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
