002 Ultimate Reality - Buddhism Flashcards
What is the ultimate goal for a Theravada Buddhists?
To become an arhat
What is the status of the Buddha for TBs?
an exemplary human being who served as a guide and a teacher
What is the status of the Buddha for Mahayana Buddhists?
The Buddha is a supreme being who is eternal as he has escaped samsara
What is the ultimate goal for MBs?
To become a bodhisattva
What are bodhisattvas seen as for MBs?
emanations of the buddha
How can a Bodhisattva become a Buddha?
By guiding other human beings and helping them to overcome dukkha
Define karuna
Compassion
Define Prajna
Wisdom
How are bodhisattvas motivated by karuna?
they aim to delay achieveing enlightenment for themselves in order to guide others
How are bodhisattvas motivated by prajna?
They have total wisdom and give their merit to others to help them escape dukkha
What is the doctrine of the Trikaya?
The three bodies of the Buddha
What are the three bodies of the Buddha? BUDDHIST TERMS
- Dharmakaya
- Sambhogakaya
- Nirmanakaya
What are the three bodies of the Buddha? ENGLISH TERMS
- The buddha as the ultimate truth
- Heavenly body
- Earthly body
How does belief in the Trikaya doctrine affect Mahayana views of the Buddha?
It makes the Buddha accessible even after death
What is the first step of being a bodhisattva?
Live life of a buddhist and take guidance from other bodhisattvas
What is the second step of being a bodhisattva?
The buddhists will feel the arising of the bodhicitta
Define bodhicitta
the thought of enlightenment - realising the purpose of one’s whole life is to save others
What is the third step of being a bodhisattva?
Making a Bodhisattva vow made in the presence of the living Buddha’s heavenly body
What is the fourth step of being a bodhisattva?
Practicing the way of the Mahayana to develop karuna and prajna to transfer punya to others
Why do Mahayana Buddhists believe that they are more compassionate?
because their primary motivation is karuna for all beings and to delay their own liberation to guide others
How do Mahayana Buddhists justify the view that their goal of Buddhism comes from the Buddha himself?
Buddha, in his semi-divine state, provided the teachings in the lotus sutra after his earthly death when his followers were ready to receive them.
Why can Mahayana Buddhists argue they have a more personal relationship with the Buddha than Theravada?
Because of the concept of the trikaya