Buddhism: Practices

Question 1

Buddha rupa

Answer 1

An image or statue of the historical Buddha or a being believed to have attained Buddhahood.

Question 2

Compassion (karuna)

Answer 2

Sympathy and concern for the suffering of others; a key part of Buddhist ethics.

Question 3

Energy

Answer 3

One of the Mahayanan six perfections; making a courageous effort to attain enlightenment.

Question 4

Ethics (Sila)

Answer 4

Moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes; part of the Eightfold Path.

Question 5

The five moral precepts

Answer 5

An important part of Buddhist ethics; part of the Eightfold Path (right action). These include: not taking life, not taking things which aren’t freely given, not misusing the sense, not speaking falsehoods, not clouding the mind with intoxicants.

Question 6

Generosity

Answer 6

One of the Mahayanan six perfections; the sincere and selfless desire to benefit others with no expectation of reward.

Question 7

Gompa

Answer 7

Tibetan monasteries associated with learning and studying the dharma.

Question 8

Kamma (karma)

Answer 8

Literally ‘action.’ The belief in cause and effect, intentions and actions will affect the future.

Question 9

Loving kindness (metta)

Answer 9

A pure love which is selfless and not possessive; a key part of Buddhist ethics

Question 10

Mantra recitation

Answer 10

A short sequence of words or syllables chanted repetitively as a form of meditation.

Question 11

Malas

Answer 11

Strings of beads used as a prayer aid.

Question 12

Morality

Answer 12

Principles or beliefs about what is right and wrong. One of the Mahayanan six perfections; includes following the Five Moral Precepts

Question 13

Parinirvana Day

Answer 13

A festival in Mahayana Buddhism that celebrates the death of the Buddha and his attainment of final nibbana. It is most often celebrated on 15th February.

Question 14

Patience

Answer 14

Being able to tolerate delay or problems without becoming agitated or anxious. One of the Mahayanan six perfections.

Question 15

Puja

Answer 15

The name given to ceremonies that involve meditation, prayer and offerings.

Question 16

Pure Land

Answer 16

This is the dominant form of Buddhism in Japan and focuses on chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha.

Question 17

Retreats

Answer 17

Temporarily leaving one’s everyday life and going to special places to aid spiritual development.

Question 18

Samatha

Answer 18

Concentration and tranquility. A method of meditation; a state of calmness.

Question 19

Shrine

Answer 19

A room or part of a room which contains a Buddha rupa, candles, an incense burner and sometimes other offerings.

Question 20

The six perfections

Answer 20

Ethical principles in Mahayana Buddhism to lead a being to enlightenment.

Question 21

The Threefold Way

Answer 21

The three divisions of the Eightfold Path: ethics, meditation and wisdom.

Question 22

Vipassana (insight)

Answer 22

A method of meditation focused on insight into the true nature of things.

Question 23

Visualisation

Answer 23

Forming a mental image. A method of meditation in Mahayana Buddhism, imagining an image of a Buddha or Bodhisattva and focusing on their qualities.

Question 24

Wesak

Answer 24

A Buddhist festival celebrating the Buddha’s birth. For some Buddhists it also celebrates his enlightenment and death.

Question 25

Wisdom (panna)

Answer 25

Insight into the true nature of reality. One of the Mahayanan six perfections, which includes the realisation of sunyata.

Question 26

Zazen

Answer 26

The main form of meditation in Zen Buddhism, practiced cross-legged with the aim of gaining vipassana (insight).

Question 27

Zen

Answer 27

A Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism. It focuses on the value of meditation and intuition rather than ritual worship and study of the scriptures.