Beliefs and Teachings Keywords - Buddhism

Question 1

Anatta

Answer 1

Belief that there is no fixed soul; one of the three marks of existence.

Question 2

Anicca

Answer 2

Impermanence - Belief that nothing is permanent.

Question 3

Arhat

Answer 3

A perfected person. In Theravada Buddhism this the term for someone who becomes enlightened.

Question 4

Ascetic

Answer 4

A life free from worldly pleasures, and involves the giving up of material possessions.

Question 5

Bodhisattva

Answer 5

In Mahayana Buddhism this is a being destined for enlightenment, who postpones their final escape from samsara in order to help living beings.

Question 6

Buddha

Answer 6

Historically the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama)
An awakened or enlightened person.

Question 7

Buddhahood

Answer 7

Reaching enlightenment

Question 8

Buddha - nature

Answer 8

In Mahayana Buddhism this refers to the fundamental nature of all beings, which means that all beings can become enlightened.

Question 9

Compassion (Karuna)

Answer 9

Sympathy and concern for the suffering of others; a key part of Buddhist ethics.

Question 10

Consciousness

Answer 10

The fifth of the Five Aggregates; the state of being aware of something/ your surroundings before or without perception.

Question 11

Craving (tahna)

Answer 11

The ongoing state of desire which causes suffering; grasping at things we enjoy/want.

Question 12

Dependent arising

Answer 12

The belief that overthinking exists because other things do.

Question 13

Dhamma

Answer 13

The teachings of the Buddha; these are the ultimate truth. Can also refer to following the Buddhist path.

Question 14

Dhammapada

Answer 14

A source of wisdom and authority; part of the Pali Canon that includes some of the most famous teachings of the Buddha, including the Eightfold Path.

Question 15

Dukkha

Answer 15

Suffering. Belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness; one of the Three Marks of Existence.

Question 16

The Eightfold Path (magga)

Answer 16

The fourth Noble Truth. Known as the ‘Middle Way’, it includes the way to wisdom; mental training and the way of mortality. Eight stages to be practiced simultaneously.

Question 17

Energy

Answer 17

One of the Mahayanan six perfections; making a courageous effert to attain enlightenment.

Question 18

Enlightenment

Answer 18

A state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding of the truths of existence; achieving Enlightenment allows a being to be freed from the cycle of rebirth.

Question 19

Ethics (sila)

Answer 19

Moral principals that inform behavior and attitudes; part of the Eightfold Path.

Question 20

The Five Aggregates (skandhas)

Answer 20

The belief that human beings are composed of five factors - form, sensation, perception, mental formation and consciousness.

Question 21

Five Moral Precepts

Answer 21

An important part of Buddhist ethics; part of the Eightfold Path (right action). These include: not taking life, not taking things which aren’t freely given, not misusing the sense, not speaking falsehoods, not clouding the mind with intoxicants.

Question 22

Form

Answer 22

The first of the Five Aggregates; matter, physical experiences through the sense organs.

Question 23

The Four Noble Truths

Answer 23

An important part of the Buddha’s teachings found in the Pali Canon, explaining the truth about existence. These include: suffering, the cause of suffering, the end of suffering, the path to the end of suffering.

Question 24

Generosity

Answer 24

One of the Mahayanan six perfections.

Question 25

Three Poisons

Answer 25

Causes of Dukkha Greed - attachment to material things and the ongoing selfish desire for more. Hate - a feeling of intense dislike, anger, wishing others harm. Ignorance- inability to see things as they really are.

Question 26

Kamma (Karma)

Answer 26

Literally 'action'. The belief in cause and effect, intentions and actions will affect the future.

Question 26

Mahayana

Answer 26

Literally 'Greater Vehicle'; this school of Buddhism focuses on achieving enlightenment for the sake of all beings. It is the main school of Buddhism in China, Tibet and Japan.

Question 26

Mediation

Answer 26

A spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness; one of the six perfections, and part of the Eightfold Path.

Question 27

Morality

Answer 27

Principles or beliefs about what is right and wrong. One of the six perfections; includes following the Five Moral Precepts.

Question 28

Nibbana/Nirvana

Answer 28

The belief individuals can achieve a state of perfect peace where they experience liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

Question 29

Pure Land

Answer 29

Dominant form of Buddhism in Japan and focuses on chanting the name of the Amitabha Buddha.

Question 30

Six Perfections

Answer 30

Ethical principles in Mahayana Buddhism that lead to enlinghtenment.

Question 31

Theravada

Answer 31

The school of Buddhism mainly found in Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Question 32

Threefold Way

Answer 32

Three divisions of the Eightfold Path: ethics, meditation and wisdom.

Question 33

Zen

Answer 33

A Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism. Focus on the value of meditation and intuition.