Buddhism Glossary - Religion Philosophy

Question 1

Anastasia

Answer 1

One of the three marks of existence; selflessness, ‘not-self’ or egolessness

Question 2

Annica

Answer 2

One of the three marks of existence; impermanence (change)

Question 3

Ascetic

Answer 3

Someone who lives a simple life of self-discipline

Question 4

Buddha

Answer 4

The founder of Buddhism - Siddhartha Gautama - meaning the Awakened One’

Question 5

Dukkha

Answer 5

Suffering. One of the three marks of existence and the first noble truth

Question 6

Eightfold Path

Answer 6

The eight actions a Buddhist should follow in life to reach enlightenment

Question 7

Enlightenment

Answer 7

Escaping the cycle of samsara; reached through meditation

Question 8

Five Precepts

Answer 8

Five things Buddhists should avoid in their life, e.g. killing and stealing

Question 9

Four Noble Truths

Answer 9

One of the key Buddhist teachings. Four steps to follow to overcome suffering.

Question 10

Four Sights

Answer 10

The four things Siddhartha saw which made him leave the palace - old age, illness, death and the fourth sight of the holy man

Question 11

Magga

Answer 11

The fourth noble truth; the path to the end of suffering; the eightfold path

Question 12

Mahayana

Answer 12

A branch / tradition of Buddhism

Question 13

Meditation

Answer 13

Calming and focusing of the mind to reach enlightenment

Question 14

Metta

Answer 14

A type of meditation; loving-kindness

Question 15

Middle Way

Answer 15

What the Buddhist realised on reaching enlightenment; life should be lived in balance

Question 16

Nirodha

Answer 16

The third noble truth; the end of suffering

Question 17

Nirvana

Answer 17

Escaping the cycle of samsara; the state achieved through enlightenment

Question 18

Pali Canon

Answer 18

Collection of Buddhist holy texts

Question 19

Samatha

Answer 19

A type of meditation; focusing the mind on something, e.g. breathing

Question 20

Samudaya

Answer 20

The second noble truth; the cause of suffering

Question 21

Siddhartha Gautama

Answer 21

The founder of Buddhism. He was a prince who rejected his lavish lifestyle on the search for enlightenment. He reached enlightenment through meditation.

Question 22

Theravada

Answer 22

A branch / tradition of Buddhism

Question 23

Three Marks of Existence

Answer 23

The three things which everything in the world is affected by. These are dukkha, anatta and anicca.

Question 24

Vipassana

Answer 24

A type of meditation; insight meditiation