buddhism review

4 Noble Truths (s/a)

the buddha’s diagnoses of the main problem in life; suffering, the cause of it and its elimination and the path to end suffering

• Dukkha: all life is suffering

• Samudaya: suffering is caused by the desire and craving

• Nirodha: suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana. In order to do that we must remove desire, greed, ignorance and attachment, 

• Magga: to end suffering and attain liberation you must follow the noble eightfold path. 

noble Eightfold Path (s/a)

the last of the four noble truths. This is the path to the end of suffering aka nirvana 

• Right speech: using kind speech meaning not lying, criticize unjustly, use hard language, or engage in gossip 

• Right livelihood: earning a living through occupations that do not cause harm to living things 

• Right effort: conquer all evil thoughts and strive to have good thoughts. Individuals must do their best to have goodwill towards others all the time.
  

Middle way

the path in life prescribed by buddha, the path between extremes

3 characteristics of existence

• Anatta (no self): yourself is constantly changing

• Anicca (impermanence): the world is always changing

• Dukkha (suffering): suffering is part of human life and is endless

Buddha’s birth and life: major events

• He was a prince born into wealth but gave it up when he saw 4 sights

•  joined a group of 5 mendicants and was so skilled he only ate 1 rice, 1 fruit, 1 sesame seed as a meal 

• He discovered starvation was not the way to enlightenment so he ate a meal of rice and milk and found “the middle way” 

• A healthy spiritual life depends on a healthy physical life

4 passing sights:

ed to buddah’s departure from his life as prince 

• 1st passing sight: Old age 

• 2nd passing sight: deceased/sick 

• 3rd passing sight: death- saw a corpse 

• 4th passing sight: “religious mendicant” / ascetic 

Buddhism and Hinduism

accepted : moksha (nirvana), karma, dharma  

Rejected: caste system, hindu rituals, language of hinduism 

Meditation: what is the purpose and Lotus position

• Purpose: It leads to wisdom and ultimately leads to the end of suffering. Enables a person to be more composed and calm, to follow the buddhist precepts.

• Lotus position: sit crossed legged, soles of feet facing upwards, back straight, hands placed on top of lap.

mokt’ak

a wooden bell shaped percussion instrument which monks are awakened with

Stages to become a monk (s/a)

Stage 1:

• when the boy is 7/ 8 years old. 

• Undertakes the ten precepts and is an attendant to senior monk 

• Senior monk teaches the youngster 

Stage 2: 

• 20 years old 

• Have to shave his head as a sign of rejecting vanity 

• Take on religious name 

• Clothing is appropriate robes

• Must give away all possessions except absolutely necessary (robe, alms bowl, belt, razor, filter for drinking water, staff & toothpick). Maybe even warm jacket & umbrella 
  

3 divisions (rafts) of Buddhism: 

• Theravada: “the way of the elders”

• Mahayana: “the great vehicle”

• Vajrayana: “diamond vehicle”- for spiritual enhancement: mandalas, mudras, mantras

symbol Dharma Wheel

• Represents reincarnation and interconnectedness

• Is two circled wheel with eight spokes 

• Used during rites to remind followers of buddhism key beliefs 

symbol Stupa

Burial mounds

symbol Mandala

• Means circle 

• Used for concentration and meditation

• believed to generate healing energy that bring person closer to enlightenment

symbol Lotus Flower

• Carried during rituals & worship in temples. 

• Symbol of anicca (impermanence of the world)

• Compared lotus flower to human existence stuck in samsara

symbol Mudra

Hand gestures

symbol raft

path to reach nirvana

symbol Buddhapada

• Buddhist footprints

symbol Mahabodhi temple

• Located in Bodh Gaya, India. Built behind the bodhi tree, Buddhists make pilgrimage to the temple.

Buddhist Scriptures: Tripitaka

• Early buddhist scriptures 

• Documents Buddha's teachings. 

• It means “three baskets” 

  Basket of discipline: rules of monastic life and codes of conduct 

  Basket of discourse: buddha’s teachings, sermons or sutras

  Basket of further teachings: buddha’s philosophical teachings

Jakata’s

• Collection of stories 

• Demonstrates good karma and contain tales of wisdom and morality

Visakha Puja Day (festival)

• “buddha day”

• People assemble on the grounds of monasteries, bringing flowers, lit candles and incense sticks.they walk around the main hall 3x while reciting the three refuges.

• believe it is the day that the birth, enlightenment, and death of buddha. 

Anatta:

No self; the notion that there is no permanent self, and that a person is a changing combination of components

Annica:

impermanence; the idea that the world is in constant change

Bodhisattva:

a compassionate being who enlighten themselves and helps others to be enlightened 

Buddha

: the enlightened or awakened one, the founder of buddhism, formerly siddhartha gautama

Dharma:

the teachings of Buddha and his idea of the “truth” concerning the laws of the universe

Dukkha:

Dissatisfaction, the idea that human suffering is inevitable

Enlightenment:

Understanding the truth of life by attaining freedom from ignorance

Karma:

“Action” or the law of cause and effect. The totality of ones thoughts an action, which determines one's fate next life.

Mandala:

maps or geometrical diagrams at the spiritual journey. Looking at them helps awaken spiritual potential

Nirvana:

an everlasting state of joy and peace resulting from the end of desire and suffering 

Samsara:

endless cycle of uncontrolled rebirths

Sangha:

the community of buddhist and monks

Dalai lama:

the ruler and spiritual leader of tibet 

Wheel of life:

a complete visual representation of samsara

Language of buddhism:

pali