RS Paper 3 Key Terms

dharma

teachings of buddha and truth about the nature of existence, the Buddha did not invent the Dhamma, it has always existed – he became awakened to it and taught it to others

pratityasamutpada

Dependent origination or arising, Nothing arises by chance or magic or out of nothing. Everything is dependent on something else for its existence

three marks of existence

Three things or characteristics which all things share – dukkha, anicca and anatta

dukkha

Suffering or unsatisfactoriness, things do not always go the way we want them to, also first noble truth

anicca

impermanence, Everything changes, nothing remains the same. Impermanence applies to all things

anatta

no fixed self, everything changes so we cannot have a fixed state, buddha used nagasena and the chariot to explain this

4 noble truths

dukka, samudaya, nirodha, magga (four truths that the Buddha taught about suffering. They explain why people suffer and how to end suffering. The Buddha discovered these truths during his enlightenment.)

3 poisons

they causes us to grasp at things – to become attached to things and to desire things. The Three poisons are: Greed, Ignorance and anger and hatred

samudaya

Means arising or origin (refers to the origins of suffering, second noble truth and explains cause of suffering. buddha taught one main cause is tanha

tanha

thirst/craving, is the cause of suffering

nirvana

The absence of suffering, not caused – once craving and ignorance is removed nirvana remains, two types : one in this life and one after death

samsara

cycle of birth-death-rebirth, once nirvana is achieved, individual escapes samsara

enlightenemnt

To come to understand the true nature of reality, this is the aim for all buddhists

magga

strategies to end suffering, eightfold path, the middle way, split into 3 sections (wisdom, ethics and mental training)

5 skandhas

A Theravada belief - the five elements that make up a human being: form, sensation, perception, mental formations and consciousness, theyre always changing so a permanent soul doesnt exist

sunyata

translates to emptiness, mahayana belief, all things dont have a fixed state and are empty

tathagatagarbha

buddha nature, mahayana belief that all have the potential to achieve enlightenment

arhat

enlightened disciple, The fourth and highest stage of realisation recognised by the Theravada tradition

boddhisattva

an enlightened being in mahayana buddhism, seeks enlightenment for others, they perfect the 6 paramitas and achieve enlightenment and choose to be reborn to help others achieve enlightenment

pure land buddhism

A tradition within Mahayana Buddhism, main type of Buddhism practised in Japan. It is based on faith in Amida Buddha

karma

effect of our actions, all actions have effects, the effects of your actions might occur in this life or in a future rebirth

karuna

compassion, Wanting others to be free of suffering and desiring to do whatever is possible to relieve the suffering of others

metta

loving-kindness, Cultivating a loving, kind, friendly attitude towards all beings, wish for all beings to be happy and free from suffering without expecting anything in return

five precepts

guidelines Buddhists use to help guide their actions to live ethically and morally

6 paramitas

within Mahayana Buddhism these are six qualities a person needs to develop to make progress towards realising one’s Buddha nature and enlightenment, these qualities are: generosity, morality, energy to do good, patience, meditation and wisdom