Buddhism

Ascetic

A person who refrains from all worldly pleasures, seeking to purify the soul through purification of the body. This includes fasting, rituals, and self-mortification.

mantra

A sound, word or phrase that has spiritual power

Four Noble Truths

1. All life is suffering. 2. The causes of suffering are craving and desire. 3. Suffering will end when a person rids himself of desire. 4. The way to overcoming suffering is the 8-Fold Path.

arhat

A person who has reached enlightenment through the teachings of another enlightened being (a Buddha).

Samgha

A Buddhist monastic order.

Stupas

A Stupa is a Buddhist shrine, temple or pagoda that contains a sacred relic or is situated on an auspicious location.

Who did Buddha see on his journey that spurred enlightenment

A decrepit old man, a diseased man, a dead body, and an ascetic

Nichiren Shoshu

A denomination that follows the teachings of true Buddhism, taught to them by Nichiren Daishonin, who made his appearance in Japan in 1222.

Meditation

A form of mental concentration practiced by Buddhists in order to focus the mind and eventually reach Nirvana.

prayer wheel

A hollow metal cylinder containing scrolls printed with certain mantras.Buddhists recite the mantras as they turn the wheel.

Karma

A law of cause and effect that states that good thoughts and actions will result in rebirth into a better life and vice versa.

mandala

A map of the cosmos, it is believed to contain spiritual energy and is used to connect divine beings to the corresponding constellation or star. Mandalas are made in the form of large circles, symbolizing eternity and are a main part of meditation in Tibetan Buddhism.

Middle Way

A path of moderation away from the extremes of indulgence and complete self-denial.

Nirvana

A state of perfect enlightenment

Mahayana Buddhism

Also called the Great Vehicle, Mahayana Buddhism is very popular due to its belief that all people can become Buddhas, not just monks. It emphasizes the teachings of the Buddha and evidence of the nature of the Buddha in all things.

Theravada Buddhism

As the conservative branch of Buddhism, Theravada Buddhists seek to preserve the religion in its oldest form. They do not believe they need divine help in order to reach Nirvana. Instead they practice self-denial to achieve release from one's self.

Buddha images

Buddha images are used to show reverence to the actual Buddha. They are used in Buddhist rituals and are usually placed in positions so that they are higher than the people who are showing reverence to and/or worshiping them.

Who is Emperor Asoka of India and what was his impact on Buddhism

He converted to Buddhism after witnessing a very bloody battle, and helped spread Buddhism throughout India.

anatman

One of the central teachings of Buddhism, Anatman states that there is no self in the sense of an eternal being within an individual existence. What we think of as ourself, our personality and ego, are temporary as there is no eternal soul.

Eightfold Path

Right View, Right Intention (aim), Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood (living), Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration

Mahayana Buddhism Bodhisattvas

Semi-divine beings who reached enlightenment but renounced Nirvana in order to stay on earth and help others.

mudra

Symbolic hand gestures portrayed on images of the Buddha.

Dharma

Teachings and law of the Buddha

Three Jewels

The 3 things Buddhists look to for guidance: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (monks).

Buddha

The Buddha, or Enlightened One, is someone who has achieved Nirvana. Siddhartha Guatama is the only known Buddha.

Lotus flower

The Lotus shows how enlightenment (the flower) can be reached, even in the midst of suffering (the water and slime). It symbolizes purity of the heart and mind.

Bodhi tree

The Tree of Enlightenment

Wheel of Life

The Wheel of Life symbolizes samsara (reincarnation). It is used to illustrate how Buddhists see the world and humans.

enlightenment

The ultimate goal of Buddhism, enlightenment is when someone attains perfect knowledge and transcends all suffering and rebirth.

Teach, meditate, study and travel

What did Buddha do with the majority of his time after he found enlightenment

Buddhism has no god

What is the main difference between Buddhism and the belief of Christianity, Islam and Judaism

A. Age 30 B. Age 35

When did Buddha leave home and at what age did he find enlightenment