OCR GCSE Religious Studies: Buddhism Flashcards

Flashcards generated from lecture notes on Buddhism, covering key concepts such as the life of the Buddha, the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and Buddhist ethics.

Who was Siddhartha Gautama before he became the Buddha?

A prince born into the warrior caste in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal).

What were the Four Sights that prompted Siddhartha's renunciation?

Old age, sickness, death, and a holy man (ascetic).

What is the significance of the Bodhi Tree in Buddhism?

It is the tree under which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment.

What are the Three Marks of Existence?

Dukkha (suffering), Anicca (impermanence), and Anattā (no fixed self).

Define Nibbāna

A state of peace and liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara).

What does the Dhamma refer to in Buddhism?

The universal truths discovered by the Buddha; his teachings.

What are the Three Jewels (Triple Gem)?

The Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.

Explain Dependent Origination (Paticcasamuppāda)

The concept that everything exists dependently, arising due to conditions and cause and effect.

What are the Twelve Nidānas (Links)?

A description of the cycle of rebirth and suffering, starting with ignorance and ending with aging and death.

Define Dukkha

Suffering or unsatisfactoriness; the First Noble Truth.

What is Anicca?

Impermanence; the concept that all things change.

What is Anattā?

No fixed self; the concept that there is no unchanging soul or identity.

What are the Four Noble Truths?

Dukkha (suffering), Samudaya (the cause of suffering), Nirodha (the cessation of suffering), and Magga (the path to the cessation of suffering).

What is Tanhā?

Craving or desire; the cause of dukkha.

What are the Three Poisons in Buddhism?

Greed (lobha), hatred (dosa), and ignorance (moha).

What is the Noble Eightfold Path?

The path to the cessation of suffering, divided into Wisdom, Ethics, and Meditation.

What are the components of the Threefold Way?

Paññā (Wisdom), Sīla (Ethical conduct), and Samādhi (Mental discipline/meditation).

What does Right View entail (Sammā-diṭṭhi)?

Understanding of dukkha, anicca, anattā, kamma, and rebirth; acceptance of the Four Noble Truths.

What does Right Intention entail (Sammā-saṅkappa)?

Thinking free from ill-will, cruelty, and craving; cultivating thoughts of renunciation, non-violence, and compassion.

What does Right Speech entail (Sammā-vācā)?

Abstaining from lying, gossip, harsh language, and idle chatter; speaking truthfully and kindly.

What does Right Action entail (Sammā-kammanta)?

Living morally through non-harm, non-stealing, and sexual responsibility; following the Five Precepts.

What does Right Livelihood entail (Sammā-ājīva)?

Earning a living without harm; avoiding work involving weapons, slavery, intoxicants, or the meat trade.

What does Right Effort entail (Sammā-vāyāma)?

Preventing unwholesome states and developing wholesome states; mental discipline to resist desire and negativity.

What does Right Mindfulness entail (Sammā-sati)?

Being fully aware of body, feelings, mind, and phenomena; practicing mindfulness.

What does Right Concentration entail (Sammā-samādhi)?

Deep states of meditative absorption (jhāna).

What are the Five Aggregates (Pañcakkhandha / Skandhas)?

Form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness.

What is Sunyata (Emptiness)?

The concept that all phenomena are empty of inherent, independent existence.

What is Buddha-nature (Tathāgatagarbha)?

The teaching that every sentient being possesses the potential for enlightenment.

What is the Arhat ideal in Theravada Buddhism?

A 'worthy one' who has achieved nibbāna through personal effort, eliminating all mental defilements and craving.

What is the Bodhisattva ideal in Mahayana Buddhism?

Someone who could become a Buddha but chooses to delay final enlightenment to help others, motivated by compassion.

What is Pure Land Buddhism?

A faith-based Mahāyāna tradition where one can be reborn into the Pure Land of Amitābha Buddha, where enlightenment is easier.

What is Pūjā in Buddhism?

Acts of respect, gratitude, reflection, and mindful devotion to the Buddha and his teachings.

What are some common devotional practices in Pūjā?

Chanting, mantra recitation, offerings, bowing, and meditation.

What is the purpose of a Stūpa?

Domed structure containing Buddhist relics or scriptures, symbolising the Buddha’s enlightened mind.

What different types of meditation are there?

Samatha (calming), Vipassanā (insight) and Visualisation.

What is Wesak (Vesākha / Buddha Day)?

A festival that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvāṇa of Gautama Buddha.

What is Parinirvāṇa Day?

A day that marks the Buddha’s final passing into nibbāna (parinirvāṇa).

What is the meaning of Uposatha Days?

Observance days in the Theravāda tradition for purification and rededication.

What is the core belief about death in buddhism?

Death is a transition, not an end, influenced by kamma.

What guides moral action in Buddhism?

Intention (cetana); actions judged by mental states and consequences, not just rules.

What is Kamma (karma) in Buddhism?

Intentional actions creating moral consequences, leading to favourable or unfavourable rebirths.

What are the Five Moral Precepts (Pañca Sīla)?

Training principles involving abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants.

What are the Four Sublime States (Brahmavihārās)?

Mettā (loving-kindness), Karunā (compassion), Muditā (sympathetic joy), and Upekkhā (equanimity).

What are the Six Perfections (Pāramitās) for Bodhisattvas?

Dāna (generosity), Sīla (morality), Kṣānti (patience), Vīrya (energy), Dhyāna (meditation), and Prajñā (wisdom).