important Flashcards
what did the Buddha do for the rest of his life
teaching others how to see the true nature of existence and preaching
when the Buddha was born, what did the fortune teller predict he would become?
a great king/ruler or a great spiritual leader
what was it like for the Buddha growing up
his father protected him from seeing any un pleasentness in life, he grew up luxury where life was full of pleasure and comfort but he wasn’t allowed to leave the palace.
what did the Buddha do to understand suffering
he fasted for long periods of time and only ate 1 grain of rice per day until he was near starvation but later realised his death would help no one
was the Buddha a human or god
human
what did Siddhartha witness when he left the palace?
the 4 sights
what is the middle way?
the gap between poverty and luxury
what happened to Siddhartha after years of practice
Siddhartha attained spiritual enlightenment becoming the Buddha when meditating under
the Bodhi tree.
how was the birth for the mother of Siddhartha
it was believed to be painless but unfortunately queen Maya died a week later
what were the 4 sights?
old age - never seen old person before. this taught him that as people age they physically decline.
sick person - saw ill person on side of road, realize everyone gets sick at 1 poin
dead person - hadnt known death before, realize everyone dies
holy man - saw holy man was at peace dispite all suffering, made curious
what are the 3 marks of existence called?
1 anicca
2 anatta
3 dukkha
what does anicca mean?
the first thing Buddha learned
means impermanence, nothing lasts
forever
everything changes all the time, changes can be slow or fast
how might the belief in anicca impact Buddhists
makes Buddhists realize nothing lasts forever and realise there loved ones will not last forever or things they like
what does anatta mean?
2nd truth Buddha discovered under bodhi tree
, living things have no soul and no self
if everything is impermanent then my self is also impermanent meaning no soul
what evidence is there for anatta?
meditation - realization Sens of self is illusion
neuroscience - damage to brain significantly impacts persons sense of self
psychology continuity
cases of amnesia, losing parts of memory shows self identity can be disrupted
what does dukkha mean?
3rd mark of existence, 1st noble truth.
means suffering is everywhere
refers to unsatisfactoriness
- Buddha teaches how to deal with it not how to end it
how are the 3 marks of existence connected?
anicca means impermanence which is connected to anatta as this is impermanence of “no soul”
dukkha is suffering which is connected to anatta and anicca because we all suffer from impermanence, we suffer because we lose things, and people we love
what happens if Buddhists except the 3 marks of existence?
by accepting the three marks of existence a Buddhist will reach nibbana or enlightenment and be free from suffering
what is the meaning of the 4 noble truths?
the 4 fundamental truths about our existence that are at the core of Buddhist teachings
what are the 4 noble truths??
dukkha - all existence is suffering
Tanha - The cause of suffering is craving and desires
nirodha - by removing craving and desires we can end suffering
magga - the way to end craving is to follow the eightfold
what does tanha mean?
2nd noble truth Buddha taught.
th cause of suffering is craving and desires
what does nirodha mean?
3rd of the noble truths
by removing craving and desires we can end all suffering
the Buddha was a living example that is it possible to end craving in a human lifetime
means “the end of suffering”
what does magga mean?
the way to end cravings Is too follow the eightfold path
what is the eightfold path?
the eightfold path describes Siddharthas solution to suffering,
it’s a guide to ethical and mental development,
it leads to understanding truth about life
by practising eightfold path, individual can attain nibbana
what are the 3 sections of the eightfold path?
wisdom (prajna)
develops understanding of reality, transforms way we view world and ourselves
mortality (Sila)
develops loving kindness, compassion for living, ensuring 3 poisons no longer guide
mental training
develops mind through meditation, transforming way we think
what are the 8 spokes of the darma wheel?
right view
righ intention
right speech
right action
right livelihood
right effort
right mindfulness
right concentration
visa lecm
what do the 8 spokes of the darma wheel mean?
right view - accept Buddhas analysis of human existence - know truth
right intention - seeing goal as enlightenment - free mind from evil
right speech - no lying, divisive speech, abusive speech and idle chatter - say nothing that hurts others
right action - peaceful conduct, not taking life, stealing or sexual misconduct - work for the good of others
right livelihood - be honest, ethical in
business dealings, not cheat, lie, or steal - respect life
right effort - aware of good and bad factors in your personality - resist evil
right mindfulness - calm and awareness, have control over feelings - control thoughts
right concentration, meditation to lead the mind to states achieved by the buddha - practice meditation
explain what the 3 root poisons mean
negative states of the mind Tanha is enabled by the 3 poisons
the ultimate cause of attachment and suffering
generates bad kamma
it’s the center of the wheel of life and seen as fuel that keeps samsara turning.
what are the 3 root poisons?
and what is the definition
pig - ignorance
rooster - greed
snake - hatred
what does the pig mean? (ignorance)
believed to be most important
incorrect view of reality
ignorance means having misconceptions about reality
- result in mistaken beliefs
-seeing the impermanent as permanent
-feeds off greed and hatred
generates negative karma causes suffering
what does the rooster mean? (greed)
is a desire, we think it will make us greater and creates inner hunger.
there is no lasting satisfaction,
refers to our cravings and lust for things
many conflicts in the world resort to greed exp : wars over power or resources
what does the snake mean (hatred)
arises from ignorance
we see ourselves as separate from everyone and judge things.
we are likely to be angry with anyone who gets between us or something we desire,
we become jealous of people who have things we want
how can Buddhists avoid the 3 poisons?
accepting the 3 marks of existence
