Buddhism exam (practices) Flashcards
Describe what is included in temples in depth?
A main hall where Buddhists practice together (sangha meaning community , one of three refuges) Meditation hall (right concentration) Study Hall (one of the six perfections of wisdom) A shrine (annica, light, purity and eightfold path) Pagoda (tired tower including layers wisdom and Earth)
Easy to concentrate at a temple
Sacred
Learn from each other
What is puja?
A formal act of worship that takes place in a shrine
3 core elements: blowing to the Buddha (commitment), offerings of incense and flowers, chanting.
Determination for enlightenment and thankfulness and devotion
“Reverently, I prostrate with my body, speech and mind I present clouds of every type of offering.”
What is metta?
Loving-kindness
Selflessness
One of the Buddha viharas: The Four Divine Emotions
1. Metta (Loving-kindness)
2. Karuna (Compassion)
3. Mudita (Joy with others)
4. Upekkha (Equanimity)
They are sublime states that Buddhists are urged to develop
The metta suta says, “Whatever beings there may be… may all beings, without exception, be happy-minded.”
Dali lamma said, “my religion is simple, my religion is Kindness.”
What is Karma?
Means - action and that all intentional actions have consequences Our rebirth (samsara) is defined by our karma Worship helps Buddhists to transform their minds through positive action so that they can escape the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, known as samsara and gain enlightenment.
What is Zazen meditation?
Zazen= seated meditation Purpose= to understand the nature of existence and reach enlightenment
Mindfulness of breathing (right concentration)
Awareness of present moment
Thoughts come and go
The meditator may have being posed a question (Koan) to pose a mental dilemma
What is Vipassana meditation?
Purpose= Insight meditation to see reality, mindfulness and concentration.
Focus on breathing or on a simple object
Allow the mind to switch between thoughts (impermanence, annica) but think in depth about them analysing the mind, body and interactions with the material world in order to break attachment.
3 MoE
Wisdom ( panna, one of the six perfections)
What is Samatha meditation?
Samatha= calming
Purpose= focus on one object for developing concentration and wisdom
Mindfulness of breathing
Uses the ten kasinas: earth, water, fire, air, blue, yellow, red, white, enclosed space and consciousness or bright light
What are the 6 perfections
generosity morality patience effort meditation wisdom
What is nirvana ?
A peace of mind and a state of complete enlightenment and happiness
exiting the samsara cycle and end of the 3 poisons
greed
hate
ignorance
Something we strive for but cannot be describe because it is not part of the material world.
Those who experience it still live life in the safe way with suffering but respond to it differently and accept it using the four noble truths
Reach it using the three refuges (sangha and help each other)
use the eightfold path
What are the 5 layers of the pagoda?
Wisdom (highest tier) Air Fire Water Earth (lowest tier)
What is in a shrine?
Light (wisdom, one of 6 perfects/ drives away darkness and greed 1 of 3 poisons)
Flowers (annica-impermanence-3moe)
incense symbolises purity (right thoughts and speech)
Buddha rupa statue at the focus
They can meditate there (eightfold path things)
What are the 5 precepts?
Abstain from harming sentient beings
Abstain from taking that is not freely given
Abstain from sexual misconduct
Abstain from false speech
Abstain from intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness
Describe Wesak?
3 Buddha events (death, birth and enlightenment)
Honour and remember Buddha and his teachings
People give offerings (flowers and candles)
Monks lead meditation, chant, or give sermons on Buddha’s life and enlightenment
In Singapore caged birds released (symbolises liberation, release from past troubles and mistakes and 3 poisons)
Describe retreats?
When Buddha encouraged monks to seclude themselves in order to meditate more intensely and study the Dharma.
They only leave the temple when necessary. And do:
rituals
study groups
workshops
talks
(deeper understanding, eightfold path)
It is a chance to socialise and relax with other Buddhists and a chance for monks to observe vassa
Describe monasteries?
Monastery=vihara
It is a place where monks and nuns live and they are often isolated to avoid distraction.
Buddhists here have dedicated their lives to spiritual practice, studying, meditating and practicing teachings
they are also plain due to the aesthetic lifestyle Buddha lead other than tapestries if illiterate.
