Practices that shape and express Religious Identity Flashcards
1
Q
Key ideas of Theravada Buddhism
A
- founded at the First Buddhist council after the Buddha’s parniabbana
-conservative sect
-location: sri lanka, burma, thailand, cambodia, laos
-’way of the elders’- strict to buddha’s original teachings, and not interpretations/ translations etc.
2
Q
What is the significance of theravada Budddhism as the only surviving form of nikaya Buddhism?
A
- formed immediately after the Buddha’s death. Thus adds authenticity to Theravadin claims.
- oringinates from people with first hand experience of the Buddha’s teachings.
- the teachings are in Pali , which is the language which the Buddha spoke
3
Q
What is the insignificance of theravada Budddhism as the only surviving form of nikaya Buddhism?
A
- contains cultural ideas that are less suited to modern context
- Its reasoning for being authoratitive, holds less signifcance as Mahayana’s would argue that another Buddhist ‘secret; council was held alongside it and so emerged at the same time.
- stil subject to misinterpretation as people might read their own views onto the teachings.
4
Q
Centrality of the Buddha in Theravada.
A
- seen as historical figure, only contact through teachings
- ultimate truth: taught and revealed dhamma, based teachings in tipitaka
- monastics: life revolves around his teachings
- lay: seen as a role-model as he is a human who achieved enlightenment.
- Give offerings to statues and use him as a focus for development. He is the inspiration (e.g. objects of devotion)
5
Q
Centrality of the Buddha. Argue not central.
A
- ultimate truth: dhamma, not buddha that is central, so buddha only central in so far as buddha made accessible, he is no longer with us, only his teachings
- monastic: uncovered path, moastics must tread path themselves.
- lay: careful not the revere/worship buddha, as aim is to use him to develop knowledge (not viewed as a god)
6
Q
Outline the two ways which Buddha is represented in Theravada Buddhism
A
PRE-ICONIC PHASE (before 1st century CE):
- never represented in human form, only buddhist symbolism
- Artists reluctant to depict anthropomorphically (so through symbols)
ICONIC PHASE (1st century CE- present)
- anthropomorphic representations of buddha started to emerge from 1st century ce
- influence of greek culture- not accurate greek depictions
7
Q
Give the three stupas. Give quote.
A
- Relic Stupa: relics/remains of buddha, disciples and lay saints are within
- Object stupa: items within are objects belonging to the buddha or his disciples e.g. begging bowl/ robe /important buddhist scriptures
- Commemorative stupa: built to commemorate events in the lives of buddha or his disciples
- “The shape of the stupa represents the buddha, crowned and sitting in meditation posture on a lion throne..”= commemorative, kingship, respect
8
Q
What is a buddharupa and why do they use Buddharupas?
A
- statue of Buddha
- role model for own path to enlightenment
- gain inspiration as contemplate qualities embodied by buddha
- societies w/ no written language, orally, illiterate = specific teaching and wisdom conveyed in rich symbolism in different statues
- different gestures= mudras, carry different symbolism + relate to different qualities embodied (what aspect you would like to cultivate, e.g. courage or determination)
- in stages of his life as well= so learn diff. qualities of his life etc.) (e.g. with long hair, his size)
9
Q
Give the names of the 4 arahants
A
- ordinary person
- stage one ( Sotopanna- Stream Enterer)
- stage 2 ( once returner - Sakadagmi)
- stage 3 ( non-returner - Anagami)
- stage 4 ( Arahant)
10
Q
Describe Stage 1
A
- Stream entered Free from re-birth as a hell being, animal, ghost or asura (six realms), he is sure to become an Arahant within seven lives.
- The stream-enterer is also said to have “opened the eye of the Dharma”
- The stream-enterer has attained an intuitive grasp of Buddhist doctrine, has complete confidence or Saddha in the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha, and has good moral behaviour (Sila).
11
Q
Describe Stage 2 of being an arahant.
A
- once-returner has weakened lust, hate, and delusion to a greater degree.
- The once-returner therefore has fewer than seven rebirths.
12
Q
Describe Stage 3 of being an arahant.
A
- The third stage is that of the Anāgāmī
- The non-returner, having overcome sensuality, does not return to the human world, or any unfortunate world lower than that, after death.
- Instead, non-returners are reborn in one of the five special worlds in “Pure Abodes”, and there attain Nibbana; some of them are reborn a second time in a higher world of the Pure Abodes.
13
Q
Describe Stage 4 of being an arahant.
A
14
Q
What is the goal of Mahayana Buddhists?
A
- the goal : Bodhisattva
- beleive in a pantheon of Bodhisattvas who they can pray to for help
- ## E.g. alokitesvara, bodhisattva who embodies compassion of all buddhas.
15
Q
What are bodhisattvas?
A
- Made a great vow to assist sentient beings in times of difficulty and postpone how own buddhahood until he has assisted very sentient being in achieving nibbana
- Bodhisattva path: scholar, Ananda Coomaraswamy “the most essential part of the mayan is its emphasis on the bodhisattva ideal, which replaces that of the arahant”
