PHL 255 final

all concepts from the study guide, before review

Siddhartha Gautama

* Founder of Buddhism
* Also known as the Buddha
* Born in Nepal in 563 BCE
* Left his privileged life to seek enlightenment
* Achieved enlightenment under a bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya

The Four Sights

* Four sights that Siddhartha Gautama saw on a journey outside his palace
* Old age, sickness, death, and a wandering ascetic
* Led to his decision to leave his privileged life and seek enlightenment

Pure Land Buddhism

* A form of Mahayana Buddhism
* Emphasizes the importance of devotion to Amitabha Buddha
* Believes in a pure land or paradise called the Western Pure Land, where followers can be reborn after death

The Four Noble Truths

* Core teachings of Buddhism

1 Life is suffering

2 Suffering arises from craving and attachment

3 Suffering can be overcome

4 The path to the end of suffering is the Eightfold Path

Bodhidharma

* Buddhist monk who brought Chan (Zen) Buddhism to China
* Also known as Da Mo
* Famous for sitting in meditation facing a wall for nine years in a cave
* Considered the first patriarch of Chan/Zen Buddhism

The Noble Eightfold Path

* Eightfold path to end suffering and achieve enlightenment
* Right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration
* Practiced by followers of Buddhism

Chan/Zen Buddhism

* Branch of Mahayana Buddhism
* Emphasizes meditation and direct experience of ultimate reality
* Traces its lineage back to Bodhidharma, the first patriarch of Chan/Zen

The Middle Way

* Concept in Buddhism
* Rejects extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification
* Advocates for a balanced approach to life

zazen

* Seated meditation practice in Zen Buddhism
* Involves sitting in a specific posture and focusing on the breath
* Goal is to develop concentration, mindfulness, and insight

The Three Marks of Existence

* Core teachings in Buddhism
* Impermanence (anicca/anitya)
* Suffering (dukkha)
* No-self (anatman)

Koan

* Riddle or paradoxical statement used in Zen Buddhism
* Designed to provoke enlightenment or realization in the student
* Often begins with the question, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

Dukkha

* Pali term for suffering or unsatisfactoriness
* One of the Three Marks of Existence
* Can be caused by desire, attachment, and ignorance

Tibetan Buddhism

* Branch of Mahayana Buddhism
* Emphasizes meditation, compassion, and the importance of a teacher
* Believes in the reincarnation of lamas, such as the Dalai Lama

Anatman

* Sanskrit term for no-self or non-self
* One of the Three Marks of Existence
* Rejects the idea of a permanent, unchanging self or soul

Dalai Lama

* Leader of Tibetan Buddhism
* Spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people
* Believed to be the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama

Anicca/Anitya

* Pali/Sanskrit term for impermanence
* One of the Three Marks of Existence
* Refers to the idea that all things are constantly changing and in flux

Nirvana

* Buddhist concept of ultimate liberation and enlightenment
* Escape from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara)
* Achieved through the elimination of craving and attachment

Tathata “Suchness”

* Buddhist concept that emphasizes the true nature of reality
* Everything is as it is, without any added interpretation or judgment
* Also known as "thusness" or "thatness"

samsara

* Concept in Buddhism
* The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
* Governed by karma, the law of cause and effect
* Samsara can be escaped through enlightenment or Nirvana

karuna

* Sanskrit term for compassion
* One of the Four Immeasurables in Buddhism
* The wish for all beings to be free from suffering
* Practiced by followers of Buddhism

trishna/tanha

* Sanskrit/Pali term for craving or thirst
* One of the Three Poisons in Buddhism
* Associated with suffering and attachment
* Can be overcome through the Eightfold Path

the three jewels

* Core components of Buddhism
* Buddha (the teacher)
* Dharma (the teachings)
* Sangha (the community of practitioners)

Dharma

* Buddhist term for the teachings of the Buddha
* Includes the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and other Buddhist teachings
* Considered one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism

Sangha

* Buddhist term for the community of practitioners
* Includes monks, nuns, and laypeople
* Considered one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism

Buddha

* Sanskrit term for "awakened one"
* Refers to Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism
* Also used as a title for other enlightened beings

Theravada

* Oldest surviving branch of Buddhism
* Emphasizes personal liberation through insight meditation
* Found primarily in Southeast Asia

Mahayana

* Branch of Buddhism that developed later than Theravada
* Emphasizes compassion and the idea of the bodhisattva, who seeks enlightenment for the benefit of all beings
* Found primarily in East Asia and Tibet.

arhat

* In Theravada Buddhism, an individual who has attained enlightenment
* Has achieved Nirvana and will not be reborn
* Focuses on personal liberation

bodhisattva

* In Mahayana Buddhism, an individual who seeks enlightenment for the benefit of all beings
* Delays their own enlightenment until all beings are liberated
* Emphasizes compassion and altruism

Pali Canon

* The primary scripture of Theravada Buddhism
* Contains the teachings of the Buddha as preserved in the Pali language
* Consists of three sections: the Vinaya Pitaka, the Sutta Pitaka, and the Abhidhamma Pitaka

Three Unwholesome Roots

* In Buddhism, the three negative mental states that lead to unwholesome actions
* Greed or craving (lobha)
* Hatred or anger (dosa)
* Delusion or ignorance (moha)

Emperor Ashoka

* Mauryan emperor who ruled over much of India in the 3rd century BCE
* Converted to Buddhism and promoted its spread
* Responsible for the spread of Buddhism throughout much of Asia

parinirvana

* The final Nirvana, achieved at the end of an arhat's life
* The ultimate release from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
* Associated with the death of the Buddha

transcendental immanence

* A concept in Mahayana Buddhism that reconciles the apparent duality of samsara and Nirvana
* Emphasizes the interdependent nature of all phenomena
* All things are ultimately empty of inherent existence

mandala

* A circular diagram used in Buddhism and other spiritual traditions
* Used as a focus for meditation and visualization
* Often includes symbolic representations of deities or aspects of the universe

Nagarjuna

* Indian philosopher and founder of the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism
* Emphasized the concept of shunyata or emptiness
* Considered one of the most important Buddhist philosophers.

dependent arising

* A fundamental concept in Buddhism
* All phenomena arise in dependence upon other phenomena
* The cycle of cause and effect that governs samsara.

Kung fu tzu

* Chinese philosopher and teacher (551–479 BCE)
* Founder of Confucianism
* Emphasized the importance of moral principles and social harmony

xunzi

* Chinese philosopher and follower of Confucius
* Believed that human nature is fundamentally flawed and must be improved through education and ritual
* Emphasized the importance of social order and ritual

Mozi

rujia

* A philosophical and ethical system developed from the teachings of Confucius
* Emphasizes the importance of moral principles and social harmony
* Forms the basis of traditional Chinese culture

the analects

* A collection of sayings and teachings of Confucius
* Forms one of the primary texts of Confucianism
* Emphasizes the importance of moral principles, family values, and social harmony

mencius

* Chinese philosopher and follower of Confucius
* Emphasized the goodness of human nature and the importance of cultivating moral virtues
* Believed that rulers should be benevolent and responsive to the needs of their people

wu-lun

* The "five relationships" in Confucianism
* Ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, elder brother-younger brother, friend-friend
* Emphasizes the importance of social hierarchy and respect for authority

xiao

* Confucian concept of filial piety or respect for parents and elders
* Emphasizes the importance of family values and social harmony
* One of the core values of Confucianism

bent rods

* Confucian metaphor for effective leadership
* The leader should be flexible like a bent rod, able to adapt to changing circumstances
* The leader should also be firm like a straight rod, able to provide stability and guidance

mandate of heaven

* Chinese concept of the divine right to rule
* The belief that the ruler is given the right to rule by the gods or the heavens
* The ruler must rule justly and be responsive to the needs of the people or risk losing the mandate

shu

* Confucian concept of reciprocity
* "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself"
* Emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness and respect

sprouts

* Confucian metaphor for the innate goodness of human nature
* Just as sprouts will naturally grow towards the sun, humans have an innate tendency towards goodness and morality

rectification of names

* Confucian belief that language and naming must be accurate and true
* Proper naming is essential for creating social order and harmony
* Incorrect naming can lead to confusion and disorder

ren

* Confucian virtue of benevolence or humaneness
* Emphasizes the importance of compassion, kindness, and empathy towards others
* One of the core values of Confucianism

li

* Confucian concept of propriety or proper conduct
* Emphasizes the importance of social norms and rituals in creating social order and harmony
* Proper conduct is essential for maintaining social hierarchy and respect for authority

chun tzu

* Confucian ideal of the "superior person" or the "gentleman"
* Emphasizes the importance of moral virtues and leadership qualities
* A chun tzu is someone who embodies the virtues of ren, li, and other Confucian values

wei

* Confucian concept of action or behavior
* Emphasizes the importance of proper behavior and conduct in creating social harmony
* Proper wei is essential for maintaining social hierarchy and respect for authority

yi

* Yi is a core Confucian value, emphasizing the importance of righteousness and ethical behavior.
* It is considered one of the key virtues for achieving a harmonious and stable society.
* In Confucian philosophy, yi is closely linked with other values such as ren (benevolence), li (propriety), and zhi (wisdom).

Lao Tzu

* Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism
* Author of the Tao Te Ching, a classic text on Taoist philosophy
* Emphasized the importance of living in harmony with nature and following the natural flow of the universe

wu wei

* Taoist concept of non-action or non-interference
* Emphasizes the importance of letting things unfold naturally, without trying to force or control them
* Often associated with the idea of "effortless action"

Taojia

* School of Taoist philosophy that focuses on the study of the Tao Te Ching and other Taoist texts
* Emphasizes the importance of cultivating wisdom and living in accordance with the Tao

Chuang Tzu

* Chinese philosopher and key figure in Taoist philosophy
* Author of the Chuang Tzu, a classic text on Taoist philosophy
* Emphasized the importance of living in harmony with nature and embracing the concept of wu wei

wan wu

* Taoist concept of the "ten thousand things"
* Refers to the infinite variety of phenomena in the universe
* Emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of living in harmony with nature

Skeptical relativism

* Philosophical concept that emphasizes the limitations of human knowledge and the difficulty of obtaining objective truth
* Often associated with the ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)
* Emphasizes the importance of questioning one's own beliefs and perceptions

fu, yin, and po

* In Taoist philosophy, these are the three spirits or "souls" of the human being
* Fu represents the physical body, yin represents the spirit, and po represents the soul
* Emphasizes the interconnectedness of mind and body, and the importance of balance and harmony between the two

yang

* One of the two complementary forces in Chinese philosophy, along with yin
* Associated with masculine energy, light, and activity
* Often represented by the sun or daytime

tai chi

* Chinese martial art and form of exercise
* Involves slow, flowing movements and deep breathing
* Emphasizes the principles of balance, relaxation, and internal energy cultivation

chi

* Vital energy or life force in Chinese philosophy
* Believed to flow through the body and be influenced by factors such as breath, movement, and environment
* Central to practices such as acupuncture, Tai Chi, and Qigong

feng shui

* Chinese system of arranging the environment to promote harmony and balance
* Involves the placement of objects and the orientation of buildings in relation to natural features and energy flows
* Emphasizes the importance of balance and harmony between humans and their environment

tao

* Central concept in Chinese philosophy, often translated as "the way" or "the path"
* Refers to the natural order or principle that governs the universe
* Emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature and following the natural flow of things

principles of nature

* Central to Taoist philosophy
* Emphasizes the importance of following the natural order and living in harmony with nature
* Involves principles such as balance, harmony, simplicity, and humility

tao te ching

* Classic text of Taoist philosophy, attributed to the legendary figure Lao Tzu
* Emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the Tao and following the natural flow of the universe
* Contains teachings on topics such as leadership, ethics, and spirituality

I ching

* Ancient Chinese divination system and book of wisdom
* Involves the use of hexagrams to represent different states of being and situations
* Emphasizes the importance of balance and the principles of nature in decision-making

tzu jan (ziran)

* Taoist concept of naturalness or spontaneity
* Emphasizes the importance of acting in accordance with one's true nature and the natural flow of things
* Central to the practice of wu-wei and other Taoist concept

zhenren

* A term used in Taoism to refer to a "real" or "true" person who has achieved enlightenment or immortality
* Often associated with the attainment of spiritual and physical perfection
* Considered a role model for spiritual seekers

ming

* A concept in Chinese philosophy that refers to the destiny or fate of a person or thing
* Believed to be determined by a combination of factors such as one's actions, environment, and cosmic forces
* Can be influenced through self-cultivation and spiritual practice

hseng sheng

* Chinese term for reincarnation or transmigration of the soul
* Believed to occur after death and involve the migration of the soul to a new physical body
* Central to many Chinese religious and philosophical traditions

trigram

* A set of three lines used in divination and cosmology in Chinese philosophy
* Represent different elemental forces and correspond to various aspects of life and the universe
* Used in practices such as feng shui and I Ching divination

dantian

* A focal point in the body used in traditional Chinese medicine, martial arts, and Taoist practice
* Refers to an area in the lower abdomen believed to be the center of physical and spiritual energy
* Important in practices such as Tai Chi, Qigong, and neidan (inner alchemy)

neidan

* A Taoist practice of inner alchemy, aimed at cultivating spiritual and physical transformation
* Involves practices such as meditation, breathwork, and visualization
* Aims to develop the practitioner's inner resources and cultivate a deeper understanding of the nature of reality

shen

* A term in Chinese philosophy that refers to the spiritual or divine nature of a person or thing
* Believed to be associated with consciousness, mind, and spirit
* Central to many religious and philosophical practices in China, including Taoism and Confucianism

fangshi

* A term used in Chinese philosophy to refer to a master or expert in various fields, including divination, medicine, and alchemy
* Often associated with esoteric knowledge and spiritual attainment
* Central to many Chinese religious and philosophical traditions

jing

* A term in traditional Chinese medicine and Taoist philosophy that refers to the body's vital essence or energy
* Believed to be stored in the kidneys and associated with physical and sexual vitality
* Important in practices such as Qigong, Tai Chi, and neidan.

Han Feizi

* A philosopher and statesman who lived during the Warring States period in China
* Founder of the Fajia (Legalist) school of philosophy
* Believed in a strict system of laws and punishments to maintain social order and strengthen the state

Fajia

* A school of Chinese philosophy that emerged during the Warring States period
* Emphasizes the importance of strong government and strict laws to maintain social order and stability
* Associated with Han Feizi and other Legalist thinkers

fa

* A term in Legalist philosophy that refers to the law or principle used to govern the state
* Seen as a tool to maintain social order and prevent chaos
* Emphasizes the importance of strict and impartial enforcement of the law

shu

* A concept in Legalist philosophy that refers to statecraft or political strategy
* Involves tactics such as spying, deception, and manipulation to gain and maintain power
* Seen as essential to the success of the state and the ruler

shi

* A term in Chinese philosophy that refers to the scholar-official class
* Played a key role in the government and bureaucracy of imperial China
* Considered to be educated and morally upright, with a responsibility to serve the state and the people

the two handles

* A metaphor used in Legalist philosophy to describe the two primary tools of the ruler: rewards and punishments
* Seen as essential to maintaining social order and ensuring obedience to the law
* Emphasizes the importance of balancing the use of rewards and punishments to maintain the stability of the state

system of ranks

* A hierarchical system used in imperial China to organize society and government
* Based on Confucian ideals of social order and harmony
* Divided society into different classes and ranks, with officials and scholars at the top

authoritarianism

* A political system characterized by strong central control and limited political freedoms
* Often associated with strict laws and regulations, as well as a focus on maintaining social order and stability
* Can be seen as compatible with Legalist philosophy and the concept of the strong state.

Angra Mainyu

* A concept in Zoroastrianism that represents the principle of evil and chaos
* Seen as a counterpart to the principle of good, represented by Ahura Mazda
* Associated with destructive forces such as disease, death, and natural disasters

Ahura Mazda

* The supreme deity in Zoroastrianism
* Represents the principle of good and order
* Associated with positive forces such as truth, wisdom, and righteousness

apocalypticism

* A belief system that focuses on the end of the world and the final judgment
* Often associated with religious or political upheaval
* Can be seen in various religious traditions, including Zoroastrianism

ethical dualism

* A belief system that posits the existence of two opposing moral forces
* Associated with Zoroastrianism and other religious traditions
* Often emphasizes the importance of choosing the right path and acting ethically

gathas

* The oldest sacred texts of Zoroastrianism
* Composed in poetic form by the prophet Zarathustra
* Emphasize the importance of moral and ethical behavior, and the battle between good and evil

haoma

* A sacred plant used in Zoroastrian rituals and ceremonies
* Associated with immortality, healing, and divine power
* Often used in rituals involving fire, which is also considered sacred in Zoroastrianism

daeva

* A term in Zoroastrianism that refers to evil or demonic spirits
* Seen as opposing the forces of good and order represented by Ahura Mazda
* Later associated with the concept of demons in other religious traditions

concentration

* A process in religious or philosophical thought of making abstract concepts more tangible or concrete
* In Zoroastrianism, this process can be seen in the development of ideas such as the afterlife, heaven and hell, and the battle between good and evil

idolatry

* The worship of physical objects or images as representations of the divine
* Often seen as a violation of religious principles in various traditions, including Zoroastrianism
* Can be associated with the worship of daevas or other spirits in Zoroastrianism

one true teaching

* The belief that a particular religious tradition or group possesses the one true path to salvation or enlightenment
* Often associated with exclusivism and a rejection of other belief systems
* Can be seen in various religious traditions, including Zoroastrianism

exclusivism

* Exclusivism claims exclusive access to truth
* Can lead to intolerance and conflict
* Often involves rejection or criticism of other beliefs or perspectives