Buddhist Beliefs Flashcards
What are the two main Buddhist Traditions?
- Mahayana
- Theravada
What is important with Theravada Buddhism?
to become a monk
Can women become fully ordained in Theravada Buddhism?
No it is reserved for them men however some women have been ordained
What is the Buddha seen as in Theravada Buddhism
The main focus of commitment. he is the guide and is an exemplar for others to follow
Is the Buddha considered to be a god in Theravada Buddhism?
NAH G
What do Theravada monks and nuns dedicate their lives too?
Reaching enlightenment, achieve nibana and following a number of rules
What rules do Theravada monks and nuns have to follow?
- not to own anything
- not to have sexual relationships
- never be offensive to anyone
What do monks and nuns focus on to reach enlightenment?
focus on meditation. this will help commitment to the eight fold path and will bring good kamma
Do Theravada Buddhists believe they can transfer kamma?
yes, they believe they can share their own good fortune and do this normally when someone has passed away so they can try and get their lost one a favourable rebirth
What do Mahayana Buddhists believe about the Buddha?
- the Buddha remains active and can influence the world
- the Buddha can be encountered through visions and meditations
What is Dharma?
- the teachings of the Buddha
- a way the universe works, like a cosmic law
What does Dharma include?
- three marks of existence
- four noble truths
- noble eightfold path
what did the buddha do with dharma?
he explained the “cosmic law” and put into words for others to understand.
Define the three marks of existence?
Three truths that all living beings have
What are the three marks of existence?
- Anicca
- Anatta
- Dukkha
What is Anicca?
Everything is impermeant. This means everything is changing, this means life is unsatisfactory.
What is Anatta?
This is the idea that there is no soul and it is not permanent, so “you” and “it” is an illusion
What is Dukkha
This is the idea that every living being suffers and it is impossible to avoid. If you exist you will suffer.
What is the dependant arising?
the idea that everything is caused by something else
Give an example of the dependant arising?
Humans rely on trees and trees rely on humans
Define the 5 skhandas
5 things Buddhists believe that makes us who we are
What are the 5 skhandas?
- physical form
- feelings
- Mental Formation
- perception
- Awareness
What is physical form? (The 5 skhandas)
Our bodies
What is feelings? (The 5 skhandas)
What we feel through our senses
What is perception? (The 5 skhandas)
How we understand/experience our feelings
What is mental formations? (The 5 skhandas)
Thinking/ coming up with ideas
What is awareness? (The 5 skhandas)
Being conscious/ aware of what is happening
What is sunyata?
Sunyata is emptiness and is the way a person separates themselves from suffering by stopping the desire for things
What did the Buddha describe sunyata to be?
a ‘void’, with no ‘rising and falling’ of emotion. it is achieved through meditation and is necessary for enlightenment
What is the main goal in Buddhism?
to reach enlightenment
How can Buddhists become enlightened?
Following the teachings of wisdom, compassion and loving kindness
what is difference with enlightenment in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism?
In Theravada Buddhism, enlightenment is a personal goal, however in Mahayana Buddhism, it is possible to help others reach enlightenment.
What can monks become after becoming enlightened in Theravada Buddhism?
An Arhat (perfected person)
What is Buddha nature in Mahayana Buddhism?
Where everyone has Buddha nature and a chance to become enlightened(not just monks) however the journey might take longer.
How do monks become arharts? (Theravada Buddhism)
by truly understanding the nature of existence, becoming enlightened and achieving nibbana(breaking samsara)
what is samsara?
the constant cycle of death and rebirth that material life is bound. When broken, nibbana is achieved
what is needed to become Arhrts?
-monks who lives in a monastery (this means women are unable to become Arharts)
what is a bodhisattava?
someone who has promised to delay their enlightenment so that they can help others
Why is being a bodhisattava considered better then an arhart?
It is motivated by love(metta) and compassion(karuna)
What are the 4 stages of becoming a bodhisattava?
1) declare the intention to delay enlightenment
2) make a vow or promise to become a bodhisattva
3) live as a bodhistavva, developing 6 perfections(charity, morality, patience, energy, meditation, wisdom)
4) become enlightened and achieve buddahood
define the 4 noble truths
teachings to end human suffering
What is the first noble truth?
Dukka - all life must involve suffering - this is as anicca causes everything to suffer
What is the second noble truth?
Tanha - dukka is caused by craving/wanting things - there are three types of craving
What are the three types of craving?
- wanting things we do not have
- wanting to be something we are not
- wanting something that is not to be
What is the third noble truth?
Nirodha - to end tanha and dukka (the first and second noble truth) - because everything changes, our desires can never be permanently satisfied. Only by stopping our cravings can we stop our suffering.
What is the forth noble truth?
Magga - we can end our tanha and our dukkha by following the noble eightfold path. The noble eightfold past will help us to develop qualities such as wisdom and concentration that will allow us to end our suffering
What is the Eightfold Path?
It is an eight path system for living in Buddhism. Each of the 8 steps is equally important, and together they help a Buddhist achieve enlightenment
Define the three fold way
A simplified version of the eightfold path
What is the three fold way?
- Meditation (Samadhi)
- Morality/ethics (Slia)
- Wisodm (Panna)
What are the eight parts to the Noble Eightfold Path?
- Right Intention
- Right View
- Right Speech
- Right actioN
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Concentration
What parts of the Noble Eightfold Path are in the division of Wisdom?
- Right Intention
- Right View
What parts of the Noble Eightfold Path are in the division of Morality?
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Livelihood
What parts of the Noble Eightfold Path are in the division of Meditation?
- Right Effort
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Concentration
What are the causes of suffering?
Craving - tanha
The Three Poisons
Why may a Buddhist believe that tanha (craving) is the cause for suffering?
as everything changes (anicca), so we can never be satisfied permanently
What are the three poisons?
- greed
- hatred
- ignorance
Why may a Buddhist believe that the three poisons cause suffering?
As Buddhists believe that when these are fully overcome, we have reached enlightenment. This leads Buddhists away from these actions.
What is Karuna?
Compassion - without wisdom, it can lead to harmful actions
What is Metta?
Loving Kindness - this is developed through meditation
What are the 5 precepts?
- do not harm any living being
- do not take that which isn’t given
- Avoid sexual misconduct
- do not use false speech
- avoid intoxicants
What are the six perfections?
These are six things Bodhisttavas try to perfect
- generosity
- morality
- patience
- effort
- meditation
- wisdom
Who is the demon in the story of the Buddha?
mara
What 4 stages did Siddarta go through to become enlightened?
1) He thought about his past lives
2) Understood the dependent arising
3) Realised the causes of suffering
4) Achieved nibbana - a complete sense of peace
What is an acronym for the eightfold path
VISA-LEMC
What are the three jewls?
- Buddha
- Dahma
- Sangha - the comunity
