Buddhist Beliefs And Teachings Flashcards
What did Queen Maya (Buddha’s Mum) see
A white elephant which told her she would give birth to someone holy.
What happened when the Buddha was born and what did he say
He took 7 steps out of suffering and then he said, ‘No further rebirths have I to endure for this is my last’
What were the Buddhas 4 sights
Old man
Sick man
Dead man
Holy Man (where he felt inspired to leave the palace in order to find the answer for suffering
What is an ascetic life
A life that simple and strict
Why did the Buddha live an ascetic life
he rejected all pleasures and started to fast and lie on thorns to try find the answer to suffering. However this didn’t work as he became weak and unable to fast a woman saw this and offered him a bowl of milk. He accepted this as he knew living an ascetic life wasn’t getting him closer to the answer to suffering, which is why he developed the middle way (between 2 extremes)
What did Mara do to the Buddha
He tempted him using his daughters to seduce him, armies to attack him, he offered the Buddha parts of his kingdom. However, the Buddha resisted all these temptations, which resulted in him becoming enlightened.
What are the three watches of the nights
This is what the Buddha saw on the night of his enlightenment.
Gained knowledge of his previous lives
Understood the wheel of samsara
He understood how to overcome suffering
What is the Dhamma
These are the Buddha’s teachings that help reach enlightenment
What us Dependent Arising
This is the idea that everything is dependent on eachother
What is an example of Dependent Arising
Is the world Buddhists are born into depends on there kamma
What is Tanha
This is craving having to much of this means you can’t reach nibbana.
What is Nibbana
A state of peace
What are the three marks of existence and what do they mean
Dukkha - suffering
Anicca (Kisa Gotami) - impermanence as people who think nothing changes end up having a lot of Tanha. When it does change it results in Dukkha.
Anatta - no fixed self or soul. This is shown through the Nagasena and Chariot analogy.
What is the story of Kisa Gotami
This shows Anicca because the Buddha told Gotami to find a mustard seed from a house that didn’t experience suffering/death. However, this was impossible showing suffering is inevitable.
What is the Nagasena and Chariot analogy
This shows that people are made up from multiple parts like a chariot. These parts are the five aggregates.
What are the 5 Aggregates
Form
Sensations
Perception
Mental Formation
Consciousness
These all change meaning there is non fixed self (Anatta)
What are the 4 Noble Truths and What do they show
The existence Of Suffering - here the Buddha teaches everything is impermanent
The causes of suffering - here the Buddha teaches Dukkha is caused by Tanha
The end of suffering - the Buddha taught that Dukkha can be ended by ending Tanha and understanding the 3 marks of existence.
Cure for suffering - the Buddha made the 8 Fold Path and said that following this is the cure for suffering.
What is the 8 Fold Path
Wisdom-
Right Intention
Right Understanding
Ethics-
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Speech
Meditation-
Right Mindfulness
Right Consciousness
Right Effort
What is Therevada Buddhism
This is the school of the elders and mainly focuses on the 8 fold path.
They believe you have to be a monk or nun to be enlightened.
They believe you can transfer good merit.
WANT TO BECOME AN ARHAT
What is Mahayana Buddhism
They include Pureland and Zen Buddhism.
They believe in Sunyata (Emptiness)
They believe everyone has the Buddha nature in them.
WANT TO BECOME A BODHISATTVA
What is an Arhat
A perfect person in Theravada Buddhism that will not be born again into the wheel of samsara.
What is a Bodhisattva
This is somebody who has been enlightened in Mahayana Buddhism, however, they stay in the wheel of samsara to help others and show Karuna.
What are the 6 Perfections (MEG WMP)
Morality
Energy
Generosity
Wisdom
Meditation
Patience
What is Pure Land Buddhism
They believe in the Amitabha Buddha.
And they also believe chanting the Buddha’s name will get them into Pure Land.
