Buddhism Key Concepts

  • Buddhism Overview

    • Buddhism is not a single, unified religion.
    • Earliest Buddhist texts were written in Pali.
    • The Buddha realized the source of suffering and ways to overcome it while meditating under the Bodhi tree.
    • Buddhism emerged during the period of the Upanishads.
    • After the Buddha's death, followers divided into sects:
    • Theravada
    • Hinayana
    • Mahayana

  • Scriptures

    • Theravada scriptures are written in Pali.
    • Mahayana scriptures are written in Sanskrit.

  • Key Concepts

    • Dukkha: Suffering
    • Nirvana: Extinction, cessation of desire
    • Mara: Evil spirit who attempted to lead the Buddha astray
    • Tanha: Craving, desire, attachment
    • Bodhisattva: A person who delays enlightenment to help others.

  • Fundamental Teachings

    • Four Noble Truths: The Buddha's revelations about existence.
    • Eightfold Path: The 'Middle Way' between asceticism and self-indulgence.
    • Three Jewels: Recitation repeated by Buddhists daily.
    • Five Aggregates: Doctrine outlining forces or energies in living humans.

  • Geographical Distribution

    • Theravada Buddhism is predominant in Southeast Asia.
    • Mahayana Buddhism is predominant in China, Korea, and Japan.
    • In Mahayana Buddhism, the Buddha is considered one incarnation of the Eternal Buddha.
    • Mahayana Buddhism in China introduced personal religion.

  • Ch'an/Zen Buddhism Aim

    • One aim is to transform one's mind.