Buddhism Theme 2A - Zen Buddhism Flashcards
Zen Buddhism is said to have started with what?
The flower sermon
What is Madhyamaka Philosophy?
The philosophical school associated with Nagarjuna
What is the key teaching of Madhyamaka Philosophy?
Sunyata
What is sunyata?
Emptiness
How did Nagarjuna answer the question, ‘Do objects exist?’
He could not simply answer it, yes is too definite and no is too negative. He suggested that things neither exist or not exist, they are sunyata
For nagarjuna, this magga view of sunyata applied to what as well?
Samsara and Nirvana
Nagarjuna believed that Nirvana was seeing Samsara as what?
as it really is, empty
When was the Yogacara School founded
4th century by Asanga and his brother
Why did Yogacara criticise Madhyamaka?
for being too negative and suggesting that things don’t truly exist, instead argued that objects are mental constructions
Why did Yogacara criticise Madhyamaka?
for being too negative and suggesting that things don’t truly exist, instead argued that objects are mental constructions
What did Asanga believe?
That the universe appears to be made up of billions of beings and objects, but this is only an appearance
Yogacara school suggests that we have two different what?
Conciousnesses
The debate between Madhyamaka and Yogacara has continued over the last_____ years
1600
Ma-tu believed that Zen masters should use any method they wanted to help their students achieve enlightenment, what method would he use?
He would punch, kick and beat his students
How was Buddhism exported to Japan?
Via Korea
Early Buddhism in japan was seen as a supplement to what?
Shinto beliefs
What is the first Buddhist school developed in Japan/
Tendai
What did Tendai accept?
Main Mahayana doctrines
Pure Land Buddhism developed a what type of Buddhism?
devotional form
Nicheren Buddhism was a reaction to what?
Pure Land
Who was Master Esai?
Tendai monk that took the Rinazi school of Buddhism over to Japan
Who was master Dogan?
Tendai monk that brought over brought back to Japan the teachings and created soto school
What did Christmas Humphreys say about Zen?
‘Zen is a subject extremely easy to misunderstand’
Zen is not something that can be what?
not a concept that can be described in words
What is the essence of Zen?
All human beings are Buddha and all they have todo is discover that truth for themselves
What is the first step of Zen?
To control the mind through meditation
What is Zen about?
Intuitive understanding, not on philospohy
Why is to be a human being is to be a Buddha?
Buddha nature is just another name for human nature
Zen tries to free the mind from the slavery of what?
words and constriction of knowledge
Rinazi Zen is marked by the emphasis it places on what?
Kensho (seeing one’s nature)
What does Zen training focus on?
Zazen, koan and samu
Rinazi school is known for what?
Rigor and severity of its training
Pure Land offers a way to enlightenment for people who cant what?
handle subtleties of meditation or endure long rituals
What is the essential practice in Pure Land
Chanting of the name Amitabha Buddha with total concentration, trusting that one will be reborn in the Pure Land
Why was Pure Land so popular in China?
Simplicity of the practice, imagery of ‘mappo’ may have struck a chord with people living in tumultuous times of warfare
When did Pure Land become popular in Japan?
Took off in Japan when monk Honen simplified the teachings and practices
What did Honen say was needed to be said that would make someone attain birth in the Pure Land?
‘Namu amida Butsu’
What is Nembutsu?
Concentration on Buddha and his virtues, or recitation of the Buddha’s name
What Pure Land scriptures are there?
Infinite Life Sutra, Amitabha Sutra and The Contemplation Sutra
What idea to Shin Buddhists not accept?
that beings can earn merits for themselves by their own acts
Pure Land Buddhism rests on what is known as what?
The Tripod
What are the Three parts of the Tripod?
Practice, Aspiration, Fsith
