Buddhism - Topic 1 - Beliefs and Practices

Describe the birth of the Buddha?

Born Siddhartha Gautama in northern India. He could walk when born and lotus flowers sprung up from under his feet. He was prophesised to become a great king or a revered holy man.

His father kept him in the palace to protect him from suffering so he would become a great king and stay in a life of luxury.

What were the four sights?

Old Man - Began to understand how it happens to everyone

Ill Man - Learns about suffering

Dead Man - Learnt that death came to everyone

Holy Man - Inspired to leave the palace and learn about suffering

What is an ascetic life and how did this influence Siddhartha?

Ascetic - Living a simple and strict life with few pleasures or possessions

Siddhartha was influenced by the holy man so tried an ascetic lifestyle for six years. This included lots of meditation and fasting.

He turned away due to a young girl who gave him food when he was weak. This made him realise neither luxury nor ascetic helped, which led him to create ‘the middle way’.

Describe the Buddha’s enlightenment?

He sat under a peepul tree and meditated. Mara (an evil demon) tried to stop him but he became enlightened. There he had 3 realisations (The watches of the night)

What are the 3 watches of the night?

1. He gained knowledge of all his previous lives.

2. He understood the repeating cycle of life, death and rebirth.

3. He understood why suffering happens and how to overcome it.

What is the Dhamma?

The Buddha’s teachings he understood when he became enlightened (Marks of Existence).

What is Dependent Arising?

The idea that all things arise in dependance upon conditions.

1. When this is, that is

2. From the arising of this, comes the arising of that

3. When this is not, that is not

4. When this ends, that ends

Describe the Tibetan wheel of life?

An illustration of the process of dependent arising in relation to human life, birth and death.

The cycle of birth, death and rebirth is called Samsara.

You actions decide your conditions of rebirth (Kamma).

By breaking the cycle of suffering, you can achieve a state of enlightenment and peace (Nibbana).

What are the 3 marks of existence?

1. Suffering (Dukkha)

2. Impermanence (Anicca)

3. Having no permanent, fixed self or soul (Anatta)

What are the 3 types of Dukkha?

Suffering - Ordinary pain or suffering (Physical, mental, etc)

Change - The happiness lost from something changing

Attachment - When you crave and try to hold onto things, it causes suffering

In what 3 ways does Anicca affect the world?

1. It affects living things (Seed growing to tree)

2. It affects non-living things (Iron nail rusting)

3. It affects our mind (Feelings always changing)

What is Anatta and the chariot story?

Th Buddha taught there is no fixed part of a person that does not change.

Nagasena and the chariot:

They described how a name is just given to recognise the owner of the parts. He used a chariot as an example to explain to a king and how it is the name to lots of specific parts.

What are the 5 aggregates?

1. Form (Our bodies)

2. Sensation (Our feelings)

3. Perception (Our recognition of what things are)

4. Mental Formation (Our thoughts)

5. Consciousness (Our awareness of things)

What are the 4 noble truths?

1. The truth of suffering

2. The truth of the cause of suffering

3. The truth of the end of suffering

4. The truth of the path leading to the end of suffering

Explain the first noble truth?

The fact that suffering is a part of life and everyone experiences it.

The four unavoidable types of suffering:

1. Birth

2. Old age

3. Sickness

4. Death

Explain the second cause of suffering?

One of the main sources of suffering is craving.

The 3 poisons:

1. A pig - Ignorance

2. A cockerel - Greed and desire

3. A snake - Anger and hatred

Explain the third noble truth?

It is possible to achieve happiness and overcome suffering, leading to enlightenment and nibbana.

Explain the fourth noble truth?

A series of practices to overcome suffering and find the ‘Middle Path’. The fourth noble truth is also the eightfold path.

What is the eightfold path?

Wisdom:

1. Right Understanding - Understanding the Buddha’s teachings

2. Right Intention - Having the right approach to the path

Ethics:

1. Right Speech - Speaking truthfully in a positive way

2. Right Action - Behaving in a peaceful, ethical way

3. Right livelihood - Having a living that does not harm others

Meditation:

1. Right Effort - Putting effort into meditation

2. Right Mindfulness - Becoming fully aware of yourself

3. Right Concentration - Developing the focus for meditation

What is Theravada Buddhism?

A school of Buddhism who focus on meditation and good kamma.

What is an Arhat?

Someone who has become enlightened in Therivada Buddhism and overcome the three poisons to attain nibbana. This goal is achieved by following the eightfold path.

What is a Bodhisattva?

Someone who has become enlightened and chooses to stay in they cycle of samsara to help others achieve enlightenment. This is the ultimate goal of Mahayana Buddhists.

They have also perfected the 6 perfections (Mahayana):

1. Generosity

2. Morality

3. Patience

4. Energy

5. Meditation

6. Wisdome

What is Pure Land Buddhism?

A tradition of Mahayana Buddhism. It is based on faith in Amitabha Buddhism on the hope of being reborn in paradise, where Amitabha lives. This paradise is Sukhavita.