Test 1 - Budhhism Flashcards
Buddha as a term
Translates to “awakened”, lived around 480-400 BCE. Full name was Gautama Buddha, a privileged man from royal lineage who founded buddhism and discovered the path of enlightenment to nirvana to end the cycle of rebirth and suffering.
Dharma as a term
“righteousness or merit”, denotes teachings and doctrine set by buddha. basic principles of our cosmic existence, or a divine order/law. also one of the three refuges/jewels of Buddhism.
dharmacakra as a term
“wheel of law” important symbol of Buddhism. refers to buddha’s first sermon in the forest where he set Buddhist law (dharma) into motion. signifying the wheel of dharma.
dukkha as a term
“suffering” - concept of life being suffering as individuals are powerless against age, sickness, death. fundamental aspect of the four noble truths. part of the three marks of existence.
sammudaya as a term
the doctrine of four noble truths. arising and origin of suffering. suffering comes from something that can be stopped, even tho craving or thirst is fundamental to our existence desire. concept of constantly wanting - we look for things we can rely on as our impulses are driven by thirst. uproot experience of craving.
Nirodha
third noble truth. “cessation” - Buddhist doctrine that suffering will cease when cravings are weakened and a positive state of mind is cultivated, as virtuous qualities triumph over negative ones in order to gradually stop rebirth. (withdrawal, renouncement, liberation, non-attachment.)
T.W Rhys Davis
British Scholar and orientalist (1843-1922). published books to interpret Buddhist texts and founded the Pali Text Society. an incentivized resurgence of interest in Buddhism in Britain. Saw pali as the original language of Buddhism. he associated Buddhism with ethnicity in Sri Lanka and became affixed to lighter appearing ethnicities (therefore saw it as a more advanced approach to religion). sees Buddhism as being rescued from Asia. racialization as a practice saying it comes from Aryan cultures.
Samsara as a term
“world” “cyclicality of life”. concept of wandering through cycle of rebirth in a wheel of existence. Features different realms dependent on karma accumulation, 1. human, 2. animal, 3. hell 4. Ghost 5. God 6. Asura (demigods/titans). Only can be escaped by attaining nirvana and enlightenment.
Refuge
also known as “three jewels” or “triatna” in sanskrit. the three refuges are buddha, dharma, and monastic community sangha. and they comprise the essence of the Buddhist religion. referred to as the three refuges in prayer.
Vinaya
“discipline” - institutions must live accordingly to the vinaya as it is a monastic code of disclipline. contains vows, large sections of text, and was codified after buddha’s death as a repository of all his teachings. set of disciplinary rules for monks and nuns to refrain from worldy affairs, role in leading the monastic community (sangha).
Sila
“morality” - one of three sections of noble eightfold path. acts as the foundation of morality, shown through practices of virtue and moral discipline. comprises the right speech, action, and livelihood of the eightfold path. promotes wholesome actions that benefit oneself and others.
Prajna
“wisdom” - level of the eightfold path. means one has acquired the ability of knowledge and understanding of reality to see how awakening is achieved. contains right view and right intention of eightfold path.
Samadhi
“meditation”. final level of eightfold path. process of calming self integration that takes to the deepest level of psyche. allows one to achieve four absorptions or lucid trances. - where one can enter four dhyana state of awakening. contaisn right effort, right mindfulness, right meditation.
Prajapati
“lord of creatures” - around 600-480 BC. Was foster mother and aunt to Buddha after his mother died. Took motherly role and cared and nurtured him as he never knew his mother Maya. Considered first Nun in Buddhism as she approached Buddha and asked him to establihs a sangha for woman.
Marga
“path” - the noble eightfold path which steers between austerity and indulgence. leads to the end of suffering and the end of samsara rebirth. following the path leads to enlightenment after deep engagement with each step. One can become so noble they can not even kill bugs.
