Buddhism: Beliefs Flashcards
What are the teachings of the Buddha known as?
. Dhamma
Why did Siddhartha Gautama give up his life of luxury?
- Realised he wouldn’t find the answers to the problem of suffering by living his life of luxury.
- He was being prepared to be a king, which he rejected, wanted to seek the religious or holy life.
- Fulfilled the prophecy of Asita by leaving the palace.
- Would not have been able to show his compassion for humankind by staying in the palace.
- Curious about the outside world.
How do Bodhisattvas influence Buddhists today?
. Spiritual goal of Mahayana Buddhism
. Buddhists see a Bodhisattva as a role model, to guide, help + teach others.
. Buddhists want to be compassionate to help other beings with their problems in life
. Bodhisattvas combine being compassionate with being wise - so Buddhists will want to be the same
. Buddhists will want to live their lives following the six paramitas (perfections)
. Generosity; morality; tolerance or patience, energy; meditation and wisdom
. Buddhists will pray to Bodhisattvas for guidance on their own paths to enlightenment.
. Buddhists live out the Bodhisattva vow: - ‘However innumerable sentient beings are, I vow to save them; however inexhaustible the defilements are, I vow to extinguish them’
. Buddhists want to ‘go forth for the welfare of the many’
. Bodhisattvas can be male or female encourages belief in equality
What are Buddhist beliefs about the Pure Land?
. Pure Land based on faith in Amitābha.
. Hope of being reborn in the paradise where Amitābha lives.
. Pure Land Buddhists call on the name of Amitābha to gain rebirth in the sukhāvatī heaven or Western Paradise.
. Amitābha created this paradise out of compassion and love for all beings.
. They believe if they are reborn in this land they will be taught by Amitābha himself
. Therefore have a much better chance of attaining Buddhahood
. Pure Land has no suffering and there are none of the problems that stop people in our own world from attaining enlightenment.
Is it difficult to achieve enlightenment? - intro
. Enlightenment is a real experience and takes time, dedication + effort to experience it (witness the Buddha’s own life)
But
. Buddha would not have identified a path to enlightenment if he didn’t think people could reach it.
Is it difficult to achieve enlightenment? - paragraph 1
. Yes
. In Theravada, have to be a monk to achieve enlightenment + those in the monastic communities are expected to lead a life based on the study of Buddhist doctrine.
. Discipline may prove difficult and some Buddhist traditions believe only males can gain enlightenment
. Only by becoming ordained can a person ‘go within’, an internal path into one’s own consciousness through meditation and contemplation
. It isn’t open to ordinary working lay people
. Too abstract a concept for people to understand + unrealistic to think that the goal of a religion can be achieved in this present life.
. Suffering is a fact of life, have to live with it because suffering is a major part of human nature so it does not matter about a different mind-set, such as enlightenment, people will always experience hurt and pain.
Is it difficult to achieve enlightenment? - paragraph 2
. No
. The Buddha did, so others can.
. In many branches of Buddhism e.g. Zen, it is believed all can achieve enlightenment as they already have Buddha nature in them, just a case of realizing it
. Pure Land Buddhists through their chanting might suggest that enlightenment is easy to attain.
. Anyone can experience selflessness, followed by certain changes in outlook so enlightenment is possible for all
. Up to the individual and their commitment to the goal of Buddhism.
Is it difficult to achieve enlightenment? - conclusion
. Yes
. No one can fully overcome suffering so no one can fully extinguish greed, hatred and delusion which is what enlightenment is all about
