buddhism Flashcards
What is the name of the Buddha?
Siddartha Gautama
At what age did Siddartha Gautama become a Buddha?
35
What does ‘Buddha’ mean?
A person who is enlightened
Where was Siddartha Gautama born?
Lumbini, modern-day Nepal
Who was Siddartha’s mother?
Queen Mayadevi
What did Queen Mayadevi dream before Siddartha’s birth?
A pure white elephant with six tusks entered her womb
What is the significance of the dream about the white elephant?
It was interpreted as a good omen indicating Siddartha would achieve perfect wisdom
What happened during Siddartha’s birth?
He was born out of his mother’s side and took seven steps, announcing he was the World-Honoured one
What did Siddartha declare after his birth?
He would not experience any more births and would eliminate the sorrow caused by birth and death
What is the ‘Four Sights’?
Four experiences that changed Siddartha’s life: an old man, a sick person, a corpse, and a holy man
What did Siddartha realize from the Four Sights?
That all human beings suffer and no one can avoid it
What did Siddartha do after realizing the nature of suffering?
He resolved to find out the cause of suffering and how it can be overcome
What did Siddartha do before achieving enlightenment?
He practiced asceticism and meditation under various teachers
What is ‘Nirvana’?
A state of peace achieved by overcoming desires and cravings
What are the Three Marks of Existence?
- Anicca: impermanence
- Anatta: no permanent self
- Dukkha: suffering
What does ‘Dukkha’ refer to?
Suffering, dissatisfaction, or discomfort
What are the three forms of Dukkha?
- Suffering: unwanted changes
- Change: good things don’t last
- Conditioning: belief in permanence
What are the Four Noble Truths?
- Life involves suffering (dukkha)
- The cause of suffering is craving (tanha)
- The way to overcome suffering is to overcome craving (nirodha)
- The way to overcome craving is the Middle Way (magga)
What is ‘Karma’?
The principle that every deliberate thought or action has an effect on future events
What are the three types of craving (tanha)?
- Kama tanha: craving sensual pleasure
- Bhava tanha: desire to be someone else
- Vibhava tanha: desire to eliminate unpleasant experiences
What is the Middle Way?
A path that avoids the extremes of luxury and denial
What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
- Wisdom: View, Intention
- Morality: Livelihood, Action, Speech
- Mental training: Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration
What are the Five Precepts in Buddhism?
- Not to harm life
- Not to take what is not given
- Not to misuse sex
- Not to lie
- Not to cloud the mind
What is the concept of ‘Anatta’?
The belief that there is no permanent self or soul
What are the Five Skandhas?
- Body
- Sensations
- Perception
- Mental formation
- Consciousness
What does ‘Theravadin’ Buddhism emphasize about enlightenment?
It equates enlightenment with nirvana, focusing on monastic life
What is ‘Bodhisattva’ in Mahayana Buddhism?
A being who seeks enlightenment for the benefit of others
What does ‘Tathagatagarbha’ refer to?
The idea that everyone has the potential for enlightenment or Buddha-nature
What is the significance of the Pure Land in Pure Land Buddhism?
A paradise created by Buddha Amitabha where beings can attain Buddhahood
What does chanting ‘Namu Amida Butsu’ signify?
Dedication of one’s life to the Buddha of infinite light
What is ‘Arhat’ in Theravadin Buddhism?
A person who has achieved enlightenment and can find release from the cycle of rebirth
What is the difference between Theravadin and Mahayana views on nirvana?
Theravadin sees it as easier to achieve after death, while Mahayana sees it as attainable in this life
What is a paradise in the context of the Pure Land sect?
A pure land far to the west of this world where members aim to be reborn to attain Buddhahood
Members return to help others attain Buddhahood.
What mantra do members of the Pure Land sect chant?
‘Namu Amida Butsu’ (I dedicate my life to the Buddha of the infinite light)
This mantra signifies devotion to the Buddha.
What does karma refer to in Buddhism?
The idea that intentional human actions affect others and the moral agent, influencing one’s rebirth
Actions come back to affect you proportionally.
What does the term ‘anatta’ mean?
The principle of non-self or no permanent identity
It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings.
Define ‘karuna’ in Buddhism.
Compassion, feeling the experiences, emotions, pain, and suffering of others as if they were your own
It can motivate active help to those in distress.
What does ‘metta’ translate to?
‘Love’, usually translated as ‘loving-kindness’
Focuses on respect for the lives of others.
List the Five Precepts (Pansil) in Buddhism.
- Not to destroy life
- Not to take what is not given
- Not to misuse sex
- Not to lie
- Not to cloud the mind
These are moral principles to develop positive karma.
What is the purpose of the Five Precepts?
To develop positive karma and guide situational decision-making
They are not strict rules but moral guidelines.
What are the Six Paramitas in Mahayana Buddhism?
- Dana (generosity)
- Sila (morality)
- Virya (energy)
- Kshanti (patience)
- Samadhi (meditation)
- Prajna (wisdom)
These virtues are essential for realizing one’s Buddha-nature.
What does ‘dana’ refer to in the context of the Six Paramitas?
Generosity, including the giving of time, support, or skills
It is the first of the six perfections.
What is ‘sila’ in Buddhism?
Morality, including being honest with oneself to recognize wrongdoing
It is the second of the six perfections.
Define ‘virya’ in the context of the Six Paramitas.
Energy, involving loving action and not just good thoughts
It is the third perfection.
What does ‘kshanti’ mean?
Patience, behaving in a thoughtful way
It is the fourth perfection.
What is ‘samadhi’?
Meditation, seeing the world calmly
It is the fifth perfection.
What does ‘prajna’ refer to?
Wisdom, accepting the 3 marks and sunyata as true and responding to them
It is the sixth perfection.
