Buddhist Beliefs and Teachings Flashcards
Key events of the Birth of the Buddha
- The White Elephant
- The Sala Tree
- The 7 Steps
- The Prophecy
- The Lotus Flower
The White Elephant
Greeted Queen Mya (Buddha’s mother) in her dream.
A symbol of greatness and rarity.
The Sala Tree
Bent down for Queen Mya. Symbolises hope, patience and being “fully awakened”
The 7 Steps
Buddha took 7 steps in 4 directions when he was born.
Symbolises 6 levels of suffering and the 7th shows we can overcome it.
The Prophecy
A prophecy was made the he would either be a great king or a great leader.
The Lotus Flower
Pink Lotus is reserved for the highest being - Buddha.
The 4 Sights
- Death
- Old age
- Sickness
- Holy man
Buddha’s Ascetic Life
To avoid any forms of luxury or indulgence.
Advantages of Buddha’s Ascetic Life
- He learnt self control and discipline.
- Conquered fear, desire and disgust.
- Stress free
- He was able to reach advanced levels of meditation.
Disadvantages of Buddha’s Ascetic Life
- Hallucinations due to deprivation
- Poor physical health
- Didn’t help him find truth
Buddha’s Enlightenment
Buddha sat near a tree and meditated for 46 days. Then, he was visited by Mara who tried to distract him in 4 ways:
- Got his daughters to try seduce him
- Tried to attack Buddha with his army
- Offered Buddha control of his kingdom
- Tried to make Buddha doubtful of his worthiness of enlightenment.
Buddha’s Enlightenment Quote
“I have conquered all; I know all and my life is pure.”
The 3 Jewels
- Buddha
- Dhamma
- Sangha
The Buddha
The founder. “Doctor”
The Dhamma
The Buddha’s teachings.
“Medicine”
The Sangha
The community
“People who help you take the medicine”
Dependant Arising
- Nothing is eternal
- All things depend on certain conditions to survive.
Dependant Arising Quote
“When this is, that is… From the arising of this comes the arising of that”
Three Marks of Existence
- Dukkha
- Annica
- Anatta
Dukkha
Suffering
Anicca
Impermanence
Anatta
No fixed self/soul
The 4 Noble Truths
- Dukkha
- Tanha
- Nirodha
- Magga
Dukkha
Suffering
Tanha
Craving - the cause of suffering
Nirodha
The end of suffering
Magga
The cure to suffering
Arhat
- Theravada
- Goal is to reach enlightenment and leave Samsara.
- Do this by overcoming following the Noble Eightfold Path
Arhat Quote
“I have no teacher, no one like me exists in the world. I am the Teacher Supreme, I alone am the Fully Enlightened One.”
Bodhisattva
- Mahayana
- Stay in samsara to help others reach enlightenment
- Follow 6 Perfections
Bodhisattva Quote
“However innumerable sentient beings are; I vow to save them”
Sukhavati
The perfect paradise in Pure Land Buddhism
Pure Land Buddhism
- Buddha (Amitabha) created a perfect paradise when he reached enlightenment.
- In Sukhavati, they are taught be Amitabha and there is no dukkha.
- They worship by reading scriptures, making offerings to Amitabha and chanting his name.
