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Rel 100 Exam 2
ASU Kefeli; Buddhisim Section
77
Religious Studies
Undergraduate 1
09/16/2011

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Cards

Term
Why is Buddhism Described as a non-theistic religion?
Definition
No personal God
No creator God
No unchanging reality
No belief in Hindu Brahman
Buddha =human being who attained full enlightenment through meditation
Term
When did Hinduism Emerge?
Definition
Axis Age (6th c. BCE)
Term
What are the common features between Jainism and Buddhism?
Definition
They both:
Originated in India
Liberation of self from suffering entailed in living in world
Sprang from Kshatriya caste
Denied saving efficacy of Vedas
Denied Vedic ritual observances
Challenged Brahmin priesthood
Term
Common features between Buddhism and Hinduism (elements of Vedic thought in Buddhism)
Definition
Notion of ahimsa (non harm)
Notion of rebirth called samsara
Notion of karma (actions and consequences of actions)
Moksha = nirvana in Buddhism
Nirvana = release from suffering and rebirth that brings inner peace
Term
Main differences between Hinduism and Buddhism
Definition
Early Buddhist literature shows that Buddhism rejected
Vedas
Vedic practice
Vedic reliance on priests
caste system
gender and social limitations
belief in any permanent spiritual reality
Term
Theravada
Definition
Way of Elders; Myanmar or Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka
Term
Mahayana
Definition
greater vehicle: China, Japan, Korea
Buddha has divine character
Emphasis on his wonders and miracles
There are many other Buddhas, enlightened beings who can help each generation
Everyone is potential Buddha
Term
Vajrayana
Definition
(The Tantric School) (or the “Diamond Vehicle” or “vehicle of the lightning bolt”) (Tibet, Mongolia)
Term
Ahimsa
Definition
Non harm
Term
Samsara
Definition
Notion of rebirth
Term
Karma
Definition
Actions and consequences of actions
Term
Main divisions and differences between the three branches of Buddhism
Definition
Therevada:
Mahayana:
Vajrayana:
Term
Main location of main branches?
Definition
Therevada:
Mahayana:
Vajrayana:
Term
Life of Siddhartha (Gautama)
Definition
(563-483 BCE). He was also called Shakyamuni (Sage of the Shakya clan). He is known under this name especially in East Asia
Term
What is the Great Renunciation?
Definition
When Siddartha Guatama lived the life of an ascetic; left home and all of its comforts.
Term
Bodh Gaya
Definition
the place of Siddhartha’s enlightenment
Term
Deer Park at Sarnath
Definition
Varanasi/ Banaras / Benares
Term
Four Noble Truths:
Definition
1) Suffering (dukka) pervades life; 2) Suffering arises from craving (desire, tanha); 3) Suffering ends when craving ceases; 4) Desire can be ended by the eightfold path
Term
Nirvana
Definition
Extinguished
Term
Triratna
Definition
Three Jewels, Three Refuges of Buddhism) = I take refuge in the Buddha, in the Dharma, and in the Sangha. It is the vow of Buddhist monks (called bhikshus)
Term
the vow of Buddhist monks
Definition
I take refuge in the Buddha, in the Dharma, and in the Sangha. (called bhikshus)
Term
Dharma
Definition
law of the universe; the Buddha’s teaching
Term
Sangha
Definition
monastic community; Buddhist community as a whole
Term
Middle Way
Definition
The path between two extremes. (The two extremes being - the Brahmins who practiced Vedic rituals in temples and homes (this path appeared to be too worldly)
 - the wandering ascetics (this path involved too much suffering).
Term
Eightfold Path
Definition
[Wisdom (prajna): (1) Right view; (2) Right Aim
Morality (sila): (3) Right Speech (4) Right Action (5) Right Living
Meditation (samadhi): (6) Right Effort; (7) Right Mindfulness; (8) Right Concentration]
Term
Ashoka
Definition
d. 268-239 BCE); Mauryan Empire
Term
Stupa
Definition
shrine... (in here twice)
Term
arhat
Definition
perfect being; worthy; a person who has reached nirvana
Term
Pali Canon
Definition
Three Baskets (Tripitaka or Tipitaka)(80 BCE)
Term
Tripitaka or Tipitaka
Definition
Pali Canon; Three Baskets (80 BCE)
Term
Anatman
Definition
no self
Term
skandhas
Definition
“aggregates
Term
Anicca
Definition
impermanence
Term
Maitreya
Definition
Future Buddha
Term
What is the relationship between lay people and monks in Theravada Buddhism?
Definition
Lay people build up merit by supporting the monks through their offering and doing good works, so in a later life they would have a better chance to become enlightened.
Term
How do lay people build good karma?
Definition
to meditate 48 minutes twice a day, praise the Tirthankaras and venerate teachers, hold a particular position for a length of time to show indifference to the body
- perform daily puja (worship) at home in front of shrines by lighting a lamp in front of images
- fast as monks at least once a year (monks are lay persons who have adopted a severer self-discipline)
- give up certain foods and activities for a length of time
- participate with monks in the events of the Jaina calendar.
Term
How did Mahayana Buddhism spread in East Asia?
Definition
Buddhism entered China through Central Asia in 1st c. CE. The Theravadin emphasis on the monk was not accepted by the Chinese people, who wanted their sons to marry and raise families. Ancestor worship in China made essential the continuation of male heirs. Mongol and Turkic invaders brought a Mahayanist form of Buddhism, compatible with family life and presented attractive pictures of afterlife not present in Confucianism. By the 7th c. CE, Buddhism had gained prominence throughout China.
Term
Why did Mahayana Buddhism spread so successfully?
Definition
- Mahayana Buddhism allowed many pre-Buddhist beliefs and practices to survive. Indigenous gods became heavenly Buddhas.
 - recognizes that people find themselves at different stages of spiritual evolution. Some need images of gods to pray to, others need a community of devout friends, and a few, silence.
Term
Main scripture of the Mahayanists
Definition
Lotus Sutra (100 CE)
Term
What is the Lotus Sutra's basic message?
Definition
It contains sayings of the Buddha.
That truth is the revelation that the historical Buddha is but a manifestation of the real Buddha. The real Buddha is the cosmic Buddha who wants to show compassion for all beings. The Buddha's death was a show. Save others.
Term
Bodhisattva
Definition
A future Buddha who vows to return until all sentient beings attain enlightenment
Term
Avalokiteshvara
Definition
Bodhisattva of Compassion
Term
Guan Yin
Definition
(China); Kannon (Japan) = Goddess of Mercy
Term
Universal Buddhahood
Definition
(everything has a Buddha nature)
Term
Three Bodies of the Buddha
Definition
(1) Earthly ; (2) Heavenly; (3) Transcendent (Cosmic Buddha)
Term
Amida/ Amitabha
Definition
Buddha of the West
Term
Shunyata
Definition
emptiness of any permanent individual essence
Term
Mahayana sects:
Definition
*Pure Land Schools (in particular: Jodo-Shinshu School)
*Meditative Schools (Zen Buddhism) [zazen (seated meditation), koan (word puzzle)]
*Rationalist Schools (Tian-Tai and Tendai)
*Esoteric or Mystery Schools (Shingon)
*Nichiren
Term
Tantric Buddhism
Definition
invites human males and females to experience, through disciplined sexual energy, cosmic forces present in the individual.
Term
Bon Shamanism
Definition
Indigenous animistic religion of Tibet
Term
Five Celestial Self-born (dyani) Buddhas
Definition
Amitabha (west); Vairocana (center)
Term
Who is Tara?
Definition
feminine principle of Wisdom, consort of Avalokita
Term
Yellow Hat School
Definition
14th c. CE
Term
Dalai Lama
Definition
the Dalai Lama became the temporal and religious leader of Tibet.
Term
Tenzin Gyatzo
Definition
The present Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatzo
Term
When did the Chinese take control of Tibet?
Definition
1951
Term
Bardo Thodol
Definition
main Tibetan scripture
Term
How did Buddhism respond to the challenge presented by Western colonialism and values?
Definition
- few converted to Christianity
- reformer Buddhists tried to involve the lay society more fully in Buddhist institutions and spiritual practice (meditation). This motivated some to take the place of former royal patrons.
Term
History of Buddhism in India
Definition
consequences of Muslim conquest; mass conversions among “Mahar” untouchable cast in 1950s
Term
Dhammakaya reformist movement in Thailand
Definition
This movement aims at the laity, in particular newly affluent classes. It teaches meditation practices through mass media. It has reduced the ritual complexity of the traditional monastery to a few simple practices. It has also emphasized that money-making is compatible with Buddhism.
Term
Revival of Buddhism in China and Japan
Definition
devotion to bodhisattva Guanyin/Kannon on the rise
Term
Buddhism in the US
Definition
Many centers have sprung up in the US. The majority of the 5 million Buddhists in the US follow Tibetan Buddhism.
Term
Anatta
Definition
"No self;" The doctrine that there is no soul or permanent essence in people and things
Term
What is anichcha?
Definition
Impermance, constant change
Term
What is dukka?
Definition
Sorrow, misery
Term
What is kurana?
Definition
Compassion; empathy
Term
What is Koan?
Definition
In Chan and Zend Buddhisim, a question that cannot be answered logically; a technique used to test consciousness and bring awakening.
Term
What is a lama?
Definition
A Tibetan Buddhist teacher; a title of honor given to all Tibetan monks.
Term
What is a mandala?
Definition
A circular design containing deities, geometrical forms, symbols, and so on that represent totality, the self, or the universe.
Term
What is a mudra?
Definition
A symbolic hand gesture
Term
What is Nirvana?
Definition
The release from suffering and rebirth that brings inner happiness
Term
What is Samadhi?
Definition
A state of deep awareness, the result of intensive meditation
Term
What us Sangha?
Definition
The community of monks and nuns; lowercase, sangha refers to an individual monastic community
Term
What is Samsara?
Definition
The wheel of birth and re-birth
Term
What is satori?
Definition
In Zen, the enlightened awareness
Term
What is a stupa?
Definition
A shrine, usually in the shape of a dome, used to mark Buddhist relics or sacred sites
Term
What is shunyata?
Definition
The Mahayana notion of emptiness, meaning that the universe is empty of permanent reality
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