RELGION It is known more through legend than through fact. Full accounts of the Buddha’s life were not written down until hundreds of years after his death. What are the Three Jewels? The Sangha: community of monks and nuns (monastic) The Dharma: the teachings of the Buddha The Buddha Who do Mahayanists offer devotion to? They devote themselves to meditation full-time. Why is the koan practiced? It is used to break down thought patterns; it’s a verbal puzzle or riddle that’s not meant to be solved. Which sect of Zen Buddhism believes that enlightenment (satori) is instantaneous? The Rinzai believe that enlightenment is instantaneous. What are the two sects of Zen Buddhism? Rinzai: believes that enlightenment is instantaneous and that Zen training begins after one’s first enlightenment (satori) Soto: believe that enlightenment is a more gradual process. What are the Three sects of Buddhism that we learned about in class? Theravada: The Way of the Elders, original sect, “the Lesser Vehicle,” emphasis on meditation to attain enlightenment, found in southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. Mahayana: The “Greater Vehicle,” achieves enlightenment through meditation, central belief that Buddha would not pass completely into Nirvana until every person, every blade of grass had also reached enlightenment. Can also receive enlightenment like a gift from the Buddha. Offer devotion to Bodhisattvas (others who achieved enlightenment), also include the Zen tradition. Buddha-hood is more important than achieving Nirvana according to a Mahayanist Vajrayana: The “diamond vehicle,” found in Tibet, influenced by the Bon religion native to Tibet, seeks to acquire and channel energy to cut apart what binds us to this world (known as tantra). Which sect is the original Buddhism? Theravada is the original sect of Buddhism. Which sect uses tantras to harness and channel energy? Vajrayana uses tantras to harness and channel energy. What are the three tantras? These practices to utilize energy include: Mandalas (art), Mudras (hand gestures), and Mantras (chanted syllables or prayers) In Zen Buddhism, is satori permanent? No, it can be lost once it has been achieved, you have to keep working for it once you have it. What does dharma mean in Buddhism? Dharma is the teachings of the Buddha and is one of the three jewels. Is dharma the same in Buddhism as it is in Hinduism? No, in Hinduism its one’s righteous duty while in Buddhism its the teachings of the Buddha. Is Buddha a god? No, Buddha is a regular man. Is enlightenment a solitary process, not dependent on the divine? Yes, it is a solitary process; Buddhism does not depend on a revelation from the divine for its truths. What is the Sangha? The first Buddhist monastic community, both men and women. To be part of the Sangha one must understand that everything depends on something else. Everything is interconnected. Which sect is the Diamond Vehicle? Vajrayana is the diamond vehicle. Which sect is the Lesser Vehicle? Theravada is the lesser vehicle. Which sect is the Greater Vehicle? Mahayana is the the greater vehicle. Who practices the first five Precepts of Buddhism? All Buddhists must follow the first five Precepts of Buddhism. What are the four passing sights, which one gave Gautama hope? He meets a decrepit old man—had never seen old age, everyone gets old He sees a diseased man, “How can life be enjoyed, if disease is all around?” Encounters a corpse, witnessing death for the first time, “How do you continue to go on living if it only ends in death?” Finally he meets an ascetic, a religious man who chose to be homeless living a life of solitude and self-denial. This was the sight that gave him hope. Which class and status was Gautama born into? He was born a prince (Luxury; warriors) When (what did he discover) did Gautama gain enlightenment? He discovered the four noble truths To live is to suffer (Dukkha–means suffering) Suffering is caused by desire (Tanha in Pali) Suffering can be ended, brought about by the cessation of desire. End desire, end suffering. Have there been other Buddhas and will there be more? Yes How does a Buddhist attain salvation? Following the noble eight fold path. What did Gautama find when he looked deep inside himself? He became aware of his own previous lifetimes, seeing his death and rebirths and constant suffering. What are the Three Marks of Existence, and what do they summarize? Anatta: no self, no ultimate reality within Anicca: means impermanence/change, all things are changing, things always fleeting—person always unsatisfied Dukkha: means suffering, only real inevitability in life. What does taking refuge in the Three Jewels mean? Involves repeating a ritual formula 3 times. Amounting to a formal acknowledgement of the authority of the three Jewels and indicates a definite commitment to being a Buddhist The easiest way to describe the Noble Eightfold Path would be to say that it promotes a life of moderation which entails ongoing practices. How one frees oneself from desire What is NOT a part of the Noble Eightfold Path? Which sect of Buddhism comes from the Indian dhyana tradition which means meditation? Zen Buddhism What is the largest division of Buddhism? Mahayana Which sect is also known as Tibetan Buddhism? Vajrayana What is the Awakened One? The Buddha Which sect is known as the school of Sudden Awakening? Zen Buddhism (rinzai) Eternal Bliss in Buddhism is called? Nirvana Who is the Head of the Vajrayana Buddhist clergy? Dalai Lama What are choreographed hand movements in Buddhism called? Mudras What is zazen? Posture; lotus position with half opened eyes directed downward What is the Dokusan? Monks meet with their teachers who pose a koan to them. What is a mantra? Chanted syllables or prayers (oommmmmm) What is a koan? Special riddle which is meant to free the person from the confines of logic. What are mandalas? Elaborate sand paintings created in a state of utter mindfulness What are the Four Noble Truths and what is the significance of these truths? To live is to suffer. The basic reality of life: Life is suffering (Dukkha–means suffering) Suffering is caused by desire. It is called “tanha” in Pali. Suffering can be brought to cessation, to an end. The cessation of suffering is brought about by the cessation of desire. End desire, end suffering. The solution for suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path. This is the remedy to cure suffering. Why does the Buddha condemn attachments, even between family members? Clinging to them is a source of suffering s

Buddha

The Awakened One, founder of Buddhism.

Dharma

The teachings of the Buddha, one of the Three Jewels.

Sangha

The community of monks and nuns in Buddhism.

Three Jewels

The core elements of Buddhism: The Buddha, The Dharma, and The Sangha.

Mahayana

The Greater Vehicle, a sect of Buddhism focused on universal enlightenment.

Theravada

The Way of the Elders, the original sect of Buddhism emphasizing meditation.

Vajrayana

The Diamond Vehicle, a sect of Buddhism found in Tibet utilizing tantra.

Satori

Enlightenment in Zen Buddhism, noted for being instantaneous (in Rinzai sect).

Koan

A verbal puzzle used in Zen practice to break down logical thought patterns.

Tantra

Practices in Vajrayana Buddhism to harness and channel energy.

Anatta

One of the Three Marks of Existence, meaning 'no self'.

Anicca

One of the Three Marks of Existence, meaning 'impermanence'.

Dukkha

One of the Three Marks of Existence, meaning 'suffering'.

Four Noble Truths

The foundation of Buddha's teachings regarding suffering and its cessation.

Nirvana

Eternal bliss in Buddhism, the ultimate goal of enlightenment.

Mudras

Choreographed hand movements used in Buddhist rituals.

Zazen

Sitting meditation in Zen Buddhism, typically practiced in a lotus position.

Mandalas

Elaborate sand paintings created with mindful intention.

Mantra

Chanted syllables or prayers used in meditation.

Bodhisattva

A being who has achieved enlightenment but remains in the cycle of rebirth to help others.

Precepts

Basic ethical guidelines that all Buddhists must follow.

Dalai Lama

The head of the Vajrayana Buddhist clergy.