Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path and The Five Precepts

AHIMSA

The doctrine of non-violence toward all living beings; is represented in the First Precept.

ANATTA

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

ANICCA

Impermanence; the idea that the world is in constant flux.

ASCETIC

One who practices very strict devotions using severe self-denial.

BODHI (tree)

The Bodhi tree, also called the Bo tree, is the specific sacred fig under which the Buddha sat when he attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, India.

BODHISATTVA

A compassionate being who enlightens himself or herself and helps others to be enlightened.

BUDDHA

The Enlightened or Awakened One; the founder of Buddhism, formerly Siddhartha Gautama.

DALAI LAMA

The ruler and spiritual leader of Tibet

DHARMA

The teachings of the 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.

FIVE PRECEPTS

The rules that Buddhists follow. They include abstaining from harming living beings, stealing, improper sexual activity, false speech, and taking alcohol or drugs.

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

The Budda’s diagnosis of the main problem in life: suffering the cause of suffering, elimination of suffering, and the path to ending suffering.

FOUR SIGHTS

The sights that led to the Buddha’s departure from his palace to help humankind: a sick man, a corpse, and old man, and a begging monk.

KARMA

“Action,” or the law of cause and effect; the totality of one’s thoughts and actions. Which determines one’s fate in the next life.

LAMA

A Tibetan religious leader; translation of “guru,” or teacher.

MAHAYANA

One of the 3 major forms of Buddhism; dominant in East Asia, it is considered the most liberal and practical.

MANDALA

Maps, or geometrical diagrams, of the spiritual journey. Looking at them helps awaken spiritual potential.

MANTRA

A method of calming and training the mind through concentration.

MIDDLE WAY

The path in life prescribed by the Buddha; the path between extremes.

NIRVANA

An everlasting state of great joy and peace resulting from the end of desire and suffering.

NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH

The last of the Four Noble Truths. This is the path leading to the end of suffering.

PARINIRVANA

Sometimes called the “final nirvana”; the state attained upon the death of someone who has achieved nirvana.

REINCARNATION

The transference of consciousness into new bodies; being born again.

SAMSARA

The endless cycle of uncontrolled rebirths.

SANGHA

The community of Buddhist monks and nuns.

STUPA

Is a spectacular Buddhist monument with the main function to preserve relics and different religious objects and offer believers a place to meditate and pray.

THERAVADA

One of the three major forms of Buddhism. Dominant in Southeast Asia, it is considered to be the original and orthodox form of Buddhism.

TRIPITAKA

Known as the Three Baskets; is a collection of early Buddhist scriptures.

WHEEL OF LIFE

A complete visual representation of the endless cycle of uncontrolled rebirths.

ZEN

A Buddhist sect that originated in Japan. This sect favors meditation and intuition rather than scripture or rituals as the means to enlightenment.

When was Prince Siddhartha born? What does his name mean?

Prince Siddhartha was born around 563 BCE. His name means “the one who brings all good.”

Describe in detail, Queen Maya’s dream. What does it mean?

According to Buddhist legend, Maya dreamed that a white elephant with six tusks entered her right side, which was interpreted to mean that she had conceived a child who would become either a world ruler or a buddha.

Why does the sage Asita weep when he sees Siddhartha?

Asita sage weeps when he sees Siddhartha because Siddhattha is a special child, one who could lead others to peace. But Asita weeps because, after a lifetime of searching, he will not live to hear Siddhartha’s teachings.

What is Asita’s prophecy about the prince?

Asita’s prophecy is that the prince will be a great king like his father or become a monk.

What becomes of Queen Maya?

Queen Maya becomes very ill within seven days after giving birth to her son. She passed away soon afterward.

What does the king do to ensure Siddhartha’s fulfillment?

The king made sure that Siddhartha lived a carefree childhood within the palace wall and that the boy received the finest education possible to complete the fulfillment.

As a child, how does the Prince spend most of his time?

Siddharth spent most of his time as a child alone, wandering the palace gardens.

What happens when the Prince finds a wounded swan?

The Prince removed the arrow, comforted the swan, and tended its wounds. He also refused to give his cousin the swan as he was the one who hunted it.

Why must Siddhartha enter a contest to win Princess Yasodhara’s hand in marriage?

Her father needed proof of Siddhartha's bravery and skills.

The Prince triumphs in three contests. Describe them.

When defeating his cousin, Davadatta, in an archery match, he won the swordsmanship contest after slicing a tree with two trunks in one quick stroke, and finally, he won the final contest by his gentleness.

What symbolic act does the Prince perform when he arrives at the forest? How old is he when he arrives?

The Prince was 25 when he arrived at the forest and that is where he cut off his long hair and put on a robe of an ascetic.

Why does Siddhartha starve himself?

Siddhartha starves himself of bodily needs to see if he can find the answer to end suffering.

In what city and under what kind of tree does Siddhartha become enlightened?

He became enlightened under a bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, which then became the Tree of Enlightenment.

What are the 4 noble truths?

1. Suffering (Dukkha)
2. Origin of suffering (Samudāya)
3. Process of suffering
4. End of suffering. This is a set of principles called the Eightfold Path.

THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH

1. Right understanding – of the Four Noble Truths
2. Right thought – thinking kindly of others
3. Right speech – no lies, rumors, gossip, swearing
4. Right action promoting - moral, honorable ,and peaceful conduct
5. Right livelihood – having a job that does not cause harm to self or others
6. Right effort – to stay in the present, not dwelling on the past or future
7. Right mindfulness – to be aware, mindful, and attentive with regard to activities of the body, sensations or feelings, the activities of the mind, ideas, thoughts, conceptions
8. Right concentration – during meditation

What are the five precepts? (Right Action)

-Abstain from killing or harming living beings
-Abstain from stealing
-Abstain from improper sexual conduct
-Abstain from false speech, lies, gossip
-Abstain from taking intoxicating substances