final exam Flashcards
(40 cards)
True or false: The term ‘Buddhism’ refers to a single monolithic doctrine which all Buddhists accept
False
true or false: The source of all Buddhist doctrine derives from the Pali Canon
false
True or false: The Lotus Sutra is essentially a collection of Hindu principles in which divinity is compared to exquisite floral beauty
false
True or false: The Lotus Sutra is the core scriptural text used by Theravada Buddhists
false
what are the four noble truths?
- the noble truth of suffering (dukkah)- Life as ordinarily lived is filled with suffering, dissatisfaction, and discontent
- the noble truth of the origin of suffering- The cause of suffering is craving or desire which leads to a cycle of rebirth and continued dissatisfaction
- the noble truth of the cessation of suffering- There is a way to end suffering, which is the elimination of craving by letting go of attachment and desire
- the noble truth of the path to the cessation of suffering- The path to ending suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path which cultivates ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom
what is the scope of FNT-1. In other words, does it apply to everything that exists? explain.
The first noble truth states that suffering is a part of existence, but this concept only applies to thigs that have the capacity to suffer. Things like rocks that are inanimate lack consciousness and hence do not have the ability to feel suffering. The scope of FNT-1 is limited to beings who have desires, attachments, and awareness.
what is the difference in scope between FNT-1 and M1?
-FNT-1 (the first noble truth) states that life is suffering and this applies specifically to conscious beings that have the capacity to suffer. It does not include inanimate objects
-M1 (First Mark of existence) states that all existence is characterized by impermanence. It includes much more than the first noble truth because it applies to everything that exists
True or false: FNT-3 claims that the “cessation of suffering” is achieved by death or non-existence.
-false
-cessation of suffering is achieved through the elimination of craving
Why do Buddhists characterize the Buddha (metaphorically) as a physician? Explain briefly
Buddhists view Buddha similar to a physician because of the way he approaches human condition using a method similar to medical diagnosis. Human beings have a sickness that he recognizes a cause for and prescribes a treatment plan for.
what does ‘dukkah’ mean?
it is suffering in a broad sense. It portrays disatisfactoriness, unease, and an unsatisfying life lived. It arises from desires, cravings, and ambitions that rely on the external cooperation of the world to be fulfilled.
Are there distinct types of dukkha? If so, briefly distinguish each type and provide one example of each.
-yes
-ordinary suffering-direct experiences of suffering such as illness, injury, sadness, fear, or grief. An example would be breaking a leg.
-suffering due to impermanence- arises when pleasant experiences or conditions change or end, because all things are impermanent. an example would be the sadness that follows the end of an enjoyable vacation
-conditioned suffering- inherent unsatisfactoriness of all conditioned existence that arises from our false belief in a permanent, independent self. An example is a restless feeling that comes from chasing ambitions
Match the following:
a. Chronic craving
b. Commonsense belief in the Self
Options:
– proximal/immediate cause
– distal/ultimate cause
a. Chronic craving → proximal/immediate cause
b. Commonsense belief in the Self → distal/ultimate cause
How might the Buddhist develop an analogy between (a) reincarnation and (b) a caterpillar’s seeking the support of a new blade of grass as it comes to the tip (i.e., the end) of the one it is on? Explain.
In this analogy, the caterpillar represents consciousness, and the blades of grass represent different lives or physical bodies. As the caterpillar moves along a blade of grass and reaches its end, it instinctively reaches out to the next blade for support—just as consciousness, in Buddhist thought, transitions from one life to the next when the current body dies. This metaphor illustrates the idea that while the individual body (the blade of grass) is impermanent and subject to death and decay, the process of consciousness continues. just as the caterpillar is not the same as the blades it moves across, consciousness is not identical with the bodies it occupies, but flows from one to the next in a continuous, conditioned process.
According to (Theravada) Buddhism, we have good reason to eliminate one’s (illusory) sense of self. What payoffs are (allegedly) obtained by achieving this goal?
In Theravada Buddhism, the concept of “no-self” is a central teaching that asserts the absence of a permanent, unchanging self or soul. This concept is crucial for achieving enlightenment (nirvana). By recognizing that the self is an illusion, one can transcend worldly desires, attachments, and the suffering that comes from them. Achieving Nivana is a personal goal achieved only through eliminating the self and puts one on the path to ultimate liberation. Another major payoff of eliminating the self is reducing the ego. By letting go of the sense of self, an individual reduces their ego-driven desires and selfish tendencies. This brings overall social good.
True or false: The Eightfold Path consists exclusively of a set of ethical practices
-false
-total guide for ethical living (ethical conduct, metal discipline, and wisdom)
The Eightfold Path distinguishes between two types of meditation. What are these two types of meditation?
- expansive meditation- involves reflecting on your interconnectedness with the vast cosmos and all living beings. It helps those who meditate recognize the impermanence of all things. It fosters a deep understanding of how one’s actions, thoughts, and emotions influence the larger web of life, encouraging a sense of empathy, compassion, and mindfulness
- concentration meditation- focuses on developing mental clarity and calm by concentrating the mind on a single object or thought. It is intended to prepare the mind for deeper states of awareness and wisdom and promotes deep focus and mental stillness
between what two extremes does Buddhism locate “the middle way”? Explain.
-between the extremes of overindulgence and extreme asceticism
-overindulgence is the uncontrolled pursuit of pleasure, comfort, and material satisfaction. According to the Buddha, this path leads to attachment, craving, and ultimately suffering
-excessive asceticism- severe self-denial, including extreme fasting, physical hardship, and rejection of all bodily and worldly comforts
- the middle way avoids both excess and deprivation. It promotes a life full of ethical behavior, mental discipline, and wisdom to help in the goal of ultimately reaching Nirvana.
what is The Middle Way a way for? It is a way to achieve what? For whom is it a way? For whom might The Middle Way be irrelevant?
-the Middle Way is a practical guide for living in a way that leads to spiritual liberation
-it is a way to achieve the ultimate enlightenment, nirvana
-it is for those who are actively seeking enlightenment and freedom from suffering. those who are committed to the Buddhist path.
-it may be irrelevant for those not seeking enlightenment who are not interested in Buddhist spiritual goals
Does the Middle Way express a deep metaphysical truth? If not, what is The Middle Way?
-No
-it does not seek do describe te nature of reality in a metaphysical sense. Instead, it is a method for living that reduces suffering and increases the progression towards enlightenment
Does the modern cognitive neuroscience doctrine corroborate the Middle Way? If so, how so?
-yes
-both doctrines share the idea of a rejection of a fixed, permanent self. Neuroscience shows that what we experience as the “self” is actually a dynamic, composite process emerging from the working of the brain. They also both recognize the importance of living a balanced life; the idea of mental wellbeing in psychology aligns with the ideas of balance in The Middle Way through: avoiding cognitive extremes, regulating emotional responses, and maintaining mental equilibrium.
what does “right understanding” consist in? What counts as right understanding?
-It is the first step of the Eightfold Path. it consists of seeing the world clearly and truthfully and recognizing the nature of suffering and the illusion of a permanent self
-deep insight that our normal way of seeing ourselves and the world is flawed; not believing in a permanent, unchanging self and to beginning to see reality in terms of impermanence and the causes of suffering
who was Siddhartha? What is his relation to the Budha?
-historical figure who became known as the Buddha; his life story is the foundation for Buddhist philosophy
-he is one of many incarnations in a long cycle of rebirths that lead to him becoming the Buddha
True or false: Mara, the demon of the earthly world, is the one who asked: “Who can attest to Siddhartha’s worthiness [for enlightenment]?”
true
Mara, the demon of the earthly world, asking: “Who can attest to Siddhartha’s worthiness [for enlightenment]?” suggests that enlightenment is not directly under the individual’s control but depends in part on being ‘deemed worthy’ (by whom?). In what two ways did Siddartha demonstrate his worthiness for enlightenment?
- moral merit- Through countless past lives, Siddhartha had accumulated moral virtue by living ethically, showing compassion, and cultivating selflessness which established his worthiness on a moral level
- nonmoral (spiritual) merit- through deep meditative insight and spiritual discipline where he developed wisdom, detachment, and a profound understanding of the nature of suffering
