Today was spent making a few notes about buddhism. I consider these notes to be highly tentative.

Siddhartha Gautama lived about 600 BC. When he achieved "enlightenment", he became known as the Buddha. After his death his followers broke into a number of different "schools" or traditions. One major group was called Sthaviravada (School of Elders). Another group was known as the Mahasanghika (Majority). This group wanted changes and eventually evolved into what is known today as Mahayana Buddhism. The School of Elders then split into two factions, known as the Northern Transmission [Kashmir, China, Korea, Japan] and the Southern Transmission [Ganges valley, Sri Lanka, SE Asia].

All of these traditions, when taken together, have created a vast superstructure:

• huge literature on buddhism in many languages
• many monastic codes and ethical systems
• complex historical records
• numerous different types of ritual and meditation practices
• many different types of institutions
• internet web sites

Having recognized the complexities inherent in the above list, two main points come to mind:

1. this is not an easy, simple topic where a few hours study lead to understanding
2. what are the core ideas that hold it all together?

A preliminary answer to the latter question is:

• a respect for the Buddha himself (there is no God in the Buddhist tradition)
• a sense of belonging to this tradition
• a tolerance for other views
• an emphasis on direct spiritual experience (via meditation)
• The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path

Once again, I am aware of the fragility of my category system for learning. Should this page be categorized as "Japan", or should I create a new category called "Religion"? I will stay with "Japan" for the moment.
 

I have three books on buddhism:

• Awakening the Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das
• The Buddhist Handbook by John Snelling
• The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh

All three books devote a major section to elaborating on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. It is easy enough to make a point form outline (see below), but as with any knowledge, this is not enough to substantiate a claim of understanding. The books need to be read, and notes taken. Maybe later, maybe sooner rather than later.

The Four Noble Truths (from memory

1. Dakkha (suffering) exists.
2. Dakkha has a cause.
3. This cause can be eliminated.
4. The way to eliminate the cause is the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path (not from memory)

1. Right View
2. Right Intentions
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration.

There may be variations in the fine detail of interpretation for both the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, depending on the particular sect or school that one reads or belongs to.

This spreading into separate groups is also true of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. While it is tempting to see this as differences in emphasis of beliefs, it seems to me that it is actually a function of geography and isolation. With the coming of the internet, I wonder what the impact will be on all religions over the next millenium?