World Religions Test 2

anatman*

“No self” - rejects the idea that we have a core of our being atman

Buddha sees us as a “bundle” (skandha) of 5 attributes

arhats

“worthy ones”

-(Theravada) the one who has attained enlightenment thanks to Buddha’s help

-(Mahayana) person who is attained peace (of enlightenment) for themsevles, not willing to give it up for the sake of others

bodhisattva*

(in Mahayana Buddhism) people who’s goal of working is for the salvation of others, not just the self

Buddha*

means “the Enlightened One”, learned great truths about the cause and cure for human sufferings and taught them to the world

Buddha nature

concept central to Mahayana Buddhism — teaches that the enlightened consciousness of the Buddha is found within all sentient beings

Chan Buddhism

Zen Buddhism, known as Chan Buddhism in china

Dharma*

the teachings of Buddha

dukkha*

“suffering”, when we hold onto things

emptiness

doctrine of emptiness (shunyata), foundational feature of Mahayana Buddhism. says that all things are empty of self-existence

Four Noble Truths*

1. suffering is inherent in life

2. the cause of suffering is desire

3. there is a way to put an end to desire and suffering

4. that way is the Noble Eightfold Path

interdependent origination*

“Reality is a complex of interdependent phenomena in which the origin or coming- into-existence of all things depends on all other things.”

-No thing has an identity or existence independent of other things.

-Nothing remains the same; all is in a state of becoming.

-Thus suffering will arise when we try to grasp or control something.

leads to 3 marks of existence

karma*

Sanskrit, “action” - one’s karma brings about a new life, a new combination of skandhas.

lamas

Tibet’s spiritual leaders

Mahayana Buddhism*

-largest of the Buddhist traditions

-the Buddha as an expression of ultimate reality

-more flexible doctrines

-complex cosmology

mandalas

describe reality visually, usually painted on cloth - diagrams of the universe filled with colorful images

Mantras

words and sounds thought to have spiritual power

Middle Way*

-principle that became foundational for Buddhism.

-neither sensual indulgence of his early life, nor the extreme asceticism of his recent life

(basically, avoid extremes)

Nichiren Buddhism

Japanese school — believes that no other sutra (other than Lotus Sutra) was worthy of attention - Lotus is the supreme manifestation of Buddhist wisdom and source of spiritual power

nirvana*

the extinguishing of desire and the suffering it causes

Noble Eightfold Path*

1. Right View

2. Right Intention

3. Right Speech

4. Right Action

5. Right Livelihood

6. Right Effort

7. Right Mindfulness

8. Right Concentration

Pali Canon*

original texts of teachings of Buddha (aka Tipitaka), rules for monks and nuns

parinirvana

the complete and final entry into nirvana

Pure Land Buddhism

form of Mahayana Buddhism, dominant form in China and Japan

-emphasizes devotion to Amitabha Buddha and faith that he will bring his devotees to a blissful rebirth in his own pure land

samsara*

ultimate goal of Buddhist practice - break free of samsara (rebirth) and achieve the end of suffering found in nirvana

sangha*

the first monks/nuns which became the first community

shunyata

(doctrine of emptiness) foundational feature of Mahayana Buddhism. says that all things are empty of self-existence

skandhas*

“bundle” - instead of an atman, Buddha sees us as a “bundle” of 5 attributes

-material form

-feelings

-perceptions

-mental constructions

-awareness

skillful means

the compassionate, adaptive methods used in Buddhism to guide beings toward enlightenment, tailored to their specific needs and capacity

stupas

earthen reliquary mounds where Buddha’s relics are placed

sutras

“suttas”, texts that contain the discourses and sermons of the Buddha

Theravada Buddhism*

-represents original and authentic teaching of Buddha

-Sanskrit “Way of the Elders”

-Emphasizes individual’s effort in seeking an end to suffering AND monasticism and the arhat

Three Refuges*

three assertions recited by Buddhists:
“I take refuge in the Buddha. I take refuge in the Dharma. I take refuge in the Sangha.”

Tiantai Buddhism

form of Mahayana Buddhism started as an effort to harmonize different interpretations of Dharma in a single unified Buddhist thought — asserted that Buddha always taught the same truths but at different levels of difficulty intended for different audiences

Tipitaka

original texts of teachings of Buddha (aka Pali Canon) - means “three baskets”

trikaya

“three bodies” — according to the Mahayana doctrine of trikaya, there are three bodies or modes of being in which the Buddha is known

Vajrayana Buddhism*

-”Diamond Vehicle” or “Thunderbold Vehicle”

-prominent form of Buddhism in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and Mongolia

- influenced by Mahayana Buddhism and tantric texts

-includes Dalai lama

Zen Buddhism

form of Mahayana Buddhism - traces unique teachings back to Buddha and credits Bodhidharma with bringing them to China

Adi Granth*

sacred scripture of Sikhism, also is the ultimate Guru

-consulted as the source for all guidance

amrit

“immortalizing fluid” - special drink made from water and sugary crystals

gurdwara*

-place of Sikh worship - always has copy of the Adi Granth displayed

-worship takes place on any day

-free meals are served in langar. open to all in charitable service to neighbors

Guru*

spiritual teacher

haumai*

Sikh term for self-centeredness, self-reliance, or pride that humans are inclined to be, rather than God-centered

hukam*

divine order - living in accord with hukam requires ethical behavior - live in accordance with God

Khalsa*

-community of “Pure Ones”

-provides Sikhs with many of the ideals regarding how to live in this world

langar*

community kitchen.

mukti

spiritual liberation - the infinitely blissful state of being in the presence of god

Mul mantra

summary of the Sikh doctrine that comprises the opening lines of the Adi Granth

Panth*

sikh community

Rahit*

a collection of texts composed over the centuries

dan

an "elixir" representing a refined essence, spiritual energy, or the ultimate state of immortality

dantian

three central nodal points in the human body - locations for the production of dan (pill of immortality)

Dao*

means “way or path” - the natural ‘way’ of the universe/natural order - the ultimate reality in Daosim

Daodejing*

key text written by Laozi

Daozang

the ultimate Daoist canon (a canon is like the bible, a collection of writings) - Treasury of Dao

de*

The power from above (the spirits) -often loosely translated as ‘virtue,’ but is more accurate described as ‘potency’

fangshi

recipe, formula, or prescription for reaching xian

Five Classics

foundational Confucian canon in Chinese literature and philosophy

the Four Books

the core, canonical texts of Confucianism

gui*

malevolent spirits - visits disasters on people

jiao*

communal offerings - Daoist ceremony/ritual

junzi*

the noble ru who bear responsibility for preserving the Dao (moral perfection)

li

a foundational Confucian concept representing ritual propriety, etiquette, and social norms, encompassing both formal ceremonies and everyday respectful behavior

ming

aka Tianming - the mandate to rule on Tian’s behalf with moral uprightness

neidan

“internal alchemical regiments” - all the measures of nourishing life which have been practiced by religious Daoists are grouped under this general heading

neisheng waiwang

core concept of Confucianism, goal of having inner moral cultivation and external skillful management of society and state

gi

he "vital energy," "material force," or "vital breath" that constitutes all physical existence, including the mind and body

ren*

most important article of faith held by Confucius - benevolence, humaneness, virtue - internal

Ru*

“teachings” from scholars and ritualists - emphasis on learning

Shangdi*

-Lord on High

-most powerful god in the Shang spiritual world

-ancestor of the Shang imperial house

-Giver of blessings

-Sense of connection between high deity and human rulers began to evolve

-Shang Dynasty saw Shangdi as the source of their power and success

shen*

benevolent spirits - protect and bring benefit to the living

shengren*

word for “sage” which is the epitome of the junzi - the rarest of human beings who are perfect

shi

class of experts and specialists - “men of service”

Tian*

-the ultimate reality for Confucianism

-literally “the sky”, properly “the force above”

-the source of all things in the universe, ultimate divine entity that provided order throughout the cosmos

Tianming*

aka ming - the mandate to rule on Tian’s behalf with moral uprightness

Tianshi

“Celestial Masters”

waidan

external alchemical regimens that result in immortality - dan leads to this

wuwei*

actions without intention (part of daodejing ?)

wuxing*

That cosmic interactive flow of yin and yang is manifested, or embodied in wuxing, the five elements or phases in nature – metal, wood, fire, water, soil – that also correspond to five parts of the human body, the Five Planets, the Five Colors, the Five Flavors.

xian

Daoist concept - immortal or transcendent - central to the concept is the conviction that bodily transformation, good health, longevity, and ultimately immortality can be acquired through proper diet, physical exercise, and drugs.

xiao

filial piety, a foundational virtue emphasizing deep respect, obedience, care, and duty towards one’s parents, elders, and ancestors

xinzhai*

fasting the mind/heart

yang*

“south-facing sunny side of a mountain”

-Equilibrium between the two (yin and yang); neither one dominates

-people are to seek the harmony and balance of yin and yang

yangsheng

“nourishing life” - has the goal of refining the body so that it can overcome its earthly limitations and be in perfect harmony with the Dao

yin*

north-facing, shady side of a mountain

-Equilibrium between the two (yin and yang); neither one dominates

-people are to seek the harmony and balance of yin and yang

zhai*

fasts - Daoist ritual

ziran*

natural spontaneity (part of daodejing ?)

zuowang*

sitting and forgetting

qi*

two polar, yet complementary energies - means “breath”, “energy” or '“force”

Amaterasu*

solar goddess born from Izanagi

ema

wooden tablets on which visitors pleadings with the kami are written

harae

Japanese word for the purification ritual performed by the Shinto priest

Izanagi*

primordial kami, paired with Izanami

Izanami*

primordial kami, paired with Izanagi

jinja*

the shrine - “dwelling place of the kami”

kami*

(according to google but this seems right) - spirits, deities, or divine energies worshipped in Shinto, representing forces of nature, landscape elements, and revered ancestor

Kojiki*

Record of Ancient Matters (shinto religion) - authoritative text for the study of ancient Shinto myths and beliefs

matsuri

a centuries-old Shinto festival in Japan that helps create religious awareness and social solidarity within the community

miko

unmarried women attendants at shrines who possess shamanic power to communicate with the kami through dance and other ritual performances

mikoshi

portable shrines carrying the “essence” of the patron deities of the various neighborhoods and merchant groups

misogi

practice where Shinto believers purify themselves by standing under a waterfall or going in ocean water