In general, Buddhism is seen from two perspectives, one assuming that it is a religion and the other that it is a spirituality. This second facet of Buddhism accentuates its diffusion in the West.
How did Buddhism develop? And who spread it throughout the world?
Principles of Buddhism through the three jewels
Whenever we talk about Buddhism, the precept of the three Jewels is always told, which is Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. In other words, these are the three refuges to take into account if one wants to achieve enlightenment. The Buddha is the reference for awakening, that is to say he is the one who found the way to achieve it. Dharma encompasses Buddhist law and teachings. The Sangha refers to the Buddhist community.
The trio is also part of the rite that will be undertaken in a solemn ceremony to become a lay Buddhist. Indeed, the expression “Taking the Three Refuges” refers to the notion of liberation from samsara, because to achieve this, practitioners must rely on the trio of common forces. Samsara includes understanding attachment, suffering and ignorance.
Particularity of the three jewels
The three jewels are the three dimensions of engagement in Buddhist spirituality.
- Buddha : The word Buddha refers to the enlightened being 2500 years ago, Guatama Siddartha, and also refers to the Buddha who is in every individual . The main qualities of the Buddha exist in human nature which is love, wisdom, compassion and purity.
- Dharma, the teaching of the Buddha: In the past, Dharma was the name of Buddhism. This term touches on two essential points, on the one hand, Buddha as an awakened being and which marks his doctrine. And on the other hand, Dharma represents its teachingsbased on compassion, wisdom and understanding.
- Sangha, the Buddhist community: This community is called arya-bodhisattva, that is to say Buddhists who understand the essence of awakening and emptiness and who have passed through several stages to reach nirvana and enlightenment. A bodhisattva aims to overcome suffering in order to achieve enlightenment. In this regard, the Mahayana bodhisattva named Shantideva said: “As long as beings live, as long as space endures, I will remain to serve and make my modest contribution to the well-being of others. »
Formula for taking Refuge
New followers who decide to join the Buddhist community must follow a tradition that has been continued for decades. It is about taking refuge, which is nothing other than a commitment to practice. In other words, it is the first step towards Buddhist spiritual life. It serves as an anchor point for Buddhism.
Here is a French translation of a ritual formula according to the Mahayana tradition
“I take refuge with the Buddha, wishing that all sentient beings will deeply understand the great path and make the strongest determination.
I take refuge in the Dharma, wishing that all sentient beings would study deeply the teachings of the Buddha and that their intelligence would be as vast as the ocean.
I take refuge with the Sangha, hoping that all sentient beings understand each other well and get along perfectly without encountering obstacles. »
Here is the second version of the ritual formula
“I recognize the great privilege of having the nature of a Buddha
I fully adhere to the Teaching which will allow me to realize it fully.
I integrate harmoniously into the Community of my fellow human beings to experience this perfectible state in order to share its benefits with all living beings. »
Practitioners and new members of the community of disciples always feel lucky after the ceremony of the first “effort”. This is the Refuge ceremony.
Buddhism, from India to Asia
Buddhism emerged in India and spread across the ancient trade routes up the Ganges and connecting India with Central Asia. These commercial exchanges led to acculturation, the acquisition of a new culture within a community, of which Buddhism is a part. Known as an imperial religion, Buddhism began to spread around the end of the 5th century AD, specifically after the death of the Buddha.
The history of Buddhism is known to other continents during the reign of Emperor Ashoka. It was he who controlled the Indian subcontinent under the Maurya dynasty. At this time, a legendary conversion to Buddhism took place when this kingdom conquered the province of Kalinga. The king had a duty to ensure religious harmony and forged a link with the Buddhist monastic communities of the province.
Historical dates of Buddhism
In Chang'an, Kumârajîva is the monk who translated the Lotus Sutra from Sanskrit into Chinese in the 400s. He then participated in the dissemination of these translated Buddhist texts, more than 2,000 sacred writings in Central Asia, Vietnam and Korea. One hundred years later, approximately 550 years later, the Buddhist scriptures and the religion itself were introduced by the then Korean ambassador on a mission to Japan.
At the end of a civil war, the new religion could be maintained. Several schools were born in China at the same time. Between the 3rd and 4th centuries, Buddhism took its place in India under the Hindu Gupta dynasty. The very first university was founded and had up to 10,000 monks. It is the University of Nâlandâ. In 1956, Buddhism returned to its native India. At that time, the conversion to Buddhism of the politician Bhimrao Ambedkar marked the history of religion. Finally, Buddhism flourished after World War II and even spread throughout the world. Many Westerners have converted to Buddhism, which is why Tibetan temples, monasteries and universities have multiplied in Southeast Asia.
