Buddhism Beliefs Key terms GCSE

Nirodha

the end of suffering

Overcoming craving

It is a core teaching in buddhism which teaches that by doing so, we can be freed from suffering

Three poisons

Greed (bird), Ignorance (pig), Hatred (snake)

Right

Buddhist believe that by living in this way, they achieve enlightenment

2 main types of schools in buddhism

Theravada (school of the elders) and Mahayana (umbrella term to describe other buddhist traditions like tibetan and pure land)

Samudaya (Tanha)

The second noble truth which is the cravings and desires (causes) of suffering

The Four Noble Truths

Dukkha - truth of suffering
Samudaya - cause of suffering

Nirodha - truth to the end (cessation) of suffering

Magga - The truth to the path to the end of suffering

Buddhahood

The idea in Mahayana Buddhism that we are all able to attain bit

Bodhisattva Vow

This is made by people in the Mahayana tradition and it is the idea that you help others once you reach enlightenment

Three watches of the night

When the Buddha became enlightened, he did 3 important things during the night

1. Gained knowledge of past lives

2. Understood cycle of samsara (cycle of death and rebirth) and that it all depends on karma

3. Understood why suffering happens and how to overcome it

Anatta

no fixed self or soul, people change during course of their lives

Anicca

Impermanence, not permanent

Concept of dependant arising

Everything in existence is because other things are, everything is interconnected

Dharma

Teachings of the buddha, path of rightness

Enlightenment

Wisdom or understanding of teh truth of existence allowing them to be free from cycle of rebirth

Four sights

When the siddhartha gautama left the palace, he saw an old man, sick man, dead man and a holy man that was at peace even with suffering around him. This influenced his life and his teachings

Greed

One of the 3 poisons, attachment to material things and sensual desires

Human personality

The idea that ones being is composed of 5 factors (Skandhas/aggregates) - form, perception, mental formations, consciousness

Three Jewels

(three refuges) - the 3 things that the Buddha taught it is wise to seek refuge in which were the buddha, the dharma and the sangha

Karma

The deliberate actions that affect the believers circumstances in this and future lives (cause and effect)

Pure land

The dominant form of Buddhism in Japan and focusses on chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha

Nirvana

Blowing out to reach a state of perfect peace where individuals experience liberation form cycle of birth and death

Where was Siddhartha Gautama born?

South Nepal

Name of Siddhartha mother and father

Maya and Suddhodana

Where was Siddhartha born?

Lumbini

What are the 3 universal truths?

the three marks of existence: anicca, anatta, dukkha (dukkha is also the first of the 4 noble truths)

What is the first thing the buddha taught when he achieved enlightenment?

four noble truths

What are the 2 groups the seven states of suffering (Dukkha) can be broken down into?

Physical (birth old age sickness death) and mental (separation form loved one, contact with disliked one, not being able to achieve desires)

What are the 3 types of Dukkha

Ordinary (physical and mental pain), change (caused by loss, attachment (dissatisfaction as a result of attachment)

What 3 things does Anicca (impermanence) affect in the world?

Living things (lotus), non-living things (phone breaks), people’s mind (we change our mind)

What story is used to explain the concept of impermanence (anicca) and explain the story?

Kisa Gotami and the mustard seed, an overall summary of it is that everything is impermanent and that she can move on with her life

What does understanding anicca (impermanence) help with?

To alleviate suffering

What story is used to explain Anatta (no fixed soul)?

Nagasena and Kind Milanda, an overall summary of it is the use of the analogy of a chariot (there is no person behind my name)

What concept is Anatta’s story of Nagasena and Kind Milanda used to illustrate?

The five aggregates (just as a chariot is made up of lots of different parts, so is a human): Form, sensation, perception, mental formations, consciousness