Buddhism - Teachings and Practices Flashcards
Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha when he…
was awakened to the Four Noble Truths while meditating under the Bodhi tree. He called this view the Middle Way.
What is the middle way?
Do not hurt your physical self (self -mortification); and do not live a life only concerned with pleasure (self-indulgence).
The Middle Way is a life of self-discipline toward denying the self in order to break away from pleasure and end suffering.
The goal of Buddhism is to…
end samsara and gain nirvana (ultimately parinirivana).
What is the first noble truth?
suffering is inherent in life. All is dukkha, which is a word that generally translates to “suffering” but can also mean disappointment.
Buddha’s first three sights (old man, sick man, and dead man) showed him the suffering inherent in life.
What is the second noble truth?
The cause of suffering is desire. Suffering (dukkha) occurs because we desire things we cannot have or obtain. However, it also occurs when we get what we want because the search is over and that thing did not bring us enlightenment.
What is the third noble truth?
There is a way to put an end to desire and suffering: Nirvana. It is not really heaven but a cessation of all suffering. This can only occur if one has progressed to the point of understanding that they have no self (anatman) and know their past lives. Also, realizing because of this they have no need to return again.
A person who has gained nirvana in this life will gain parinirvana at the end of physical life (they will cease
to exist). Instead of rejoining ultimate reality like in Hinduism, Buddhists believe that they will no longer exist (anatman).
What is the fourth noble truth?
The way to end desire is follow the Eightfold Path
The Noble Eightfold Path is sometimes referred to as…
the triple practice because it can be divided into three areas of practice: Study, Conduct, and Concentration
What is the eightfold path? (all parts)
Right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration.
Until I Stop Acting Like Excited Monkeys… Confusion!
- Right Understanding = understand the four noble truths.
- Right Intention = not the same as karma. More about ethical conduct.
- Right Speech = refrain from gossiping, lying, slander, instead you should speak kindly to others.
- Right Action = Five Precepts: refrain from murder, lying, stealing, sexual abuse, and the use of alcohol.
- Right Livelihood = foster the well-being of others and in yourself.
- Right Effort = giving attention to positive thoughts while actively removing negative ones.
- Right Mindfulness = taking meditative awareness into daily life. Attentiveness and non-attachment.
- Right Concentration = regular meditation
What is Nirvana?
The “extinguishing” of desire and suffering. Buddhist believe that the state of nirvana is beyond description. It is a pure bliss. Nirvana is the only goal of Buddhism.
What is Parinirvana?
If you gain nirvana in this life, then when you die you will have parinirvana. Parinirvana is the end of the samsaric cycle. You will have extinguished your existence in this realm
What is Dharma?
Buddha claimed that following The Middle Way is the proper Dharma. Broadly it means: All of nature and nature’s laws.
More narrowly it means: The body of the Buddha’s teaching.
When asked about deep metaphysical truths, Buddha would often reply with…
“I am awake.”
Buddha argued that one should not worry about specific metaphysical truths about how the universe works. Why?
If you spend too much time on these matters, then you might lose sight of the only goal: nirvana.
Buddha’s views are a clear response to…
the Vedas. However, the Buddha rejects much of the teachings of the Vedas, but he does accept some
teachings from the Upanishads
Buddha accepts the idea that…
samsara is real. We are all going through a process of
being born, living, growing old, dying, and being reborn again. Buddha also accepts that samsara is a bad thing that must be overcome. He calls it nirvana instead of moksha because the process is different
Did Buddha accept karma?
Buddha also seems to accept some form of karma, but he rigidly rejected the caste system. This is what made Buddhism so popular with regular people
What is interdependent origination?
The coming-into-existence of all things depends upon other things. No thing has an identity or existence independent of other things.
What are the three marks of existence?
Suffering (dukkha)
Impermanence
No-Self (anatman)
What is dukkha?
One of the three marks of existence – suffering
What is anatman?
One of the three marks of existence – there is no self.
What are karma and rebirth?
The Buddha’s teaching on rebirth is uncertain. Somehow, one’s karma brings about a new life, a new combination of skandhas.
What are skandhas?
The five elements that sum up the whole of an individual’s mental and physical existence
Are there Gods in Buddhism?
The Buddha said little about the gods, who know nothing about the end of suffering.
