Buddhism Keywords Flashcards
Dukkha
This mean suffering/dissatisfaction which is experiencing by all loving beings.
The four noble truths
Suffering can be ended permanently by following the eight fold path. These are the basis if the Buddha’s teachings in his first sermon after enlightenment. All creatures suffer, suffering is caused, suffering can be ended, the way to permanently end suffering.
Sangha
The term used to describe the Buddhist community
Buddha
This translates as ‘the enlightened one/awakened one
Maya
This means ‘illusion’. This was the name of siddharthas mother
Kamma
The law of cause and effect
Four sights
Four things seen by Siddhartha when leaving the Royal Palace; old man, sick man, dead man, an ascetic
The first noble truth
All creatures suffers ( Dukkha )
The second noble truth
Samudaya. There are causes of suffering.
The third noble truth
Nirodha. Suffering can be ended ( temporarily )
Samsara
Continuation of birth, death and rebirth
Anatta
This means there is no permanent self; there is no soul and therefore nothing is fixed about ourselves
Ascetic
Someone who lives a life of simplicity and self-denial. They dedicate their life to finding enlightenment.
Siddhartha
This translates as ‘he who has achieved his aim’
The middle way
The ideal state between two opposite extremes e.g. between luxury and having nothing
Nibbana
A state of perfect peace experiences by those who have found enlightenment. This state follows after blowing out the three fires/three poisons.
Three poisons/three fires
The main examples of how suffering is caused: greed, hatred and delusion/ignorance
Meditation
The practice of focusing the mind
Dhamma
The teaching of the Buddha - universal eternal law.
Three marks of existence
Also known as the three universal truths - these are three eternal laws associated with existence.
Enlightenment
The state of being ‘awakened’ to the truth about life.
Brahmins
Priestly caste system; they are the religious teachers.
Mantra
A phrase chanted in worship/meditation
Metta
This means loving kindness/compassion. This is a form of selfless unconditional love.
Kshatriya
Caste system of rulers and warriors to which the Buddha belonged to by birth.
The three jewels
The three most important ideal of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha
Anicca
This means ‘impermanence’. Everything changes and is in constant flux.
Channa
Siddhartha’s servant/best friend
Lotus
The flower that symbolises enlightenment - it is also used to describe a position used in meditation.
