Buddhism Part II - Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering the key concepts, practices, and history of Buddhism as presented in the lecture notes.

Dharma

In Buddhism, this term refers to the law or teachings of the Buddha, distinguishing it from its meaning in Hinduism.

Dukha

A fundamental Buddhist teaching stating that life inevitably involves suffering and is imperfect and unsatisfactory.

Four Noble Truths

The sermon preached by Buddha at a Deer park involving: 1. Life is suffering (Dukha), 2. Suffering originates in desires, 3. Suffering ceases if desires cease, 4. The Noble Eightfold Path is the way to realize this state.

Nirvana

The state of peace achieved through the perfection of the path, signifying the final escape from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Right Understanding

The first part of the Eightfold Path, which involves comprehending reality correctly through the deep realization of the Four Noble Truths.

Right Thought or Motives

The second part of the Eightfold Path, aimed at uncovering unwholesome emotional roots behind one's thinking.

Right Speech

The third part of the Eightfold Path, which requires relinquishing vain talk, gossip, lying, and harsh words in favor of truth and harmony.

Right Action

Moral conduct within the Eightfold Path that involves avoiding the destruction of life, stealing, sexual misconduct, and intoxicants.

Right Livelihood

The principle that one's trade or profession should not harm others or disrupt social harmony.

Right Effort

The continual striving to cut off unwholesome states in the past, present, and future.

Right Mindfulness

The practice of being on guard and checking one's mind as a way of liberation.

Right Meditation

The practice of mental discipline aimed at quieting the mind itself.

Karma

The action of body, speech, and mind where every event depends on a cause.

The 3 Root Evils

Greed, hate, and delusion, which serve as the primary causes of negative states.

Theravada

A conservative and traditional Buddhist path that emphasizes the study of early scriptures in Pali and the life of renunciation.

Tipitaka

Also known as the Pali Canon, these are the early scriptures followed by Theravadin Buddhists.

The Three Refuges

The central elements of devotion in Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Dalai Lama

The custodian of Buddhist literature and leader who steers his people toward non-violence and advocates for Tibet.

Buddha Shakyamuni

The founder of Buddhism, born as Siddhartha in $624\text{ BC}$ in Lumbini.

The Four Sights

The experiences that impacted Siddhartha Gautama's life: a bent old man, a sick person, a dead person, and a monk seeking eternal pleasure.

The Middle Way

The path to enlightenment Siddhartha pursued after discovering that self-denial and extreme fasting did not lead to enlightenment.

Stupa

Funeral mounds where the relics of the Buddha's body were housed.

Bodhi tree

The tree under which Siddhartha Gautama became enlightened.