1.3 The Three Refuges - scholars Flashcards

1
Q

Ellis: which version of the Buddha is most significant in Theravada

A

historical Buddha - Gautama

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2
Q

Ellis: why the Pali Canon holds such authority and legitimacy in Theravada

A

believed to contain the uncorrupted original word of the Buddha

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3
Q

Ellis: how useful Buddhist texts within Theravada gain their authority

A

‘from the extent to which they reflect the truths uttered by the historical Buddha’

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4
Q

Ellis: relationship between symbolic and historical Buddha in Theravada

A

historic Buddha decides the nature of the symbolic Buddha

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5
Q

Ellis: why the historical Buddha is so important in Theravadin tradition

A

enlightenment only possible because we were historically showed how by someone physically human, on earth

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6
Q

Ellis: within Theravada, Gautama is ‘the single source of…

A

…knowledge of enlightenment and the single model of a fully enlightened being’

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7
Q

Ellis: why Gautama Buddha’s significance is less profound in Mahayana

A

belief that anyone can become a historical Buddha - Gautama (Shakyamuni) was just one instance of many possible ones

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8
Q

Ellis: relationship between symbolic and historical Buddha in Mahayana

A

symbolic provides model for historical

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9
Q

Ellis: how scriptures gain authority in Mahayana

A

based on their usefulness

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10
Q

Ellis: Theravada vs Mahayana interpretation of ‘Buddhavacana’

A

Theravada: the literal definition, ‘the word of the Buddha’
Mahayana: ‘whatever is helpful in leading a being towards enlightenment’

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11
Q

Ellis: how Mahayanist scriptures feature Shakyamuni and what this demonstrates

A
  • in a fantastic mythic setting
  • physical setting, form, and historical accuracy of the Buddha are insignificant
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12
Q

Ellis: overview of the Two Bodies doctrine

A

distinguishes between two kaya (bodies) of the Buddha: the Dharmakaya or ‘truth body’ and Rupakaya or ‘form body’

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13
Q

Ellis: the dharmakaya

A

truth-body. the ultimate timeless, abstract truth of the potentiality for enlightenment that exists beyond time and space. how enlightened beings view the Buddha

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14
Q

Ellis: the rupakaya according to the Two Bodies doctrine

A

form-body. the Buddha as a particular form and personality limited in time and space. does not ultimately exist due to anatta

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15
Q

Ellis: why Mahayanists developed the Two Bodies into the Trikaya

A

two bodies does not distinguish between historical and symbolic Buddhas

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16
Q

Ellis: what the trikaya splits the rupakaya into

A
  • the nirmanakaya (transformation body)
  • the sambhogakaya (enjoyment body)
17
Q

Ellis: the nirmanakaya

A

the transformation body - the historical, individual Buddha limited in time and space

18
Q

Ellis: the sambhogakaya

A

enjoyment body. ‘the Buddha encountered in the Mahayana Sutras’, beyond particular time and space, but still taking particular forms in the imagination

19
Q

Ellis: how the Yogacara School justifies depicting the Buddha as Sambhogakaya

A

since everything physical is ultimately an illusion it is preferable to step back from this and create one’s own image of the Buddha which can dissolve back into the mind as opposed to the purely physical idea of Nirmanakaya