Buddhism beliefs

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering core Buddhist concepts, life of the Buddha, paths, and major traditions mentioned in the notes.

What does Annica teach, how does it influence Buddhists today?

Everything changes; nothing stays the same. Attachment to people or things leads to suffering. Detach from material possessions, Buddha left his life of luxury. Avoid becoming dependent on people or things. Accept loss and change (during emotional struggle)

What does Anatta teach, how does it influence Buddhists today?

There is no fixed soul or self; identity is made up of the Five Aggregates. Reduces ego, pride, selfishness, vanity and greed (one of the 3 poisons). Less focus on status or appearance and more on meditation and developing the mind.

What does Dukkha teach, how does it influence Buddhists today?

Life is unsatisfactory and involves suffering for everyone; a central teaching of the Buddha. Teaches to accept suffering around us and stop avoiding it.

What is Paticcasamuppada and what does it teach Buddhists today?

Everything arises in dependence on certain conditions; nothing exists independently or permanently (e.g. the cycle of samsara). Can teach Buddhist views on Karma and re-birth.

What is the cycle of Samsara?

The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. (Arhats-escape, Bodhisattvas-help others first)

What are the Five Aggregates, what do they teach us? (Skandhas)

Form (body), Sensation (feeling), Perception (recognition), Mental formations (thoughts/intentions), Consciousness (awareness) make up a person, these are always changing. Helps us detach from appearances, feelings, or possessions. Encourages mindfulness.

What is an Arhat?

A perfected person who has achieved enlightenment and escaped samsara, followed by Theravada Buddhists.

Buddhahood is rare

Pros: Escaped samsara, freed from suffering, reaches enlightenment like the Buddha

Cons: Less emphasis on Karuna (compassion), difficult to achieve

Theravada Buddhism

1. One of the main Buddhist traditions, often associated with early teachings and practices

2. Buddha was a human teacher.

3. Human destiny is to escape samsara by becoming an Arhat

4. Unique, few are destined for Buddhahood

Mahayana Buddhism

1. Believes everyone has Buddha-nature, the potential and essence of enlightenment - gives Buddhists today hope

2. Believe in the Buddha as more spiritual, a more modern denomination of Buddhism.

3. They delay their own enlightenment to help others, follows the 6 perfections.

4. The Human destiny is Buddhahood for everyone, awakened through compassion and wisdom

What is Sunyata? (Emptiness)

All things lack independent existence.

What is Buddha-nature?

All beings have THE POTENTIAL to become Buddhas, Mahayana Buddhism

What is a Bodhisattva, pros and cons?

A being who delays their own nirvana to help others; follows the six perfections.

Everyone has Buddha-nature (the potential) so anyone can attain Buddhahood, more inclusive and hopeful

Pros: Karuna (compassion), open to all (inclusive and accessible), good role models, help others, engages with the world today

Cons: Delays enlightenment - has to face samsara and dukkha, difficult to show karuna, unnecessary if we have the Arhat possibility, self sacrificing and overwhelming. limitless to save all

What are the Six Perfections? (Paramitas)

Generosity, Morality, Patience, Energy, Meditation, Wisdom.

Who is the Amitabha Buddha?

The Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism; faith in Amitabha leads to rebirth in the Pure Land.

What is Pure Land Buddhism, pros and cons?

A path where enlightenment is easier without any distractions, attained by faith and recitation of Amitabha's name, not just meditation or discipline. An easier road to enlightenment.

Popular in China and Japan

Pros: Makes enlightenment accessible to all, provides hope, easy compared to others, devotion and trust, motivates Buddhists to live morally

Cons: Less focus on personal effort, more faith based and weakens the Buddha’s original teachings, questionable authenticity, some may neglect ethical living and mindfulness

What is The Middle Way?

A balanced path between luxury and extreme hardship, leading to enlightenment.

Attained through the eightfold path.

(Life of luxury & Ascetism → The Middle Way)

What is the Eightfold Path, Magga?

Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right View, Right Intention.

What is the Threefold Way?

Ethics (Sila), Meditation (Samadhi), and Wisdom (Panna) as the threefold path.

What are the Four Noble Truths, how can Buddhists learn from them today?

1) Dukkha exists - accept problems such as illness, loss or stress instead of denying them

2) Craving causes suffering (Samudaya) - helps avoid obsession with wealth or status

3) Suffering can end by overcoming craving (Nirodha) - hope that suffering is not permanent, motivation

4) The Eightfold Path leads to the end (Magga) - gives practical guidance

What are the Four Sights, what did the Buddha learn from them?

The sights that prompted the Buddha to leave his life of luxury and seek enlightenment.

Old man, dead man, sick man - suffering is universal and unavoidable, life is temporary (anicca)

Holy man - spiritual seeking may help find the truth and overcome suffering, possibility of enlightenment

What is enlightenment?

A perfected state achieved through practice; freedom from samsara (birth, death, rebirth)

Who is Siddhartha Gautama?

The historical Buddha; prince who renounced luxury to seek enlightenment.

1. Born into a life of Luxury

2. Became Ascetic (ineffective)

3. Founded the Middle way

4. Meditated under the Bodhi tree,

5. Overcame Tahna (craving) from Mara

6. Realised the 4 noble truths & eightfold path

What is an Ascetic Life, is it effective?

Living a life of extreme self-denial; later viewed as ineffective in attaining enlightenment, leading to the discovery of the Middle Way.