Tibetan Meditation Midterm

Brahma 

Heavenly king and protector of the Buddhist teachings (dharma)

Angulimala

• A jealous classmate and teacher conspired against him

• Teacher asked him to bring 1,000 fingers as a final test for his spiritual teaching 

• Had 999 but then encountered the Buddha

• Caused him to abandon his path of violence and became a monk

• Significance: redemption is possible for anyone regardless of their past

Mahaparinirvana

The final state of nirvana achieved upon death, in which a person is liberated from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Shakbar

Tibetan yogin who uses spiritual songs to teach about many aspects of Buddhism

3 Marks of Existence

anitya, duhka, and anatman

anitya

impermanence

• Everything is in a state of flux; nothing remains the same

• Being good at letting go and moving with change

duhkha

stress/suffering

feelings of unsatisfactoriness and discontentment

anatman

no independent self/soul

• Resides in the heart 

• no bigger than the thumb and immortal

• No permanent anatman within a person

• Perceived self is made of five skandhas

5 skandhas

rupa, vedana, samjna, samskara, and vijnana

rupa

•  (form): physical body and material world

vedana

• sensations and feelings 

samjna

perception; registers whether an object is recognized or not (cognition and recognition)

samskara

(mental formations): all types of mental habits, thoughts, ideas, opinions, prejudices, compulsions, and decisions triggered by an object

vijnana

(conciousness): awareness and consciousness that arises in connection with the six sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind)

Tathagatagarbha

• All sentient beings have an inherent, pure Buddha-nature or potential for enlightenment

Pratityasamutpada

• Explains how everything is interconnected and arises from a web of causes and conditions

Four Noble Truths

1. Suffering is inherent in life

2. Craving causes suffering

3. Put an end to craving and you put an end to suffering

4. Follow the Eightfold Path

Three Jewels

• The three fundamental aspects of that Buddhists utilize for guidance and support on their spiritual path

• Buddha 

• Dharma

• Sangha

Boddhisatva

Buddha to be

Theravada

 (The Way of the Elders)

• Emphasizes original teachings of Buddha

• Ultimate goal: self-liberation through one’s own efforts to end suffering

dana

generosity

bhiksu/bhiksuni

beggar; monk/nun

punya

merit

dharma

teachings of the Buddha, path to enlightenment, and reality/truth of how things are

Anapanasati

Mindfulness of Inhalation & Exhalation

Samatha

• (Calm Abiding)

• Focuses on calm, stable mind and paying attention to breath

Vipassana

• Guided practice of observing breath and bodily sensations