Buddhism Passages Flashcards
(8 cards)
Selections from the Pali Sutras
These texts present the Four Noble Truths: (1) Life involves suffering (dukkha), (2) Suffering is caused by desire, (3) There is a way to end suffering, and (4) The Eightfold Path is that way. The Buddha emphasizes inner transformation and ethical living. Enlightenment comes through understanding, discipline, and letting go of attachments. The goal is to achieve nirvana, freedom from the cycle of rebirth.
The Questions of King Milinda
This dialogue explores deep Buddhist concepts using metaphors like the chariot, where a person is not a single self but a collection of parts. The monk explains that just as a chariot is made of components, the self is made up of body and mind processes—there is no permanent “self.” The text supports the Buddhist teaching of anatta (non-self). Understanding this helps overcome ego and attain liberation.
The Satipatthana Sutta
This sutra outlines the practice of mindfulness meditation as a direct path to enlightenment. It teaches observing the body, feelings, thoughts, and mental objects without attachment. Through careful attention, one sees reality clearly and understands impermanence. This leads to insight, peace, and liberation from suffering.
Mindfulness and Kindness Practices -Susan Bauer-Wu
Bauer-Wu presents secular applications of Buddhist mindfulness, useful for stress reduction and emotional balance. These practices include breathing exercises, body scans, and loving-kindness meditation. The focus is on being present, calm, and compassionate in daily life. It adapts Buddhist techniques for modern well-being.
Selections from the Mahayana Sutras
Lotus Sutra teaches skillful means (upaya)—the Buddha adapts teachings to meet people where they are.
Heart Sutra emphasizes emptiness (shunyata): all things, including the self, are empty of fixed identity; it deconstructs the five skandhas.
Lankavatara Sutra teaches that reality is mind-only—everything is a projection of consciousness.
Tathagatagarbha Sutra says all beings have Buddha-nature—the potential for awakening is within everyone.
Honen the Buddhist Saint
Honen founded Pure Land Buddhism, a path of salvation through faith in Amida Buddha. He taught that chanting Amida’s name with sincerity (nembutsu) could lead to rebirth in the Pure Land. This made enlightenment accessible to all, not just monks. It emphasized grace and devotion over meditation or study.
The autobiography of Hakin
Hakuin revitalized Rinzai Zen and emphasized traditional Zen meditation (zazen) and koans—paradoxical riddles that push the mind beyond logic. He describes personal struggles and enlightenment experiences, showing that Zen is both rigorous and transformative. His story highlights intense discipline, insight, and spiritual rebirth.
The Three Pillars of Zen
This modern Zen text collects accounts of satori, or sudden enlightenment. It shows how deep meditation, koans, and teacher-student interactions can trigger awakening. Enlightenment is described as direct, beyond words, and life-changing. These experiences demonstrate that insight can come in powerful, unexpected moments.
