open source buddhist research institute

The Spectrum of Philosophies among the Earth’s Religions….

The profundity of human thought through moving sight and sound

Edited by Dr. James K. Powell II – Introduction

Buddhism – part 2 – beyond India

PowellPoint:

Buddhism

Buddhism in the Marketplace:


Part Two:  Spread of Buddhism beyond India to China, Tibet

Introductory Readings – the questions….

Read the following with these concerns in mind:

1. What is the major division of Buddhism to enter China?

2. What are the origins of the obese Chinese gentleman people mistakenly assume is the Buddha?

3. What are the two kinds of Buddhism one finds in China?

4. How does the tantric or Vajrayana form of Buddhism differ from the “Great Vehicle” or Mahayana form as regards awakening?

5. In which part of Asia does one find the tantric form?

6. How does the Chinese Meditation or Ch’an form of Buddhism differ from the Tibetan tantric form regarding leadership of the community?

7. How do martial arts integrate with Buddhism in China?

8. How did the Dalai Lamas arise as an institution? To which of the four main Tibetan sects does he belong?

Quick definitional readings (wiki – optional)

Buddhism in China

Martial arts: Zen (Ch’an), kung fu and the Shao-lin sect

Buddhism in Tibet

The origins and nature of the Dalai Lamas

Past documentaries

Superb past documentaries….

The Nine Tantric Stages and Five Dhyani Buddhas in Nyingma Tibet

by Mike Brooks through Professor Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II, opensourcebuddhism.org   This presents the evolution of a being from entrance to the Buddhist path, to the peak position at the Nine Stage of Tantric Practice, culminating in visions of the Five Dhyani or Meditated Buddhas. Just beautiful to watch – stunning!

Mushin: “No Mind” in Zen Buddhism

by Eric Sisco through Professor Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II, opensourcebuddhism.org This excellently researched piece explores the nature of and role No Mind doctrine plays in Zen Buddhism. The animation of Takuan is original and the tracing of the origins of Buddhism from Bodhidharma to the Shaolin sect and on to Japan is an invaluable lesson.

The Six Yogas of Naropa, Master of Buddhist Tantra

by Timothy Weiss, through Professor Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II, opensourcebuddhism.org This project investigates the six principal tantric practices as presented by the great Naropa, student of Mahasiddha Tilopa. Naropa skirts the bounds between monastic discipline and complete freedom, but remaining still a scholar, completes these treatises for our benefit. Fascinating work by Weiss.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Liberation through Hearing

The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Liberation through Hearing in the Intermediate Zone
by Joe Schaeppi through Professor Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II, opensourcebuddhism.org This remains my all time favorite. We receive an introduction to the stages of death, dying and rebirth and the process of attaining liberation through hearing – while dead – from a long line of Indian and Tibetan literature. Schaeppi makes you feel like you are dying yourself!

Two Pitchers: the Co-evolution of Sufism and Buddhism

by Bennet Hoffman through Professor Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II, opensourcebuddhism.org This very interesting work examines how Buddhism shaped the origins of this distinct mystical Islamic tradition as Muslim powers took over the old Afghani and Persian and Pakistani cultures of the classic world. Ever wonder where the Bamiyan Buddha came from? It’s destruction reveals that the influence is not just from one source, but Buddhism permeated Islam in the form of Sufism. Maybe the Muslims destroyed the physical structure of countless Buddhist artifacts, but Buddhists destroyed any rigid monotheism in Islam through the great poets Rumi et. al.

A Comparative Study of Daoism and Buddhism

by Bunck with Professor Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II, opensourcebuddhism.org  This very nicely made project compares and contrasts Daoism (Taoism) and Buddhism.  Excellent job.

Readings

It is expected you will have read the texts below by week two of class and watched at least two of the accompanying videos.  The answers to the online quiz can be found among the texts and the videographies below, as well as lectures in class.

The Insider’s View:

The Website of The Office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

Rinzai Zen HQ:  http://zen.rinnou.net/

Soto Zen HQ:   http://global.sotozen-net.or.jp/

Pureland or “Happiness” Buddhism:

in America:  http://buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/home/