Tibetan buddhism Flashcards
what is the Dharmakaya?
the ultimate truth behind everything in the universe
Yidam
supernatural beings which represent aspects of the ultimate truth ad can be helpful or harmful
what is Tantra?
means “weaving”. using upaya to manipulate the interconnected threads of the universe. (magical)
what is the Bardo?
the stage between death and rebirth, lasting 49 days
what is the Vajra?
means “diamond” or “thunderbolt”. A weapon of the god Indra symbolising the fast route to enlightenment.
represents masculine principle
what are the acts of worship LAY Buddhists use which allow them to manipulate the fabric of the universe?
- prayer flags
- prayer wheels
- giving offerings Such as lighting butter lamps
what acts of worship do Tibetan monks do which require training from a lama?
- reciting Mantras
- Mudras
- the Ghanta and Vajra
- Mandalas
what is the Ghanta?
a bell which represents wisdom (the ultimate goal)
it is seen representing the feminine principle.
often held when performing a mudra
what are mantras?
“tools for thinking” they can help purify or focus the mind
some mantras have meaning on which they focus, it can also be an act of mediation too
what are mandalas?
they are symbolic diagrams of the universe. the outer circle represents samsara and the inner square nirvana
what are mudras?
hand gestures which hold symbolic meaning, Many have connections to the buddha or bodhisattvas.
what is Bon?
the religion in tibet prior to buddhism, which has influenced Tibetan Buddhism.
what are the beliefs of Bon?
- has belief in deities with could be good or evil and could be appeased through worship or offerings
- also belief in angry gods who cause problems for humans and could also be appeased
what are the practises of Bon?
- shamans have ability to communicate with the deities through rituals and can act as oracles
- meditation on the angry gods can help Bonpon understand how they affect reality
samboghakaya
celestial buddha e.g Avalokiteshavara
Nirmanakaya
humans who have become a buddha e.g Siddhartha Gautama
what are bodhisattvas portrayed as in Tibetan buddhism?
portrayed as both benevolent godlike figures
what do the practises of monks help them do?
mantras, mudras and mandalas help monks perform visualisations
what is visualisation?
monks focus on a yidam or bodhisattva, they will meditate on its image to attempt to achieve actualisation
what is actualisation?
means merging with the yidam and taking on their qualities, becoming empowered in the same way,
how is visualisation and actualisation seen as a path to enlightenment?
because all bodhisattvas are connected and part of dharmakaya it is seen as route to enlightenment, becoming a bodhisattva and full of compassion
what is an example of a mantra?
the Mani Mantra- “OM Mani Padme Hum”
best known Tibetan mantra meaning ‘homage to the one holding jewel and lotus’
which branch is Tibetan Buddhism part of?
part of the vajrayana branch which is sometimes considered part of Mahayana branch
what does vajrayana buddhism claim?
claims to offer fast route to enlightenment, through use of upaya and through practice of tantra
what is the experience of the bardo?
the untrained may not know they are dead.
sometimes a person is helped through the bardo by a lama who reads prayer and performs ritual, advising the dead to break with attachment
what is an example of a mudra?
the gesture of earth witness refers to when the buddha mediated under the bodhi tree and refused the temptation from mara
what are the arguments that Tibetan Buddhism is unique?
- the use of tantric practises such as mantra and mudra are believed to have magical elements that shape reality
- the worship of yidam, who can offer protection and help on path to enlightenment
what arguments are there that Tibetan Buddhism isn’t unique?
- many branches use mantra as a mindfulness mediation to help concentrate
- tantra is based upon pratityasamutpada and the yidam are based on bodhisattvas
