Buddhist Practices Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is a temple
Where Buddhists go to come together to practice
What is a shrine?
An area with a statue of a Buddha or Bodhisattva which provides Buddhists with a focal point for meditation and devotion
What is a monastery?
A place where Buddhist monks and nuns live
What is a Buddha rupa
A statue of the Buddha often sitting cross legged in their meditation pose
What is samatha meditation?
‘ calming meditation’
A type of meditation that involves calming the mind in developing deeper concentration
What is vipissana meditation?
‘ insight meditation’
The type of meditation that involves developing understanding of the nature of reality
 why do Buddhists worship?
- it allows Buddhists to express their gratitude and respect for the Buddha and his teachings
- It gives them an opportunity to acknowledge how important the Buddha is in their lives
- It allows Buddhists to focus on their faith and to deepen their understanding of the Buddhist teachings
What is a thangka
The detailed painting of a Buddha or bodhisattva
What is a mandala
An intricate circle shaped pattern that is used for meditation
Death rituals in Theravada Buddhism
- Funerals are simple and inexpensive : this show shows that everyone is equal in death and material wealth is not important for the next life
- Relatives may donate money to a worthy cause or make an offering to a monastery before the funeral : Gaines good merit
- Body will be burned : represents in permanent
Tibetan Buddhism death rituals
- Sky burial : emphasises into the dependent nature of existence and transfers good merit to the deceased
- Tibetan book of the dead may be read after the person dies : 49 days is the length of time that people are believed to be in bardo between lives
Pure land Buddhism death ritual
- body washed and placed in a coffin with the head pointing west : the pure land is believed to lie in this direction
- Flowers, incense and a candle or a place near the deceased : reminders of impermanence
What is wesak
- Theravada festival that celebrates the Buddhist birth, life and enlightenment and passing into Nirvana all of which I believed to have taken place on a full moon.
- It’s a day to honour and remember all the teachings of the Buddha
- Celebrated on the full moon during the months of Vesak
- Buddhists made light of their homes with candles, lamps or paper lanterns and put up decorations
- They will make offerings to the Buddha and may give gifts such as food candles and flowers to the monks
What is pari Nirvana day?
Mahayana tradition
Celebrates death or passing of the Buddha and complete liberation from Samsara
Attend temple and listen to readings about Buddhas final days
People bring gifts to monasteries or temple
Some go retreats
What are unskilful actions rooted in?
greed, hatred and ignorance
What are skilful actions rooted in?
Generosity, love and wisdom
Quote for karma
‘ you will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger’
Why is karma important for Buddhists today?
- motivates Buddhist to good deeds
- Helps Buddhists understand that their actions have consequences
What is karuna
Compassion ; feeling concerned for the suffering of other people
Why is karuna important
- Easier to help others and get you good karma
- Compassion is important quality for Buddhists to develop
- Help you make good decisions
- Builds empathy
- Forces you to see from different perspectives
- Developing wisdom help helps develop compassion
Quote for karuna
‘ I believe that every level of society, the key were happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion’
What is metta
Loving kindness ; showing a benevolent kind, friendly attitude towards other people.
It is the general desire to want people to be happy. An attitude of warmth and kindness
Why is Meta important?
- It helps dissolve tendency to act out of greed, hatred or ignorance and other negative emotions
- Helps Buddhists to overcome suffering and eventually achieve in enlightenment
- Help you let go of anger
- Helps you be more positive
Quote for Metta
- ‘ just as a mother would protect with her life her own son, so no one should cultivate an unbound in mind towards all beings, and loving kindness towards all the world’
