ZEN PBS BUDDHA TERMS

Why was the Middle Way preferable to Siddhartha's earlier practices?

It avoided both luxury and extreme self-denial, offering a balanced path to enlightenment

What is unique about Buddhist compassion?

It extends to all living beings because everyone experiences suffering

What was the Buddha's first teaching about?

The Four Noble Truths: suffering, its cause, its end, and the path to end it

What does Dharma mean?

The Buddha's teachings and the path to enlightenment

What are the main ideas of the Eightfold Path?

Right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration

What does Sangha mean?

The Buddhist community, especially monks and nuns who follow the Buddha's teachings

What was unique about the Buddha's Sangha, and who could join?

It welcomed people regardless of caste or wealth; both men and women could eventually join

What are the Three Poisons, and what can they become?

Greed becomes generosity, hatred becomes compassion, and ignorance becomes wisdom

Why did miracle stories become associated with the Buddha?

To demonstrate his spiritual wisdom and inspire faith in his teachings

How did the Buddha die?

He became seriously ill around age 80, possibly after eating contaminated food, and entered parinirvana

How would you summarize the Buddha's last words?

Everything is impermanent; work diligently toward your own enlightenment

What work are Buddhists supposed to do?

Follow the Eightfold Path, overcome the Three Poisons, and work toward enlightenment and nirvana

What were Siddhartha's Four Encounters?

An old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a holy man (renunciant)

Why did Siddhartha leave his wife and family?

To understand suffering and seek enlightenment beyond his luxurious life

why were people turning away from Vedic priests?

growing rigidity, high economic costs, and social exclusivism of the priestly class

What is a renunciant?

Someone who gives up possessions and ordinary worldly life to pursue spiritual enlightenment

Why do renunciants reject the world?

They believe attachment to worldly pleasures causes suffering and prevents enlightenment

What did Siddhartha's first guru say about him?

Alara Kalama praised his abilities, considered him an equal, and invited him to help teach

Why did Siddhartha leave his gurus?

ecause their methods did not lead to the complete cessation of suffering or ultimate enlightenment

Why did Siddhartha physically punish himself?

He believed extreme fasting and self-denial would eliminate attachment and lead to enlightenment