NOT need to define every single thing you are going to talk about in the essay, this is something which you must do as you go along and introduce new topics.
• For example "Mahayana Buddhism often defines the scriptures as ... ! They do this, this and that  differently to other traditions. (eg, beliefs, traditions, etc) Theravandan however, do this, this and that differently"
• Now we have the main set up of your exam essay!

The argument

• Now that you have defined the main topics, it's time to go in-dept.
• Pick multiple topics such as
• Who the Buddha was to each branch? His life, stories, how each one see's it differently
• His teachings, each branch interprets them differently! Eg. Compassion, reincarnation
• Political factors, economical, Buddhism support, even something as simple as the weather can affect how Buddhists train. (A Buddhist couldn't walk around in traditional garments in Scotland for example)
• Did the Buddha die? Will there be another? Arhat vs. Bodhisatva
• Briefly define each thing as you go along. Remember, this is AO2, which means you get more points for your arguments then you definitions. Don't spend too much time on defining each topic. Get the balance right!

The similarities

• Don't forget to talk about the similarities between the two!
• For example, it could just be Buddhism in action, adaptation is important?
• This constant contrast between the two will help demonstrate that  knowledge and understanding! 
• The more complex the argument, the higher grades you will get. However, part of the skill is being able to make it understandable to the reader. If you can not explain an idea, sometimes it may be better the steer away from the topic to a more advanced one.

The conclusion

• This is essentially a paragraph in which you sum up what you have all ready said. For example, "This essay has demonstrated that this, and this are true and this and that are not."
• Make sure you pick a side. No one likes a movie that doesn't have a good ending! Your essay is just like this, try to avoid ending on the fence. Instead pick the side which was the strongest one in the argument, even if you do not agree with it!
• A good way to pick your side, is to count the positives for each side and go with the one that is strongest!
• Answer questions such as "Is this argument coherent?", "Has it answered the question?" and "How has this impacted Buddhism?"
• Do not add new information into your conclusion. It will destroy your argument and you probably won't get any marks. 
• Most of all, use your common sense!

Tips

• Always make sure you answer the question and make that answer clear. Try to keep everything logical and in order. If making a plan works for you, then do it before you start. If planning isn't your thing, make a list of topics to touch. You will forget something during the exam!
• Try not to get sidetracked by one in-depth topic but touch on many topics.
• Avoid repeating yourself. Yes you've all ready said the Buddha is enlightened, they don't need to hear it every paragraph - you got the mark the first time you wrote it!
• Don't forget the evidence to support your claims, link back to scholars for those higher marks!
• Use as many technical terms as you can but make sure the reader understand the topic.
• Discuss! Discuss! and ANALYSE!
• 
  

The Pali Canon

 Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:  
• the Pali Canon; 
• the importance of the tripitaka; 
• the division of the text into the sutta pitaka,  vinaya pitaka and abhidhamma pitaka. 

• Contents were passed down orally and then collected in book form
• Considered most Ancient collection of books
• Theravadan Monks view the Pali Canon as holy Scriptures

Vinaya Pitaka

• SuttaVibhanga (227 Rules with 8 classes of offensives)
• Khandhaka (contains Governing rules for the Sangha)
• Summary

Used for laying down regulations of the Sangha

• Rules by Buddha can be used to interpret his lifestyle
• There are four rules which lead to expulsion: Sexual misconduct, Theft, murder, Falsely claiming supernatural powers

Sutta Pitaka (discourses)

• Most important part of the Pali Canon as it gives guidance  for day to day life, meditation, behavious and Dukkha
• Divided into 5 sections and contains sermons, discussions and sayings of the Buddha
• For example, The Jataka tales include Buddhas Past Lives
• The Dhammapada is also very popular as a devotional aid

Adhidharma Pitaki (Buddhist Psycholgy)

• Concerned with Buddhist views on the nature of reality
• Explores philosophical and psychological ideas
• Literally translated to 'Higher teachings#
• Adhidharma deals with the Buddhist thought about the nature of the dharma and the phenomenal make up of the world
• Does not come directly from the Buddha, but Buddhists scholars
• Provides a defence for Buddhist-world view
• Underpins much of Buddhist teachings

How is the Pali Canon used?

Ordinary lay buddhists will probably never actually read the entire canonical material but rely on higher monks to pass down teachings instead

Monks are expects to recite the 227 rules every fortnight

Sometimes Theravadan Buddhists recite parts of the Pali Canon such as the story of the Buddha's Life

Meditation

Meditation  Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:  
• aims and methods and results of meditation, including samatha and vipassana meditation; 
• different methods of meditation including the  use of koans, zazen, nembutsu, visualisations and mandalas;  
• experiences of satori and jhanas. 


Aims and purposes of Meditation

• Meditation is used to transform the mind from a state of confusion to a state of peace
• The Buddha considered meditation to have special value
• It was through meditation that he gained enlightenment

• The purpose of meditation is to purify the mind
• Meditation has a spiritual purpose not a worldly one
• The original word is Bhavana meaning development
• Aims at freeing the mind from posion

• Buddhist meditation is not a way of escaping from life
• There are two types of meditation: Samatha and Vipassana
• Samatha existed before the Buddha practised it

Samatha Meditation

• Develops mental concentration and focus
• First steps to cultivating mindfulness
• Can use things such as breathing meditation or objects to help the mind focus
• Is used to reach much higher states of meditation

Vipassana Meditation

• 'Insight Meditation', aims to develop insight into the nature of things
• Uses intelligence and our powers of observation to bring us to a deeper level of understanding
• Basis is to analyse a topic for any length of time without getting distracted
• Generally, topics refer to the 4 noble truths but are not limited to this
• Vipassana cultivates understanding and trains the mind to see impermanence
• The point is that the Dharma becomes personal

Benefits of Meditation

• Eliminates the three poisons
• Samatha eliminates craving and aggression
• Vipassana eliminates ignorance

Different methods of meditation

Rinzai Zen uses Koans which are riddles. For example, the famous, What is the sound of one hand clapping. 

They also use Mondos which are nonsensical statements with answers, For example, What do you get when  a duck licks a happiness? Four. The idea of this is to understand that we impose concepts on reality.

They also believe in the use of Satori or wu (instand enlightenment)

Soto Zen  uses meditations such as Zazen which can be sitting a blank wall staring at the bricks.

It also has Kin Hin which is known as walking meditation where Buddhists aim to achieve a meditate state from walking.

Zen Buddhism uses the realisation of Shunyatta (emptiness) to aim for enlightenment.

Pureland Buddhism chants what is known as Nembutsu meanins 'I bow to Amida Buddha' in the belief that it will strengthen there trust in achieving the Pureland. There practises are based around paying respects to Amida

Tibetan Buddhism Uses mantras. For example, chanting Om Mani Padme Hum. They also use visualisations as a form of concentration such as a deity.

Zen (ch'an)

Zen Buddhism  Candidates should be able to demonstrate 

knowledge and understanding of:  

• aims, practices, attitudes of Zen Buddhism to scripture; 

• differences between Rinzai and Soto schools. 

Candidates should be able to discuss these 

areas critically

• Translates to Dhyama (meditation) - purifying the mind
• Expresses the need to understand Projna

• 'A direct transmission of awakened consciousness outside tradition and outside scripture'

This is the idea that enlightenment can be transferred from Mind to mind, for example, From teacher to pupil

• An example of this would be Buddha causing enlightenment through the twirling of a flower. This is known as Satori or Wu.

• Cush described it as a form of Mahayana expressed in far Eastern terms
• It requires severe discipline which is believed to eventually develop into second nature. They believe this is better captured in art than words.
• They believe enlightenment can happen instantly, rather than gradually.

The History of Zen

•   Kasyapa(twirling of the flower). The buddha caused a Satori in one of his pupils
• This caused the belief that masters could pass satori onto there pupls
• in 520BCE, Indian mater Bodhidharma began Ch'an in China
• Bodhidharma was a legendary figure. He was believed to have meditated agaisnt a wall until his legs fell off
• Xen became increasingly popular in Japan in the 12th Century

Main Teachings

•  Shunyatta through satori/wu - Higher state of consciousness
• Tatagatagarbha - Buddha nature dwells inside us
• Draws behaviour directly from Buddha nature
• Upaya Kausalya - Skillful Means
• Only truth can be transferred from mind to mind

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Soto and Rinzai

• Ch'an survived perscution of BUddhism in China because it did not depend on monastries 
• Additionally, it did not need wealth to support its survival
• Ch'an split into two Schools - Soto and Rinzai 

Truth can not be put into words; Therefore it must be transferred via the mind

1. Only an enlightened person know how to arrange for another to see reality. Pupils must submit to the Roshi (master) especially in Rinzai Zen. However, in Soto Zen, It's more of a faithe.
2. Rinzai Zen: Pupils are asked to explain a koan to see the concepts we impose upon reality. This is the idea, What was 'makes sense' is only what we have imposed upon it.
3. Soto zen places emphasis on Zazen or Kinhin (walking meditation) however it claims it does not reject the material worl.
4. Zen has strict monastic discipline. Monks are turned away at first to test there commitment to joining. This is ebcause if they are really set on becoming a monk, They will continue to try even though thwy are constantly being turned away.
5. Practising art- Calligraphy, poetry, music, paintnig and gardening are all accepted as types of meditation as well as martial arts. They believe that it teaches self control

1. that it teaches self control

Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama

 Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:  
• aims, practices, attitudes of Tibetan Buddhism to scripture; 
• the authority and status of the Dalai Lama. 


Candidates should be able to discuss these areas critically



History

• 7th Century Buddhist texts were brought back but didn't spread until teachers came over to Tibet in the 8th Century.
• It was successful because the teachings fitted well with local teachings

Schools

• Kadampa - Tantic rituals
• Sakyapa - teaches 'Path and goal'
• Kagyupa - Third largest school of Tibetan
• Nyingmapa - Oldest school, based on traditions
• Gelugpa - 'Yellow hats', Youngest school but now the largest. Strict monastic discipline

Religious Tradition

•   Tibetan Buddhism was a result of Buddhism and Bon making a formation
• It was adopted as on offical state religion by the Mongoi Tuan dynasty
• A tibetan disporia has spread BUddhism where the tradition has gained popularity
• Bon influenced Tibetan Buddhism greately, however bon has more emphasis on the afterlife and the inbetween. Tibetan Buddhism adopted this emphasis on the inbetween.
• Ch'an also influence Tibetan Buddhism with its views on higher truths

Beliefs and Practises

• Tibetan Buddhism includes Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dharma protectors
• Boddhisattvas are able to escape the cycle of Samsra but remain in this world to asist others
• Dharma protectors are mythic figures incorporated into Tibetan Buddhism from various sources who are pledged to protecting and upholding the Dharma
• Spiritual Worships - Temples, offerings and Chantings

Political Influences

• The Tibetan Government was a mix of thoecracy and an aristocracy
• Chinese invaded Tibet with 80,000 men
• They destroyed many important Tibetan artefacts, monasteries, art and scriptures
• China claimed Tibet as a province of China that was taken back in control
• The disagreement is still ongoing

Dalai Lama

• Born in 1935, started education at 6 years old
• At the age of 15, He became the current spirtual and temporal leader of Tibet
• Chinese invaded causing Mr Lama to seek refuge 
• Reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara (Bodhisattva of compassion)
• He undertook vows to be the spirtual and temporal leader

The Panchen Lama

•   Second in command to the Dalai Lama
• The whereabouts of the original Panchen is unknown as the Chinese were believe to have seized him upon birth
• Many observers believe that upon the death of the current Dalai Lama, China will reinstate the successor in order to regain control of Tibet and resume Leadership
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Buddhism in the West

 Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:  

• Buddhist developments in the west; 

• western interpretations and adaptations of the vinaya; 

• psychological interpretations of Buddhist cosmology. 

Candidates should be able to discuss these areas critically

• 
  
• Buddhism in the West is in constant evolution as it adapts to the area
• You contrast this to the Buiddhism in the homeland which traditions remain the same

Two points to discuss here would be:

1. Is this adaptation of Buddhism just skillful means?
2. How much can a religion change before it becomes a new religion?

Negative Effects

• The matter of religious authority: Would the Dalai Lama hold the same authority for Uk Buddhists as Tibetan Buddhists? A good example of this is the Manjushuri temple which has been known to make false allergations against the Dalai Lama
• The Status of women: Women in the East do not normally recieve the same status and equality as tose do in the West. Does this mean Buddhis is harder to adapt to different social status's?
• Materialism: The west are far more unlikely to suceed because of there materialistic neeeds. people are obsessed with financial security. How do you convince someone to give up there life savings? (Better ask the Majushuri centre on this one). However, the East are additionally beocming more materialistic as the West, Is the West changing Buddhism in both the West and the East?
• Monasticism: Rereats would not work in colder climates, people can't walk around in rags as they are more likely to die tottering around in a pair of slippers. Difference in climate makes a difference in traditions. Allthough, there is a retreat in Scotland which has managed to make an adaption to this, Shownig that it may not nessecarly be an issue.
• Economical issues: In the East, Buddhis recieves rather alot of funding and it relies upon donations in return for community help. However, There is very little funding in the West for Buddhism as a religion because more dominant religions such as Christianity are a more familar religion.
• Scriptures: Many Scriptures have failed to be translated for Westerners to read, making sources of information hard to acquire. By having a lack of spirtual resources, It makes it harder for Westerners to follow the Buddhist Path. However, With the avaliability of the internet, Scriptures are actually very easy to get hold of online!
• Tradition: Constant Evolution destroys tradition. There is no community of elders in Western Buddhist communities.

Positive Effects

• Buddhism and Science: Abidharma and Shunyatta fit very well with Western Science. This means scientific intellect is an advance in understanding  adavcned texts. however, poeple need motivation and meditation, they can not just rely on intellect.
• Growth: Is growing steadily in European countries. There are more and more 'White converts's. However, is this beacause of refuge and immigration of Buddhists? Or could it simpley be that Buddhism is a 'trend'? left over from the 60's?
• Technology: Making Buddhism mmore available to others through instant access eg. Wikapedia

Upaya, Karuna and Prajna

Upaya, Karuna and Prajna  

Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:  

• the concepts of upaya, karuna and prajna; 

• the relationship between wisdom and compassion in Buddhist ethics; 

• the implications of upaya for ethical codes.

Candidates should be able to discuss these areas critically. 

Upaya

• Skillful means
• Dependant of the ability of the Bodhisattva to know the right action
• Based on compassion and wisdom
• Any action that will help other achieve liberation
• Read Parable of the burning house (Also a good example to use in an exam question)

Karuna
Compassion is that which makes the heart of the good move at the pain of others... It is called compassion because it shelters and embraces the distressed - Buddha

• Compassion/Unselfishness
• Desire to help others
• Helps to cultivate the Bodhisattva path
• Meditation on love

Prajna

• The realisation of the emptiness of all phenomenal existence
• Wisdom 

Relationship between wisdom and compassion

• Can you be wise without compassion when the wise thing to do is be compassionate?
  
• You need to be able to argue why wisdom and compassion can be separate and why they can not.
• You need to be able to use examples of when you can successfully be compassionate of wise with out the other.
• Which is the better quality to have?

To argue this, You might say that:

• Compassion is to save others from samsara
• Wisdom is to gain insight so that we can walk the middle way. 

OR

• Alternatively, You can argue that, Wisdom and compassion are consider the 'two wings on which you fly to enlightenment'. 
• You cannot reach enlightenment without both. 
• Wisdom is understanding the true nature of yourself and existence, of emptiness, of seeing the 12 links of dependent origination.
• Compassion is breaking down the barriers and feeling compassion for all beings as if they were yourself.

Implications of ethical codes

• These refer to the 5 precepts and the 8fold path will are contained in the posts below.