Ch 4 Buddhism – Flashcards

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-Lived c. 566-486 BCE -Given name: Gautama Siddharta -Married Yasodhara; one son, Rahula ("the fetter") -Experienced "the four signs": an old person, a sick person, a corpse, and a renunciant (monk) - the great going forth: when he left his family and belonging behind to roam the world with questions Renunciation -Meditative Practices -Attainment of the state of nothing at all -Attainment of the state of neither being nor non-being Searching for: -Bodhi = At last, at dawn, he reached a state of profound understanding, called his Awakening, or Enlightenment -Nirvana = emancipation -Samadhi = meditative concentration came about because opposed vedic tradition adopted a path of moderation— a middle way between self- indulgence and asceticism.

The community of monks and nuns; lowercased, ____ refers to an individual monastic community (buddhas order of monks and nuns).

-Universal law and one's individual path. -the sum total of Buddhist teachings about how to view the world and how to live properly.

enlightenment ___ tree- where siddhartha remained meditation until he had the understanding he needed

The release from suffering and rebirth that brings inner peace. emancipation -end of suffering, inner peace, and liberation from the limitations of the world. -the fires of desire have been extinguished - to attain it the individual has self- control and is no longer driven from inside by raging emotional forces or from outside by the unpredictable events of life. -believed to end karma and rebirth after the present life -follow eightfold path

constant rebirth and the attendant suffering; the everyday world of change liberation is achieved through nirvana

1. Life is suffering. 2. The source of suffering is desire. 3. The cessation of suffering is brought about by cessation of desire. 4. The avenue for pursuing an end to desire is found in the Noble Eightfold Path. 1. suffering exists - to live is to suffer -happens at all points in life -not dark thought, it is realistic and is hopeful because we can wonder how suffering comes about and possible lessen it 2. it has a cause -suffering comes from wanting what we don't have and not being satisfied with what we do have - have desires because life around us is always changing, no matter how much we acquired we can never be satisfied 3. it has an end -everyone accept peacefully whatever occurs, aiming less for happiness and more for inner peace. - free yourself of possessions (monks) -individual should concentrate on the current moment, not the past or future desires -what i have right now is good enough, acceptance - I cannot change the outside world, but I can change myself and the way I experience the world. 4. release from suffering is possible through eightfold path -ultimate goal of buddhism is nirvana

will lead those towards towards literation and the impermanence and suffering of reality -Right views/understanding (= the Four Noble Truths) [NOTE: many of the following are framed in negative terms; not "action," but avoidance of actions.] -Right intention/aspiration (dispassion, benevolence, aversion to injuring others) -Right speech (no lying, slander, idle talk, abusive language) -Right action (abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct) -Right livelihood (no harming living beings; no selling weapons, poison, slaves, livestock; no work as a butcher, hunter, soldier; no fraud, soothsaying) -Right effort (first of the three highest elements of the path: "With moderation I constantly strive to improve") -Right meditation (= dhyana; meditative practice, meditative discipline) -Right contemplation (= samadhi; cultivating a sense of blissful inner peace) 1. Right understanding: I recognize the impermanence of life, the mechanism of desire, and the cause of suffering. 2. Right intention: My thoughts and motives are pure, not tainted by my emotions and selfish desires. 3. Right speech: I speak honestly and kindly, in positive ways, avoiding lies, exaggeration, harsh words. 4. Right action: My actions do not hurt any other being that can feel hurt, including animals; I avoid stealing and sexual conduct that would bring hurt. 5. Right work: My job does no harm to myself or others. 6. Right effort: With moderation, I consistently strive to improve. 7. Right meditation: (right mindfulness) I use the disciplines of meditation (dhyana) and focused awareness to contemplate the nature of reality more deeply. 8. Right contemplation: I cultivate states of blissful inner peace (samadhi).

-life can never be satisfying because of its inescapable change -even during pleasure, we know that it wont last forever -ever changing life bring misery (death) -dukkha

-Ignorance leads to dispositions (=karmic legacy; unfinished business). -Dispositions (unfinished concerns) lead to consciousness. -Consciousness leads to perception of name-and-form. -With form/mind/body come six senses. -Senses give us contact of various sorts. -Contact yields feeling, of pleasure/pain. -Feeling leads to desire, because we want some experiences, but not others. -Desire leads us to appropriation ("seeking fuel for our fires"). -Appropriation leads to process of becoming. -Becoming leads to need for rebirth. -Rebirth leads to aging and dying (because those are the rules in the world into which we are born). -But aging and dying lead to the perception of their own reality . . . Which is to say: ignorance.

The six major sections represent the Six Realms. These realms can be understood as forms of existence, or states of mind, into which beings are born according to their karma. The realms also can be viewed as situations in life or even personality types -- hungry ghosts are addicts; devas are privileged; hell beings have anger issues. In each of the realms the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara appears to show the way to liberation from the ________. But liberation is possible only in the human realm. From there, those who realize enlightenment find their way out of the ________ to Nirvana.

Someone who has attained the goal of the religious life (nirvana). theravada buddhism In Theravada, a person who has practiced monastic disciplines and reached nirvana, the ideal.

The Tripitaka ("Three Baskets") or Pali Canon Vinaya Pitaka = monastic rules Sutra Pitaka = collection of discourses Abhidharma Pitaka = scholastic works the way of the elders -school that supported Buddhas opposition to Vedic ritual and the brahmin priesthood, and embraced hisappreciation for simplicity, meditation, and detachment. -conservative approach, goal of passing Buddhas teachings unchanged -community of monks -reaching nirvana through detachment and desirelessness, achieved by way of meditation. -monks must beg for their food like Buddha -temporary ordination to make merit for themselves and family -scriptures, oral tradition (jakata tales= aesops fables)

-collection of the Buddha's teachings -As a whole, this mass of material is called Tipitaka ( Pali), or Tripitaka ( Sanskrit), which means " three baskets." The name comes from the fact that the writings were divided according to their subject matter into three groups.

The three " baskets," or collections, of Buddhist texts. theravada teachings Vinaya Pitaka = monastic rules Sutra Pitaka = sayings of buddha through collection of sermons and dialogues Abhidharma Pitaka = scholastic works, beyond elementary teachings

"enlightenment being" found in mahayana buddhism -embodies compassion -it is often said that a ____________ will refuse to fully enter nirvana, in order to be reborn on earth to help others. -A person may even take the " __________ vow" to be constantly reborn until all are enlightened. heavenly ______________ -help human beings exist in other dimensions beyond earth

Thatness," "thusness," " suchness"; the uniqueness of each changing moment of reality. -reality is revealed in each moment -since no moment is exactly the same, no object is exactly the same (forever and constantly changing) so each can be observed and appreciated as it passes -experience comes when we notice a moment of change -moments when you recognize reality or hear something and think, "yeah, thats it"

shunya, constantly shifting and changing, empty of permanent essence silence and emptiness- way of achieving enlightenment

The Buddha of the Western Paradise, a bliss-body Buddha in Mahayana. -The sutras speak of a heavenly realm, the Pure Land, established by the merciful _____________ , where human beings can be reborn. All that is necessary for rebirth in the Pure Land is devotion to this Buddha, as shown by repetition of his name as a sign of total trust in him. These sutras would eventually give birth to a wildly successful movement, the Pure Land movement, which is still popular today.

Impermanence, constant change.

" Meditation"; focusing of the mind; sometimes, stages of trance. Stages -First watch: all his own previous lives. -Second watch: seeing with the divine eye; death/rebirth of all living things; impermanence (anicca), no self (anatta). -Third watch: "extinction of the outflows"; Four Noble Truths; dependent co-arising ("origination-in-dependence"); the Middle Path

A popular bodhisattva of compassion in Mahayana. heavenly bodhsitattva who was portrayed as female due to level of compassion

compassion, empathy found in mahayana buddhism -we are all part of the same ever-changing universe -deep down individuals are not different from anyone or anything else (kind to others its kind to oneself) -living out the unity of the universe

In Chan and Zen Buddhism, a question that cannot be answered logically; a technique used to test consciousness and bring awakening.

A Buddha (or bodhisattva) expected to appear on earth in the future.

A geometrical design containing deities, circles, squares, symbols, and so on that represent totality, the self, or the universe. shingon on mahayana buddhism -geometrical designs, usually painted on cloth, that present reality in symbolic form. -One __________, the Kongo- kai (" diamond- world") __________, shows the universe from the point of view of the wise person, who sees the universe as whole and perfect. It represents the universe seen as nirvana. -The other __________, the Tai- zo (" womb") __________, shows the universe from the point of view of the compassionate person. It sees the universe as samsara, a place of suffering and growth, which needs our help. -thangkas- keeps demons away

a symbolic hand gesture used in vajrayana buddhism convey esoteric meanings

A state of deep awareness, the result of intensive meditation. meditative concentration

In Zen, the enlightened awareness.

The Mahayana notion (doctrine) of emptiness, meaning that the universe is empty of permanent reality. -extension of definite change, smaller patterns (people) make up and change larger patterns (communities like wheels within wheels) -Because everything is in constant change, each apparently individual person and thing is actually " empty" of any permanent individual identity. -all people and things exist together

a shrine, usually in the shape of a dome, used to mark Buddhist relics or sacred sites.

The three " bodies" of the Buddha— the Dharmakaya (cosmic Buddha nature) (maitreya), the Nirmanakaya (historical Buddhas, transformation of bodies), and the Sambhogakaya (celestial Buddhas, supernatural buddhas that live beyond earth). (Amitabha Buddha)

The " diamond" scepter used in Tibetan and other types of Buddhist ritual, symbolizing compassion. -metal object somewhat like a divining rod or scepter that represents a stylized bolt of lightning. -associated with diamond-hardness, power, and insight. -It is held in the right hand and suggests kind action. -A bell is held in the left hand and symbolizes wisdom. -When used together, one in each hand, these objects represent the union of wisdom and compassion. -both are essential to Tibetan Vajrayana ritual in a way that other religious objects are not.

sorrow, misery suffering -encompasses the whole range from horrible suffering to everyday frustration

Tibetan Buddhist teacher; a title of honor often given to all Tibetan monks.

"No self"; the doctrine that there is no soul or permanent essence in people and things. no permanent identity

A sacred text, especially one said to record the words of the Buddha.

life is a series of reincarnations, with ultimate goal of reuniting with the Divine. Atman seeks to reunite with brahman.

fixed social orders, with kshatriyas as "warrior" (elite) class.

expectation of life-stages

asceticism and the Aranyakas ("forest books")

Opportunity to take refuge in: The Buddha. -Model for enlightenment practice -thought of as an ideal human being whom other human beings should imitate; the image of him, seated in med-itation, is a constant model of self- control and mindfulness. He is not usually thought of as being dead but instead as existing in a timeless dimension beyond the world. The Sangha -Monastic and Lay orders, interdependent. -Goal is to achieve status of arhat. -the community of monks and nuns The Dharma -Universal law and one's individual path. -the sum total of Buddhist teachings about how to view the world and how to live properly.

The bodhisattva path. New Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Doctrine of Buddha-bodies -Apparition-body ("the historical Buddha") -Bliss-body (gives access to other Buddhas) -Dharma-body (infinite, pure reality)

-Notion of "emptiness" relates to samsara but also nirvana itself. -Tathata as a response (in limited ways). -New Sutras relate to the many Buddhas, offer alternate paths to salvation. -Authority of monastic orders is lessened by these changes. -Cultural diversity as Buddhism travels to many lands. -"big vehicle" ferryboat carrying a broad amount of people, can accommodate a wide variety of people achieving enlightenment -everyone, not only monks, can achieve nirvana -enlightenment is a call to compassion, save someone else before you save yourself -ritual remains alive, gets ridiculed for it -nirvana thought to be found within samsara -human body and material realm are viewed positively -emotions and senses are a means of spiritual transformation (wisdom and compassion) -karuna: living out the awareness of the unity of the universe so compassion comes naturally -bodhisattva: refuse to enter nirvana and some take the vow so they can continue to be reborn and help others until all are enlightened -people can use any means of a path to reach enlightenment if mediation does not work, skillful means schools shingon -true word, word of faith -scared chants, mantras -rituals are performed for security and focus on experiencing union with cosmic buddha nature (fire ritual-goma) tendai -monastic institution -attempted to categorize the many, complex, buddhist teachings and present them in a meaningful way, as a kind of ladder of steps leading to full enlightenment. Naturally, its own special teachings were at the top. Jodo (pure land) -devotional form of buddhism that could be practiced by laypeople as well as monks -complete devotion to Amitabha Buddha Nichiren -many sutras and practices as in the search for enlightenment -lotus sutra -similar tendai -want to connect to the divine power of the universe Zen

A school of Mahayana Buddhism -names after the 8th step in the path, dhyana -looks at simplification by looking directly to the enlightenment experience of Siddhartha Gautama. -favored meditation -The enlightenment experience (satori) brings an awareness of the unity of oneself with the rest of the universe. -enlightened person knows separations and distinction (mine, yours) -experience of ultimate unity brings new insights and emotions to the art of living: less anxiety over attaining goals, less concern about death, and an appreciation for the preciousness of everyday life. -best technique is sitting mediation called zazen -koan is another technique for attaining awareness, makes people question simple things in a wondrous nature -manual labor is essential

"the diamond vehicle" -practices and beliefs that have sometimes been called esoteric (hidden, not openly taught), such as the use of special chants and rituals to gain supernormal powers. -Mahayana Buddhism blended with Tibetan shamanism -name suggests strength, clarity, wisdom, and flashes of light, all of which are associated with the enlightened awareness that this vehicle seeks to transmit. -Some consider __________ to be a special form of Mahayana. -opposed the original Buddhist detachment from the world and its negative attitude toward bodily pleasure. -taught that body and its energies could be used to reach enlightenment -enlightenment is the experience of oneness, practitioner unites all opposites -Sexual union is a powerful experience of unity, -uses the imagery and ( rarely) the practice of sexual union to help attain enlightenment. -Tibetan spiritual teacher is often called lama (guru) -reincarnation of lamas (dalai lama) -two writings: kanjur is core and tenjur -interested in the acquisition of both internal and external powers attained through ritual..identify with power of specific deity -significant ritual is vajra -prayer wheel -protect against demonds -mantra, mudras

change -look at life how it really is, constantly changing and impermanent -must accept this -are surprised by change because we only notice change over time -peoples view points also change -all of reality is in motion all the time no permanent identity -abandon egoism and material objects - all made up of different, changing parts suffering

-to cause suffering to any being is cruel and unnecessary discourages causing not only physical pain but also psychological hurt or the exploitation of another Upon reaching a real understanding that every being that feels can suffer, the individual gains wider sympathy. It is then natural and satisfying for the individual to live with gentleness.