Untitled Flashcards Set

Core Concepts & Texts:

  • Lotus Sutra: One of the most influential and important Mahayana sutras. It presents the concept of the Buddha as an eternal being and emphasizes the potential for Buddhahood in all beings.

  • Sutra: (Pali: Sutta) Generally refers to a discourse or sermon by the Buddha or one of his close disciples. Sutras contain the teachings of Buddhism.

  • Pali Canon (Tipitaka): The standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, preserved in the Pali language. It is considered by Theravada Buddhists to be the most accurate record of the Buddha's teachings. It contains the Sutras, Vinayas and Abhidharmas

  • Vinaya: The collection of texts containing the rules of monastic discipline for monks and nuns.

  • Abhidharma: Scholastic and philosophical analyses and systematizations of the Buddha's teachings.

  • Four Noble Truths: The foundation of Buddhist teachings: 1) suffering exists, 2) suffering arises from attachment to desires, 3) suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases, and 4) freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path.

  • Eightfold Path: The path to liberation from suffering, consisting of: right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right


I am still unable to access the content of the attached files, but I can define "kora" and "Bodhidharma" for you:

  • Kora: This term has a couple of relevant meanings:

    • Tibetan Buddhism: Kora refers to a circumambulation or pilgrimage around a sacred site or object. It is a common practice in Tibetan Buddhism, often involving walking, chanting, and prostrating. The sacred site can be a mountain, temple, stupa, or other holy place.

  • Bodhidharma: An Indian Buddhist monk traditionally credited with bringing Zen (Chan) Buddhism to China. He is considered the first patriarch of Zen. Stories about Bodhidharma emphasize his meditation, his legendary meeting with Emperor Wu of Liang, and his emphasis on direct experience and mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma (teachings).


Mahayana: A major branch of Buddhism that emphasizes the role of the bodhisattva, a being who seeks enlightenment not just for themselves but for all sentient beings. It includes a wide range of texts and practices.

Greater Prajna Paramita Sutras: A set of foundational texts in Mahayana Buddhism focusing on the concept of "prajna," or wisdom. They explore the nature of reality and the path to enlightenment.

Abhidharma: A category of Buddhist scriptures that provide a detailed analysis of the teachings of the Buddha, focusing on psychology, philosophy, and cosmology.

Pure Lands: Refers to the belief in transcendent realms that are free of suffering, where beings can be reborn due to their karmic merit. The most notable is the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha.

Bodhisattva: A person who has generated bodhicitta, which is the intention to attain Buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings. Bodhisattvas delay their own enlightenment to help others.

Lotus Sutra: A key scripture in Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes the idea that all beings can achieve Buddhahood. It contains parables and teachings on devotion and the nature of reality.

Diamond Sutra: A famous Mahayana text that focuses on the concept of emptiness (śūnyatā) and the importance of non-attachment to the self and phenomena.

Avalokiteshvara: A bodhisattva associated with compassion, often depicted as a figure embodying the compassion of all Buddhas.

Vajrayana: Also known as Tantric Buddhism, this tradition incorporates esoteric teachings and practices, including rituals, mantras, and meditation, aimed at attaining enlightenment faster.

Tantric Sutras: These are texts that outline the practices and philosophies of Vajrayana Buddhism, focusing on the transformation of ordinary experiences into profound spiritual insights.