Buddhist Beliefs Flashcards
The Buddha
The “awakened one” who truly understands the nature of reality
Buddhist texts
Buddhacarita, Jataka 075 and the Pali Canon
Name of the Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama
Siddhartha Gautama’s birth:
-He was born without causing pain to his mother
-He could walk after birth
-Prophesised to either be a great king or religious leader
Siddhartha Gautama’s life of luxury:
-Showered in gifts (gold, silver, animals)
-Spent all his time inside the palace being looked after by women
Name the four sights
-Illness
-Old age
-Death
-A holy man
What might the 1st sight have shown Siddhartha
Everybody suffers due to illness
What might the 2nd sight have shown Siddhartha
Everybody becomes old/youth does not last forever
What might the 3rd sight have shown Siddhartha
Physical life on Earth (in its current form) is not everlasting
What did the holy man encourage Siddhartha to do?
Leave his life of luxury and search for enlightenment
Ascetic
A life of self discipline
Why did Siddhartha leave his life of pleasures?
To focus on spirituality and reach enlightenment
Siddhartha’s ascetic life:
-He had little food (he even changed colour)
-He met many teachers who taught him him important practices
Why did Siddhartha abandon his ascetic life?
Extreme luxury, nor extreme poverty helped him achieve spiritual goals. He discovered the middle way.
Siddhartha’s Enlightenment:
-He undertook meditation to overcome temptation from the demon Mara
-He gained knowledge of his rebirth, the realms of rebirth and the destruction of ignorance
How does the Buddha’s birth influence Buddhists today
-Pilgrimage to Lumbini (Buddha’s birth site)
-Celebrate festivals such as Wesak (Buddha day)
How do the four sights influence Buddhists today
-Buddhists actively help reduce dukka in the world (e.g. volounteering)
-Engage in practices (Vipassana/Samatha meditation)
How does the Buddha’s life of luxury influence Buddhists today
-They do not strive to become extremely wealthy
-They will live a life guided by the principle of the Middle Way
How does the Buddha’s ascetic life influence Buddhists today
-Buddhists believe they should live a lifestyle by the Middle Way
-They engage in Buddhist practices (Vipassana/Samatha meditation)
How does the Buddha’s enlightenment influence Buddhists today
Pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya (where Buddha was enlightened)
Celebrate festivals such as Wesak (Buddha Day)
What (not name) are the Three Marks of Existence
The teachings of the Buddha that characterise all things and the way they exist
Name the Three Marks of Existence
-Dukkha
-Anicca
-Anatta
Dukkha (three marks of existence)
Suffering or dissatisfaction with life
What does Dukkha influence Buddhists to do
-Develop resilience (parable of the mustard seed teaches that suffering is a Universal condition for all)
-Respond to suffering (support a charity)
-Develop the qualities of compassion and wisdom
What are the three types of dukkha
-Dukkha-dukkhata
-Viparinama-dukkha
Samkhara-dukkha
What is dukkha-dukkhata
Arises from physical or mental pain (injury or separation)
What is viparinama-dukkha
Arises from impermanence (clouds on a sunny day or growing old)
What is samkhara-dukkha
Arises from dissatisfaction with life (unhappiness due to change or craving the impossible)
Anicca
Impermanence, everything is constantly changing
What does anicca influence Buddhists to do
-Stay away from materialism (they accept material goods may be necessary, but attachment to them cannot bring fulfilment)
-Puja practices (Buddhists may use a flower to remind them of the changing nature of life)
What does anicca affect
-All living things (a seed will become a tree)
-All non-living things (a rust-free nail will turn to rust)
-Our minds (our thoughts, feelings and morals)
Anatta
There is no fixed self or soul. There is no aspect of the human personality that remains constant or lives forever.
What does anatta influence Buddhists to do
-Have eschatological beliefs and practices (belief in rebirth, not reincarnation or resurrection)
-Perform death rites to highlight the empty nature of the material body
Eschatological belief
A belief in life after death
Chariot anthology to explain anatta
-The monk Nagasena explained to King Milinda that a chariot is merely a collection of parts that come together
-There is nothing separate or independent known as the chariot: its existence is empty (sunyata)
-This is the same for people
What is Dependent Arising known as in the Pali Canon
Paticcasamupada
What is dependent arising
-The idea that all things exist because of other things
-Highlights the interconnectedness of reality (everything is affected by something else)
-Nothing is permanent and unchanging
Example of dependent arising
The rain exists because of the clouds
How does Dependent Arising influence Buddhists
-They will conduct themselves with Metta and karuna because of the consequences of positive action (donating to charity)
-More ecologically aware because they consider the impact of environmental damage (deforestation, non-renewable resources)
Metta
Loving-kindness
Karuna
Compassion
The different meanings of Dhamma
-The full collection of the Buddha’s teachings
-The truth about the nature of existence (understood by Buddha after enlightenment)
-The path of training recommended by the Buddha
-The universal law (an explanation of how things are)
What are the Three Refuges
-The things used by Buddhists to help them relieve suffering
-They give life purpose and satisfaction
Name the three refuges
-Buddha
-Dhamma
-Sangha
Buddha (three refuges)
-The awakened one
-A role model (behaviour should be copied)
-A respected figure (should be shown devotion to)
Dhamma (three refuges)
-A collection of teachings
-A guide for living (e.g. ethical conduct)
-A guide for practice (e.g. ritual)
Sangha
-A community that follows the Dhamma
-Monastic community, involved in training and learning
-A community of those enlightened
-Sangha can refer to lay and monastic Buddhist communities today
Lay Buddhist
Household Buddhist
Monastic Buddhist
Monk/nun
What happened after Buddha died
-500 enlightened monks formed a council to agree on the codes the monastic Sangha should follow
-In time, different groups interpreted the Buddha’s teachings differently
How did different Buddhist schools form
Disagreements in how Buddha’s teachings should be interpreted and therefore practiced.
The main Buddhist schools
-Theravada
-Mahayana
-Vajrayana
Countries of Theravada Buddhism
-Myanmar
-Laos
-Thailand
-Cambodia
-Sri Lanka
Countries of Mahayana Buddhism
-Mongolia
-China
-South Korea
-Japan
-Vietnam
Countries of Vajrayana Buddhism
-Tibet
-Nepal
Overlap and divisions in Buddhist schools
-Many similarities between Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism
-Divisions within each school (one division of Vajrayana Buddhism is Tibetan)
-Mahayana Buddhism is an umbrella term for traditions (Pure Land, Zen and Nichiren Buddhism)
Theravada views on the Buddha
-A historical figure
-No longer possible to interact with him
Theravada important scripture
Pali Canon
Theravada on human personality
Five Aggregates
Theravada on human destiny
Arhat
Mahayana views on the Buddha
-A divine figure
-Active and can be interacted with in the world today
Mahayana important scriptures
Lotus Sutra (and other sutras)
Mahayana on the human personality
-Sunyata
-Buddha-nature
-Buddhahood
Mahayana on human destiny
Bodhisattva
Human personality
What makes a human
What are the Five Aggregates
The five aspects that interact with each other to make a human’s personality
Name the five aggregates
-Conciousness
-Mental formations
-Perception
-Sensation
-Form
Consciousness
People’s awareness of the world around them
Mental formations
People’s thoughts and opinions (likes, dislikes, attitudes)
Perception
How people recognise what things are based on previous experience (recognising a car because they’ve seen one before)
Sensation
Feelings that occur when someone comes into contact with things (pain when breaking a bone)
Form
Material/physical objects (organs, bones)
Sunyata
-Emptiness
-Nothing, including humans has a fixed, unchanging nature or personality. Everything exists because of other things
Quote about sunyata
“Form is emptiness and emptiness is form”
Buddha-nature
Everyone has the seed or essence of a Buddha inside of them
Example of Buddha-nature
Zen Buddhist Master Huineng said that Buddha nature is obscured by ignorance like the moon by the clouds
Buddhahood
When someone becomes a Buddha by achieving enlightenment
Human destiny
The goal of a human’s life
Arhat
-A perfected person or worthy one
-They have overcome the main cause of suffering and achieved enlightenment
Bodhisattva
-Someone who has become enlightened
-Out of compassion choose to help others achieve enlightenment
Arhat after death
-Not reborn
-Escape the cycle of samsara
-Attain nibbana
Bodhisattva after death
-Reborn
-Earthly Bodhisattvas enter back into the world of samsara to help others
-Transcendent Bodhisattvas remain between Earth and nibbana (spiritual beings who appear and are active in the world to help others achieve enlightenment)
Arhat in other schools
Sometimes used by Mahayana to refer to somebody far along the path of enlightenment
Bodhisattva in other schools
Sometimes used by Theravada to refer to someone along the path of enlightenment
Arhat examples
-Suddhodana
-Kaundinya
Suddhodana
Buddha’s father
Kaundinya
One of the five earliest Buddhist monks
Boddhisattva examples
-Avalokiteshvara
-Manjushri
Avalokiteshvara
Bodhisattva of compassion
Manjushri
Bodhisattva of wisdom
What are the six perfections
The things an individual must obtain to become a Bodhisattva
Name the six perfections
-Generosity
-Morality
-Energy
-Wisdom
-Meditation
-Patience
Generosity
To be charitable
Morality
To behave ethically
Energy
To persevere in practising the Boddhisattva vow when things get difficult
Wisdom
To try to understand the true nature of reality
Meditation (six perfections)
To develop concentration and awareness
Patience
To be patient in all activities
Main type of Buddhism in Japan
Pure Land Buddhism
Who is pure land Buddhism based on
Amitabha Buddha
Amitabha Buddha
A king who gave up his throne and achieved enlightenment. He created sukhavati.
Sukhavati
-The pure land Amitabha created after enlightenment
-Free of dukkha
Why do pure land Buddhists want to be reborn into sukhavati
There is a higher chance of obtaining Buddhahood there
What are the five practices of pure land Buddhists
-Reciting scriptures
-Worshiping Amitabha
-Meditating on Amitabha
-Making praise and offerings to Amitabha
-Chanting the name of Amitabha (most important)
What are the four noble truths
A set of truths of the Universe which focus on the issue of suffering and how it can be reduced or eliminated
What is the Buddha’s teaching of the four noble truths at his first sermon known as
Setting in motion the Wheel of Dhamma
Name the four noble truths
-Dukkha
-Samudaya
-Nirodha
-Magga
Dukkha (noble truths)
There is suffering
Samudaya
There is a cause of suffering
Nirodha
There is a way to end suffering
Magga
The way to end suffering is the Eightfold Path
Tanha
Craving
What causes suffering?
Tanha/the three poisons
Name the three poisons
-Ignorance
-Greed and desire
-Anger and hatred
Examples of ignorance
-Thinking material possessions bring pleasure
-Not knowing wisdom leads to enlightenment
Examples of greed and desire
-Wealth
-Power
Examples of anger and hatred
-Discrimination
-War
Name the three wholesomes
-Wisdom
-Giving
-Loving-kindness
The goal of Buddhists
Enlightenment
What is Nibbana
-Overcoming ignorance (realise the nature of reality)
-No longer feeling greed and desire (inner satisfaction and appreciation)
-No longer feeling anger and hatred (instead you feel metta and karuna to all beings)
Nibbana with remainder
When a Buddhist realises nibbana during this life
Nibbana with remainder features
-The physical body remains
-Continues to live and be conscious in this world
-A different stage of consciousness is attained
Nibbana without remainder
When a Buddhist realises Nibbana after this life
Nibbana without remainder features
-The physical body dies
-The Buddhist leaves this world
Eightfold Path
The eight practices a Buddhist can undertake to overcome suffering and realise nibbana
Name the threefold way
-Panna
-Sila
-Samadhi
Panna
Wisdom
Sila
Ethics
Samadhi
Meditation
What comes under panna
-Right understanding
-Right intention
What comes under sila
-Right speech
-Right action
-Right livelihood
What comes under samadhi
-Right effort
-Right mindfulness
-Right concentration
Right livelihood
Earning a living by not harming others (do not engage in exploitation)
Right effort
Engaging and attempting Buddhist practice (samatha meditation)
Right mindfulness
Having an awareness of the world and yourself (knowing your own feelings and thoughts)
Right concentration
Developing a focus (Vipassana meditation)
Right understanding
Knowledge of the Buddha’s teaching (Four Noble Truths)
Right Intention
Having the right outlook and attitude (a determination to follow the eightfold path)
Right speech
Speaking truthfully and positively (avoid telling lies)
Right action
Behaving in a way that reduces suffering and promotes peace (avoid violence and harming others)
Quotation about the Buddha’s birth
“I was delicately nurtured at my father’s residence. Lotus ponds were made just for my enjoyment.”
Quotation about The Buddha’s ascetic life
“And the Bodhisattva himself, who was determined to practice austerities in the most extreme began to subsist on one grain of rice a day.”
Quotation about The Buddha’s enlightenment
“Let only my sin, sinews and bone remain and let the flesh and blood in my body dry up until I obtain enlightenment.”
Quotation about the Dhamma 1
“My teaching is not a philosophy. It is the result of direct experience.”
Quotation about Dependent Arising
“All events and incidents in life are so intimately linked with the fate of others that a single person cannot begin to act.”
Quotation on Dukkha
“What I teach is suffering and the cessation of suffering.”
Quotation on Anatta
“If all the harm, fear and suffering in the world occur due to grasping on to the self, what use is that great demon to me?”
Quotation on Bodhisattva (teacher)
“I have no teacher and no-one like me, I am the teacher supreme.”
Pure land Buddhism quotation
“Even a bad man will be received in Buddha’s land, how much more a good man?”
Quotation about the Dhamma 2
“To the Buddha for refuge I go. To the Dhamma for refuge I go.”
Quotation on Buddhisattva (saviour)
“However innumerable sentient beings are, I vow to save them.”
Quotation on the first noble truth 1
“Now this, is the noble truth of suffering. Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering and death is suffering.”
Quotation on the first noble truth 2
“The ignorant person says, I’m suffering. I don’t want to suffer. The first noble truth is not, I am suffering and I want to end it. It is there is suffering.”
Quotation on the second noble truth
“The second noble truth is the origin of suffering. It is craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust.”
Quotation on the third noble truth
“The truth of the cessation of suffering, it is the remainder-less fading away and cessation of that same craving.”
Quotation on all four noble truths
“But if anyone goes to the Buddha, the doctrine and the order as a refuge he perceives with proper knowledge the four noble truths.”
Samatha Meditation
Focusing the mind on something
Vipassana Meditation
Insight meditation
