Buddhism

Therevada

• Monastic tradition

• Elder Vehicle

• try to become an arhat (the person who has attained enlightenment)

  • most in sri lanka, thailand, cambodia, and mayanmar

Pali Canon

the earlliest collection of Buddhist scriptures

• The Vinaya (monastic rule)

• Sutta (discourses of the buddha)

• Abhidhamma (philosphical analysis)

Mahayana

• Great Vehicle

• You won’t get enlightenment if you put it first because it’s considered a desire which would lead to more suffering

• bodhisattva

• compassion in the main aim

• Avalokitesvara

• manjushri

  • most of these buddist don’t meditate

Avalokiteśvara

• part of mahayana buddhism

Manjushri

• part of mahayana buddhism

• bodhisattva of wisdom and intellect

Zen Buddhism (Chan)

• they meditate

• “If you meet the budda along the way, kill him”

• Every man for himself

  • Koans (nonsense riddles you think about → what sound does the color blue make?

Shinran

• Becoming a buddha is beyond the unenlightened’s capacity

• Must trust a buddha/bodhisattva for help

  • Meditating is waste of time

Vajrayana

• diamond/thunderbolt vehicle

  • incorpation of tantra (ritual manipulation of hidden sources

Tibetan Buddhism

• A Vajrayana tradition somewhat reabsorbed into Mahayana context

• tulku

• dalai lama

  • Incarnation of avalokitesvara

Pure land

• A Buddhist tradition focused on devotion to Amida Buddha (Amitabha) and the aspiration to be reborn in his area, a realm of bliss conducive to attaining enlightenment.

four noble truths

1. life is marked by suffering (dukkha)

2. suffering arises from craving

3. suffering can end

4. The eightfold path leads to the end of suffering

Dukkha

suffering, one of the core insights of buddhism

eightfold path

the path to liberation in buddhism

1. right view

2. right intention

3. right speech

4. right action

5. right livelihood

6. right effort

7. right mindfulness

8. right concentrtation

Middle way

The Buddha’s teaching of avoiding extremes, such as indulgence in sensual pleasures or extreme asceticism, to achieve balance and enlightenment.

Mandala

A symbolic, geometric representation of the universe used in meditation and rituals, particularly in Vajrayana Buddhism.

Bodhisattva

A being who seeks enlightenment not only for themselves but for the benefit of all sentient beings. In Mahayana Buddhism, bodhisattvas are revered as compassionate guides.

Anatman

The doctrine of "not-self," which teaches that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul in living beings.

Impermanence

The teaching that all phenomena are transient and subject to change, a fundamental concept in Buddhism.

Conditionality

The principle of dependent origination, which states that all things arise in dependence upon causes and conditions.

Interdependence

The idea that all phenomena are interconnected and mutually dependent, a key concept in Mahayana Buddhism.

Mantra

A sacred sound, word, or phrase used in meditation and ritual to focus the mind and invoke spiritual power.

Nirvana

The ultimate goal of Buddhism, the cessation of suffering and liberation from the cycle of birth and death

Tulku

In Tibetan Buddhism, a recognized reincarnated lama or teacher, such as the Dalai Lama.

Dalai Lama

The spiritual leader of tibetan buddhism, considered an incarnation of Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

Koan

A paradoxical question or statement used in Zen Buddhism to provoke deep insight and transcend logical thinking.

Avalokitesvara

The bodhisattva of compassion, revered in Mahayana Buddhism. In Tibetan Buddhism, is associated with the Dalai Lama.

Forms of Meditation

Various practices in Buddhism, such as mindfulness (vipassana), concentration (samatha), loving-kindness (metta), and Zen meditation (zazen).

Sangha

The Buddhist community, which includes monks, nuns, and lay practitioners. It is one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha).