Buddhist beliefs Flashcards
How long ago was Buddha born?
2500 years ago
What are three beliefs about his birth?
Before he was born, his mother dreamt of a white elephant saying her son would be holy
When he was born he could talk-declared it would be his last rebirth
Fortune teller said he would be a great ruler or a holy man
What are the 4 sights?
Death- Anatta
Old age- Anicca
Sickness- Dukkha
Holy man- Inspiration
Why did Buddha leave his ascetic lifestyle?
Learnt it was ineffective and was not helping him achieve enlightenment, he learned he had to live the middle way
What are the three watches of the night?
1- gained knowledge of previous lives
2- understood karma and samsara
3- understood reason for suffering was attachment and craving
What are the three marks of existence? And what teaching links to each
Anicca- everything changes- Anicca causes Dukkha- Kisa Gotami
Anatta- no fixed self/soul- the 5 aggregates
Dukkha- suffering- 7 states of suffering
What are the 7 states of suffering
-Birth
-Old age
-Sickness
-Death
-Separation from loved ones
-Contact with something you dislike
-Not beings able to have what you want
What are the 4 noble truths?
Dukkha- suffering
Samudaya- the cause of suffering
Nirodha- the end of suffering
Magga- the path leading to the end
of suffering
What makes up the eightfold path?
Right view
Right intention
Right speech
Right action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right concentration
What is the teaching of dependant arising?
Teaches that everything depends on other conditions and nothing is permanent- for example karma
What is the Dhamma?
The Buddhas teachings, his way of life, and one of the three refuges
What are the 5 aggregates?
Form- our body
Sensation- our feelings
Perception- how we interpret things
Mental formation- our thoughts
Consciousness- our awareness
What are three contrasting beliefs between therevada and Mahayana Buddhism?
Therevada- goal is to become an arhat as apposed to a boddhisatva
Therevada- main focus is on the three refuges as apposed to the 6 perfections
Mahayana- anyone can be enlightened as apposed to needing to be a monk to reach enlightenment
What is pure land Buddhism?
Main form in Japan
Based on faith in Amitabha Buddha
He created a perfect paradise where pure land Buddhist hope to be reborn
It offers perfect conditions for enlightenment, it is a paradise
What ways can you reach the pure land?
Reciting
Meditation
Worshiping
Making offerings
Chanting
