[Part 2]- Buddhism: Beliefs and teachings đȘ· Flashcards
Why did Siddhartha leave the palace ?
- Siddhartha left the palace because, he realised that a life of luxury wonât allow him to escape dukkha
- ; Siddhartha also left the palace, as he eventually realised that a life of luxury wonât give him the answer to suffering, and why it happens.
What is known as the great renunciation?
- the great renunciation, is when Buddha rejected a life of luxury [in the palace], and became a sadhu.
- He let go of: his family, leaving his wife and newborn child behind [during the night]
- ; he also let go of his royal status as a prince [leaving his life of luxury behind with him]
What is asceticism ?
- asceticism, is avoiding any forms of indulgence or luxury
- For example: Siddhartha deliberately lived in infested forests and didnât wash, for long periods of time.
Explain why Siddhartha became an ascetic ? đ«
- asceticism, is avoiding any forms of indulgence or luxury.
- Siddhartha became an ascetic because, he wanted to know why suffering exists and if thereâs a [spiritual solution] to it.
- as he had previously realised, that a life of luxury wonât give him the answer to suffering, and why it happens, therefore he became an ascetic for six years. [and restricted his body because, they believed denying the body, helps the mind to focus]
Why did Siddhartha reject asceticism? đ«
- Siddhartha rejected asceticism because, he realised that neither a life of luxury, or asceticism isnât the answer to the problem of suffering. [after meeting a milkmaid]
- This is because, asceticism didnât provide Siddharya to [the answer of]: why suffering exists, and how to escape it.
- asceticism instead caused him to not effectively mediate, and become extremely malnourished since, he denied himself a proportionate amount of food and drink. [as it was claimed he only ate a singular grain of rice, per day]
How does the story of the milkmaid, explain why Siddhartha rejected asceticism? đ„đ
- the story of the milkmaid, describes how Siddhartha met a milkmaid named Sujata. Sujata went to a banyan tree and saw Siddhartha- whom she assumed was a sadhu/a holy man.
- although she didnât know he was currently an ascetic, she offered him some sweet milk rice and he accepted it.
- after this encounter, he finally rejected ascetism because he realised it wasnât âthe path to Enlightenmentâ [The Jakata tales- vol. 1, page 67]
What is the middle way ? âïž
- the middle way, is a midpoint between two extremes [a life of luxury and asceticism]
- and after realising a life of luxury or asceticism wonât provide an answer to suffering, Siddhartha finally discovered that a midpoint between these two extremes, is the key to overcoming and ending dukkha [suffering]
Why is the middle way important ? âïž
- the middle way is important because, after realising a life of luxury or asceticism wonât provide an answer to sufferingâŠ
- Siddhartha finally discovered that a midpoint between these two extremes, is not only the key to overcoming and ending oneâs dukkha [suffering]; itâs also the key to attain/gain enlightenment and reach nibbana, therefore itâs important to Buddha and Buddhistsâ today.
Whatâs the Dhammackkappavatanna Sutta ?
- the Dhammackkappavatanna Sutta, is a Buddhist scripture, thought to be the record of Siddhartha Gautamaâs very first sermon.
What is enlightenment ?
- enlightenment, is a spiritual wisdom that forms from a deep understanding of the realityâs true nature. For example, why we suffer.
- ; it can also be described as a state of deep bliss and happiness.
Whatâs the story of the Buddhaâs enlightenment ? âžïž
- Siddhartha first meditated under a bodhi tree, and vowed to mediate , until he would attain/reach enlightenment.
- this is seen in the Jakata tales vol. 1, p.71 as Siddhartha claimed that he wouldnât âleave this seatâ until he attained âthe highest wisdomâ and âthe supreme enlightenmentâ even if it meant his âbones shall waste awayâ.
- ; a demon known as Mara tried to tempt Siddhartha, though it didnât work.
- and Siddhartha finally attained enlightenment, during the three watches of the night.
Who is Mara ? đ
- Mara is a demon, that is reflective [representative] of temptation and any other spiritual changes.
- He tempted Siddhartha Gautama four times during his enlightenment.
- ; he further tried to tempt Buddha after he was enlightened, by using his daughters- they approached Buddha five weeks after his enlightenment and attempted to seduce him again; this was unsuccessful
Name the four ways how Mara tried to tempt Siddhartha đ
1) Mara sent his three daughters to try and seduce Siddhartha
2) Mara then sent his armies to attack Siddhartha, by throwing weapons [e.g- arrows] at him.
3) Mara then said he would offer Siddhartha control of his kingdom [the six realms]
4) and after each failed attempt, he challenged Siddharthaâs right to sit at the seat of enlightenment.
- Mara challenged Siddhartha, to determine who would become enlightenment, as he brought his monsters to be a witness to him while calling for whoever would support Siddhartha.
Give the way of how Siddhartha responded to Mariaâs temptation
1) when Mara sent his three daughters to seduce Siddhartha- Siddhartha didnât stop to medicate because, he wasnât influenced by their charisma [charms]
2) when Mara sent his armies of monsters to attack Siddhartha, the weapons they threw turned into lotus flowers
3) and when Mara challenged Siddharthaâs right to sit at the seat of enlightenment, Buddha them called upon the Earth, to acknowledge his right- it shook in acknowledgement.
What are the three watches of the night
- the three watches of the night, are the three parts of Siddharthaâs enlightenment.
What did Siddhartha learn during the first watch of the night ? đ”
- during the first watch of the night Siddhartha learnt all of the knowledge of his past lives.
- For example, he acquired the knowledge the story of the hunter and monkeys.
- This teaches Buddhists [in Jataka 222] that not only should children look after the elderly [when adults].
- Because as the monkey king [Buddha as an animal] offered his body to be used as bridge, it allowed the monkeys to escape from a human king who was attacking them
What else does the story of the monkey and the hunters teach Buddhists today ? đŠ§
- ; it also teaches Buddhists kamma- every action has a consequence because, after killing the dead monkeys and their mother, thunder destroyed his house and caused the death of all his family.
What did Siddhartha learn during the second watch of the night ? đ
- during the second watch of the night, Siddhartha learnt:
- about the cycle of samsara [death, life and rebirth]
- how we are all reborn because of our own kamma, which is generated through our skilful or unskillful actions
- and the concept of anatta, which is one of the three marks of existence- meaning that all beings donât have a permanent soul or self [itâs only their karmic energy, that is followed into their rebirth]
What did Siddhartha learn during the third watch of the night ? âŁïž
- during the third watch of the night, Siddhartha learnt the second noble truth, which is known as samdudaya.
- we suffer because of tanha- craving
- ; we also suffer because weâre driven by the three poisons, which keep us trapped in the cycle of samsara- this prevents us from attaining enlightenment and therefore reaching nibanna.
What else did Siddhartha learn during the third watch of the night ? 3ïžâŁ
- during the third watch of the night, Siddhartha also learnt the fourth noble truth.
- our own dukkha [suffering] can be ended through following the path to enlightenment, which is the eightfold path.
Explain the importance of Mara, in the Buddhaâs enlightenment story
- Mara is important in the story of the Buddhaâs enlightenment because, he is reflective [representative] of temptation
- ; historical because Buddha was able to overcome Maraâs temptations, this teaches Buddhists today, that meditation can help to: overcome fear or doubt [or any other negative emotions]
Explain the importance of Mara, in the Buddhaâs enlightenment story
- mara is important because not only is he reflective of exterior temptations; heâs also reflective [and representative] of our internal temptations such as our ego
- therefore the story of mara also teaches Buddhists how to access the path of enlightenment because, ego is what prevents Buddhists from attaining enlightenment
How can the story of the Buddha help Buddhists today ?
- the story of the Buddha can help Buddhists for a number of reasons.
- For example, the story of [historical] Buddhaâs enlightenment can help Buddhists today because, it influences them to: attain enlightenment. [and end suffering]
How did attaining enlightenment, help Buddha end othersâ suffering ?
- the story of the Buddha can help Buddhists for a number of reasons.
- This is because, attaining enlightenment allowed Siddhartha to understand, the repetitive cycle of samsara.
- by fully understanding it, it made him seek an answer to the end of suffering- including how to end othersâ suffering.
- This would help Buddhists today because, if they understand why suffering exists and how to end it, they can assist other people to attain enlightenment- which could be done done by becoming an earthly Bodhisattva- a key part of Mahayana Buddhism.
Fill in the gaps: By fully understanding the repetitive cycle of _______, it made Buddha seek an answer to the ___ of suffering- including how to end ______â suffering.
- By fully understanding the repetitive cycle of samsara, it made Buddha seek an answer to the end of suffering- including how to end othersâ suffering.
Who are Maraâs three daughters ?
- Maraâs three daughters are: RatÄ« (delight), AratÄ« (discontent), and TáčáčŁáčÄ (craving).
