Buddhist Practices Flashcards
What is a gompa?
A hall or building where Tibetan Buddhists meditate
What is a temple?
A place where Buddhists come together to practice
What are the features of a temple?
• A main hall or building where Buddhists practice together, containing a statue of the Buddha
• A meditation hall or building, a quiet space for meditation
• A study hall or building for meetings and lectures
• A shrine or multiple shrines dedicated to the Buddha
• A pagoda or stupa
What is a stupa?
A small building in a monastery that sometimes contains holy relics
What is a rupa?
A statue of Buddha, often sitting cross-legged in a meditation pose
What is a vihara?
Buddhist monastery, where monks and nuns live
What is a shrine?
An area with a statue of a Buddha or Bodhisattva, providing a focal point for meditation and devotion
What three things do Buddhists offer at shrines?
• Candles
• Flowers
• Incense
What do candles on shrines signify?
Wisdom, as the light drives away the darkness of ignorance
What do flowers on shrines signify?
Annica (impermanence), as they will eventually wilt and decay
What does incense on shrines signify?
Purity, reminding Buddhists to practice pure thoughts, speech, and conduct
What is the purpose of Buddhist worship?
To express gratitude and respect for the Buddha and his teachings
What are some ways that Buddhists worship?
Meditation, chanting, making offerings, reciting mantras, and bowing
What is puja?
The act of worship
What do Buddhists chant and why?
They chant sacred texts, such as the five moral precepts, to increase receptivity to the Buddha
What is a mantra and why is it chanted?
A sequence of sacred syllables that are repeatedly chanted; believed to have transformative powers and to focus the mind
What is a mala?
Prayer beads used to count the number of recitations in a mantra
What do Buddhists do before meditation?
They recite verses praising the three refuges
What is the purpose of meditation?
To develop a still, calm, and focused mind, gaining greater understanding and awareness of the Buddha’s teachings
Which type of Buddhists practice Samatha meditation?
Theravada Buddhists
What is Samatha meditation?
‘Calming meditation’; a type of meditation that calms the mind and develops concentration
What is the purpose of Samatha meditation?
To focus on one object to develop a calm, concentrated mind, often seen as preparation for Vipassana meditation
Which type of Buddhist practices Vipassana meditation?
Theravada Buddhists
What is Vipassana meditation?
A meditation practice that develops understanding of the nature of reality
What is the difference between Vipassana and Samatha meditation?
Samatha focuses on a neutral object (like a candle flame), while Vipassana explores various things objectively
Who practices Zazen meditation?
Zen Buddhists
What is the purpose of Zazen meditation?
To gain a deeper understanding of the nature of reality
What is visualization?
A meditation practice where the meditator visualizes an object in their mind in great detail, examining its qualities
What is a thangka?
A detailed painting of a Buddha or Bodhisattva
What is a mandala?
An intricate, circle-shaped pattern used for meditation
What is deity visualization?
Visualizing not a god, but someone enlightened, including their physical self and qualities
Some Buddhas or Bodhisattvas that a Buddhist might focus on include:
• The ‘Medicine Buddha’ (related to healing)
• Avalokiteshvara (related to compassion)
• Buddha Amitabha (for Pure Land Buddhists)
What are mandalas and their significance?
Mandalas are paintings made of colored sand that, when completed, are wiped away to signify annica (impermanence)
What are two Buddhist beliefs about death?
• Kammic energy leaves the body upon death and is reborn
• Funerals signify impermanence
What happens in Theravada funerals?
Little money is spent on the funeral; money is donated to worthy causes to transfer merit to the deceased for a better rebirth
What is a sky burial?
A Tibetan Buddhist practice where the body is left on a high place for vultures to eat
Why do Buddhists have festivals?
To remember and celebrate the Buddha’s life and teachings, and to practice with other Buddhists
What do most festivals celebrate?
Important moments in the Buddha’s life
How are festivals sometimes celebrated in the West?
In Buddhist retreats where like-minded Buddhists spend time and practice together
What is Wesak and when is it celebrated?
A festival on the full moon in the month of Vesak, commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing into parinirvana
How might Buddhists celebrate Wesak?
Lighting candles, making offerings, giant paper lanterns, chanting from Buddhist scripture
What is light a symbol of?
Pushing away darkness and ignorance, leading to enlightenment
What is Parinirvana Day?
A Mahayana festival commemorating the Buddha’s passing into Parinirvana, a solemn occasion for reflection on impermanence
What is the importance of Parinirvana Day?
To remind Buddhists about impermanence and reflect on future death while remembering deceased loved ones
What is kamma?
Intentional action, either good or bad deeds
What are ‘skilful’ actions?
Good, ethical actions or behavior
What are ‘unskilful’ actions?
Bad, unethical actions or behavior
What does kamma impact?
The future world in which the person will be reborn
How might Buddhists improve their kamma?
Helping the poor, avoiding harm to animals, showing patience in teachings
What is karuna?
Compassion; concern for the suffering of others and the desire to relieve their suffering, such as becoming a Bodhisattva
What are the four sublime states?
Loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity
What is metta?
Loving-kindness, a general attitude of kindness toward all beings, without expecting anything in return
What is the difference between metta and karuna?
Metta is wishing others happiness; karuna is wanting to alleviate their suffering
Why is developing metta important?
It dissolves tendencies toward greed and hatred
What is loving-kindness meditation?
A form of meditation to develop metta, starting with oneself and gradually extending to all beings
What are the five moral precepts?
- Abstain from taking life
- Abstain from taking what is not freely given
- Abstain from misuse of the senses or sexual misconduct
- Abstain from wrong speech
- Abstain from intoxicants that cloud the mind
What is the root precept?
To abstain from taking life (not harming)
Why are the precepts different from commandments?
Commandments are rules, while precepts are guidelines
What are the six perfections?
- Generosity
- Morality
- Patience
- Energy
- Meditation
- Wisdom
Mindfulness of breathing
A meditation practice focusing on the experience of breathing
