World Religions Buddhism Test
Theravada
"Traditional" form of Buddhism, prevalent in South Asia.
Bodhisattva
(in Mahayana Buddhism) A person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings.
Four Noble Truths
1. Life means suffering. 2. The origin of suffering is attachment. 3. The end of suffering is attainable. 4. There is a path to the end of suffering.
Arhat
An englightened disciple (T) or an advanced disciple (M)
Stupa
Buddhist shrine
Eightfold Path
Consists of morality, and meditation, Right speech, right action, right thought, right concentration, right effort, right livlelihood
Zen
Japanese school of Buddhism focused on meditation, with paradoxical teachings
Prajna
Insight or wisdom necessary for enlightenment
Anatman
Noself. The Buddhist idea that there is no permanent immortal soul in a human being.
Buddha
Specifically Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. Founder of the Buddhist school of thought. Generally one who has awakened, escaped karmic bondage and entered nirvana.
Householder
Stage of life for a Buddhist, generally when one is concerned with marriage, morality, and family
Mahayana
The "great vehicle," __________ is the predominant form of Buddhism in Tibet and East Asia
Sanga
The buddhist monastic community
Triratna
The three jewels of Buddhism sought during ritual: the Buddha, dharma, sanga
Samsara
This world of karma, rebirth and suffering. The world you are in now, from which we must escape to find Nirvana.
Enlightenment
Understanding of the truth of human existence, Nirvana.
Koan
Zen riddle or saying
Nirvana
a blissful state one achieves after eliminating desire, attachment and ignorance. Escape from Samsara and the cycle of suffering and death
Buddha Nature
idea that all being/things have a portion of nirvanna within them
Mantra
phrase repeated during meditation.