Flashcards
BODHISATTVA
Flashcards do conjunto (14)
- 1WHAT IS A BODHISATTVA 'Enlightened being' bodhi=enlightened satva=being.A celestial Buddha who takes a vow to continue to be reborn in to the cycle of Samsara. Becoming Bodhisattva is a completely selfless act as they are finding enlightenment and liberation for all suffering beings, not just themselves.
- 2Bodhisattva's are used as a 'skill in means' in Mahayana Buddhism, and the use of skill in means is too complex for a Theravada Buddhist. Bodhisattva replaces the Theravada idea of an 'Arhat' - the Bodhisattva is an embodiment of all truths of Buddhahood.TWO IMPORTANT QUALITIES;
The two most important qualities a Bodhisattva must have are compassion (Karuna) and wisdom (prajna). - 3KARUNA Karuna means compassion, and it is the idea of wanting to endlessly help all other sentient beings. Through practicing karuna, we realize the connection between the conventional and ultimate truth.PRAJNA
Prajna means wisdom and it is the insight in to the Dharma. It is recognising the interconnectedness of all things. - 4AVOLOKATESHVRA Avolokateshvra is 'lord who looks down' and is the bodhisattva of infinite compassion. He is used as a skill in means - mythological Buddha. Promised his head would shatter in to 1000 pieces if he ever doubted that he could safe someone from their suffering. He is the ideal of Karuna.BODHICITTA
The Bodhicitta is the 'calling', and is the motivation for helping all other beings. It is the mind of enlightenment including compassion and wisdom. The development of the Bodhicitta distinguishes the Bodhisattva from other types of Buddhist practitioner. Compassion with the Bodhicitta is the wish that other beings are rid of suffering is the basis but the ultimate level is wishing to attain enlightenment to help others do the same. The wisdom of Bodhicitta is realising Shunyata - the empty nature of all things. - 5THE SIX PARAMITTAS (PERFECTIONS) The Bodhisattva will take a public vow to mark their commitment to the path. The vow is taken place in front of a Mahayana master or infront of other Buddhas/Bodhisattvas. The paramittas are involved in the vow.1) GENEROSITY
Practice giving, giving equally to all beings and giving in the spiritual sense. The Bodhisattva should be non-judgemental in their giving. - 62) MORALITY Lead the moral life, follow the 8 fold path and 5 precepts. Encourage others to live an ethical life too.3) PATIENCE
Practice patience in meditation, the Dharma, and patience to ones self and others. - 74) VIGOUR Boundless enthusiasm for the path and others. Mindfulness and alertness.5) MEDITATION
Meditate on the Dharma to understand Buddhism. Meditation cools the ego and helps with the progression of all perfections. - 86) WISDOM Arguably the most important of all the perfections - the insight in to the Dharma. Leaving the rounds of rebirth but due to compassion, they are reborn back in to it to liberate all sentient beings. Wisdom upholds all other perfections.THE THREE BODIED DOCTRINE (TRIKAYA)
It is a way of understanding the characteristics of Buddhahood.
This doctrine states that the Buddha has three bodies, Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya and Nirmankaya. These bodies can be related to the holy trinity in Christianity. - 9DHARMAKAYA - 'THE FATHER' The body of truth, complete realisation of the truth in all things. Free from defilement and beyond distinction of pure and impure.SAMBHOGAKAYA - 'THE SON'
The body of enjoyment. Refers to the physical and mystical aspects of the Bodhisattva. Form of existance which lets advanced beings communicate with Buddha's in a meditative state. - 10NIRMAnKAYA 'THE HOLY SPIRIT' Physical manifestation of an enlightened being e.g. the historical Buddha. Buddhists can chose to take a physical form (Bodhisattva) in order to help all other beings.The Three Bodied Doctrine incorporates a celestial and human versions of the Bodhisattva as a skill in means to reveal the true nature of reality. The doctrine further helps a Buddhist on the path to enlightenment.
- 11DISTINCTION BETWEEN MAHAYANA AND THERAVADA BUDDHISM Theravada = School of elders, it is a traditional view and a simple form of Buddhism. Mahayana = more complex doctrine, including many different schools and teachings, considered the 'greater vehicle'. Mahayana is an umbrella term because it is characterised by diversity.THE LOTUS SUTRA
The claimed last words of the Buddha - key scripture in Mahayana Buddhism. It is the final revelations that were revealed about the Buddha. The Lotus sutra can back up the superiority of the Bodhisattva; "they reveal Dharmas and their causes by employing various skill in means". - 12The skill in means is revealed to the Dharma in one way - the greater vehicle. It is suggested that this vehicle is the only one way to Buddhahood; "There is only one single vehicle, a second does not exist". This reinforces the superiority of the Bodhisattva and Mahayana tradition."Five thousand conceited monks... rose from their seats and left the assembly". The monks are the representation of Theravada Buddhists, they leave as they don't want to hear the idea of Mahayana. They do not reject it, they are just happier with following a simpler tradition, they are happy learning the lesser vehicle.
- 13THE PARABLE OF THE BURNING HOUSE Story of a father and three sons inside a house which is 'on fire'. This story is a myth, which is a representation of the distinction between the lesser vehicle and the greater vehicle. There are different representations in this myth which provide evidence for the basis of Buddhist ethics.In the myth, the house is a blaze, the father notices, the children do not. They pay no attention to their danger. There is only one single door in the house. The boys do not come through the door and the father uses skill in means to convince them to leave the house. He said they would get brand new carts if they left and when they heard their father speak of this they quickly ran out of the burning house.
- 14FATHER = BUDDHA THE HOUSE = SAMSARA THE DOOR = THERAVADA THE CHILDREN = IGNORANCE THE CARTS/FIRE = 3 FIRES.This myth is used significantly to reveal to Buddhists that by following the greater vehicle, you will become less ignorant and more free from suffering. The aim of getting the children out of the house is a representation for cooling down the 3 fires. By realising and accepting that the house is on fire (staying in ignorance = Theravada), they are rewarded with new carts which is a metaphor for the greater vehicle.
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- A-Level Religious Studies FlashCards sobre BODHISATTVA, criado por kizza_hill em 11-06-2016.
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