An Introduction to Buddhism

In 'An Introduction to Buddhism: teachings, history, and practices', Harvey outlines Buddhism’s 2,500 year long history covering its origins in India, across the East and into the West, where today, it has influenced the cultures of over half the populated world. Harvey also sets out a detailed account of the life of the Buddha, the ‘Enlightened One’. Born as Siddhattha Gotama, enveloped in luxury, he renounced his family life and all possessions at the age of twenty nine to discover a life free from the bondage of suffering. After six years of experimentation he found perfect enlightenment while mediating under a tree which then became known as the Bodhi tree. ‘Buddha’ is a term and not a name, therefore, there have since been many buddhas at varying levels of Enlightenment. While Buddhism does not focus on a deity a special reverence has been saved for Gotoma.

In addition, Harvey distinguished the teachings of Buddhism which began with the creation of a 'sangha', home to the monk. The monks then set out to share the teachings amongst the masses. Unlike the Vedic tradition which was delivered in Sanskit, a language that was known only to the elite, the Buddha insisted that the monks used the dialect of the area. Buddhism was a way of life which did not conflict with other religious beliefs and was therefore easily absorbed into a culture. It was founded on the individual being responsible for his or her life and did not rest on the ordinance of a deity. Blind devotion was discouraged as the ideas and practices were to be used for an intended purpose after which they were to be discarded.

Harvey argues that Buddhism broke the mould of the caste system as it was based on respect, which could be earned, not on birth. The Buddha taught all, without exception. His teachings covered the ‘Eightfold Path’ and the ‘Four Nobel Truths’ which set out a way of life that walked between the extremes of devotion; self mortification and over-indulgence.

Harvey concludes with the death of the Buddha in a small village called Kusinara. In spite of months of illness and pain, the Buddha continued to travel on foot keeping the pain at bay with mediation. His final words to his monks were “All conditioned things are subject to decay. Attain perfection through diligence!” (Harvey, 1990, p.27). To his listeners he left a legacy of compassion and loving kindness.

Harvey P. 1990 An Introduction to Buddhism: teachings, history, and practices, Cambridge University Press, England, pp. 1-29