Buddhism Flashcards
What prompted Siddhartha to leave his life as a prince?
On a trip from his father’s palace, he saw the sights that his father had tried to protect him from:
- An elderly man (Aging)
- A man ravaged by disease (Illness)
- A rotting corpse (Death)
- A peaceful monk
These sights alerted him to the reality of suffering. He left his life as a prince in order to find the answers to these realities.
Who is Siddhartha?
Son of a king who was told that his son would grow up and become either a great king or a great holy man.
“The Buddha”
What did he experience on his journey to enlightenment?
At first, he became a sadhu, so he dedicated himself to study and became a champion aesthetic and sought out anything involving suffering in the hopes that it would give him answers. He practiced extreme deprivation because he wanted to experience the harsh realities of suffering since he had experienced extreme luxury. With his body in such poor shape, he was unable to gain the understanding he was seeking. He came to a point where he indulged in a meal under a Bodhi tree. After a period of meditation, he achieved enlightenment.
Who is Mara? Why did he care if Siddhartha reached his goal?
Mara is the ruler of the realm of desire.
Did not want Siddhartha to reach his goal out of fear of him conquering the world of desire.
What did Siddhartha realize that caused him to become enlightened?
The root of all suffering is desire.
Middle Way: neither extreme asceticism, nor extreme indulgence were the way to enlightenment. Rather, one should avoid extremes and love a balanced life.
Where did Buddhism originate?
Originated from Hinduism in the 6th venture B.C.E.
India
How was Buddhism spread?
Buddhism spread though missionaries sent out by Asoka, emperor of India at the time. Asoka was convinced that Buddhism was the religion for everyone and through this act, it saved the religion, as it died out in India a few centuries later.
Where are Buddhist practitioners to be found?
Asia- China, Japan, Korea, and SE Asia
How popular is Buddhism today?
During the 20th century, Buddhism experienced a revival
One of the major religions of the world
Devotees are found in nearly every Asian nation, as well as other parts of the world.
What is the goal of Buddhism?
Release ones attachment to desires by achieving enlightenment.
What do Buddhists believe about the gods?
Denied the relevance of the gods and the necessity for worship and sacrifice.
What is a bodhisattva?
A form if a Buddhist saint or angel.
Provide help to those who are struggling in life.
Respond to the prayers of all who need help.
Postpone their own achievement of nirvana until such time as all living beings achieve it.
What are the two main branches of Buddhism?
Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism.
What is Theravada Buddhism?
More orthodox and conservative branch.
Believed to be closer to the buddha’s original teachings
Main element is a belief that individuals must achieve enlightenment on their own without reliance on the gods or on any force beyond themselves.
What is Mahayana Buddhism?
More open to innovation and change
More focused on gods and the various Buddhas
What makes Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism different from one another?
-Mahayana expands on Buddhas original teachings -Mahayana began to teach that Buddha was a compassionate, eternal diving being who incarnated as a man in order to aid humankind -Teaches that Siddhartha is not only the Buddha but rather, there are many Buddhas in all parts of the cosmos who help people on the path to righteousness.
