Buddhism Overview

What is Theravada Buddhism also known as?

'Way of the Elders'

How does Theravada Buddhism relate to the original principles of Buddhism?

It remains close to the original principles set forth by the Buddha

Buddha

Siddhartha Gotama who attained Awakening and was first to reach Enlightenment

Dharma

The teachings of the Buddha

Eightfold Noble Path

Right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration

Four Noble Truths

The four basic beliefs that form the foundation of Buddhism.

What does the First Noble Truth address?

The truth of suffering and dissatisfaction.

What does the Second Noble Truth explain?

The cause of suffering.

What is the focus of the Third Noble Truth?

The cessation of suffering.

What does the Fourth Noble Truth outline?

The path to the cessation of suffering.

Five Precepts

Ethical commitments undertaken by lay Buddhist practitioners

Four Brahma Viharas

equanimity, kindness, compassion, and empathetic joy.

Karma

The concept that intentions and actions have consequences - positive or negative.

Jhana

knowledge

Liberation

A state of freedom reached after a struggle

Nirvana

The cessation of suffering and dissatisfaction through the uprooting of greed, hatred, and delusion.

Definition of Precept

These are guidelines used to support wholesome behaviour through ethical commitments.

Pali Canon

Pali Tipitaka; foundational scriptures for Theravada

Importance of rituals in Buddhism

strengthen people's connection to the Dharma and to the intention, respect, understanding, community, and experiential dimension associated with the Dharma.

Sīla

morality in Buddhism

Dukkha

suffering

Anicca

Everchanging or impermanence

Anatta

No self or unchanging soul

Samsara

Cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

Middle Way

The path between self-indulgence and self-mortification

Skandhas/Aggregates

Five elements that make up human existence; form, feeling, perception, mental formations, consciousness

Three Jewels

Buddha, Dharma, Sangha

Sangha

Buddhist community

Ahimsa

Nonviolence

Karuna

Compassion

Metta

Loving kindness

Right Livelihood

Reject work/jobs that hurts others

Mahāyāna

one of two great schools of Buddhist doctrine emphasizing a common search for universal salvation especially through faith alone

Vajrayāna

"Diamond Vehicle"; Tibetan Buddhism, rituals, mantras

Arhat

One who has attained enlightenment (especially in Theravāda)

Branches of Buddhism

Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana

Puja

Devotional ceremony or ritual involving offerings

Mantra

Sacred sound or chant

Stupa

a Buddhist shrine, usually dome-shaped

Engaged Buddhism

a reformist movement among global Buddhists seeking to relate the teachings to contemporary suffering

Dalai Lama

The spiritual leader of Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism

Secular Buddhism

Modern, non-theistic interpretation

Monasticism

Life devoted to religious practice in a monastery

Diaspora Buddhism

Buddhism practiced by migrant communities outside Asia (e.g. Vietnamese Buddhists in Australia)