Buddhism(Readings) Flashcards
Why did the Buddha decide to teach after his enlightenment?
The Buddha, motivated by compassion for all living beings, decided to teach after realizing that enlightenment could be shared.
here did the Buddha give his first teaching, and to whom?
The Buddha gave his first teaching at the deer park in Sarnath, near Varanasi, to five shramanas (former companions).
Who were the Buddha’s first intended students, and what happened to them?
The Buddha initially intended to teach his former yoga teachers, but he realized through psychic powers that they had passed away.
What marked the beginning of institutional Buddhism?
The offering of food by two merchants during the Buddha’s journey to Sarnath marked the start of reciprocal giving between laypeople and ordained Buddhists.
What is the significance of the “Wheel Turning” sermon?
The “Wheel Turning” sermon marked the beginning of the Buddha’s teaching career and the re-establishment of the dharma.
What is another name for the Buddha’s first discourse, and why?
The first discourse is also called the “Instruction on the Middle Path” because the Buddha encouraged a moderate path between indulgence and asceticism.
How did the Buddha’s first five disciples react to his teachings?
Initially skeptical, the five disciples recognized the Buddha’s enlightenment after seeing his aura and became his first disciples.
What principle is central to the Buddha’s teaching and sometimes synonymous with Buddhism?
The principle of the Middle Way, advocating moderation, is central and sometimes used as a synonym for Buddhism.
What is the significance of Sarnath in Buddhist tradition?
Sarnath, the third of the four great pilgrimage sites, is where the Buddha preached his first sermon and ordained his first disciples.
What can visitors see at Sarnath today?
Visitors to Sarnath can see a new temple, ancient stupas, temples, and a museum commemorating the Buddha’s first sermon.
What is Parinirvana, and how long did the Buddha teach before entering it?
Parinirvana is the Buddha’s final passing. He taught for 45 years before entering it.
What teaching was shared with the Buddha’s first disciples?
The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to overcome suffering.
What does a temple wall illustration of Shakyamuni in the deer park at Sarnath depict?
It shows Shakyamuni Buddha teaching his five fellow ascetics at the deer park in Sarnath.
Who was Devadatta, and what was his role in the Buddha’s life?
Devadatta, the Buddha’s cousin, led a group of dissident disciples and made multiple attempts on the Buddha’s life.
How did the Buddha respond to his failing health at age 80?
Despite his weak body, the Buddha continued to travel and teach until his final illness.
What happened during the Buddha’s last meal?
The Buddha ate an odd-smelling dish, asked it to be served only to him, and fell ill. He instructed his disciples not to blame the host, who had good intentions.
What advice did the Buddha give his disciples before his death?
The Buddha told his disciples to follow the dharma after his death, as no individual has absolute authority in Buddhism.
Where did the Buddha pass away, and what did he experience at the moment of death?
The Buddha passed away in a grove of trees at Kushinagar, experiencing parinirvana, the final end of the cycle of rebirth and cessation of suffering.
What is the difference between nirvana “with remainder” and parinirvana?
Nirvana “with remainder” is the highest level of nirvana possible while living, while parinirvana is the complete cessation of suffering and rebirth after death.
How does the Buddhist concept of “dharma” differ from its Hindu counterpart?
While Hindu dharma refers to caste and social duties, Buddhist dharma refers to eternal truths, the laws of nature, karma, and moral conduct.
How does Buddhism describe the nature of parinirvana?
Buddhism does not elaborate on the nature of parinirvana, as it is beyond human understanding.
What is fundamental to Buddhism regarding parinirvana?
The reality of parinirvana and the potential for all living beings to attain it is fundamental to Buddhism.
What is the essence of Dhammapada 183?
“Avoid doing all evil deeds, cultivate doing good deeds, and purify the mind—this is the teaching of all buddhas.”
What is the Second Gem in Buddhism?
The Second Gem is the Dharma, representing the Buddha’s teachings and eternal truths.
What does it mean to “take refuge in the dharma”?
It means having confidence in the eternal truth of the Buddha’s teachings.
What are the Four Noble Truths?
1.Suffering (dukkha): No living being can escape suffering.
2.Origin: Suffering arises from craving (trishna) and excessive desire.
3.Cessation: Suffering will cease when desire ceases.
4.Path: The Eightfold Path is the way to overcome suffering.
What significant event occurred in Kushinagar, India?
Kushinagar is where the Buddha entered parinirvana in a grove of trees near the town, making it a significant pilgrimage site.
What is the Eightfold Path?
The Eightfold Path is a set of practices to overcome suffering, including right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
What does the root meaning of the word “dharma” imply?
The root meaning of dharma is “that which holds” or “teachings that are firm,” reflecting eternal truths.The root meaning of dharma is “that which holds” or “teachings that are firm,” reflecting eternal truths.
What is Kushinagar’s significance today?
Kushinagar is being restored as one of the four great pilgrimage sites in India/Nepal.
What value does the story of Nakulapita and Nakulamata highlight?
The story illustrates compassion as a major value in Buddhism, shown through Nakulamata’s care for her sick husband, which brings him back to health.
What historical figures visited Kushinagar?
King Ashoka and at least one Chinese Buddhist pilgrim visited Kushinagar in ancient times.
What did Nakulamata tell her husband to alleviate his worries?
Nakulamata reassured him:
She could support the children and manage the household.
She would remain celibate and faithful to the Buddhist path.
Her devotion to the Buddha, the monks, and the Dhamma would remain strong.
How did Nakulapita recover?
Nakulapita recovered after being comforted by his wife’s compassionate and wise counsel.
What is the Noble Truth of the Eightfold Path?
Suffering can be ended by following the Eightfold Path, a set of principles for self-improvement.
What did the Buddha say about Nakulamata?
The Buddha praised Nakulamata for her compassion and wisdom, calling her an excellent counselor and teacher.
What are the eight principles of the Eightfold Path?
1.Right understanding: Comprehending the Four Noble Truths and reality.
2.Right thought: Freedom from desire, ill will, cruelty; intention for enlightenment.
3.Right speech: Compassionate, free from anger or hatred.
4.Right conduct: Ethical behavior that reflects Buddhist values.
Are the principles of the Eightfold Path sequential?
No, they are interdependent and must work together like petals of a flower unfolding.
What is the Itivuttaka and who compiled it?
The Itivuttaka (So I Heard) is a collection of the Buddha’s teachings, compiled by Khujjuttara, a laywoman servant whom the Buddha praised as an exemplary lay disciple.
Who was Buddhaghosa, and what did he write?
Buddhaghosa was a Buddhist monk who authored The Path of Purity, a famous commentary on the Three Instructions: sila, samadhi, and prajna.
What is the central teaching of the Itivuttaka regarding proximity to the Buddha?
Being close to the Buddha physically does not matter if one has a covetous mind, ill will, and lack of discipline.
Conversely, living far away but practicing mindfulness, restraint, and compassion brings one spiritually close to the Buddha.
What is “right livelihood” in the Eightfold Path?
It involves earning a living without harming living creatures and minimizing harm to all beings, including insects.
What is “right thought” or intention?
It includes freedom from sensuous desire, ill will, cruelty, and the intent to realize enlightenment.
What does “right understanding” involve?
Correctly comprehending the Four Noble Truths and distinguishing between reality and delusion.
How does “right speech” manifest?
Through compassionate communication, free from anger and hatred.
What is “right conduct” or action?
Acting ethically in a way that aligns with Buddhist principles.
Define “right effort” in the Eightfold Path.
Right effort includes cultivating wholesome qualities and reducing unwholesome qualities.
What does “right mindfulness” entail?
Heightening awareness of one’s body, mind, and surroundings.
Explain “right meditation” in the Eightfold Path.
It encompasses all forms of meditative concentration, whether sitting or otherwise, to deepen focus and clarity.
What wisdom arises from recognizing the impermanence of the self?
Wise individuals do not become emotionally attached to material goods or fixed images of themselves.
How does Buddhism view impermanence compared to other philosophies?
While some philosophies treat impermanence as a problem, Buddhism accepts it as a fact of existence.
What are the three characteristics of existence in Buddhism?
1.Suffering (dukkha): All beings are subject to physical and psychological pain.
2.Impermanence (anicca): All things arise and pass away; nothing is static except empty space and nirvana.
3.No-self (anatman): There is no eternal, unchanging self or soul.
What is the meaning of “anatman”?
Anatman means “without Atman,” rejecting the idea of an eternal, unchanging soul (Atman) found in Hinduism.
How does anatman affect the concept of ownership?
Without a permanent “self,” there can be no “mine,” making the idea of ownership unsustainable.
How does Buddhism describe personality through the concept of skandhas?
Personality is the product of shifting and arbitrary circumstances, composed of the skandhas (aggregates), which are impermanent and interconnected.
How does Buddhism’s view of personality compare with modern psychological theory?
Both emphasize the impermanence and fluidity of personality, contrasting with Hindu and Western religious ideas of an eternal soul.
What are the Three Instructions in Buddhism?
1.Sila (Morality): The foundation, involving ethical behavior.
2.Samadhi (Concentration): Developing a calm, focused, and alert mental state.
3.Prajna (Wisdom): Higher understanding, leading to insights like the nature of causality.
What is dependent origination (pratitya-samutpada)?
The concept that everything arises due to other factors and causes changes in other things, emphasizing interdependence.
How is the principle of causality described in Buddhism?
It emphasizes that all phenomena arise in response to other factors and cause changes in other things, likened to the movement of balls on a pool table.
What are the 12 links of dependent origination?
-Past Life:
Ignorance → 2. Karma formations.
-Present Life:
3. Consciousness → 4. Body-mind complex → 5. Sense bases → 6. Sense impressions → 7. Conscious feelings → 8. Craving → 9. Clinging.
-Future Life (remaining stages to be detailed in future flashcards).
How were the Buddha’s teachings preserved before being written?
Teachings were memorized and recited by monks for over 400 years. Early councils ensured the teachings were passed down accurately.
How do the 12 links of dependent origination reflect life stages?
They show the interconnected flow from past actions (karma), through present experiences (consciousness, senses, feelings), to future consequences (craving, clinging).
What are the final three links in the chain of dependent origination?
- Becoming: The drive to be reborn.
- Rebirth: Entry into a new life.
- Old age and death: Leading back to the cycle of rebirth.
What visual symbol represents dependent origination?
The “wheel of becoming” (bhava chakra) with 12 spokes, representing the cycle of interdependent stages of life.
What is the Tripitaka?
The “Three Baskets” of Buddhist sacred texts, consisting of:
`.Sutra Pitaka: Teachings and discourses attributed to the Buddha.
2.Vinaya Pitaka: Rules for monastic life.
3.Abhidharma Pitaka: Systematic treatises and commentary.
What does the cycle of dependent origination emphasize about life?
Life is a continuous process of interdependence and rebirth, turning endlessly until nirvana is realized.
When and why were the oral teachings of Buddhism written down?
In the 1st century CE, Theravada monks in Sri Lanka wrote them down after a famine drastically reduced their numbers, threatening the oral tradition.
Why are Buddhist scriptures called the Tripitaka?
They were likely written on palm leaves bundled into three baskets, corresponding to the three types of texts: Sutra, Vinaya, and Abhidharma.
How is a typical sutra structured?
A sutra begins with the phrase “Thus have I heard,” describes the setting, and recounts a dialogue, often initiated by a disciple’s question.
What does the Sutra Pitaka contain?
It contains discourses on the dharma attributed to the Buddha or his early disciples, often presented as responses to disciples’ questions.
How does Shakyamuni explain variations in human life circumstances?
He attributes them to karma accumulated through actions in past lives, influencing current life experiences.
What question does the “Discourse on the Lesser Analysis of Deeds” address?
Subha, Todeyya’s son, asks why there are variations in human life circumstances, such as suffering and happiness.
How are the texts in the Sutra Pitaka organized?
They are divided into five sections (nikayas) and arranged by length, from longest to shortest, similar to the organization of the surahs in the Qur’an.
What does the Vinaya Pitaka contain?
It includes the rules of monastic discipline and stories explaining how Shakyamuni established each rule.
What is the focus of the Abhidharma Pitaka?
It systematically analyzes every aspect of reality through Buddhist principles, covering mental phenomena, their karmic consequences, and the physical elements of nature.
How does the first book of the Abhidharma classify mental phenomena?
It classifies mental phenomena as having good, bad, or neutral karmic consequences.
How was the Abhidharma used in Buddhist universities like Nalanda?
It formed the foundation of physical and psychological sciences taught at Buddhist universities, focusing on students’ spiritual advancement.
Who is associated with the development of the Abhidharma?
Sariputra, one of the Buddha’s brightest disciples, is associated with its development.
What central Buddhist teaching underpins the Abhidharma?
The teaching that no physical or mental reality is eternal; all are subject to constant change.
