religions buddhism

Tripitaka (Pali Canon)

Thereveda Buddhisms central scriptures

Divided into three “baskets” or collections

Sutta Pitaka

Teachings and discourses of Buddha

Vinaya Pitaka

Monastic rules for monks and nuns

Abhidhamma Pitaka

Philosophical and doctrinal analysis

Mahayana Sutras

Heart sutra, diamond sutra, and lotus sutra

Thereveda or the school of elders

Pali canon (earliest texts). Found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Idea of arhat

Vajrayana or the diamond vehicle

Esoteric practices (tantra) , rituals for reaching Enlightenment quickly. Found in Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan . Uses mediation and mantras

Mahayana or the great vehicle

Emphasizes the path of helping others reach enlightenment. Key concept is Bodhisattva . Found in Japan , china, Korea, and Vietnam

Important figures of Buddhism

The Buddha, Dalai Lama, and Bodhisattvas

The Buddha

Siddartha Gautama , the founder and central figure of Buddhism

Dalai Lama

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism

Bodhisattvas

Enlightened people in Mahayana who have stopped their journey to final enlightenment to help others reach theirs

Right view

Understanding the nature of reality and the truth of the four noble truths

right intention

Commitment to ethical and mental self improvement

Right speech

Speaking truthfully and without harmful language

Right action

Behaving in ethical manners, following moral precepts

Eight livelihood

Earning a living in a way that does not cause harm

Right effort

Cultivating positive states of mind, stopping unwholesome states

Right mindfulness

Being aware of the body, feelings, thoughts, and phenomena

Right concentration

Developing deep focus through meditation

Karma

The law of cause and effect, actions good or bad have consequences that determine future experiences

Samsara

The cycle of birth death and rebirths

Anatta

No self, there is no permanent self or soul

Anicca

Impermanence, everything in life is constantly changing

Bodhisattva

An enlightened person who delays nirvana to help others

Dukkha

Suffering , all beings experience suffering

Samatha

Calm abiding meditation

Nirvana

The state of liberation from suffering, desire, and the cycle of samsara

Vipassana

Insight meditation

arhat

One who has attained enlightenment through individual effort

The four noble truths

Dukkha

Samuday

Nirodha

Magga

Dukkha

Life is filled with suffering, suffering exists

Samudaya

The cause of suffering is desire , craving and attachment

Nirodha

Ending suffering comes from getting rid of the desire

Magga

The path to end the suffering is the noble eightfold path

Meditation

Development of mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom

Different types are: vipassna, samatha, and zen meditation

Mindfulness

Being aware and present in the moment without attachment. In formal meditation and everyday life

Rituals

Offerings, chanting, or prostrations

The 5 precepts

Basic ethical guidelines :

Refrain from killing living beings

Refrain from stealing

Refrain from sexual misconduct

Refrain from lying

Refrain from intoxicants

5 precepts, #1

Refrain from killing living beings

5 precepts, #2

Refrain from stealing

5 precepts, #3

Refrain from sexual misconduct

5 precepts, #4

Refrain from lying

5 precepts, #5

Refrain from intoxicants