MOCKKKK Flashcards
(41 cards)
what is the dhamma
the teaching of the buddha
the way the universe operates like cosmic law and existed before the Buddha did but he put into words for others to understand and explained it
Dhammapada 183
to avoid all evil, to cultivate good and to cleanse ones mind
one of the buddhas teachings
what are the Buddhist beliefs about the nature of reality
the three marks of existence
dependent arising
what are the three marks of existence
dukkha - everything is constantly changing which causes unsatisfactoriness which leads to suffering
annica - everything is impermeant and illusionary, everything is changing and is constantly in flux
anatta - since everything is constantly changing there can be no permanent or fixed self or soul as the elements which make this are constantly in flux
what is dependent arising
paticca sampuda
“if this exists that comes to exist”
Buddhists believe that we have thousands of rebirths and we are a bundle of changing elements - skandhas born into many lifetimes trying to achieve enlightenment
together these elements are enough to keep the illusion going but the chain of existence comes from paticca sampupada or dependent arising
there are interdependent events which cause the existence or occurrence of other events
what are the skandhas
the five elements (aggregates) a person is made up of
- physical form (rupa) made up of all elements fire, earth, water and air
- sensations/feelings (vedana) caused when the eye sees, ear hears, mouth tastes, nose smells, body touches or mind thinks
- perception (samjna) od senses
- mental formations (samskara) the decision-making bit of our brain which makes us think/say/do something
- awareness/consciousness (vijnana)
sunyata
emptiness/ void
it is the skilful means by which a person disentangles themselves from the impurity of existence and from unsatisfactoriness
to realise sunyata is to cease attachment and craving and it leads to enlightenment
meditation is a mean to understand it and is hence able to help you reach enlightenment
no rising and falling only calmness
Arhat
in Theravada buddhism a perfected being the stage before enlightenment
one has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has achieved nibbana
unlikely to become one unless a monk in a monastery
what are two different attitudes about reaching enlightenment
Theravada - enlightenment is a personal goal sought by monks who become arhats
Mahayana - individuals can support others to reach enlightenment
buddha hood
the mahayanan belief that everyone has the potential to become a buddha
sila
ten precepts
what are the stages of being a bodhisattva
- declaring the intention to put off Buddhahood to help others
- taking vows to show determination
- working hard to develop the six perfections
- becoming enlightened and attaining Buddhahood because they have being selfless all along
what tells the story of the four sights
jataka tales 075
discuss the four sights
holy man
old age
illness
death
the holy man gave him a potential solution to the dissatisfaction caused by the other three
the encounter with death shows the impermanence of the material world as wealth cannot stop it
renounced his life of wealth
triggered his path to spiritual enlightenment
what was the ascetic life that buddha lead
he spent 6 years learning meditation techniques from different hindu masters
he lived an austere life denying himself o things he craved like food
he almost starved to death but didn’t find the solution to suffering
what made buddha choose to give up the ascetic lifestyle
he heard a man telling his on about stringing an instrument and he said that if they are too tight they will snap but too lose and it wont play
he saw this as a metaphor for what he was doing as the extreme life of wealth and the extreme life of austere didn’t work so he washed and ate food and was abandoned by his companions who saw him as a failure
hence Buddhism is a middle way
how Siddhartha Gautama become enlightened
he meditated beneath a bodhi tree for 40 nights and 40 days
he was tormented by the demon Mara who tried to distract him from his purpose but he called on the goddess of the earth Vasunhara to witness that he was fit to achieve enlightenment
four stages:
- he recalled his past lives thus being able to see he was ready for enlightenment
- he understood how all living things came to exist - pattica sampuada as he understood everything is impermanent
- he realised that suffering comes from a desire or craving that needs to be overcome
- he attained nibbana with this knowledge and had a sense of calm and happiness
what are the eight things of the eightfold path or fourth noble truth
right view thought/intention speech action livelihood effort mindfulness concentration
what are the five precepts
five guidelines for living which all Buddhists laity must keep to in order to achieve good karma and counter act the three poisons
a precept can be broken in mind and practice
- abstain from harming sentient beings
- abstain from taking what is not freely given
- abstain from sexual misconduct
- abstain from using false speech, being untruthful r unkind with language
- abstain from using intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness
what are the ten precepts (sila)
abstaining from
- taking untimely meals
- dancing
- music
- singing
- wearing garlands
- perfumes
- jewellery
- use of high seats
- use of luxurious beds
- accepting gold or silver
puja
a formal act of worship that takes place before a shrine people remove their shoes and sit on the floor for humility
three core elements:
- bowing to the buddha 3 tomes to represent the buddha, sangha and dhamma
- make offering
- chanting
expression of devotion and thankfulness to the buddha but it may be for a specific purpose such as become pregnant
shows right mindfulness
what is a Theravada death ritual
sutea recited to the dead
the coffin is surrounded with incense candles and wreaths
monks chant scripture
at cremation monks sit facing the coffin and relatives bring lit candles to put under coffin and start flames - impermenance
what is the Japanese death ritual
funeral rites last several days
procession to the temple were the coffin placed in front of items to invoke paradise and mourners give money
priests kneels before and recites sutras
body is burned while a family meal takes place
ashes and bones are placed in a box using special chopsticks and this is put in the family shrine before internment in the family grave
what is the Tibetan death ritual
book of the dead read to prepare them for bardo which is the state between death and rebirth which lasts for up to 49 days and is a place of demons and terror
glimpse of enlightenment and karma decide whether they get it or not
sky burial performed on a hillside the body is dismembered while scripture read
parts are offered the vultures emphasising non-attachment and buddha gave body to feed she tiger cubs in one life
