buddhism generated flashcards

• What is the real name of the Buddha?

  Siddhartha Gautama
• Where did Siddhartha Gautama live?

  Northern India, near Nepal
• How was Siddhartha's early life characterized?

  Luxury and refinement, with hidden suffering
• What did Siddhartha notice during his excursion to the countryside?

  Peasants and exhausted oxen
• At what age did Siddhartha start reflecting on his life?

  At the age of 29
• What were the 'four sights' that changed Siddhartha's life?

  Old man, diseased man, corpse, ascetic
• What did the fourth sight represent for Siddhartha?

  His decision to renounce pleasure
• How did Siddhartha feel about his life after seeing the four sights?

  It became disgusting to him
• What does Siddhartha's secret departure symbolize?

  Complete detachment necessary for enlightenment
• What did Siddhartha realize about aging after seeing an old man?

  He too is subject to aging
• What lifestyle did Siddhartha adopt after leaving home?

  A wandering, possessionless ascetic
• What did Siddhartha learn from other teachers?

  Advanced levels of meditative states
• What extreme practices did Siddhartha undertake?

  Wandering, fasting, and self-torture
• What did Siddhartha decide to focus on after rejecting asceticism?

  Meditation
• What is the significance of the middle way in Buddhism?

  It advises balance between extremes
• Where did Siddhartha meditate to achieve enlightenment?

  Under a tree in Bodhgaya
• Who tempted Siddhartha during his meditation?

  The evil Mara
• What do the four watches represent?

  Stages of Siddhartha's meditation
• What are the four watches of Siddhartha's meditation?

  1. First Watch: Reflection on human life and past lives
  2. Second Watch: Recognition of reincarnation and karma
  3. Third Watch: Understanding the cycle of life and death
  4. Fourth Watch: Realization of freedom from rebirth
• What did Siddhartha realize during the fourth watch?

  Complete freedom from rebirth
• What is enlightenment in Buddhism?

  Complete understanding and liberation from ignorance
• What is Nibbana?

  Escaping the cycle of rebirth
• How is the Dhamma related to the Buddha's teachings?

  It is the written record of his teachings
• Why is the Dhamma important in Buddhism?

  It guides the Buddhist way of life
• What are the Three Marks of Existence?

  Anicca, Anatta, Dukkha
• What does Anicca mean?

  Impermanence
• What is the significance of Anatta?

  It denotes 'no self' or 'no soul'
• What are the five categories that make up the body according to Anatta?

  Form, Sensations, Perceptions, Mental Impulses, Consciousness
• What does Dukkha mean?

  Unsatisfactoriness or suffering
• What causes Dukkha according to Buddhism?

  Unrealistic expectations and attachment
• How are the Three Marks of Existence interlinked?

  Anatta is linked with Anicca and Dukkha
• What are the Four Noble Truths?

  Diagnosis of suffering and its cause, realization of a cure
• What is the first Noble Truth?

  There is suffering in life
• What does the second Noble Truth state?

  Craving is the origin of suffering
• How does the Buddha view suffering?

  As a realistic aspect of human life
• What does the Buddha say about temporary satisfaction?

  It does not last and becomes monotonous
• What does the Buddha compare himself to in relation to the Four Noble Truths?

  A doctor diagnosing and curing suffering
• What is the significance of the Dhammapada?

  It contains the written teachings of the Buddha
• What does the Buddha teach about expectations and change?

  Unrealistic expectations lead to suffering
• What is the ultimate goal of understanding the Four Noble Truths?

  To end suffering