buddhism Flashcards
(24 cards)
how many noble truths
4
first noble truth
Dukkha - the truth of suffering - everyone suffers and it is unavoidable
second noble truth
Samudaya - the truth of the origin of suffering - all suffering comes from wanting/desire or craving
third noble truth
Nirodha - the truth of cessation of suffering - a state of peace and no suffering
4th noble truth
Magga - the truth of the path to the cessation of suffering - by following the middle way/eightfold path
mnemonic to remember the eightfold path
EVIL SCAM, where each letter stands for:
Effort
View
Intention
Livelihood
Speech
Concentration
Action
Mindfulness.
5 moral precepts
the basic ethical guidelines for Buddhists
moral precept 1
Do not kill
Abstain from killing or harming any living being, emphasizing kindness and respect for life.
moral precept two
Do not steal
Abstain from taking what is not given, which includes theft, cheating, and exploitation.
moral precept three
Do not engage in sexual misconduct
Abstain from sexual behavior that causes harm, such as adultery or exploitation; practice sexual responsibility and respect.
moral precept 4
Do not lie
Abstain from false speech, including lying, gossip, slander, and harsh or divisive words; practice honesty and truthfulness.
moral precept 5
Do not take intoxicants
Abstain from consuming substances (like alcohol or drugs) that cloud the mind and lead to carelessness or loss of self-control.
Who was Prince Siddhartha?
Siddhartha Gautama was a prince born about 2,500 years ago in what is now Nepal
Who were Siddhartha’s parents?
His father was King Shuddhodana and his mother was Queen Mayadevi
What did the prophecy at Siddhartha’s birth say?
He would become either a great king or a great holy man.
How did Siddhartha’s father try to influence his future?
By shielding him from all suffering and keeping him in luxury, hoping he would become a king.
What are the Four Sights Siddhartha saw?
An old man, a sick person, a dead body, and a holy man
Why were the Four Sights important?
They showed Siddhartha the reality of suffering, aging, illness, and death, which he had never seen before.
What did Siddhartha do after seeing the Four Sights?
He left the palace, his wife, and son to seek answers to the problem of suffering by becoming an ascetic.
What is an ascetic?
Someone who practices severe self-discipline and denies themselves physical comforts; Siddhartha became an ascetic after leaving the palace.
Why did Siddhartha stop practicing extreme asceticism?
He realized that starving and punishing himself did not lead to understanding or end suffering
What is the Middle Way?
The balanced path between luxury and extreme hardship that Siddhartha discovered led to enlightenment.
How did Siddhartha achieve enlightenment?
By meditating under the Bodhi tree, resisting temptations, and realizing the nature of suffering and its end
What did Siddhartha do after becoming the Buddha?
He taught others the path to end suffering, founding the Buddhist community and sharing his insights
