Buddhism: Practices

Question 1

Samatha Meditation

Answer 1

• Easier starter meditation
• Calming or stilling meditation
• Develops mindfulness and mindfulness of Skandha’s
• Learn about form and breathing
• Has to be learnt before Vipassana Meditation

Question 2

Vipassana Meditation

Answer 2

• Insight meditation - which helps understand truths
• Focus on true reality eg. Anicca and Anatta
• Requires analytical thinking and deep reflection

Question 3

Importance of Meditation

Answer 3

• Helps develop a state of mind that helps you understand human condition
• Stops or reduces desiring thoughts caused by root poisons
• Key to enlightenment
• Helps clear and focus the mind

Question 4

8 Fold Path

Answer 4

• 3 Sections; Wisdom, Morality and Meditation
• Must follow all 8 to stop suffering
• Leads to less suffering, and more good kamma
• The path to enlightenment

Question 5

3 Jewels

Answer 5

• The Buddha; Founder, Guide and Inspiration. Teachings show the nature of human condition and how to stop suffering
• Dhamma; the teachings of the Buddha eg. 3 Marks. Shows truth of human condition and must use the teachings in practices.
• Sangha; The community of Buddhists including ordained monks etc. Must support each other.
• Getting support and committing to jewels helps enlightenment

Question 6

Monks and Nuns

Answer 6

• Ordained members of Sangha
• Follow 10 precepts not 5
• Teach other Buddhists
• Dedicated their lives to the Buddha in monasteries as its easier to resist desire
• Provides support to other Buddhists

Question 7

Lay Buddhists

Answer 7

• Ordinary members of community
• Lead ordinary lives
• Only follow the 5 Precepts
• Spread Buddhist ideas and teachings

Question 8

Dhamma

Answer 8

• The Teachings of Buddhism
• Leading figures of Buddhism
• Pali Canon, Buddhist texts in Pali
• Following Dhamma leads to less ignorance and eventually enlightenment

Question 9

Theravada Buddhism

Answer 9

• More traditional form of Buddhism
• Many lifetimes to achieve
• Path to enlightenment is Arhat
• Monks and Nuns are more likely to achieve as they are less affected by craving
• Seen to be the same path as Buddha took to best path

Question 10

Arhat

Answer 10

• Part of Theravadan route to Buddhism
• Enlightened Monk that wont be reborn
• Is an example to others
• Few able to achieve it
• Lay Buddhists find it too difficult to achieve this

Question 11

Mahayana Buddhism

Answer 11

• Mahayana school of Buddhism
• ‘Greater school’ - more types around the world
• Path of the Bodhisattva
• Most Mahayana Buddhists believe that Nibbana is something everyone should achieve.
• Can achieve enlightenment in one rebirth - easier

Question 12

Bodhisattvas

Answer 12

• Means ‘enlightened being’
• Delay their full enlightenment to help others achieve their own
• Gain great kamma
• Dalai Lama is thought to be a Bodhisattva
• Not as difficult as Arhat
• Less selfish path