RG ST 21 Study Guide - Comprehensive Final Exam Guide - Meditation, Buddhism, Nirvana
20 Nov 2018
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Zen buddhism: india/s asia => china, korea, japan (e asia) Founder of buddhism was a nepalese prince siddhartha gautama born 2500 years ago. Affluent, luxurious, comfortable life but wasn"t satisfied. Profound religious experience (his enlightenment) at age 35 that changed his life. At 29, left everything behind and wandered out to the forest. Became a teacher & wandering homeless monk. From centre of society/civilization => out of society to the forest. Roots of indian buddhism in sramana (strivers) movement of 6th century bce. Social movement of people leaving society to find deeper truth of life, in self. Seekers: deprive of austerities to seek for more meaning. Homeless by choice, consciously chose this lifestyle. Opposed dominant religio-social order of brahmana priests. Social classes interested in maintaining order, status quo. Aspects of indian religions formed by interactions of brahmin and sramamas. 2 major sramanic religions marked end of brahmin (traditional) dominance (6+, but 2 main remain modern)
