Buddhism Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 4 things that Buddha Siddartha Gautama that led to the search for enlightenment?
A
- an old man
- a sick man
- a dead man
- a Monk
2
Q
What are the 4 Noble Truths?
A
- Life is suffering
- Suffering is caused by greed and desire
- There is an end to suffering
- The way to end suffering is to follow the middle path (noble 8-fold path)
3
Q
What are the 3 Universal Truths?
A
- Annicca - meaning impermanence
- Dukkha - meaning suffering
- Annatta - meaning no individual soul
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4
Q
What is the Eightfold path/Middle Path?
A
- Livelihood
- Action
- Speech
- Thought
- Concentration
- Awareness
- View
- Effort
- Acronym: L.A.S.T C.A.V.E
5
Q
What are the 5 precepts?
A
- Killing… Abstain from harming any living thing.
- Lying… Abstain from false speech.
- Intolerance… Abstain from mind altering drugs.
- Stealing… Abstain from taking what is not yours.
- Sexual misconduct… Abstain from sexual misconduct.
6
Q
Theravada Buddhism (conservation)
A
- Theravada - teaching of the elders
- One path to enlightenment
- Think of it as a canoe
- Strictly follow Buddha;s teaching and example.
- They believe that the only way to reach enlightenment is to be like Buddha, mimic him, and do what he did. (be a monk)
- GOAL: attain your own personal enlightenment and the best way to do this is to live a monk and devote your life to meditation, just like the Buddha.
- RITUALS: Reject all rituals and all forms of goals because they believe that only you can help yourself
7
Q
Mahayana Buddhism (reform)
A
- Meaning: “Great Boat/Vessel”
- Paths to Enlightenment: Many different paths, not just meditation.
- Adaptability: Belief that Buddhism should change with the times.
- Goal: To become a Bodhisattva and help others achieve enlightenment.
- Rituals: Worship 108 goals and many Bodhisattvas, use mantras, scriptures, and various rituals.
8
Q
Tibetan Buddhism
A
- Branch: A smaller group of Mahayana Buddhists unique to Tibet.
- Goal: Anyone can become a Buddha, guided by Lamas and Bodhisattvas, especially the Dalai Lama.
- Rituals: Combines magic (oracles, prayer wheels) and meditation (mandalas, mantras, prayer books).
- Oracles: Serve as mediums between gods and humans.
- Main Teaching: Compassion and nonviolence.
- Culture: Religion and culture are deeply intertwined.
9
Q
Zen Buddhism (Individual Disciple)
A
- ‘Zen’-meditation
- Zen buddhism is associated with Japan
- Very orthodox… similar to theravada
- GOAL: meditation and discipline as the key to individual enlightenment
- RITUALS: little need for rituals. Focus on mind and power. Focus on physical meditation/yogas (eg. Toi Chi, arts and gardening, martial arts, etc.)
10
Q
Nirvana
A
Goal of Buddhism. To become enlightened and reach Nirvana
11
Q
Bodhisattva
A
(in Mahayana Buddhism) a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings.
12
Q
Dalai Lama
A
The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, known for promoting peace and compassion, and guiding people towards enlightenment.
13
Q
Sangha
A
- Buddhist monastic order
traditionally composed of four groups: - monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen.
14
Q
Tripitaka
A
- Buddhist scripture (3 baskets of wisdom)
- Vinaya Pitaka: Rules for the sangha, precepts for monks/nuns
- Sutta Pitaka: Discourses, 5 volumes, very long
- Abhidamma Pitaka: Higher teaching, 7 books, complicated
15
Q
Stupa
A
Buddhist place of worship/monument
