Final Exam - Buddhism Flashcards
Lotus Sutra
Most influential Mahayana Buddhist sutra. The basis on which Tendai and Nichiren schools were established. Nichiren: Lotus Sutra is a sacred power in itself and in the very sound of its words. Central devotion of Nichiren Buddhism is chanting the Daimoku. Daimoku:” recite the name of the Lotus Sutra”, to attain Buddhahood (enlightenment).
Ekayana
“one vehicle” on the path to Enlightenment.
buddha-nature
Buddha-nature is in every ordinary person. It means that everyone is already the same as a buddha. Buddha-nature can become actualized and experienced through practice.
Sutras
canonical scriptures, many of which are regarded as records of the oral teachings of Gautama Buddha.
Satori
“Surprise”: sudden enlightment in Zen. Satori is a Japanese Buddhist term for awakening, “comprehension; understanding”.
Kensho
“seeing into one’s true nature”
nembutsu
” mindfulness of amida buddha”, the pure land chant, “namu amida butsu” (recite the name of the buddha). Chanting this phrase to enter the pure land (buddha’s paradise). Form of meditation, making those sacred words a kind of mantra to focus the mind.
Tendai
Basis of Lotus Sutra. reaching enlightenment through mediation. Seated meditation, walking meditation etc. Zen meditation or Pure land devotional practices. Embraces other Buddhist schools, such. as Zen and Shinto.
Pure Land Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu)
One of the most popular form of buddhism in east asia. . Main practice is the chanting the name of Amitahba Buddha. Easy form of meditation to seek rebirth in the Pure Land. Helps us to transcend the cycle of death and rebirth (reincarnation). If one can not obtain enlightenment, one has to keep repeating the cycle of reincarnation.
Amitabha Buddha (Amida Buddha)
Buddha of Bliss. buddha of infinite life and infinite light. created the land of bliss. Promised to bring into his Pure Land all who call u[pon his name in fait.
Kaihogyo
The practice of the “Marathon Monks” of Mt. Hiei. 1000 days of walking meditation over a 7 year period. Includes a 9 day period without food, drink, and sleep. Suicide as consequence if monk does not complete the Kaihogyo ( excludes first year). It is a pilgrimage around the holy mountain, worshiping Buddha by nature and gaining extreme personal knowledge.
Nichiren
Buddhist reformer who focused on the Lotus Sutra. Lotus Sutra is a might scripture regarded by Tendai as supreme in a great hierarchy of texts and spiritual practices. He proclaimed that true buddhism was to be found only in the lotus.
Zen Buddhism
Emphasis on Zazen (meditation). Staying present in the moment without judgement (going with the flow). Zen is about discipline and spontaneity.
Zen koans
riddle-like meditation queries used in Zen. Have no real answer. Purpose is not to reach a simple solution but the act of struggling with paradoxical puzzles which challenge our desire for resolution.
Rinzai
One of two major Zen Buddhist sects in Japan. It stresses the abrupt awakening of transcendental wisdom, or enlightenment. Meditation on koans as a mean to do so.
“one practice schools”
- Nichiren ( daimoku mantras)
- Pure Land (Nembutsu mantra)
- Zen (Zaren “just sitting” meditation)
yamabushi
“mountain priests”, followers of Shugendo. Practicing austerities in the mountains, and serving as healers in the villages.
Shugendo
“the way of gaining spiritual power”. Purpose of Shugendō is for practitioners to find supernatural power and save themselves and the masses by conducting religious training
bushido
Bushidō is a moral code concerning samurai attitudes, behavior and lifestyle.
