Buddhism Flashcards
Where are stories of the Buddha found?
in the Jataka
What are some facts about the Buddha’s early life?
- lived in Nepal, born in 563 BCE as a Hindu
- His mother dreamed that an elephant (the symbol of wisdom) entered her womb just before he was born
- He took 7 steps when he was born to show he was special. At each step the lotus flower appeared and he spoke, saying he wold have not more rebirths.
- his mother died when he was a baby
- His father was told by a fortune teller that he would be either a great ruler or a great wise man- his father did not want him to be a holy man and so shielded from suffering to stop him questioning life.
How long did Siddhartha live in the royal palace?
until he was 29
What are the four sights?
- old age
- sickness
- death
- holy man
How did the four sights impact Siddhartha?
- made him question whether there was a way to end suffering
- made him think about the big questions of life
- realised theses sights are inevitable
- released there was a way to be happy when he saw the holy man
- renounced his possessions and became a holy man- starved for seven years
- realised the way to be happy was the middle-way between starvation and living in luxury
Describe the renunciation?
- after seeing the four sights, Siddhartha was no longer happy with his life of luxury so left the palace and joined two teachers who taught him meditation
- He was not satisfied with the Hindu teachers teachings so he left them and joined five Hindu ascetics that lived in the forest and tried to achieve spiritual perfection by living simply and not giving into bodily desires
- he lived off one grain of rice a day
- After 6 years, a milk maid Nandabala, offered him milk and rice when he was coming out of the river from bathing, he was so weak he couldn’t even meditate so he took the milk and rice
- the other five holy men were very disappointed in him and left him
How did Buddha face intimidation during his enlightenment?
Mara attacked him with wind, rain, rocks, weapons, hot coals, burning ashes, sand, mud and darkness
How did Buddha face temptation during his enlightenment?
He struggled with temptation to abandon his quest. This came in the form of the devil, Mara. Mara tempted him with women, sexual thoughts and frightening images- Mara’s daughters appeared to him representing greed, hatred and delusion
How did Buddha face doubt during his enlightenment?
When Mara fought Buddha for his spot under the bo tree saying it was his
Describe Siddhartha’s enlightenment
Buddha saw the world and life as it really is. He saw all his past lives and how the universe is a string of cause and effect. He saw how what we do in this life will impact on what happens in our next life. He became liberated and became known as the buddha- realising the peace of nibbana is when all desires are overcome and there is no more suffering.
What did Buddha realise when he was enlightened?
- That he had lived previous lives
- universe is a chain of cause and effect
- world around us is impermanent
- no fixed self
- everyone suffers
- we suffer due to cravings
- we can overcome suffering
What is the dharma?
teachings of the buddha- includes the three universal truths, dependent orgination/conditionality
What are the three universal truths?
- annica- everything is changing- everything is impermanent
- anatta- there is no fixed self
- dukkha- life is full of suffering
What is the story of Nagasena and the chariot?
- King Milinda was a greek king who lived about 200 years after the buddha
- One day a monk
What are the four noble truths?
- suffering (dukkha)
- cause of suffering (tanha)
- end of suffering
- the middle way to overcome suffering
