Buddhism Key Word List

• Buddha: Siddhartha Gautama, founder of Buddhism.

• Dharma: Teachings of Buddha.

• Sangha: Buddhist community of monks and nuns.

• Enlightenment: State of awakening and liberation from suffering.

• Karma: Law of cause and effect determining future rebirths.

• Nirvana: Ultimate goal of Buddhism, liberation from samsara.

• Meditation: Practice to cultivate mindfulness and insight.

• Four Noble Truths: Foundation of Buddhist teachings.

The Three Refuges

• Buddha: Represents the teacher.

• Dharma: Represents the teachings.

• Sangha: Represents the community.

• Important for guidance, wisdom, and support in the Buddhist path.

The Life of Buddha

• Life in the Palace: Sheltered upbringing shielded from suffering.

• The Four Sights: Encounters with old age, sickness, death, and ascetic.

• Search for Enlightenment: Renunciation of worldly life to seek truth.

Universal Truths

• Anicca: Impermanence; everything is subject to change.

• Anatta: No-self; absence of permanent, unchanging self.

• Dukkha: Suffering; inherent in existence.

• Evaluation: Agree as they reflect the nature of reality and impermanence.

The Eightfold Path

• Role: Path to end suffering and achieve enlightenment.

• Examples: Right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration.

The Five Precepts

• Guidelines: Moral principles for ethical living.

• Examples: Refrain from killing, stealing, lying, misconduct, intoxication.

• Evaluation: Challenging but essential for moral development.

The Cycle of Samsara