RLG100Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Theravada, Mahayana, Upaya
Document Summary
The constantine of buddhism, brings groups of monks together. Propagated from sri lanka to southeast region, theravada buddhism rooted in sri lanka. Tripitaka (three baskets) common to theravada, mahayana buddhism. Visualize three baskets with three different types of material contained within it. What are the three different types of materials: sutra pitaka: teachings of the buddha, vinaya pitaka: discipline, sutra thread on which you bead pearls b. Tends to be very much historically rooted. Sees the buddha as historical figure who lived a special human being life but a human. Through his own efforts he achieved awakening and great realization. Theravada also holds the idea of the arhant the perfect follower of the buddha being nevertheless. Quality of arhant"s enlightenment is identical to that of the buddha (perfect in his knowledge, infallibility, practice, command of scripture) In order to achieve enlightenment, you must join the monastic community as a monk or nun (nuns die out)
