Buddhism Beliefs: Beliefs About the Buddha Flashcards
buddha early life
born son to a king in northern India 2500 years ago
was called Siddhartha Gautama
brought up rich and privileged - never exposed to suffering
he did notice glimpses of it but never reflected until 29
what were the 4 sights he saw that made him leave home?
a tired, wrinkled old man
a man in great pain with a diseased body
a corpse
a religious man
what did the buddha do after seeing the 4 sights?
left is rich wealthy home to become a wandering man in a suffering world
finally settled for the middle path
what were the 4 watches?
how he meditated and realised what was wrong with life and looked for a cure
first watch
6pm - 10pm
he thought about human life, remembering his past lives
second watch
10pm - 2am
all beings are reincarnated
law of kamma affects quality of rebirth
third watch
2am - 6am
all beings are trapped in samsara and need to understand it
fourth watch
6am onwards
realised you complete freedom from rebirth through enlightenment
what knowledge is gained in enlightenment?
a complete understanding of how beings come as they are, and what can be done about it
what is the dhamma?
the written record of the buddhas teachings written by his disciples
why is the dhamma important?
its the buddhist way of life - actions and beliefs
it indicates the way to enlightenment
