Buddhism Review for Test Thursday May 2nd

Story and background of Siddhartha Gautama

What 4 sights did Siddhartha see at the age of 29 in the city of Channa?

-Old man, sick man, dead man, ascetic monk

Main beliefs/concepts of religion

Know all 4 noble truths

--There is suffering, suffering has an origin, suffering can cease, there is a path out of suffering

8 Fold Path- fundamental ethics of buddhism

3 Characteristics of Existence

-Annica (impermanence (world constantly in flux)

-Dukkha (dissatisfaction –all humans and animals experience suffering)

-Anatta (no self.. no separate , eternal unchanging self)

5 Precepts

1)      Abstain from killing or harming living beings

2)      Abstain from stealing

3)      Abstain from improper sexual conduct

4)      Abstain from false speech

5)      Abstain from taking alcohol and harmful drugs

Main sects or divisions of Buddhism

1)      Theravada or Hinayana:  conservative, key virtue is wisdom and Buddha is revered as a teacher / saint (Burma, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia)

2)      Mahayana:  liberal, ideal is the bodhisattva who follows example of Buddha and remains in world to serve his fellows (China, Vietnam, Korea)

3)      Vajrayana:  Trantric Buddhism- emphasis on rituals, mantras and visual mandalas; Dalai Lama (god-kings) living incarnations of previous holy beings (Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal)

Zen Buddhism:  emphasis on meditation to achieve inspiration (satori) which brings enlightenment; less emphasis on scripture, rituals, worship  (Japan)

Concepts of Hinduism that Buddhism rejects             

caste system, Hindu rituals and offerings to gods, theories, language of Sanskrit  (he used Pali), nirvana only if Brahmin caste, refusal to accept authority of Vedas and Upanishads

Tibet/Dali Lama