Buddhism Flashcards
What is Reincarnation in Buddhism?
A person is made up of five khandas, which, when taken together, form who humans are. Throughout life, these khandas change. They are not permanent.
What are the 5 Khandas?
- Physical form (Rupa)
- Sensation (Vedana)
- Perception (Samjna)
- Constructing activities (Intellectual responses to the world) (Sankhara)
- Consciousness (Vinnana)
How does constructing activities (Sankhara) affect a person’s rebirth?
Buddhists believe that a person’s actions, thoughts, and intentions create momentum after death. This shapes their KARMA, a force that influences what happens in their next life.
This can further be known as the “Middle path” (not extreme nor permanent but a continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth based on one’s deeds)
What is Karma?
A universal law of causality that binds people to the wheel of samsara (the cycle of life, death, and rebirth). Based on their actions.
What are the two types of karma?
- Positive Karma = positive actions with good intentions (skilful)
If born from positive Karma, the individual will result in a rebirth of 1 of 3 realms: human, demi-god, or god. - Negative Karma = bad actions with bad intentions (unskilful)
If born from negative Karma, the individual will result in a rebirth of 1 of 3 realms: animal, hungry ghost or hell.
What is Dharma?
The teachings of Buddha contained in the sacred scriptures. This includes the Four Noble Truths, the Five Precepts and the Eightfold Path.
What are the Four Noble Truths?
- Dukkha is part of life.
- Dukkha is caused by desire.
- We can end dukkha by letting go of our desires.
- Following the Eightfold Path will help us let go of our desires.
(Dukkha is most commonly translated to ‘suffering’, but simultaneously means pain, suffering, dissatisfaction, and stress.)
What are the Eightfold Path
(Actions to free oneself from dukkha)
1. Right View
2. Right Resolve
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration
What are the Five Precepts?
(minimum acts of morality required of all lay Buddhists)
1. Non-violence (not killing another living being)
2. No theft
3. No sexual misconduct
4. No lying or gossiping
5. No intoxicating liquids or drugs.
What is Nirvana?
is a state of being free from all desires, where a soul ceases to exist and is finally completely free. The term literally means ‘to blow out’ – to extinguish desire and end suffering.
What is a Buddhist adherents aim?
The aim is to be free from the cycle of samsara altogether and attain nirvana.
What are the two types of Buddhism?
- Theravada
- Mahayana
What do Theravada Buddhist believe when it comes to nirvana?
a person achieves nirvana during their lifetime when they cease to feel the pull of desire to remain in samsara. The term for someone living in this state is an Arahant. Then they achieve parinirvana (the final nirvana) when they die and are not reborn.
What do Mahayana Buddhist believe when it comes to nirvana?
when someone achieves earthly nirvana (brought about through a life of wisdom and compassion called karuna), they become a bodhisattva – a spiritual guide to help others on their journey.
