Vocab #1 Buddism

Question 1

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.

Answer 1

anatta

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

annica

Question 3

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”)

Answer 3

dukka

Question 4

In Theravada Buddhism, it is one who has become enlightened into the ideal type of Buddhist; a saint

Answer 4

arhat

Question 5

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.

Answer 5

bodhisattvas

Question 6

Literally means “awakened one” (he got “woke”)

Answer 6

Buddha

Question 7

The spiritual leader of the Vajrayana branch of Buddhism (located mostly in Tibet). He is believed to be the incarnation of a Bodhisattva.

Answer 7

Dalai Lama

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Four Noble Truths

Question 9

Exciting visually patterned art that is used in Vajrayana Buddhism to enhance meditation

Answer 9

mandalas

Question 10

Repeated phrases or syllables that are chanted to enhance meditation

Answer 10

mantras

Question 11

The Buddhist teaching that rejects both the pleasures of sensual indulgence and the self-denial of asceticism.

Answer 11

Middle Way

Question 12

Choreographed hand movements used mostly in Vajrayana Buddhism to perform rituals

Answer 12

mudras

Question 13

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.

Answer 13

nirvana

Question 14

The fourth Noble Truth, it lays out the solution for how to achieve nirvana and end suffering.

Answer 14

Eightfold Noble Path

Question 15

An ancient language of India that is closely related to sanskrit used mostly in Theraveda Buddhism.

Answer 15

Pali

Question 16

Literally means “assembly”. It is one of the Three Jewels and is the Buddhist community of monks and nuns

Answer 16

Sangha

Question 17

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

Answer 17

tanha

Question 18

Literally translates 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

Answer 18

Mahayana

Question 19

Literally translates as “the way of the elders” and is sometimes called the “Lesser Vehicle”. It is the most orthodox form of Buddhism

Answer 19

Theravada

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Varjuana

Question 21

Characteristics that summarize the changing nature of reality which includes 1) anatta 2) annica 3) dukka

Answer 21

Three Marks of Existence

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Four Passing Sights

Question 23

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

Answer 23

Five Precepts