Lecture 7: Flashcards
The Chinese developed new methods of ___________ and ___________ the teachings in their Zen meditation practices. These were informed by Mahayana Buddhist reinterpretations of the meaning of the Buddha’s teachings
Concentration; communicating
Many people think that if Mahayana Buddhism created new interpretations of the teachings, then the whole system of meditation and monastic rules would also be completely revised. This is not what happened! Instead, Buddhists used what?
Buddhists used many of the meditation practices that had been developed since the days of the Buddha. For example, breathing practices, concentration on a single topic, and the Meditation on Loving Kindness or “Four Unlimited” are clearly part of Mahayana Buddhist meditation. But there is a shift in emphasis and goals.
What is the major difference between early Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism?
The ideal of becoming a Buddha
Name another difference between early Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism.
In early Buddhism, disciples practiced the eightfold path to rid themselves of habits of greed, hate, and delusion so that they could experience nirvana. Those who achieved this insight were called Arhats. In Mahayana Buddhism, the goal shifts toward becoming a fully enlightened Buddha.
What was the key stage for individuals following the Mahayana path to experience?
thought of enlightenment
What is the thought of enlightenment?
to form an intention of becoming a Buddha. Once that intention is established, the individual takes a bodhisattva vow to set out on the path to Buddhahood.
From this point on, the bodhisattva practices the six perfections of?
of generosity, morality, patience, effort, meditation, and wisdom.
But in Mahayana Buddhism, the purpose of these six perfections is to develop?
A deep compassion for all beings.
Who was Kamalasila?
He was an eighth century Indian Buddhist teacher who incorporated Buddhist teachings of primacy of mind (also called “mind only”) in his teaching of meditation.
The Meditation on Loving Kindness (Metta), is also called?
the “Four Unlimited”
A key meditation in early Buddhism, the Meditation on Loving Kindness (Metta), focused on?
On developing compassion and equanimity towards all beings.
Meditation on Loving Kindness (Metta), was done both as a ________________ for meditation since it dissolves hatred, but also as a meditation practice that can ultimately lead to ________________.
preparation; enlightenment
Meditation on Loving Kindness (Metta), was done both as a ________________ for meditation since it dissolves hatred, but also as a meditation practice that can ultimately lead to ________________.
preparation; enlightenment
who discusses how the concept of emptiness was applied to the contemplations that you saw in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness: meditation on death and the “healthy” and “unhealthy” states of mind?
Gomez
Mahayana Buddhist teachings of emptiness are applied to these older teachings to point out that good or bad, all these states are?
“without own-being”.
