RS Buddhism Beliefs & Teachings
What is Buddhism?
A religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama around 2500 years ago.
What is the difference between 'A Buddha' and 'The Buddha'?
'A Buddha' is someone who has achieved enlightenement whereas 'The Buddha' refers to Siddhartha Gautama.
What did Queen Maya dream of and what does it symbolise?
A white elephant, which symbolises greatness, justice and power.
Where was Buddha born and what does this symbolise?
In the Lumbini Gardens, under the Bodhi tree, which symbolises hope, patience and being 'fully awakened'.
Why is the Bodhi tree so significant for Buddhists?
It is believed to be sacred because it represents the Buddha's life. Some even believe that a musical spirit lives within the trees and causes its movements.
How was Siddahrtha's birth special?
What was King Suddhodana's Fear?
The prophecy told that Siddhartha would become a great king or a holy man; so Suddhidana feared that Siddhartha would become a holy man.
How was Siddhartha's early life in the palace?
Kept away from any pain, sadness or dissapointment (suffering)
What was the First sight and how did it influence Siddhartha?
Old man - realised that all humans lose strength, beauty and memory with age.
What was the Second sight and how did it influence Siddhartha?
Sick man - everybody will become ill at some point and physically suffer because of it.
What was the Third sight and how did it influence Siddhartha?
Dead man - death is an inevitable fate and it seperates people from their loved ones.
What was the Fourth sight and how did it influence Siddhartha?
Holy man - owned nothing but was still at peace, so Siddhartha left the palace to find a solution to suffering.
How was Siddhartha's ascetic lifestyle?
Rejected all pleasurable things
How did the Jataka Tales describe the Buddha's time as an ascetic?
"severe austeries... like a time of interwining the sky with knots" - did not provide a cure for suffering
Why did Siddhartha abondon asceticism?
One day, a villager girl offered him milk and rice and he accepted since he was nearing starvation.
He realised that neither luxury nor asceticism could stop his suffering, so he proposed the 'Middle Way'.
How did Mara tempt Siddhartha?
Sent his daughter to seduce Siddhartha - symbolise tanha, greed and pleasure.
How did Siddhartha attain enlightenment?
He declared, "not until I attain the supreme Enlightenment will I give up this seat of meditation."
What was the First Watch of the Night?
The Buddha remembered all his former lives, going through life, death and rebirth.
What was the Second Watch of the Night?
Understood the concept of kamma and anatta - how the universe behaves and functions.
What was the Third Watch of the Night?
Understood the dhamma - why suffering happens and how to overcome it
What are the Three Jewels?
The Buddha (the honoured one), the Dhamma (the Buddha's teachings), the Sangha (the community of Buddhists)
What is the importance of the Dhamma?
The truth about the nature of existence.
How do Buddhists define rebirth?
Fluid kammic energy is born into a new body after death.
What are the Six Realms in samsara?
Gods, Titans, Hungry Ghosts, Hell, Animals, Humans.
Only which realm has the capacity to achieve enlightenment?
Humans.
What is samsara?
The cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
What are the Three Poisons?
Greed, Hatred, Ignorance
What are the Three Medecines?
Genorosity, Compassion, Wisdom
What is kamma?
The law of action and result.
What is Dependent Arising (Paticcasamuppada)?
The idea that all things arise in dependence upon conditions.
What are the Three Marks of Existence?
Anicca - Impermanence.
Dukkha - Suffering.
Anatta - No self or soul.
What is Anicca?
Impermanence; everything changes and nothing lasts.
What is Dukkha?
Dissatisfaction and suffering. It is everywhere and unavoidable.
What is Anatta?
Beings do not have a permanent, fixed self or soul.
What are the types of dukkha?
Dukkha-dukkhata (ordinary pain or suffering)
Viparinama-dukkha (changes or loss)
Samkhara-dukkha (attachments or cravings)
What are the Five Aggregates (Skandhas)?
Form (physical body)
Sensation (feelings)
Perception (recognition of things)
Mental formations (thoughts and emotions)
Consciousness (awareness of the world and oneself)
What is Nibbana?
To be freed from the cycle of samsara.
Why is meditation important in Buddhism?
Meditation helps Buddhists develop mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom.
What is the First Noble Truth (dukkha)?
Suffering is an inescapable part of life.
What is the Second Noble Truth (Samudaya)?
Dukkha stems from our cravings (tanha) and how we respond to the Three Poisons.
What is the Third Noble Truth (Nirodha)?
The way to cease suffering is to stop craving and respond differently to anicca.
What is the Fourth Noble Truth (Magga)?
The (eight) aspects that Buddhists should practise and live by in order to achieve enlightenment - the Noble Eightfold Path.
What are the steps of the Eightfold Path?
Right Understanding – Understanding the Four Noble Truths.
Right Intentions – Developing good intentions like kindness and compassion.
Right Speech – Avoiding lies, gossip, and harmful speech.
Right Action – Acting virtuously, not harming others.
Right Livelihood – Choosing a job that does not harm others.
Right Effort – Cultivating positive qualities and removing negative ones.
Right Mindfulness – Developing awareness and focus.
Right Concentration – Practicing meditation to develop concentration and insight.
What are the sections of the Threefold Way?
Wisdom (panna) - overcoming igonrance and acheiving wisdom.
Ethics (sila) - having good morals, behaving ethically and acting to help others and oneself.
Concentration (samadhi) - meditating effectively, culvating the mind.
What is Thervada Buddhism?
'the school of the elders'
What is Mahayana Buddhism?
'Greater Vehicle'
What do Thervada Buddhists believe?
Practised uniformly - big monastic community.
What do Mahayana Buddhists believe?
Many different sects with some overlapping characteristics.
How do Theravada Buddhists view kammic merit?
Is cultivated through (right) meditation.
How do Mahayana Buddhists view sunyata?
Literally means 'emptiness'
How do Mahayana Buddhists view Buddha-nature and Buddha-hood?
All beings have a seed or essence of Buddha hidden within them.
Who are Arhats?
For Theravada Buddhists, someone who has become enlightened and escaped the cycle of samsara.
Who are Bodhisattvas? (Mahayana only)
Someone who sees their own enlightenment as bound up with the enlightenment of all beings.
What are the Six Perfections?
Generosity, morality, patience, perserverance, meditation and wisdom.
What is Pure Land Buddhism?
A form of Mahayana Buddhism based on the belief of Amitabha Buddha.
Who is Amitabha Buddha?
The Buddha worshipped by Pure Land Buddhists. (not to be confused with Siddhartha Guatama, who they also believe in)
How is Sukhavti described in Pure Land Buddhism?
A paradise beyond the cycle of samsara.
What is tanha?
What drives our Five Aggregates to be reborn every second.