Buddhism Flashcards
1
Q
Belief Systems
A
- Structured organisation of the beliefs of communities
- Creates a culture of practices
2
Q
Nature and role of hierarchy
A
- reinforce authority and create chain of communication
- Catholic Church - pope, cardinals, Archbishop, bishop, parish priests, priests and laity
3
Q
Secularisation in Australia
A
- Process of a society moving awat from being shaped by faith systems towards non religious values
- More people ‘spiritual rather than religious’ - traditional religion declines to new and different religions
- 2011 ANC - more than 30% australians declare no affiliation to god
- As societies become larger and complex, so did BSI and worldviews associated with them
- Early Indigenous religion shows evidence of influence from nearby religions (Chinese Buddhism and Indonesian Islam)
- Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam have rapidly grown since the abolition of White Australia policy
4
Q
Philosophy of Buddhism
Historical development
A
- Siddhartha Gautama - born in Lumbini
- Old man, sick man, dead man and ascetic - 4 Noble Truths (attachment, suffering, overcoming attachment and Eightfold path)
- Achieved nirvana at Bodh Gaya
- Disciples (Sangha) spread values and beliefs
5
Q
Beliefs and values expressed
A
- Four noble truths - eightfold path
- The Middle Way
- Dukkha, Tanha, overcoming tanha and eightfold path
- Achieve moral and physical self control
- Puts away the sense of ‘self’ and brings community coherence
6
Q
Nature and extent of adherents
A
- Adapted to local beliefs and customs, and changed them slightly
- Theravada - original, rigorous for monks and nuns (Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand)
- Mahayana - Great vehicle, inclusive of lay people, self effort in ordinary lives (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam)
- Vajrayana - Spiritual form of buddhism, influenced from Tantric hindusim, mantra, mandala etc.
- Lamaism - emphasis on hierarchy; importance of Dalai Lama
7
Q
Important places
A
- Macro
* Lumbini
* Bodh Gaya - Meso
* Local temples - Micro
* Private shrines
8
Q
Texts
A
- Pali canon - the Tripitaka
1. Sutra - sayings and fables for lay people
2. Vinaya - discipline of sangha for monks
3. Abhidharma - set of teachings for the individual
9
Q
Symbols rituals and customs
A
- Shape and structure individual life
- micro level - meditation and chanting
- meso level - festivals (lunar new year)
- macro level symbols - Lotus, wheel of dharma and Mandala (Purity, knowledhe and harmony
10
Q
Importance of myths and stories
A
- Form the basic principles of the belief system
- Four noble truths come from Buddha’s experiences
- Establish important places and customs - Sutra and bodh gaya, lumbini
11
Q
Gender
A
- Gautama’s stepmother with 500 women - first refused due to hinduism influence, relented later
- Focuses on humans as equal beings that can follow the middle path for nirvana
12
Q
Important People
Ashoka
A
- Indian emperor - advocate for Buddhism, turn towards peace
- Kalinga battle caused change of heart
- Used wealth and power to establish structures at the important places
12
Q
Important People
Ashoka
A
- Indian emperor - advocate for Buddhism, turn towards peace
- Kalinga battle caused change of heart
- Used wealth and power to establish structures at the important places
13
Q
Important People
Sister Dhammadina
A
- First Buddhist nun in Australia (1950s)
- Exemplified gender equality
- Established ‘Buddhist Society of NSW’
14
Q
Important People
A
- Ashoka
- Sister Dhammadina
- Vasubandhu and Guru Rinpoche regarded as ‘Second Buddhas’ of Peshawar (Pakistan) and Tibet
- Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama
