Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Ethics > Buddhism > Flashcards

Buddhism Flashcards

(83 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Who is Gautama? /7

A

A normal man who underwent a therapeutic experience of awakening

Siddartha Gautama

560 BC - 480 BC (80 years old)

Born in Northern Asia

Part of the Warrior Class (Kshatriya)

Born in a position of worldly power

Destined to become either a universal king or a Buddha

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What happened to Gautama? /2

A

Attained full awareness of the human nature and how to follow it at its fullest

Achieved the title of Buddha after his awakening

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a Buddha? /3

A

Defines being “woke up”

Title given once achieved awareness of the human condition (human nature)

Buddha is derived from “bush” or “to awaken”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What realizations did Gautama make about the human condition? /2

A

Discovered that the naturels human beings results in awaited suffering

Sees suffering as a disease and the treatment/cure needed is therapy for the living

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How do we know about Gautama?

A

Commonly known through legend; does not have an accurate life history

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Can we ever fully know the story of Gautama? /3

A

No

Gautama’s life was not fully recorded until centuries after his death

Contained legendary elements that have been proven already

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What was Gautama’s childhood? /2

A

Pampered with all the comforts of the place

Grew up in luxury; surrounded by thousands of servants and dancing women

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What was Gautama’s father’s plan for him?

A

Wished Gautama to become a universal king

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What did Gautama’s father try to prevent him from seeing?

A

Tried to keep keep Gautama safe from the sufferings of the outside world

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Did Gautama marry? /2

A

Yes

Married the finest maidens of the kingdom and had a son together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the FIRST Stage of the Four Stages of Gautama’s life? /5

A

The four masks sights:

  1. His chariot passion a decrepit old man
  2. Saw a diseased old man
  3. Saw a corpse for the first time
  4. Witnessed a religious ascetic

Realized life is a state of continual suffering, BUT that can be conquered/cured

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What was the lesson learned from sights 1-3? /2

First Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life

A

The reality of suffering

The impermanent nature of life’s pleasure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a ascetic? /3

A

A man who chose to lead a homeless life of solitude and self-denial

Searching for salvation from this world of suffering

Give up material possession to live a minimalistic lifestyle p; focus on spiritual

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What was the lesson from the 4th sight?

A

Means of overcoming despair

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the SECOND Stage of the Four Stages of Gautama’s life? /3

A

The Great Going Forth

Gautama attempts to conquer the state of suffering he discovered in the First Stage

Decided to live life as an ASCETIC because he felt that it would allow him to focus on spirituality instead of worldly matters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What did Gautama reject by leaving the apace in secret? /2

Second Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life

A

A life of power

A life of sensual enjoyment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does Gautama leaving the palace symbolize? /2

Second Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life

A

Known as the Great Going Forth

Symbolize the triumph of spiritual over worldly/physical life

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Which practice did NOT work for Gautama as he tried to achieve salvation? /

Second Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life

A

Mendicants version of meditation

Was not satisfied with their results

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Which practice Gautama ADOPT to replace the previous practice? /2

Second Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life

A

Excelled in fasting result in him ending up on the brink of starvation for several years

Method used by mendicants called asceticism; helps on gain salvation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Because asceticism DID NOT work for Gautama, what did he do after that?

Third Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life

A

Gautama are a meal of rice and milk to regain his strength and continue his quest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the Middle Way doctrine? /5

Third Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life

A

Presents that a healthy physical life leads to a healthy spriritual life

Based off the ida that physical happiness is good for the being

Spiritual happiness results in complete happiness in all aspects of a being—body, mind, and spirit

Rejects the satisfaction of bodily pleasure (sensual pleasure)

Does NOT reject the body as it is

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Why can it be said that Gautama found the “Middle Way” after living a life at either extreme? /3

Third Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life

A

Learned that TRUE HAPPINESS is not found at either extremes (luxury or ascétisme)

Instead between two extremes

To have a healthy mind, you also need a healthy body; allows us to cope/deal with suffering

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Why did Gautama do next in an attempt to attain salvation? /2

Third Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life

A

Gautama sat underneath a fig tree in the lotus position (crossing of legs)

Said he would not leave his spot until he has reached/completed perfect fulfillment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Who is Mara? What did he attempt to do to Gautama?

Third Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life

A

Mara is the God of Death

Tried to scare Gautama out of the spot from under the fig tree (fails p)

Tried to have his daughters Discontent, Delight, Desire, to arouse Gautama’s passion (seduce), but fails

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Why did Mara try to stop Gautama from completing his quest? Third Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life
Afraid Gautama might succeed in his quest to achieve perfect enlightenment
26
What did Gautama’s encounter with Mara prove that he was able to overcome? Fourth Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life
Able to overcome the distractions of fear and passion
27
What was Gautama finally able to do as a result(Overcome fear and passion)? /3 Fourth Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life
Enter a meditation on-like trance Ascend through levels of deep awareness Perfectly understand the true nature of the human psyche and condition
28
What is the Night of the Three Watches? Fourth Stage of the Four stages of Gautama’s life
The three discoveries Gautama experiences after understanding the true nature of the human condition in one night
29
What is the first watch of the Three Watches? /4 The Night of the Three Watches
Evening Gautama’s ability to see his previous lives Observe the constant reincarnation of himself; a continuous journey of suffering Saw his entire life cycle and realize that continuous suffering was consistent though each reincarnation
30
What is the second watch of the Three Watches? /3 The Night of the Three Watches
Middle of the Night Gautama’s ability to perceive the deaths/births of all living beings No safety nor escape of death in this world
31
What is the third watch of the Three Watches? The Night of the Three Watches
Discovered the Four Noble Truths Gautama’s ability to understand the summary of the human condition and how to transcontinental it
32
Why is the Third Watch so important? /2 The Night of the Three Watches
Gautama finally attains enlightenment; spiritual perfection/ salvation Gautama becomes Buddha, the Awakened One
33
What is Nirvana? /2
When one’s physical bodies and achieves ultimate salvation; state of bliss One reached Nirvana through a process of meditation
34
What stops existing in Nirvana? /2
The energy of the Arhat (or saint) All selfish desire, including the desire to live
35
Why can we not fully understand Nirvana? /2
One must experience Nirvana to understand what it is Is a difficulty for an ordinary human to understand
36
Does a person actually exist in Nirvana? /2
Unknown answer It is believed to be No since achieving Nirvana is the abandonment of one!s existence
37
What is achieved by reaching Nurvana?
Indescribable joy
38
Why did Gautama decided to remain in the hué s’il world instead of ascending to Nirvana?
Compassion led him to stay and share his discoveries with other humans
39
Who did Gautama teach his discoveries of Buddhism to first? /2
The group of five mendicants who thought him asceitsm Known as arhats (worthy ones or saints)
40
What is Sagha? /4
The first Buddhist community Consists of men and women for m all social classes Community organized with specific tasks for monks and nuns Definite relationship with laypeople
41
What are laypeople?
Non-ordained members of a church
42
How did Gautama die? /2
Fell dangerously illl after eating a meal of spoiled food Died at age 80
43
What does being a Buddha involve? /4
Executing the tree focal elements: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha Repeating ritual procedures/action three times Results in formal awareness of the Three Jewels’s authority Shows a commitment to being a Buddhist
44
What are the Three Jewels? /3
Buddha Dharma Sangha
45
What is Dharma? /3
Buddhist teachings that tend to be difficult o understand Knowledge obtained through a deep meditation An individual requires an equal amount of knowledge also gained through meditation
46
What makes Buddhist teachings special compared to the teachings of other religions? /4
The observations from a mere human being can be understood by anyone Does not depend on the revelation form the divine (heaven or holy wings) for its truths Buddhism is the most PSYCHOLOGICAL orientated Focuses more in the reflection of oneself than on a particular person (ex. God)
47
What is the focus of Buddhist teachings?
Focus on the problem of the human being and their destiny as an individual
48
What are the Three Marks of Existence? /4
No-Self Impermeance Suffering Represent the constant changing of nature
49
What is the first Mark of Existence? /4 There Marks of Existence
Anatta: No-Self No ultimate reality within Nothing else but the present moment; no real eternal life No essence (for Hinduism—no Atman)
50
What is the second Mark of Existence? /3 There Marks of Existence
Anicca: Impermeance Focuses that reality/life is constantly changing Helps us understand that the individual has a instant flow of change—thoughts, fears, perceptions, etc
51
What is the third Mark of Existence? /3 There Marks of Existence
Dukkha: Suffering The end result of Anicca and Anatta One of the Four Noble Truths
52
What is the purpose of the Four Noble Truths? /6
Understand the human condition and how to conquer it: how to cope with the reality of being human Discover the human condition: Diagnosing the disease (suffering) Determining the cause (desire) Issuing a prognosis Prescribing a cure (meditation)
53
What is the first truth of the Four Noble Truths? /5 Four Noble Truths
Dukkha: to live is to suffer Diagnosis to the disease Explains that things are not what they should be, yet somehow out of place and needs to be fixed Obvious truth since anyone can experience pain; physically or mentally Suffering/Frustration/Dislocation/Discomfort
54
What is the link between Dukkha and Nature of Life? /2 Four Noble Truths
Unavoidable when it comes to experience Bodies/personalities/thoughts all constantly changing and can often give discomfort; all subjects of Dukkha
55
What is the second truth of the Four Noble Truths? /6 Four Noble Truths
Tanha: suffering is caused by desire Determining the cause of suffering: attachment Implies selfish desire Explains how it’s impossible not to desire anything Just as unavoidable as Dukkha Desire/Thirst/Craving
56
What is the link between selfishness and Tanha? /2 Four Noble Truths
Selfish orientation is a primary trait of Tanha The desire for individual attainment for private fulfillment
57
What is the third truth of the Four Noble Truths? /4 Four Noble Truths
Prognosis: suffering can be brought to cessation Believed that Buddhism suffering is an unnecessary pessimistic approach Shows that though Buddhism focuses on the negative experience of suffering, it really is an optimistic religion States that both suffering and its causes/roots can be CURED
58
What did Buddha believe about the POTENTIAL of the individual to deal with disease and its causes? /2 Four Noble Truths
Believed happiness is a result of suffering Believed that disease and its cause can originate from everyone; seen as optimistic
59
What a the fourth truth of the Four Noble Truths? /3 Four Noble Truths
The Noble EightfoldPath: the solution to suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path. Prescription for a cure Revolves around all aspects of life
60
Why is the purpose of the Eightfold Path? /3 Four Noble Truths
Following the rules of the Middle Way doctrine; follows a life of moderation No extreme religious practices Designed with ongoing practices; not stages to be mastered then forgotten
61
What are the names of all Noble Eightfold Path? /8 Four Noble Truths
Righ views Right intentions Right speech Right conduct Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right meditation
62
What is the goal of paths Right views and Right intentions? /3
Wisdom Learn the content of the Four Noble Truths Abandon evil thoughts and develop a positive mindset
63
What is the goal of paths Right speech, Right conduct, and Right livelihood? /4
Morality Avoid vocal wrongs (gossip, rumours,etc) Live morally by obeying religious conducts Avoid ding jobs that may harm others directly (liquor, drugs, etc)
64
What is the goal of paths Right effort, Right mindfulness, and Right meditation? /5
Concentration Be aware of what is a wrong and what is a right decision Develop the mental focus needed for meditation Ascend through mental awareness in order to pass away from individual existence Attain nirvana
65
Which of the Noble Eightfold path is the most IMPORTANT? Why? /2
Right meditation Believe it will help us reach Nirvana
66
What 3 daily experiences do we suffer from everyday? /3 Dukkha
Dealing with unpleasant things Separation from pleasant things Unfulfilled wishes
67
Why is attachment the cause of suffering? Tanha
Desire and fear are indicators of attachment
68
What is enlightenment? /6
State that precedes/before Nirvana Once reached enlightenment, one is considered an Arhat Fully aware of the Buddha’s teachings; enlightened with perfect wisdom Perfects virtues of compassion, friendliness, joy, mindedness Develops the qualities that benefit society Once reached Nirvana, the Arhat ceases to exist
69
What is an Arhat?
Still part of the physical world BUT no longer attached to anything because they have understood suffering and its causes
70
Summarize the metaphor of the river as a representation of Buddhism. /4
On one side of the river, where humans live in the physical world, the realm of Samsara, the world of suffering. If one were to cross the river what lies in the other shore is Nirvana, an unknown place until experienced yet draws people in. To cross the river, hence reaching nirvana is through religion. To conclude, to escape the world of suffering, Samsara, buddhists practice religion to reach perfect tranquility or the other shore, Nirvana.
71
What is “raft” synonym for?
Vehicle
72
What does “river” represent?
Religion
73
What is the first raft? /4 Three Rafts of Buddhism
Theravada The Way of the Elders Agrees with the original Buddhist teachings of the Buddha Main method is meditation
74
What is the focus of Theravada? /4 Three Rafts of Buddhism
Achieving wisdom Four Noble Truths Noble Eightfold Path, especially meditation To enter Nirvana
75
What is the second raft? /4 Three Rafts of Buddhism
Mahayana The Great Vehicle Offers opportunity to religious devotion and prayer Offers salvation through infinite grace of the compassionate Buddha
76
What is the focus of Mahayana? /2
Focuses on the Buddha itself Viewing him as a divine saviour
77
What are bodhisattvas? What are they capable of? /3
Buddha’s in the making Dedicated to achieving enlightenment Capable of entering Nirvana, but due to compassion stop right before achieving their goal in Ryder to help others attain the same goal
78
What is the third raft? /3 Three Rafts of Buddhism
Vajrayana Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs its followers can attain Nirvana in the present moment/lifetime—here and now
79
What is Vajrayana’s UNIQUE approach in reaching Nirvana? /3 Three Rafts of Buddhism
Shuts off the energy to stop suffering and uses that energy against itself Fight fire with fire The end goal is the same, but the METHOD IS DIFFERENT
80
What is the role of sexuality in Vajrayana? /4 Three Rafts of Buddhism
Regards sex as a potent energy for furthering spiritual progress Buddhists of this raft engage in ritualized sex Enhances spiritual energy Helps spirituality
81
Who is Dalaï Lama?
Leads of the institution of LAMAS, a hierarchy of clergy Teaches the methods the third raft, Vajrayana
82
Is Dalaï Lama always the same person? /3
Spiritually yes Physically/biologically: no Every Dalaï Lama is a reincarnation
83
How does one become the Dalaï Lama? /3
By being the reincan of the one Dalaï Lama to the next Not based on descent by natural birth (like an heir) Determined through rebirth

Ethics (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions