[REL 1300] - Final Exam Guide - Comprehensive Notes fot the exam (41 pages long!)
Document Summary
The three refuges: the things that unite all buddhists, despite other differences among buddhists. Inclination and disinclination: desire causes suffering because all of the things you desire will eventually wear off or you will always desire something more. Refuge in the sangha: community, compassion, monks being supported by lay people. Historical significance of monasteries: they are a stronghold, politicians would find them beneficial. Eightfold path, it made for a more peaceful society, more cooperative. Rulers were less (cid:862)(cid:271)(cid:396)utal(cid:863: stabilizing society, monasteries centralized spiritual power, drew lay people for healing and rebirth, encouraged lay people to make donations to support monasteries. Emperor ashoka: 3rd c bce, conceptualized buddhism as the cultural and moral foundation of political unity. Buddhis(cid:373)"s de(cid:272)li(cid:374)e i(cid:374) i(cid:374)dia: buddhis(cid:373)"s own innovations and successes formed competitors in other religions in india, early muslim influence, religious centers of power and civilization persist.
