rmps Flashcards
what are the three jewels
buddha
dhamma
sangha
what are the three root poisons
greed
hatred
ignorance
what s nibanna
Nibbana is the ultimate goal for all Buddhists.
It is the highest state of enlightenment. Nibbana is freedom from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth known as Samsara, this means that they are no longer reborn. It is a state of mind.
what are the three marks of existence
anicca
anatta
dukkha
anicca meaning
it means Impermanence (everything is constantly changing)
anatta meaning
no self
dukkha meaning
Suffering
life is full of frustration and dissatisfaction
purpose of three jewels
1) The Three Jewels teach Buddhists that it is through seeking refuge in these three things that they are provided with an end to suffering.
2) The purpose of the three jewels is to inform and remind Buddhists of where they might look for help and guidance in their spiritual journey. It also reminds them to avoid find refuge in things that will only continue their suffering such as money, material possession of intoxicants.
Beliefs about the Buddha or early life
The Buddha was a man named Siddhatta Gotama. Buddhists believe he lived around 2500 years ago in Northern India. He became known as the Buddha (‘awakened one’) after becoming enlightened. Buddhists believe the Buddha was just a man, he was not a God.
Early Life
Siddhatta Gotama was born a prince and grew up in a royal palace surrounded by luxury. Not long after his birth a prediction was made that he would either be a great King or a religious leader. His father did not want him to follow a religious life and so hid all signs of suffering from Siddhatta as he feared that if he saw suffering this would lead him towards a religious life. Siddhatta wanted for nothing. However, he was confined to a life within the palace.
At the age of twenty-nine, Siddhatta grew dissatisfied and began to think seriously about his life and what it meant.
what are the four sights
old age
sickness
death
holy man
what is the definition of dukkha
Life is unsatisfactory and full of suffering.
what is the definition of samudaya
The cause of suffering is tanha (desire). It is our craving and attachment to things that cause our suffering.
what is the definition of nirodha
It is possible to be free from suffering by achieving the highest state of enlightenment: Nibbana.
what is the definition of magga
The way to achieve Nibbana is by following the Middle Way, which means practicing the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Five Khandhas and what they are
Form (our bodies) Mental Formation (our thoughts) Sensation (our feelings) Perception (our recognition of what things are) Consciousness (our awareness of things)
what is Dukkha-dukkha
the suffering of suffering. This refers to the physical and emotional discomfort and pain all humans experience in their lives. For example, emotional suffering could be feeling lonely or grieving and physical suffering might be caused when a person breaks their leg.
what is Viparinama-dukkha
the suffering of change. Suffering that arises from our attachment to impermanent things and an inability to accept change (anicca). People cling to pleasurable experiences and feel sad when they pass, and they cannot accept the truth of impermanence. For example, someone might experience frustration when their phone breaks.
what is Sankhara-dukkha
the suffering of existence. This is the profound unsatisfactoriness of existence, suffering caused simply by existence.
what is tanha
Tanha literally means ‘thirst’, but is commonly described as craving and desire and attachment. Tanha describes the nature of humans as being in a mindset of constantly craving and desiring things.
what are the three types of craving and what are they
Kama-tanha (sense craving) is craving the pleasures of the senses. For example, eating cake not because you are hungry but because you like the taste of it.
Bhava-tanha (craving to be) is craving for a fixed identity or existence and not accepting that life is impermanent. For example, craving to be rich, powerful or famous
Vibhava-tanha (craving to not be) is craving to avoid pain and suffering, or to avoid the reality of rebirth. For example, craving for your exams to end as they feel difficult
what s kamma
Kamma is the law of cause and effect. This means that Buddhists believe that everything we think, say or do will have an effect on our future. These actions might cause happiness or suffering in this life, but will also have an effect on their future rebirths in the Cycle of Samsara. Kamma is energy that is passed on from one lifetime to the next. This means that Buddhist can change their future through their actions. Buddhists describe actions as being skilful or unskilful.
what are the three intentions and actions that are considered ethical and good.
generosity, understanding and compassion
what is samsara
Samsara is the name Buddhists give to the continual cycle of birth, death and rebirth that they believe all beings are stuck in. The Tibetan Wheel of Life is used to illustrate Samsara. The realm that Buddhists are reborn into (for example, human, animal or heavenly being) is believed to depend upon the quality of their actions (kamma) in their previous lives, this is also called dependant origination. The goal of Buddhists is to break free from the Cycle of Samsara, because this is what causes suffering. In the centre of the wheel of life are the Three Root Poisons, Samsara is fuelled by these three things as they motivate our craving and attachment.The cycle is broken by following the Buddhists path but, more specifically, through breaking the habit of craving (tanha). The escape from this cycle is through achieving Nibbana.
