Key Terms - Buddhism

Question 1

The Five Aggregates

Answer 1

Form, sensations, perceptions, impulses and consciousness

Question 2

Anatta

Answer 2

The belief of ‘no self’, that there is no permanent self/soul

Question 3

Anicca

Answer 3

The belief in impermanence, all things are in a constant state of flux and change

Question 4

Dukkha

Answer 4

Translated as suffering, a dissatisfactory state of all things

Question 5

Arhat

Answer 5

An enlightnened person (Theravada)

Question 6

Bodhisattva

Answer 6

An enlightened being who dedicates themselves to achieving nirvana not for themselves but in order to help others to achieve it

Question 7

Devotion

Answer 7

The practise of commitment to the Buddha and his teachings

Question 8

Eightfold Path

Answer 8

Also known as the Middle way, a way of life made up of 8 elements that all Buddhists should cultivate in life. A way of overcoming craving and ignorance

Question 9

Engaged Buddhism

Answer 9

A Buddhist movement which believes that Buddha’s teachings should be applied to situations of social and enviromental justice

Question 10

Karma

Answer 10

Translated as action or deed. The law of cause and effect - all actions have consequences that will influence the future of the person

Question 11

Kusala

Answer 11

Actions that are considered to be skilful, moral and attract good karma

Question 12

Mahayana Buddhism

Answer 12

Practised in Tibet, China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea. This form reflects practical orientation of Buddhism as it moves throughout countries adapting practises

Question 13

Meditation

Answer 13

Deliberate training of the mind practised by Buddhist’s to purify the mind and work towards achieving enlightenment

Question 14

Merit Making

Answer 14

Performing actions which will result in good outcomes/results (eg showing kindness to someone, learning the Buddha’s teachings)

Question 15

Nirvana

Answer 15

The state where all greed, hatred and delusion are ended. Extinguishment - an escape from Samsara

Question 16

Pali canon

Answer 16

The scriptures written in the language Pali. Known as the ‘three baskets’ covering the life and teachings of the Buddha and Buddhist philosophy

Question 17

The Five Moral Precepts

Answer 17

Five training rules followed by Theravadan Buddhists to cultivate the middle way.
1. Refrain from taking life
2. Refrain from taking what is not given
3. Refrain from the misuse of the senses
4. Refrain from wrong speech
5. Refrain from intoxicants that cloud the mind

Question 18

The Six Perfections

Answer 18

Six guiding rules followed by Mahayanan Buddhists to cultivate the virtues needed to achieve enlightenment.

Question 19

Samsara

Answer 19

The cycle of rebirths, the unenlightened cycle of life, ordinary existence

Question 20

Sangha

Answer 20

The community of Buddhist believers, often used to refer to the monastic community

Question 21

Secular Buddhism

Answer 21

A form of Buddhism which focusses on the practical elements of Buddha’s teaching and takes a rationalist approach to Buddhism

Question 22

Skilful means

Answer 22

The ability to know exactly what to do for the best in each situation. An enhanced ability to respond to the needs of others, even if that means breaking the rules or tradition

Question 23

Theravada Buddhism

Answer 23

‘The way of the Elders’, is a form of Buddhism followed mainly in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. This form of Buddhism purports to maintain the tradition of the early Buddhist disciples

Question 24

Trikaya

Answer 24

Mahayanan belief in the three body doctrine of the Buddha. The human, glorious and absolute bodies; nirmanakaya, sambhogakaya and dharmakaya

Question 25

Triratna

Answer 25

Translated as the three jewels. The Triratna movement is an international movement committed to living a Buddhist life in the 21st century context