Buddhism Flashcards
Anatta
No fixed self.
Anicca
Impermanence.
Dukkha
Suffering.
Arhat
A perfected person. In Theravada Buddhism this is a term for a person who has attained nibbana.
Ascetic
A life free from world pleasures with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals (such as enlightenment).
Bodhisattva
A concept in Mahayana Buddhism. Someone who is near enlightenment but does not attain Buddhahood in order to help other living beings.
Buddha
The enlightened one (Historically) or an enlightened person.
Buddhahood
Enlightenment.
Budha-nature
In Mahayana Buddhism, this refers to the fundamental nature of all beings. All beings can attain Buddhahood.
Dependent Arising
The belief that everything in existence has an effect on everything else in existence. “If this exists, that comes to exist”.
Dharma
The teachings of the Buddha.
The Eightfold Path
The fourth Noble Truth. Magga. The Middle Way. Eight stages needed to be completed in order to attain Buddhahood.
Enlightenment
Wisdom. Allows a person to be freed from the cycle of rebirth.
Jataka
The Jataka Tales are stories about the previous lives of the Buddha.
Karma
Based on your actions in life. Your karma has an impact on what you’re reborn as.
Karuna
Compassion or pity.
Metta
Loving kindness. Love which does not seek to gain.
Magga
The Eightfold Path.
Mahayana
A form of Buddhism which includes both the lay and monastic communities. Mahayana Buddhists focus on attaining enlightenment for the sake of all beings.
Meditation
A spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness.
Nibbana / Nirvana
To reach a state of perfect peace, involving the liberation from samsara.
Pure Land Buddhism
This is the dominant form of Buddhism in Japan and focuses on chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha.
Rebirth
The belief that when a person dies he / she is reborn and that this process of life and death continues until nibbana is attained.
Tanha
Craving / desire.
Theravada
The kind of Buddhism found in Sri Lanka and Thailand. It came before Mahayana.
What was the Buddha’s name?
Siddhartha Gotama
What do Theravada Buddhists believe about the Buddha?
They believe that he was a historical figure and no longer exists.
What do Mahayana Buddhists believe about the Buddha?
They believe that the Buddha remains active and can still influence the world today. They also believe that he can still be encountered through visions and meditation.
What are the Three Marks of Existence?
They are three truths that Buddhists believe apply to everyone. Anicca (Impermanence), Anatta (No fixed self), Dukkha (Suffering).
What are the Five Aggregates (Skhandas)?
They are five things that Buddhists believe makes us who we are. Physical form, feelings (through our senses), perceptions (understanding of our feelings), mental formations (thoughts), awareness.
What is Sunyata?
Sunyata means emptiness. It is the way that a person separates themselves from suffering by stopping wanting. The Buddha described Sunyata as a void with no rising or falling of emotion.
In Theravada Buddhism, who can become an Arhat?
Only monks that live in a monastery can become Arhats. This means that women can’t become Arhats as only men can be monks.
What are the four stages to becoming a bodhisattva?
1] Declare the intention to delay enlightenment
2] Make a vow or promise to become a bodhisattva.
3] Live as a bodhisattva, developing the six perfections.
4] Become enlightened and achieve Buddhahood.
What were the four sights?
Old age, sickness, death and a holy man.
How did the Buddha achieve enlightenment?
He sat under a Bodhi tree and meditated until he achieved enlightenment. A demon called Mara tried to stop him, but he overcame the temptations.
What are the four noble truths?
The basis of the dhamma that teach the cause, end and solution to human suffering. Dukka (suffering), tanha (craving), nirodha (to end tanha and dukkha we must stop wanting), magga (we can end our tanha and dukkha by following the Noble Eightfold Path).
What are the 3 main areas in the Noble Eightfold Path?
Wisdom (panna), morality (sila) and meditation (samadhi).
What are the two causes of suffering?
Craving and the Three Poisons.
What are the three poisons?
Greed, hatred and ignorance.
What are the five precepts?
Do not harm any living being. Do not take that which is not given. Avoid sexual misconduct. Do not use false speech. Avoid intoxicants.
What are the six perfections?
These are the 6 things that bodhisattvas try to perfect. They are generosity, morality, patience, effort, meditation and wisdom.
