Test vocab 1 Buddhism Flashcards
One of the Three Marks of Existence, it is the doctrine of “no self”. “You” don’t exist because “you” are always changing and are never the same self.
anatta
One of the Three Marks of Existence, it is the doctrine of “impermanence” and says that things are perpetually changing and are never the same.
annica
One of the Three Marks of Existence, it literally translates as “suffering”. It is the first of the Four Noble Truths that says suffering is caused by desire and attachment to things in this world, even pleasant things like love. Our longings, yearnings, and desires for things that are both material and immaterial is what causes tahna (“thirst”)
dukka
In Theravada Buddhism, it is one who has become enlightened into the ideal type of Buddhist; a saint
arhat
Future Buddhas. They are the ideal type for Mahayana Buddhists and are motivated by compassion to
stay behind after having achieved nirvana to help those who are still here.
bodhisattvas
Literally means “awakened one” (he got “woke”)
Buddha
The spiritual leader of the Vajrayana branch of Buddhism (located mostly in Tibet). He is believed to be the incarnation of a Bodhisattva.
Dalai Lama
The central teachings of Buddhism that state to live is to suffer, suffering is caused by desire, suffering can be stopped, and the cure is the Eightfold Noble Path
Four Noble Truths
Exciting visually patterned art that is used in Vajrayana Buddhism to enhance meditation
mandalas
Repeated phrases or syllables that are chanted to enhance meditation
mantras
The Buddhist teaching that rejects both the pleasures of sensual indulgence and the self-denial of asceticism.
Middle Way
Choreographed hand movements used mostly in Vajrayana Buddhism to perform rituals
mudras
Literally means “blowing out”. It is the ultimate liberation from samsara and the extinction of all desire, as well as the complete extinction of the self.
nirvana
The fourth Noble Truth, it lays out the solution for how to achieve nirvana and end suffering.
Eightfold Noble Path
An ancient language of India that is closely related to Sanskrit used mostly in Theravada Buddhism.
Pali
Literally means “assembly”. It is one of the Three Jewels and is the Buddhist community of monks and nuns
Sangha
Literally means “thirst” or “desire” and is the second of the Four Noble Truths. It is the idea that selfish desire is what causes suffering
tanha
Literally translated as “The Greater Vehicle” and is the largest of the three branches of Buddhism. It places emphasis on devotion and prayer to the various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Mahayana
Literally translates as “the way of the elders” and is sometimes called the “Lesser Vehicle”. It is the most orthodox form of Buddhism
Theravada
Literally translates as “the vehicle of the diamond” and is named after vajra, which is the Buddha’s diamond sceptre. It emphasizes harnessing sensual energies to achieve nirvana
Varjuana
Characteristics that summarize the changing nature of reality which includes 1) anatta 2) annica 3) dukka
Three Marks of Existence
Gautama saw these when he went out of the palace to find the truth about the world. They include 1) an old man 2) a sick, diseased man 3) a dead man 4) an acetic man
Four Passing Sights
A precept is a rule that should be followed. The five precepts are basic moral requirements that are binding to all Buddhists. These include 1) Do not take life 2) Do not take what is not given 3) Do not engage in sensuous misconduct 4) Do not use false speech 5) Do not drink intoxicants.
Monks and nuns have 5 more which include 6) do not eat after noon 7) Do not watch dancing shows 8) Do not use garlands or ointments 9) Do not use a high or soft bed 10) Do not accept gold or silver
Five Precepts
