Lecture #7 Buddhism Flashcards

Lecture 7 flashcards

Buddhism

A religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama as an alternative to the ritual-bound Brahmanism of India in the 6th century BCE.

Siddhartha Gautama

The founder of Buddhism, also known as the Buddha.

Sannyasin

A wandering ascetic who renounces worldly possessions and attachments.

Middle Way

A shift in Siddhartha Gautama's spiritual practice that led to his enlightenment and attainment of Buddhahood.

Dharma

In Buddhism, the teaching or truths about the ultimate nature of things.

Anatman

The rejection of the Hindu notion of a permanent self or identity, emphasizing the absence of a permanent identity in Buddhism.

Three Marks of Reality

Constant change (anitya), lack of permanent identity (anatman), and existence of suffering (dukkha).

Four Noble Truths

Life means suffering (dukkha), the origin of suffering is attachment and desire (trsna), the cessation of suffering is attainable (nirvana), and the path to end suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.

Noble Eightfold Path

The path to end suffering, consisting of right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

Sangha

The community or association of Buddhist disciples, including monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen.

Pali Canon/Tipitaka

The Buddhist scriptures, consisting of the Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.

Theravada Buddhism

The "Way of Elders," centered on monastic life and individual self-effort for liberation.

Mahayana Buddhism

The "Greater Vehicle," emphasizing liberation for all persons and the support of divine power and grace.

Tibetan Buddhism

A form of Buddhism prominent in Tibet, characterized by the Dalai Lama, monastic and lay traditions, and emphasis on awareness of death and impermanence.

Zen Buddhism

A form of Buddhism prominent in China, Korea, and Japan, emphasizing direct understanding of the meaning of life beyond language and logical thought.

Pure Land Buddhism

A form of Buddhism focused on pursuing enlightenment through practices and recitation of Amitabha Buddha's name.