Download Buddhism 101: Key Terms and Concepts and more Quizzes World Religions in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Siddhartha Gautama DEFINITION 1 The "Buddha" 563-483 BCE- Born on the border of India and Nepal to a royal family- First saw illness, poverty, death, ascetisism at age 29 - Becomes filled with infinite sorrow- Decides to practice denial (becomes an ascetic)Eventually opts for a "Middle Way"- Healthy body necessary for proper concetration- Sits under a tree and pursues enlightenment - After 49 days, he: comes to know all previous lives understands death and rebirth TERM 2 Samsara DEFINITION 2 Cycle of birth, death, and rebirth TERM 3 Karma DEFINITION 3 Every action has a reaction (cause of law and effect) - How you live this life determines your fate in a next life TERM 4 Moksha DEFINITION 4 Liberation from samsara TERM 5 Dharma and Sangha DEFINITION 5 The Buddha begins to spread the dharma (truth or law)- Creates a community of itinerant monks (sangha) - Monks preserved teachings & eventually wrote them down (sutras) - Recorded 300-400 years after the Buddha's death TERM 6 Impermanence DEFINITION 6 Buddha teaches that all things are IMPERMANENT- The world is transitory and soulless- Nothing has a fixed nature or essence- Even what we think of as "self or "I" has no foundation - The "self" is nothing more than a construct of consciousness TERM 7 Four Noble Truths DEFINITION 7 1) All of life is suffering2) The cause of suffering is desire (craving/attachment)3) The end of suffering is the end..desire4) Noble Eightfold Path (Right knowledge, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration) - Can be thought of as appropriate morality, spiritual, discipline, and insight TERM 8 Nirvana DEFINITION 8 Understanding & practicing the 4 Noble Truths can lead to NIRVANA- The "blowing out" of desire or liberation from samsara- The goal of life is attained ("the highest happiness")- No desire, no suffering, no self TERM 9 Theravada Buddhism DEFINITION 9 "Way of the Elders"- Views the historical Buddha as an exemplar not a God- Little change in doctrine since 3rd century BCE- Monastic, meditative tradition - Monks and nuns focuses on letting go of all forms of desireMost prominent in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma TERM 10 The Five Precepts DEFINITION 10 Refrain From:1. Taking life (non-violence towards sentient beings)2. Taking that which is not given3. Sensual (including sexual) misconduct4. Lying5. Intoxicants that lead to loss of mindfulness
