Buddhism teachings Flashcards
The 1st Noble Truth
Dukkha - suffering is an inescapable part of life
The 2nd Noble Truth
Samudaya - the origin of all suffering
The 3rd Noble Truth
Nirodha- the end of suffering
By understanding what causes suffering, we can remove ourselves from this cycle
This can be done by detaching ourselves from craving and desire
The 4th Noble Truth
Magia - the path to end suffering
We can detach ourselves from desire through following the Eightfold Path
A way of life most Buddhists follow
The 3 poisons
1) Greed/ desire
2) Ignorance/ delusion
3) Hatred/ destructive urges
Right views
To understand the Buddha’s teachings properly rather than just following them blindly
Buddhists would spend time learning the Buddha’s teachings in depth
Right intention
Having the correct intentions when following the Buddha ie to help stop suffering
Buddhists would probably commit to following the Dhamma
Right speech
Speaking truthfully and kindly
Buddhists would avoid telling lies, gossiping and negative speech in general
Right action
Acting in a loving and peaceful way
Buddhists would avoid general conflict that harms other people and not giving into desires
Right livelihood
Making a living in a way that doesn’t involve harming others
Buddhists would choose a peaceful job such as a teacher or charity worker and avoid becoming a soldier
Right effort
Working hard to develop a sense of enlightenment
Buddhists would put in the proper work of meditating and restraint from desires
Right mindfulness
Develop awareness of the body, mind and nature of reality
Right concentration
Work towards developing this through meditation
Buddhists would meditate frequently to achieve these
The threefold Way
A shortened version of the Eightfold path where they are placed into 3 groups
Ethics - right speech, action and livelihood
Meditation - right effort, mindfulness and concentration
Wisdom - right view and intention
Dukkha
Aka suffering or dissatisfaction
Life does not provide people, life constantly changes as everything has limitations
All life contains suffering
Anatta
We have no fixed self or soul that represents us, as we are made up of many constantly changing parts
Theravada Buddhists belief we are made up of 5 Skhandas
Anicca
All life is impermanent, things are changing at all times.
You are not the same person you were an hour ago nor a second ago.
Because we constantly change, suffering is a continuos cycle
Samsara
The cycle of birth, death and rebirth that causes us to suffer
Karma
Positive actions have positive consequences, likewise for negative actions
Increasing positive Karma increases chance of favourable birth after Samsara.
Mahayana Buddhism
Different collections of more modern Buddhism such as Zen, Pure Land etc.
Bodhisattva
Other people’s enlightenment is more important than their own
Aims to stay in cycle of samsara out of compassion for everyone
Only when suffering is defeated can they achieve nirvana without remainder
Theravada Buddhism
The oldest school of Buddhism, with more traditional beliefs
Arhat
Main goal of Theravada Buddhists to become one
A perfected person
Have achieved enlightenment and enter nirvana once dead
Through removing 3 poisons
Birth of the Buddha
Was a painless birth
A tree bent to support her
He could walk and talk
Lotuses grew at his feet
Prophecy was told he’d either be a religious leader or ruler
