Buddhism Glossary - Religion Philosophy Flashcards
Anastasia
One of the three marks of existence; selflessness, ‘not-self’ or egolessness
Annica
One of the three marks of existence; impermanence (change)
Ascetic
Someone who lives a simple life of self-discipline
Buddha
The founder of Buddhism - Siddhartha Gautama - meaning the Awakened One’
Dukkha
Suffering. One of the three marks of existence and the first noble truth
Eightfold Path
The eight actions a Buddhist should follow in life to reach enlightenment
Enlightenment
Escaping the cycle of samsara; reached through meditation
Five Precepts
Five things Buddhists should avoid in their life, e.g. killing and stealing
Four Noble Truths
One of the key Buddhist teachings. Four steps to follow to overcome suffering.
Four Sights
The four things Siddhartha saw which made him leave the palace - old age, illness, death and the fourth sight of the holy man
Magga
The fourth noble truth; the path to the end of suffering; the eightfold path
Mahayana
A branch / tradition of Buddhism
Meditation
Calming and focusing of the mind to reach enlightenment
Metta
A type of meditation; loving-kindness
Middle Way
What the Buddhist realised on reaching enlightenment; life should be lived in balance
Nirodha
The third noble truth; the end of suffering
Nirvana
Escaping the cycle of samsara; the state achieved through enlightenment
Pali Canon
Collection of Buddhist holy texts
Samatha
A type of meditation; focusing the mind on something, e.g. breathing
Samudaya
The second noble truth; the cause of suffering
Siddhartha Gautama
The founder of Buddhism. He was a prince who rejected his lavish lifestyle on the search for enlightenment. He reached enlightenment through meditation.
Theravada
A branch / tradition of Buddhism
Three Marks of Existence
The three things which everything in the world is affected by. These are dukkha, anatta and anicca.
Vipassana
A type of meditation; insight meditiation