Year 8 REP

Buddhism

A religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in India about 2,500 years ago. It teaches people how to end suffering and find enlightenment.

Enlightenment (Nirvana)

A state of perfect wisdom and peace, free from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.

The Four Noble Truths

1⃣ Life involves suffering.
2⃣ Suffering is caused by craving (desire).
3⃣ Suffering can end.
4⃣ The way to end it is by following the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path

The Buddhist way of life that leads to enlightenment, including right understanding, speech, action, and meditation.

Karma

The idea that actions have consequences — good actions bring good results; bad actions bring bad results.

Rebirth (Reincarnation)

The belief that after death, a person is born again into a new life based on their karma.

Meditation

A practice used to calm the mind and develop understanding and awareness.

Dharma (Dhamma)

The Buddha’s teachings and the truth about how things really are.

Sangha

The Buddhist community — monks, nuns, and ordinary follower

The Middle Way

The Buddha’s teaching to live between extremes — not too much luxury, not too much hardship.

Mara

The evil force that tempted the Buddha and represents obstacles to enlightenment

Ahimsa

The Buddhist (and Hindu) idea of non-violence — not hurting any living thing in your thoughts, words, or actions. It means being kind to all living beings.

Tipitaka

The holy scriptures of Buddhism, also called the Three Baskets. They contain the Buddha’s teachings, rules for monks and nuns, and explanations of his ideas.

Samsara

The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Buddhists believe you keep being reborn until you reach enlightenment and escape this cycle.