Buddhist Beliefs Key Terms

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Anatta

Back 1

No self, absence of soul

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Anicca

Back 2

Impermanence, nothing is permanent, everything ceases to exists

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Arahant

Back 3

Anyone who has achieved enlightenment and subsequently at death will escape the cycle or Samsara (Theravada Buddhism)

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Ascetic

Back 4

Someone who chooses to live an extremely disciplined life and abstain from luxuries

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Bodhisattva

Back 5

Anyone who has achieved enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings (Mahayana)

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Buddahoood (General)

Back 6

Generally speaking, this simply refers to the condition or rank of a being a Buddha (Awakened One)

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Buddhahood (Mahayana)

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This involves rebirth as a transcendent being that has special powers to help and aid all other sentient beings in achieving enlightenment

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Buddhahood (Theravada)

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One who has become awakened through their own efforts and insight, wihthout a teacher to point out the dhamma, and then goes on to teach the dhamma to others (e.g. Siddhartha Gautama)

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Buddha-nature

Back 9

A part of everyone that can allow them to become enlightened (there is an enlightened part in everyone and it has to be found.) Prominent in Mahayana Buddhism

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Dhamma/Dharma

Back 10

1.Refers to the cosmic Law and order of the universe

2. Refers to the specific teachings of the Buddha

3. Refers to phenomena (ways of reality)

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Dhammapada

Back 11

Buddhist scriptures - a collection of savings the Buddha used in verse form

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Dukkha

Back 12

Suffering/Pain

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Eightfold Path

Back 13

A set of 8 principals:Right Understanding, Intention, Speech Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness and Concentration that if followed ends suffering. Also know as the Threefold way or Middle Way (avoids both indulgence and severe ascetism)

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Enlightenment

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Awakening or attaining nibnana, release from the cycle of Samsara

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First Noble Truth

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The truth of suffering (dukkha) - three types: pain, change and fabrication

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Fourth Noble Truth

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The truth of the path to cessation of suffering (magga)

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Kamma/Karma

Back 17

Action driven by intention, leads to future consequences.

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Karuna

Back 18

Compassion for all living things

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Lay

Back 19

People who are not Monks

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Mahayana

Back 20

Means 'great vehicle'. One of two main denominations of Buddhism. Associations with Tibet and China. Uses script in Sanskrit (Sutras). Includes Tibetan, Pure Land and Zen Buddhism

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Metta

Back 21

Loving Kindess - universal love for all beings

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Nibbana/Nirvana

Back 22

State of profound spiritual joy (release from samsara once enlightenment has been attained; ultimate goal of a Buddhism)

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Nirodha

Back 23

The end of suffering and it causes (tanha)

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Paticca-Samuppada

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Dependent origination - all dhamma is dependent on something else for its' existence

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Samsara

Back 25

Suffering-laden cycle of life, death and rebirth

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Sangha

Back 26

Buddhist community of Monks

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Second Noble Truth

Back 27

The truth of the origin of suffering (samudaya) - Three poisons: greed, anger, ignorance.

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Sunnata

Back 28

The teaching that all things are empty and there is no-self (anatta)

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Tanha

Back 29

Craving, lust, greed and desire

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The Bodhi Tree

Back 30

The tree Buddha sat under when he attained enlightenment

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The Buddha

Back 31

Siddhartha Gautama (the enlightened one, founder of Buddhism)

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The Five Khandas

Back 32

Constitute and explain a sentient being: 1.Form 2.Sensations 3.Perception 4.Mental Formations/Impulses 5.Conciousness

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The Five Moral Precepts (Pancha Sila)

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Basic Code of ethics undertaken by lay followers of Buddhism) no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no violence/harm toiving things, no lying, no intoxication)

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The Four Noble Truths

Back 34

The key teachings of Buddhism (suffering, origin of suffering, cessation of suffering, path of the cessation of suffering)

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The Four Sights

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Buddha saw these when he left the Palace for the first time; old age, disease, death, asceticism

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The Paramitas (The Six Perfections)

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Qualities of a character that one should aim to perfect (wisdom, genoristy, patience, diligence, moral discipline, meditative concentration)

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The Six Realms

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1. Abode of God's 2. World of men 3. World of animals 4. Hell 5. World of ghosts 6. World of titans

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Theravada

Back 38

Means 'teaching of the elders.' One of two main denominations of Buddhism. Associated with South and South East Asia and closer to the Indian form of Buddhism. More Conservative with great emphasis on the original Pali language as the birth language of the Buddha.

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Third Noble Truth

Back 39

The truth of cessation of suffering (nirodha)

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Three Poisons

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Greed, Anger, Ignorance

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Wheel of Life

Back 41

Visual depiction of Samsara - showing the 6 realms of rebirth