Buddhism Depth Study Flashcards
ORIGINS: When did buddhism begin? Where?
500 - 600 BC in India before it spread throughout asia.
As a set of distinct teachings/practices, Buddhism began during the Buddha’s life (6th or 5th century BC) - about six weeks after the day the Buddha achieved enlightenment.
ORIGINS: What religion was in India before Buddhism? What was society like?
An ancient form of hinduism, the vedas. Society was subject to harsh segregation - if you were born into a social class you were expected to stick with it.
Define ‘Shramanas/Ascetics’
Were those who practised an ascetic, or strict and self-denying, lifestyle in pursuit of spiritual liberation.
ORIGINS: Describe the four signs
Defying his father, Siddhartha embarked on three journeys outside the palace and gained insights from four separate sights;
A Sick Man → All will suffer illness.
An Old Man → All will age and grow old.
A Dead Man → All will die and reincarnate.
A Holy Man → There are some who have found peace in spite of suffering.
ORIGINS: Describe the buddhas life after the signs (until enlightenment)
At the age of 29, disillusioned with his life and determined to escape suffering, he abandoned his family and became a student of various philosophers and yogins.
He exercised asceticism ( Self-Deprivation + Restraint ) but found it too harsh to endure - thus he adopted the middle way.
Having travelled in search of an outcome for six years, he arrived at Bodh Gaya, in central Bihar.
He placed himself under a tree, resolved not to get up until he attained enlightenment, and then meditated for 49 days
He meditated on the vision of the demon Mara who represents his own fears and desires, who he ultimately overcame through Enlightenment.
Describe the Buddha’s life post-enlightenment
Post Enlightenment: He thus experienced a state of psychological relief that enabled him to be detached from all desire and affirmed the truth of the system of thought he had developed; the middle way.
Awakened, the Buddha travelled to Benares, ordained the five monks, and then preached his famous sermon called The Turning of the Wheel of Law, in which he introduced the Four Noble Truths and the important teaching of no-self.
These provided a clear doctrinal foundation that distinguished the Buddhist dhamma from all other sets of teachings.
ORIGINS: How is the Buddha a model for buddhist life?
He preached and practised the Middle Way and the Eightfold Path.
He showed a deeper meaning to life beyond the material pleasures and pain in the world.
He removed all barriers to Enlightenment, believing that all humans have the potential to become a Buddha and possess Enlightened knowledge.
Forbearance; Siddhartha exercised dedication in spite of challenges to unveiling the false nature of reality and the self, letting go of attachments.
Wisdom; the Buddha developed a sophisticated philosophy that describes the nature of reality and the self. He showed a deeper meaning to life beyond the material pleasures and pain in the world.
Inclusiveness; the Buddha claims his philosophy as a tool to help, not a dogma to worship.
Valuing the Truth; Siddhartha turned away from a life of material possessions.
Generosity and Compassion: He is a model of compassion and generosity (help others achieve enlightenment)
ORIGINS: Define ‘SANGHA’ (2 definitions)
- The Sangha is a buddhist religious order for monks and nuns.
- The sangha is the buddhist community; it is the men, women and children that follow the teachings of the buddha.
Sangha, Buddhist monastic order, traditionally composed of four groups: monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen.
ORIGINS: Briefly describe the formation of the sangha:
- Originally the sangha was composed of the buddha’s close companions, who received his instructions as to how to develop in spiritual life. Wandering beggars, lived off donations.
- They met regularly to agree on the correct understanding of his teachings and monk life - disagreements would be put to a vote.
From these teachings arose the vinaya.
- They meditated and the studied the dharma
- Initially sangha grew only by word of mouth.
ORIGINS: What was the significance of Mahapajapati’s request?
For many years the Buddha refused to allow women to enter into this spiritual community by becoming nuns.
After years, his foster mother, Mahapajapati, finally was given permission to establish the Sangha for women.
This was of great significance in that it indicated that higher levels of the spiritual life were accessible to both men and women.
The Council at Rajgir ( 486/483 BCE )
After the death of the Buddha, there was a meeting of the holy men at Rajagaha to agree on the Dharma and the Vinaya.
It involved a full recitation of the Discourses of the Buddha, including the Suttapitaka and the Vinaya.
This council was pivotal in establishing the teachings ( Dharma ) and rules ( Vinaya ) of Buddhism.
The Council at Vaishali ( 386 BCE )
Disagreement about the Dharma had arisen - disputes over both doctrine and the rules of monkish conduct were aired.
Some monks were behaving in a way thought to be not in keeping with the Vinaya, such as accepting gold and silver, and these monks were expelled.
The rulings gave the oldest institution in the world the means to survive and adapt to varying circumstances and cultures. It eventually permitted the evolution of the three Schools of Buddhism.
What are the three types of buddhism
Theravada Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism
Vajrayana
BELIEFS: What are the three jewels?
Buddha (Buddha)
Dharma (Teachings)
Sangha (Community)
BELIEFS define ‘BUDDHA’ (3 jewels)
Refers to the Buddha and the act of being a Buddha, living in understanding and love on the path to enlightenment.
