The Religions Book

145

See also: The four stages of life 106–109 ■ The enlightenment of Buddha 130–35

■ Writing the Oral Law 182–83 ■ Serving God on behalf of others 222–23

T

hroughout his life, Buddha

had two kinds of followers:

monks and householders.

The monks were wandering

preachers like Buddha at first,

but later they settled in monastic

communities. Here, they followed

disciplines that aimed to benefit

their own spiritual progress as well

as the community. Householders

too could achieve enlightenment,

since they practiced Buddhism and

helped the community of monks.

About a hundred years after

Buddha died, debates began about

how strictly the monastic rules

should be obeyed. As Buddhism

spread, it developed different

traditions, some of which,

particularly in China and Japan,

placed less emphasis on monastic

life. Nevertheless, monasticism

remains an important feature of

Buddhism, especially in Sri Lanka

and Thailand, which follow the

Theravada tradition (p.330).

In Buddhism, monastic vows

are taken for a limited period, rather

than for life. The vows are not an

end in themselves, but aim to create

conditions that assist Buddhist

practice. They are not essential,

but helpful, in following the Middle

Way. However, individuals must

not simply strive for personal

enlightenment, because that

would be self-defeating, implying a

measure of selfishness incompatible

with Buddhist teaching. Rather,

they must attempt to develop

universal compassion and good

will, which have a social as well

as a personal dimension. ■

BUDDHISM

RELIGIOUS

DISCIPLINE IS

NECESSARY

THE PURPOSE OF MONASTIC VOWS

Young Buddhist monks accept

monastic discipline for a short period. In

their path toward greater personal and

social awareness, they are required to

follow some, but not all, monastic rules.

IN CONTEXT

KEY SOURCE
Early Buddhist Councils

WHEN AND WHERE
From 5th century BCE,
northern India

BEFORE
From prehistory Most
religions combine spiritual
development with awareness
of a person’s place in society
or the religious group.

7th century BCE A new
ascetic tradition of extreme
self-denial arises in Hinduism.

c.550 BCE Buddha advocates
a Middle Way between
asceticism and hedonism.

AFTER
From 12th century CE In
Japan, Pure Land Buddhism,
and Nichiren Buddhism insist
that faith in Amida Buddha
and chanting, rather than
following a particular lifestyle
or discipline, are the way to
gain enlightenment.