rel-2300 Mod 7 Discussion

C H

A PTER R

EV IEW

C H

A P

T E

R 5

L E

A R

n in

g o

u T

C o

m E

s /

K E

y T

E R

m s

cEngagE.com/mIndtap

Explain the meaning of Buddhism and related terms. Buddhism means religion of enlightenment, not religion of the Buddha. Buddha derives from the ancient Sanskrit word meaning

enlightened, awakened. The English word Buddhism was coined in the 1830s. Today almost all Buddhists use it as the name of their religion.

5-1

5-2

5-3

5Encountering Buddhism: The Middle Path to Liberation

Buddha [BUH-dah] “Enlightened One”; although Gautama is “the Buddha,” the term applies to all who attain enlightenment (p. 110)

Buddhism [BUHD-ihz-um] Religion of enlightenment (p. 110)

dharmachakra [dahr-muh-CHAHK- ruh] “Wheel of the teaching,” a symbol of Buddhism (p. 111)

Bodhi Tree [BOH-dee] Tree in Bodh Gaya under which Gautama Buddha gained enlightenment (p. 113)

bodhisattva [bohd-hee-SAHT-vuh] “Buddha-tobe,” one who comes very close to achieving full buddha nature but post- pones it to help others (p. 117)

Dalai Lama [DAHL-eye (not “dolly”) LAH- muh] “Ocean of wisdom,” head of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism (p. 119)

Four Passing Sights Gautama’s encoun- ter with old age, sickness, death, and an ascetic (p. 113)

Hinayana [hin-ah-YAHN-uh] “Small vehicle” of southern Buddhism known more commonly as Theravada (p. 115)

koan [KOH-an] Zen riddle meant to induce nonrational enlightenment (p. 117)

lama [LAH-muh] “Guru, teacher,” leader of Tibetan Buddhism (p. 120)

Mahayana [mah-hah-YAHN-uh] “Large vehicle” branch of Buddhism in northern and eastern Asia (p. 116)

Middle Path Style of life between extreme self-denial and ordinary life, that can lead to enlightenment (p. 111)

parinirvana [pahr-ee-near-VAHN-uh] The Buddha’s entry into full nirvana at his death (p. 114)

sangha [SAHN-guh] Community of Buddhist monastics (p. 113)

Shakyamuni [shak-yah-MOO-nee] “The sage of the Shakyas” clan, another name for the Buddha (p. 112)

sutras [SOO-truh] Canonical scripture text (p. 115)

Tathagata [tah-THAH-gah-tuh] “One who has gone” to enlightenment; honorific term for the Buddha (p. 113)

Theravada [tair-uh-VAH-duh] “Original/ abiding teaching,” main name of southern branch of Buddhism (p. 115)

Three Refuges Basic Buddhist statement: “I take refuge in the Buddha; I take refuge in the dharma; I take refuge in the sangha.” (p. 114)

Tipitaka [tih-pee-TAH-kuh] “Three Baskets,” the main internal divisions of the canon (Sanskrit: Tripitaka) (p. 115)

Trikaya [trih-KIGH-yuh] Three bodies of the Buddha: the historical Gautama Buddha, many heavenly buddhas, and the Buddhist teaching (p. 116)

Vajrayana [vahj-ruh-YAH-nuh] “Diamond Vehicle,” formal name for Tibetan Buddhism (p. 120)

zazen [ZAH-zehn] Seated meditation in Zen Buddhism (p. 118)

Zen Buddhist group that aims for the immediate acquiring of a “buddha mind” (p. 117)

Summarize how Buddhism was founded and developed into what it is today. Gautama founded the Middle Path to enlightenment, which rescued him from constant reincarnation. He taught this to a monastic community that he established. After his death, the monks spread his movement

through India and most of Asia. Buddhism developed into three main branches: the Theravada branch in south Asia, the Mahayana branch in China and Japan, and the Vajrayana branch of Tibetan Buddhism. Since 1800, Buddhism has come to the West as well, and made the largest impact of any Asian religion.

Outline the essential Buddhist teachings. The universe operates by karma, the law of the cause and effect of actions. The cycle of rebirth is the ultimate cause of all suffering; the ultimate goal is to escape that suffering. The enlightened are not reborn after they die but go into nirvana. The Four Noble Truths

diagnose the human problem as suffering, describe its cause as desire, propose the cure of ending desire, and prescribe the Noble Eightfold Path. This path is a series of right things: understanding, intention, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and contemplation.

5-1 Key Terms

5-2 Key Terms

05041_ch05_hr_rev_001-002.indd 1 9/3/18 1:25 PM

C H

A PT

ER R

EV IE

W

cEngagE.com/mIndtap

C H

A P

T E

R 5

L E

A R

n in

g o

u T

C o

m E

s /

K E

y T

E R

m s

Encountering Buddhism: The Middle Path to Liberation

anatta [ah-NAHT-uh] No soul, the Third Characteristic of Existence (p. 123)

anicca [uh-NEEK-uh] Impermanence, the First Characteristic of Existence, which leads to suffering (p. 123)

dharma [DAHR-muh] Law, teaching of Buddhism (p. 121)

dukkha [DUHK-uh] Suffering, the Second Characteristic of Existence, caused by desire (p. 123)

Four Noble Truths Basic teaching of Buddhism that (1) all life is suffering, (2) suffering is caused by desire, (3) to end desire is to end suffering, and (4) to end desire one must follow the Noble Eightfold Path (p. 121)

karma [KAR-muh] Law of the cause and effect of actions done by sentient beings (p. 121)

mandala [MAHN-dah-luh] Symbolic Buddhist picture (p. 123)

mindfulness The practice of meditative awareness, especially of one’s own state (p. 123)

nirvana [neer-VAH-nuh] Blowing out, extinction of desire, attachment, and suffering (p. 121)

Noble Eightfold Path Right understanding, intention, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and contemplation (p. 122)

samsara [sam-SAR-uh] Wandering through reincarnations, a main cause of human suffering (p. 121)

Three Characteristics of Existence Impermanence, suffering, and no soul (p. 123)

5

5-4 State the main ethical precepts of Buddhism for both monastics and laypeople. “Show compassion to all creatures” is the basic moral code of Buddhism, but more details of Buddhist ethical thought are found in the sila, or precept. The Five Precepts call for Buddhists to keep themselves from five

different errors: killing sentient beings, stealing, sexual immoral- ity, lying, and intoxicants. Some laypeople adopt the five basic precepts permanently. For monks and nuns, the precepts are stricter.

5-6

5-5

insight meditation Meditation leading to awareness or mindfulness, from which nirvana can be achieved (p. 129)

mantra [MAHN-truh] Short formula or single word that focuses the mind and expresses great religious meaning (p. 130)

mudra [MOOD-ruh] Position in which the hands and arms are held during meditation (p. 128)

paritta [puh-REET-uh] Protective ritual for an individual or community (p. 130)

stupa [STOO-pah] Burial monument, often with relics of the Buddha or Buddhists (p. 130)

trance meditation Comprehensive form of meditation that goes all the way to nirvana (p. 129)

Discuss the way Buddhists worship and meditate. For most Buddhists today, nirvana is too remote to be striven for directly, so they focus on gaining merit. Monks recite and explain the sacred texts to laypeople, conduct protective ceremonies, and lead funerals. They bless marriages but do not officiate at weddings. Laypeople give the monks material support: food in

their morning rounds, new garments for monks at an annual ceremony, and money for the monastery. In temples, Buddhists meditate, make simple offerings, and venerate statues of the Buddha. In homes, most Buddhists have small areas for worship, with miniature statues of the Buddha.

State the main features of Buddhist life around the world today, especially in North America. Knowledge of Buddhism came to the West in the 1800s. Westerners have typically emphasized its philosophy and meditation to the exclusion of its other religious practices. The first European conversions to Buddhism occurred around 1880. During World War II and its aftermath, the internment of all U.S. Japanese in camps

set American Buddhism back; but after World War II, a Zen boom came to the United States. In 1965 immigration from Asia into the United States surged, filling old Buddhist temples and establishing new ones. The largest influx of Buddhists to the United States came from Vietnam in 1975, increasing the diversity of Buddhism in North America.

precept Buddhist moral command (p. 124)

5-3 Key Terms

5-4 Key Terms

5-5 Key Terms

05041_ch05_hr_rev_001-002.indd 2 9/3/18 1:25 PM