Mock April 24 Flashcards
Buddha lived a life of luxury. Why did he give it up?
- he saw the 4 sights (sick man, old man, dead man, holy man)
- he was being prepared to become king
- wanted to seek the religious or holy life
- fulfilled the prophecy
- he would not have been able to show his compassion to humankind
- disconnected / not at peace
Bodhisattvas
Mahayana Buddhists ultimate spiritual goal so the see a Bodhisattvas as a role to guide and help and teach others (type of Buddhist who has attained enlightenment)
What is the influence of Bodhisattvas on Buddhists
- Buddhists want to be compassionate to others helping solve problems
- want to live their lives following the 6 perfections ( generosity, morality, tolerance, energy, meditation and wisdom)
- pray to them for guidance
- live out the Bodhisattvas vow “ however innumerable sentient beings are, I vow to save them”
- they want to ‘go forth for the welfare of the many’
- use patterns or paintings to help them visualise Buddha or the bodhisattvas.
- the equality of all
Pure land
Based on the faith of the amitābha.
- the hope of being reborn to paradise where monks etc live
- chant the amitabhas name - “namo amida butso”
- no suffering
Difficulties of attaining enlightenment (support)
- you have to be a monk to attained enlightenment
- monistic communities expected to lead a life based on the Buddhist doctrine
- discipline may be difficult for some monks / nuns
- in Theravada Buddhism some believe that only males can achieve enlightenment
- it’s a real experience and it takes time
- ordained people can ‘go within’ one’s own mind and consciousness through meditation and contemplation
- no one can fully overcome suffering —> what enlightenment is all about
- to much of an abstract concept for some Buddhists to understand
- unrealistic that enlightenment can be achieved in one life
- suffering is a fact of life. —> can’t be avoided —> part of human life —> people will always experience pain
- Tibetan wheel teaches that suffering is constant —> how is enlightenment a goal?
- temptation is part of human nature
Difficulties attaining enlightenment (against)
- Buddha achieved enlightenment so everyone else can
- Buddha wouldn’t have identified a to enlightenment if he didn’t think people could reach it
- Zen Buddhists believe that enlightenment can be achieved if they have the Buddhist nature in them
- pure land Buddhists chant to suggest that enlightenment is easy
- a bodhisattvas help Mahayana Buddhists towards enlightenment
- four noble truths are a profound teaching —> identifies problems and gives a diagnosis in the 4 noble truths
- anyone can experience selflessness —> giving to charity
- enlightenment can be achieved through intensive meditation
- enlightenment is the individual commitment to the goal of the Buddha
The importance of Jesus’ ascension
- Jesus rose and was carried to heaven
- Jesus met god in heaven
- it took place in Bethany
- happened 40 days after his resurrection
- a cloud received Jesus
- marked Jesus’ life on earth
- two men appeared in white robes
- the men told the disciples that Jesus had ascended to heaven and he would return to earth I some way
- after the ascension disciples began to worship Jesus
- Jesus told the disciples about the gift of the Holy Spirit
- showed the truth of Jesus’ promises
- Jesus rose to heaven so Christian’s can too!
How long after the resurrection did the ascension happen
40 days
What did the ascenasion represent
The end of Jesus’ life
Who appeared at the ascenasion.
Two men in white robes
What did the two men tell the disciples
That they had seen Jesus’ ascend to heaven and that he would return back to earth in some way
What did Jesus tell the disciples
The gift of the Holy Spirit
How does god and the trinity help Christian’s
God was an incarnate in Jesus who lived and died on earth, suffered like humans so god can understand the pain that Christian’s experience so they can pray to them for help
