Unit 4 Flashcards
(22 cards)
The doctrine that there is no independent, eternal self or soul underlying personal existence. See also No-Self.
anatman (un-aat-mun)
In Theravada Buddhism, one who has attained enlightenment.
arhat (ar’hut)
A Buddhist monk.
bhikku (bi-khu)
In Mahayana Buddhism, the wise and compassionate intention to attain Buddhahood for the sake of all other sentient beings.
bodhichitta (bow-dhi-chit-ta)
Literally, an “enlightened being.” In Mahayana Buddhism, one who as taken a “__________ vow” to remain in samsara in order to work for the enlightenment of all sentient beings. Both Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism also venerate a multitude of celestial __________.
bodhisattva (bow-dhi-sut-tva)
A fully enlightened being.
Buddha (bood-ha)
Respectively, the Chinese and Japanese names for the “meditation” school of Buddhism that values meditative expertise far and above doctrine.
Chan or Zen (chah-aahn/Zehn)
A collection of sayings of the Buddha found in the Pali Canon.
Dhammapada (dhur-ma pa-da)
In the Buddhist context, a term referring both to Buddhist teaching and to Buddhism as a religion.
Dharma (dhur-mah)
Usually translated as “suffering,” a term that can also be understood as anxiety, unease, or dissatisfaction caused by desire.
dukkha (doo-kah)
The four truths that form the basis of the Dharma: Suffering in inherent in human life, suffering is caused by desire, there can be an end to desire, and the way to end desire is the Noble Eightfold Path.
Four Nobel Truths
The Buddha’s doctrine that all phenomena are in a constant state of change.
Impermanence
The doctrine, also known as Dependent Origination, that reality is a complex of interrelated and interdependent phenomena in which nothing exists independently; instead, the origination of all things depends on other things.
Interdependent Origination
Action; also, the consequences of actions.
karma (kur-mah)
In Tibet, a teacher of the Dharma.
lama (laah-mah)
Also known as the “Great Vehicle,” the form of Buddhism most prominent in China, Japan, Mongolia, Tibet, and Korea.
Mahayana (muh-haah-yaah-na)
Typically, a circular diagram representing the entire universe; often used as an aid in meditation.
Mandala
A sacred sound or syllable used as a focus for meditation, as an invocation of a deity, or as a protective spell.
mantra (mun-trah)
The Buddha’s principle of the path between extremes of asceticism and self-indulgence that leads to enlightenment.
Middle Way
The ultimate coal of Buddhist practice: the extinguishing of desire and the suffering it causes.
Nirvana
The Buddha’s prescription for a way of life that leads to enlightenment. Based on the principle of the Middle Way, it is also defined by eight virtues.
Noble Eightfold Path
The doctrine that there is no independent, eternal self or soul underlying personal existence. (See also anatman).
No-Self
