Part Eight VIII › Division II II › Section 824 824

Buddhism

Subject Outline

AHistory of Buddhism
- 1The cultural context: its background in Hinduism; its geographical, ethnic, and cultural base [see also 823]
- 2The founding of Buddhism: the life, work, and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (6th-5th century bc)
- 3Developments in India (6th century BC-12th century ad)
- 4Buddhism in Central Asia and China [see also 825.A.]
- 5Buddhism in Korea and Japan [see also 825.D. and E.]
- 6Buddhism in Tibet and the Himalayan kingdoms
- 7Buddhism in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Southeast Asia to the mid-19th century
- 8Buddhism in the late 19th and 20th centuries
BIntellectual, spiritual, and imaginative expressions of Buddhism [see also C.4., below]
- 1Buddhist sacred literature
- 2Buddhist mythology: basic types, contents, and functions of myths
- 3Buddhist philosophy: the role and contribution of systematic reflective thought
- 4Buddhist mysticism: universal characteristics; regional and historical variations; goals, techniques, and approaches
CBeliefs, practices, and institutions of Buddhism
- 1Traditional beliefs and doctrines
  - aViews of the nature of reality; e.g., the impermanence of all existence, the absence of self, the underlying state of suffering and its causes
  - bThe Eightfold Path to salvation or release
  - cThe goal of the Eightfold Path: Nirvana
  - dThe Threefold Refuge-- in the Buddha, the doctrine, and the community
  - eViews of the gods, spirits, and demons: the role of miraculous powers
- 2The main forms of Buddhism
  - aThe Theravada school and other ancient schools
    - iViews of the nature of things: cosmology, the classification of dharmas
    - iiThe emphasis on self-cultivation and self-salvation: the stages leading to arhatship, the levels of meditation
    - iiiDoctrines concerning Buddha and Buddhahood
    - ivCharacteristics of the individual ancient and transitional schools
  - bThe Mahayana version
    - iViews of the nature of absolute reality: the ultimate realization of the meditative quest
    - iiViews of the transcendence of the Buddha: the three aspects of the Buddha, the bodhisattva ideal
    - iiiCharacteristics of the individual Mahayana schools; e.g., Madhyamika, Yogacara, Avatamsaka, Zen, devotional schools
  - cEsoteric Buddhism: Tantrism, Tibetan Buddhism, Shingon
- 3Practices and institutions
  - aUniversal or prevalent ethical and religious practices
  - bMonastic institutions: the characteristics and role of the sangha
  - cCeremonies and festivals: the religious year, popular traditions, passage rites
  - dRegional variations in practices
- 4The religious and cultural role of Buddhist art
  - aSymbolism and iconography
  - bReligious expression in the arts