World Religions: Buddhism Study Guide

Anatta: there is no ultimate reality within, no essence underlying existence, there is no existence

Dharma: Buddhist teachings

Nirvana: final nirvana awaits death; anyone can reach nirvana through meditation, means blowing out;
total cessation of suffering; absolute peace; liberation from samsara

State of eternal bliss and ultimate salvation

Tripitaka: sermons, monastic law, metaphysics

Anicca: impermanence; existence is constantly changing

Dharma wheel: symbolizes the Noble Eightfold Path

Samsara: reincarnation

Bodhisattva: Buddha in the making; dedicated to attaining enlightenment

Compassion > wisdom

Guatama chose to preach the Dharma rather than reach nirvana

Dukka: suffering

Sangha: 1st Buddhist monastic community

Buddha: to awaken; Guatama woke up to full awareness of the human condition and to the means of
transcending it

Mandala: derived from the Sanskrit word for circle; Hindu and Buddhist symbol; represents universe
and its energy in perfect harmony and balance

Stupa: shrine

The Triple Refuge/ The Three Jewels (Gems)

1. Buddha
2. Dharma: Buddhas teachings
3. Sangha: Buddha monastic community
The Four Noble Truths:

1. To live is to suffer
2. Suffering is caused by desire
3. Suffering can be brought to cessation
4. The solution to suffering in the Noble Eightfold Path

The Noble Eightfold Path

1. Right Views: an understanding of the four noble truths

2. Right Intentions: correct understanding of the real nature of existence change in intention
3. Right Speech: promotes words that are meaningful and purposeful
4. Right Action: abstain from destructing life, taking what is not given, and sexual misconduct
5. Right Livelihood: avoid jobs that bring harm to other living beings; avoid dishonesty, trickery, and
hypocracy
6. Right Effort: being watchful over senses; avoid desire/attachment
7. Right Mindfulness: avoid multi-tasking; be fully aware of ones task/thoughts
8. Right Concentration: unification of the mind through meditation wisdom

Wisdom/Moral Conduct/ Concentration

Form Body vs. Dharma Body:

Three Branches (vehicles) of Buddhism:

1. Theravada Buddhism: follows earliest texts and original teachings of the Buddha; results in
religious hierarchy (meditation)
2. Mahayana Buddhism: largest division of Buddhism; salvation through Buddhas grace
3. Tibetan (Vajrayana) Buddhism: can attain nirvana in this lifetime; Dalai Lama

The Middle Way: a healthy spiritual life depends on a healthy physical life (rejects indulgence in bodily
pleasure but does not reject the body itself

Hinduism Buddhism
Atman Anatta
Castes No caste system
Karma Karma
Cyclical existence Cyclical existence
Sanskrit Pali
Sacrificial rituals of devotion No rituals
Worshipping deities can win salvation Only the human mind can win salvation