Buddhist Beliefs Flashcards
What is an Arhat
A “perfected person” (Theravada Buddhism)
What happens when someone becomes an arhat?
They are finally free from the suffering of existence in the cycle of birth & death
They are no longer reborn when they die
How do you become an arhat?
Achieved by following the Eightfold Path and concentrating on wisdom, morality and meditation
What is Bodhisattva?
Someone who sees their own enlightenment as being bound up with the enlightenment of all beings
Out of compassion they remain in the cycle of samsara in order to help others achieve enlightenment (Mahayana Buddhism)
What 6 attributes must a person achieve in order to become a bodhisattva?
Generosity Patience Morality Energy Meditation Wisdom
Briefly describe the birth of the Buddha
Queen Maya dreamt about white elephant from heaven
Elephant told her she’d give birth to holy child
10months later, stopped in Lumbini Gardens
Gave birth to Siddartha
He took 7 steps taking a lotus flower with every step and spoke
A prophecy was made - Siddartha would be king or a revered holy man
What kind of a life did Siddartha live?
Very protected life full of luxury in order not to experience pain, sadness, disappointment or suffering as he would not need to turn to religion and become a holy man (his father hoped)
What happened when Siddartha decided to leave the palace?
He came across 4 sights 1) old age 2) illness 3) death 4) holy man This encounter is thought to be the beginning of Siddartha's quest to find out why people suffer and how to stop it.
What 3 things did Siddartha try in order to resolve the problem of suffering?
1) to be an ascetic (live in self-discipline)
2) meditation
3) fasting
Why was ascetic life not successful?
Siddartha was too weak to do anything and no closer to finding out the truth to pain and suffering
What are the 3 marks of existence?
1) Dukkha - suffering
2) Annica - impermanence
3) Anattar - no permanent fixed soul/self
What are the 4 noble truths?
The four truths that the Buddha taught about suffering
1) Dukkha - truth of suffering
2) Samudaya - truth of cause of suffering
3) Nirodha - truth of end of suffering
4) Magga - truth of path leading to end of suffering
What are the three poisons?
At the centre of Tibetan Wheel of Life there are three animals that represent different tendencies
1) pig - ignorance
2) cockerel - greed/desire
3) snake - anger/hatred
What is nibanna?
A state of complete enlightenment, happiness and peace
What is the Eightfold Path?
Eight aspects that Buddhists practice and live by in order to achieve enlightenment
What are the eight aspects to the Eightfold Path?
1) right speech
2) right action
3) right livelihood
4) right effort
5) right mindfulness
6) right concentration
7) right understanding
8) right intention
What is Theravada Buddhism?
“The school of the elders”
An ancient Buddhist tradition found in Southern Asia
What is Mahayana Buddhism?
An umbrella term to describe some later Buddhist traditions, including Pure Land Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Zen Buddhism
What are the 5 Aggregates?
Sensation, perception, mental formations, consciousness and form
What is tanha?
The end of craving
What are the five moral precepts?
Not to kill Refrain from stealing Refrain from wrongful sexual activity Refrain from lying Refrain from taking drugs/alcohol
What is metta?
Loving kindness
A pure love which is not possessive and does not seek to gain
What is kamma?
Literally ‘action’
Deliberate actions that affect the believer’s circumstances in this and future lives; cause and effect
Buddhist teachings
“May they be happy. May they be well. May they be safe. May they be peaceful.”
“Cultivate…loving kindness towards the whole world.”
