Buddhist Beliefs Flashcards
What are 2 beliefs about Siddharta Gautama’s birth
He could immediately walk and talk
He walked 7 steps and lotus flowers appeared beneath his feet
What prophecy was given about SG to his father
He would become a great king but if he saw suffering then he would become a holy man
What were the four sights
Sick man, old man, dead man, holy man
What does living as an ascetic involve
Living in dangerous and hostile forests
Sleeping on a bed of thorns
Eating just enough to stay alive
Why did SG stop living as an ascetic after 6 years
He was too weak to meditate effectively
He learnt discipline and willpower but not the answer to suffering
Decided to follow the middle way
What is Mara (demon representing self-doubt) send to distract SG
Control of his kingdom
Beautiful daughters to seduce him
What 3 things did SG realise during he night of his enlightenment (the 3 watches of the night)
Knowledge of his previous lives, cycle of samsara + how karma worked + anatta, suffering occurs due to attachment and it can be overcome
How did SG get the earth to witness his enlightenment
He touched the earth and it shook at acknowledge it
What does dharma mean
The teachings of the Buddha
Name the 3 jewels
Buddha Dharma Sangha
(Buddha, teachings, community)
What is dependant arising
Everything arises, and continues, dependant upon certain conditions. Nothing is permanent
What is depicted on the Tibetan Wheel of Life
The 3 poisons
What is Dukkha
Suffering in life is inevitable
What is anicca
Impermanence
What is anatta
Impermanence of self
Quote on Dukkha
“All conditional existence is unsatisfying” (Buddha)
Quote on Anicca
“Nothing is permanent… in the whole of existence” (Rahula)
Quote on Anatta
“What we call ‘I’, or ‘being’, is only a combination of physical and mental experiences” (Buddha)
What are the 7 stages of suffering
Birth, old age, sickness, death, separation from something you love (lamentation), cruelty, one’s wishes
What are the different types of Dukkha
Dukkha-dukkhata: physical and emotional pain
Viparinama-dukkha: nothing is permanent
Samkhara-dukkha: attactchment
What parable teaches about anicca and dukkha
The Parable of the Mustard Seeds
Name the 5 aggregates/ skhandas (Theravada Buddhism)
Form, sensation, perception, mental formations, consciousness
What is sunyata (Mahayana Buddhism)
Nothing exists independently
What are the Four Noble Truths
Dukkha- suffering exists
Samudhaya- suffering has a cause
Nirodha- suffering can be overcome
Magga- the way to overcome suffering (N8FP)
