Buddhism Unit Terms Bodhisattva: Sanskrit word meaning wisdom (bodhi) being (sattva).

Compassionate/awakened being who has achieved Nirvana, but chooses to be reborn with samsara in order to teach, heal and assist others towards enlightenment. Non-theistic:

A religion that does not focus on the worship of a god.

Mahayana: One of the three major forms of Buddhism; dominant in East Asia, it is considered the most liberal and practical. Roshi: Literally venerable (spiritual) teacher. This is the title of a mature Zen master, who may be a monk, priest, layperson, male or female. The function of a Roshi is to guide and inspire his or her students along the path to self-realization. Attachment: In order for there to be attachment, you need two things -the attacher, and the things in which the attacher is attached. In other words, "attachment" requires self-reference, and it requires seeing the object of attachment as separate from oneself. The Buddha taught that seeing oneself and everything else this way is a delusion. Further, it is a deletion that is the deepest cause of our unhappiness. It is because we mistakenly see ourselves as separate from everything else that we "attach". Lotus Flower: -Purification or enlightenment; -Open blossom signifies enlightenment -Closed blossom signifies potential for enlightenment -Stem stands for the practice of Buddhist teachings The Three Baskets; Tripitakas: Therevada Buddhists believe in the Triptakas, often called the first Buddhist scriptures -Vinaya Pitaka_ Rules of conduct for monks and nuns -Sutta Pitaka_ A large collection of the Buddha's teachings -Abhidhamma Pitaka_ Explanations of the Buddhist view on laws of nature and the mind Zen:

4 Noble Truths: Central to an understanding of Buddhism. As a doctor tries to find out the cause and treatment of an illness, the Buddha looked at the cause of unhappiness and its treatment, which resulted in the doctrine of the Four Noble Truths: To live is to suffer_ Suffering includes the experiences of birth, old age, disease, death, sorrow, frustration, being apart from loved ones, being around those whom we dislike and not getting what we want. Buddhist believe that there are no moments of happiness, but that these moments do not last forever. The cause of suffering is self-centred desire and attachment_ Everyone has basic needs- food, clothing and shelter; when these needs are met, one should enjoy them without becoming greedy. The solution is to eliminate desire and attachment, thus achieving Nirvana (extinction)_ Reaching Nirvana will be possible only when the urge to possess more and more things is destroyed. To cut off greed means changing one's views and living a more natural and peaceful life. When Nirvana is attained, they are in the content state where nothing causes mental or physical suffering. The way to Nirvana is through the Eight-Fold Path_ Adopting this path is to live a life of self-improvement, and to end suffering. The Eight-Fold Path is a blueprint for a happier life. Suffering: A state of mind. Once a balanced, peaceful, detached state of mind is achieved, suffering can be extinguished. The Buddha: The founder of Buddhism, price Siddhartha Gautama; The Enlightened or Awakened One teachers who fully understand the nature of mind and reality are also called buddha. Enlightenment: A state of perfect happiness and understanding of the truth of life attaining freedom and ignorance; unconditional compassion for all beings. Three Jewels/ Refuges: The purpose of the refuge (safety from danger) is to guide followers along the right path and help them on their journey which include: -The Buddha_ The teacher/guide -The Dharma_ The teachings/path -The Sangha_ The community (companions/ teachers)

Taking refuge is the first step to enlightenment. In special ceremonies, lay people take refuge with the Triple Jewel and recite "I go to the Buddha for refuge; I go to the Dharma for refuge; I go to the Sangha for refuge" in front of an ordained monk or nun. Tibetan Buddhism: Vajrayana (The Diamond Vehicle) -Developed 7th century C.E found in Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal -Mix of Theravada and Mahayana (Meditation, monasticism, wisdom, compassion) -Bodhisattvas including living Lamas (Dalai Lama) -Rituals (Tantra) > Mantras (Chanting) > Mandalas & Thangkas (Symbolic image) > Mudras (Hand gestures) -Bardo Thodol_ Tibetan Book of the Dead The Noble Eight-Fold Path: A metrology to follow that will foster enlightenment/Nirvana Wisdom_ Right Understanding: It is essential that we know the doctrine of the Four Noble Truths, to uses as a "blue print" to guide us through life. Right Motivation: The mind must be freed from sensuous desire, ill-will and cruelty. We are what we think, so nurture good thoughts because they produce good, strong character. Moral Discipline_ Right Speech: By using kind speech we will be respected and trusted; therefore, we should not lie, criticize unjustly, use harsh language or engage in gossip. Right Action: Accomplished by observing the Five Precepts. people will judge a person according to his/her behaviour. Right Livelihood: Earning a living through occupations that do not cause harm to living things, such as butchering of animals, lending money at excessively high interest rated and trading in weapons, liquor, or poison. Mental Discipline_ Right Effort: Conquer all evil thoughts and strive to have good thoughts, as well as doing their best and having goodwill towards others. Right Mindfulness: Recognizing what's important and not being led astray by unwholesome acts or thoughts. Full attention must be given to proper thoughts, words and deeds.

Right Meditation: Focusing the mind on one thought or object at a time, leading to true peace of mind and tranquillity. Deep meditation will lead to enlightenment. AsceticSomeone who practices severe self-discipline or obtains from physical pleasure for religious purposes. The Five Precepts: Followed by Buddhist lay people to control improper or nonbeneficial physical and verbal behaviour that may cause suffering. Abstain from killing or harming living beings Abstain from stealing Abstain from improper sexual conduct Abstain from false speech (Lying and gossip) Abstain from taking alcohol and harmful drugs The last precept is crucial because if an individual disregards it, they could lose control and end up breaking all of the other precepts. Theravada_ The way of Elders (The small Vehicle) -Is the oldest school of Buddhism found in Southern Asia 9Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand) -Monasticism (simple) is the ideal life for achieving Nirvana -A do-it-yourself approach to enlightenment, focusing on wisdom and meditation -Goal is to become a Buddha Koan: In Zen Buddhism, Koans are small presentations of nature of ultimate reality, usually presented as a paradox to confound reason.

Nirvana: An everlasting state of great joy and peace resulting from the end of personal suffering and the experience of unchanging peace. Achieving Nirvana means escape from the cycle of rebirth. DharmachakraWheel of Dharma, about the nature of human existence and what people must do to release themselves from suffering.

Sangha-

Buddhist community.