Buddhist Beliefs 1️⃣✅ Flashcards
What are the 4 sights?
D ead man
O ld man
S ick man
H oly man
What is the prophecy revolving around the future of the Siddhartha?
That he would either grow up to be a great king or a holy man
What does the name Siddhartha mean?
Perfect fulfilment - foreshadowing his Buddha journey
How was Siddhartha born?
He was born out of his mother side and when he was born he walked 7 steps & with every step a lotus flower sprung up from the earth.
What is the dream of the white elephant?
Queen Maya, Siddhartha’s mother dreamt that a white elephant with 6 tusks entered her side and then her womb. This dream was interpreted to mean that she had conceived a child that would become a great king or a holy man.
How was Siddhartha’s upbringing?
Siddhartha’s father, the king kept in mind the prophecy and was determined that his son would follow in his footsteps and made sure to give Siddhartha everything and prevent him from feeling any pain, sadness, disappointment or suffering in hopes he wouldn’t need to seek religion and become holy. He assumed if his son became attached to a life of luxury he wouldn’t want to leave the palace.
What was Siddhartha’s experience when living as an ascetic?
He ate one grain of rice a day and learned how to meditate.
Why did Siddhartha leave the ascetics?
He left them because he soon realised that starving himself on one grain of rice a day was leading him to suffer (dukkha) which would take him further away from the middle way & enlightenment.
Who tried to tempt Siddhartha out of meditation?
Its said that Mara (the equivalent of the devil in Buddhism) would attempt to distract the him from meditation by sending his daughters to tempt him.
How did Siddhartha eventually become enlightened and become the ‘Buddha’?
After living the 2 extremes, ascetism and living in a palace he realised neither had given him real answers. This lead him to develop the middle way - this soon lead him to reach enlightenment.
What happened on the 1st watch of the night?
During the first watch, the Buddha gained knowledge of his previous lives
What happened on the 2nd watch of the night?
During the second watch, the Buddha understood the wheel of samsara & karma
What happened on the 3rd watch of the night?
During the third watch, the Buddha understood the cause of suffering
What were the 3 watches of the night?
The three realisations that the Buddha made in order to achieve enlightenment
What is enlightenment?
Enlightenment is gaining freedom of the endless cycle of rebirth and becoming aware of all karma and suffering.