Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction, is just that.
Summary
What is Buddhism? "Is it a religion? A philosophy? A way of life? A Code of ethics? It is not easy to classify Buddhism as any of these things . . ." Though Buddhism acknowledges no personal soul or Creator God, it does have supernatural beings. The author classifies it as a religion, as it contains elements found in Ninian Smart's definition (which argues that 'seven dimensions' must be present):
Practical and ritual, Experiential and emotional, Narrative and mythic, Doctrinal and philosophical, Ethical and legal, Social and institutional, and Material.
Buddhism has all of these dimensions, and I agree with the author that it should be so classified. However, "Buddhism is a large and complex subject, and we should be wary of generalizations made on the basis of familiarity with any single part."
Siddhartha Gautama (~566-486 BC), from modern-day Nepal, was the first Buddha, or "awakened one." Raised in luxury as a prince, the realities of life (frailty, death, suffering, etc.) shook him from complacency, and he left his family to search for spiritual knowledge. He studied under several teachers in turn, tried things on his own (like living at extremes), and one day experienced enlightenment while meditating, attaining nirvana. He decided to proclaim his teachings (Dharma) to the world, summarized in the Four Noble Truths:
1. The Truth of Suffering- "pain, grief, sorrow, lamentation, and despair are suffering"; "not to get what one wants is suffering"; "Buddhism locates the origin of human suffering in desire."
2. The Truth of Arising [of Suffering]- a "thirst or craving which gives rise to rebirth, which is bound up with passionate delight and seeks fresh pleasure now in the form of thirst for sensual pleasure, thirst for existence, thirst for non-existence." Here are three roots of evil: greed, hatred, delusion.
3. The Truth of Cessation [of Suffering]- the withdrawal from/renouncing of/rejection of/liberation from craving; "when craving is removed suffering ceases and nirvana is attained."
4. The Truth of the Path [which leads to the cessation of suffering]- people attain nirvana by following the Noble Eightfold Path (known as the 'middle way') with three divisions:
- Wisdom (Right View, Right Resolve)
- Morality (Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood)
- Meditation (Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Meditation)
Basically, he taught that nirvana is attained when selfish desire is overcome, which stops craving/suffering. It might not happen in one lifetime; Buddhists believe in reincarnation and a universe with 31 levels, with "acts through body, speech, and mind" in one life (karma) influencing where you go in the next (good acts: higher level in life next time). Many schools believe merit is obtained through your own actions only (self-transformation), though some schools believe it can be transferred to others. Either way, the Buddhist's goal is to attain nirvana, end desire/suffering, and stop the cycle of rebirth.
Buddha "appointed no successor and left his followers to interpret the Dharma for themselves." Indeed, he encouraged followers to "look inward toward their own spiritual development."* Disagreements arose and various traditions followed, the two main schools being Theravada and Mahayana.
- Theravada Buddhists hold the Pali Canon (1st century BC)- the sole preserved written record of Buddha's oral teachings- as authoritative. Their focus was on the enlightenment/salvation of self.
- Mahayana Buddhists arose later and hold their major sutras (like the Lotus Sutra- 200 AD) as authoritative. Their practices in some ways resemble Christianity, and talk about the need for a Savior (working to save others- helping them attain nirvana- through self-sacrifice).
Buddhism spread as ideas do, and today, much of Asia holds Buddhist beliefs. The Theravada school is prevalent in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia; the Mahayana is prevalent in China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan.
The author concludes with overviews of meditation (an important Buddhist practice), ethics (there are five main sets of precepts, with the first- the Five Precepts for laymen- forbidding killing, stealing, sexual immorality, lying, and taking intoxicants), and Buddhism in the West.
Review
Having no familiarity with this religion, it was a good introduction. The latter chapters seemed less interesting/relevant, but it was an easy and fast read, and recommended for those wanting an overview. Buddhism seems very much a "do it yourself" religion; in fact, to be a "buddha," one must arrive at enlightenment through self-discovery. It doesn't change my own beliefs, but it's good to understand.
Rating: A-
*quote from Confucianism, by Louise Chipley Slavicek
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