Budha Flashcards
What two paths were predicted for the baby Siddhartha?
A king or a religious leader.
What did Siddhartha see outside the palace that made him question things?
Siddhartha saw the four sights which were old age, Sickness, holy man and death.
Is it better to suffer or be free from suffering?
Neither as the Budha is taught that extreme suffering doesn’t lead to enlightenment but neither does chasing pleasure, instead by following the eightfold path and the middle way a person can reach enlightenment.
The middle way lies between hedonism, materialism and asceticism. Define these terms.
Hedonism is having pleasure now, Materialism is possession and wealthy is the key to happiness and asceticism is the opposite of hedonism and that self discipline, self denial and avoiding indulgence leads to a better life.
What truths did Siddhartha gain upon reaching enlightenment
He learnt the four noble truths which are
Dukkha: suffering exists in life,
Origin of suffering is craving greed (tanha),
Craving stops, suffering will also cease (nirodha)
Way to stop suffering is to follow the Eight-Fold Path (magga).
Do you think Enlightenment is something that everyone can achieve?
Yes you have to understand the four noble truths and follow the eightfold path.
What is the symbol of the eightfold path and why?
The Wheel of Dharma where each spoke represents
An aspect of the noble eightfold path,
What is the doctor analogy and why does it help to explain the four noble truths?
The analogy is comparing the four noble truths to going to the doctor the first noble truth is the diagnosis the second noble truth is the cause of illness the third noble truth is the cure and the forth is the prescription. This helps explain the four noble truths as it compares it to a real life scenario.
The eightfold path is easy to follow. Discuss.
No as it requires discipline and overcoming craving is hard.
What are the Fived Precepts?
Not killing, not stealing, not misusing sex, not engaging in false speech, and not indulging in intoxicants.
How do the five precepts affect a Buddhists life?
They tell the Budha what is right or wrong and are moral guidelines.
Is Ahisma possible?
Yes if everyone follows the belief to hurt another being is to hurt oneself there would be no violence.
What is in the eightfold path?
Right understanding
Right Thought
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Contemplation.
Right understanding?
Seeing things as they really are, not how you think they are.
Right Thought?
Kind thoughts, not cruel ones, giving things up and not being greedy.
Right Speech?
Not lying, being rude or abusive and not gossiping or chattering.
Right Action?
Saving life, not destroying it, not stealing, being respectful in relationships.
Right Livelihood?
Earning a living without hurting others - others people or animals
Right Effort?
Working hard to understand truth and stay with what is right.
Right Mindfulness?
Being aware of actions, words and thoughts at all times.
Right Contemplation.?
Learning to meditate without loosing concentration.
