3.1 Buddhism Key Beliefs: Faith (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
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Define Dhamma.
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Define Dhamma.
The Buddha's teachings — also the truth about existence and the path of training for enlightenment.
What are the Three Refuges (Jewels) of Buddhism?
The Buddha
The Dhamma
The Sangha
What does 'refuge' mean in Buddhism?
Shelter — Buddhists go to the Three Refuges for shelter from suffering and for guidance.
Define Paticcasamuppada (dependent arising).
The belief that everything depends on supporting conditions, is interconnected and is constantly changing.
What does dependent arising teach about a person's actions?
That actions have consequences (kamma), so Buddhists aim to treat others positively.
Define Metta.
Loving kindness — shown to others, bringing Buddhists closer to Nibbana.
True or False?
Buddhism teaches that things exist independently of one another.
False.
Dependent arising teaches that everything is interconnected and depends on supporting conditions.
What does the Tibetan Wheel of Life show?
How dependent arising applies to Samsara — the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
Buddhists recite: 'To the Buddha for refuge I go, To the Dhamma for refuge I go, To the ______ for refuge I go'.
Buddhists recite: 'To the Buddha for refuge I go, To the Dhamma for refuge I go, To the Sangha for refuge I go'.
Besides the Buddha's teachings, give another meaning of Dhamma.
The truth about existence, the path of training (including the Eightfold Path), or a universal law.
By breaking the habit of craving, a Buddhist can escape the cycle of Samsara and achieve ______.
By breaking the habit of craving, a Buddhist can escape the cycle of Samsara and achieve Nibbana.
How many links (Nidanas) are shown on the outer edge of the Wheel of Life?
Twelve (12).
What are the Three Marks of Existence?
Anicca (impermanence)
Anatta (no fixed self)
Dukkha (suffering)
Define Anicca.
Impermanence — the truth that everything constantly changes.
Define Anatta.
No fixed soul or self — the idea that a person has no unchanging identity.
Define Dukkha.
Suffering, dissatisfaction or unsatisfactoriness.
How does awareness of anicca reduce suffering?
It helps Buddhists let go of attachment and accept that everything changes.
What does the story of Kisa Gotami teach?
That death is inescapable and one must let go of attachment — awareness of anicca reduces suffering.
What are the five aggregates (skandhas)?
Form
Sensation
Perception
Mental formations
Consciousness
Which Buddhist tradition especially emphasises the five aggregates?
Theravada Buddhism.
What does the story of Nagasena and the chariot illustrate?
Anatta — that a person, like a chariot, is only its parts, with no separate 'self'.
What are the three types of dukkha?
Ordinary suffering
Suffering because of change
Suffering because of attachment
True or False?
Buddhism teaches that people have a fixed, unchanging soul.
False.
Anatta teaches there is no fixed soul or self — a person is made of the five ever-changing aggregates.
The Three Marks of Existence are also known as the Three Universal ______.
The Three Marks of Existence are also known as the Three Universal Truths.
Give an example of anicca affecting a living thing.
A seed grows into a tree, which grows and eventually dies.
Buddhists believe that ______ (suffering) is an inevitable part of life.
Buddhists believe that dukkha (suffering) is an inevitable part of life.
In the Kisa Gotami story, what did the Buddha ask her to find?
A mustard seed from a house where no one had died.
Define Theravada Buddhism.
One of the oldest schools of Buddhism, the 'school of the elders', practised mainly in South-East Asia.
Define Mahayana Buddhism.
A group of Buddhist traditions (including Pure Land, Zen and Tibetan), found mainly in China, Japan and South Korea.
In which countries is Theravada Buddhism mainly practised?
Thailand, Sri Lanka and Cambodia (South-East Asia).
How does Theravada Buddhism explain the human personality?
As the five aggregates (skandhas): form, sensation, perception, mental formations and consciousness.
Define Sunyata.
Emptiness — the Mahayana idea that nothing has a separate, independent self and everything depends on something else.
Which everyday analogy is used to explain Sunyata?
The laptop — made of interdependent parts, impermanent and empty of independent existence.
Define Buddha-nature.
The Mahayana idea that everyone has the seed or essence of a Buddha within them.
What is the ultimate aim of a Mahayana Buddhist regarding Buddha-nature?
To achieve Buddhahood — to become a Buddha.
Which analogy describes Buddha-nature?
Honey surrounded by a swarm of bees — distractions must be removed to reach it.
True or False?
Sunyata and anatta are identical and apply to the same things.
False.
They are similar, but anatta applies to humans, while sunyata applies to all things.
In Theravada Buddhism, what can a family do for a deceased relative?
Transfer their merit to them, hoping for a favourable rebirth.
In Pali, 'thera' means '______' and 'vada' means 'school'.
In Pali, 'thera' means 'elder' and 'vada' means 'school'.
Name a tradition included within Mahayana Buddhism.
Pure Land, Zen or Tibetan Buddhism.
In Mahayana belief, Buddha-nature can be hidden by ______, distractions and earthly attachments.
In Mahayana belief, Buddha-nature can be hidden by ignorance, distractions and earthly attachments.
Define Arhat.
A 'perfected person' who has overcome the Three Poisons and achieved Nibbana; the goal of a Theravada Buddhist.
Define Bodhisattva.
An enlightened being who chooses to remain in Samsara out of compassion to help others reach enlightenment; the ideal of a Mahayana Buddhist.
What are the Three Poisons that an Arhat overcomes?
Greed, hatred and ignorance.
How does a Theravada Buddhist aim to become an Arhat?
By following the Eightfold Path, focusing on wisdom, morality and meditation.
How does a Mahayana Buddhist aim to become a Bodhisattva?
By practising the Six Perfections.
Name the Six Perfections.
Generosity
Morality
Patience
Energy
Meditation
Wisdom
True or False?
After enlightenment, a Bodhisattva immediately leaves the cycle of samsara.
False.
A Bodhisattva chooses to remain in samsara out of compassion, to help others achieve enlightenment.
Define Sukhavati.
The 'land of bliss' — the Pure Land (paradise) of Amitabha Buddha.
On whom is Pure Land Buddhism centred?
Amitabha Buddha and his Pure Land.
What is the most important practice for reaching the Pure Land?
Chanting the name of Amitabha.
A Theravada Buddhist who becomes an Arhat is freed from the cycle of ______ and is no longer reborn.
A Theravada Buddhist who becomes an Arhat is freed from the cycle of Samsara and is no longer reborn.
How does reaching enlightenment in Pure Land Buddhism differ from Theravada Buddhism?
In Pure Land, faith in Amitabha and reciting his name help a Buddhist; in Theravada, enlightenment comes only through one's own actions.
A Bodhisattva remains in samsara out of ______ to help all beings achieve enlightenment.
A Bodhisattva remains in samsara out of compassion to help all beings achieve enlightenment.
What are the two types of Bodhisattva in Mahayana belief?
Earthly Bodhisattvas (reborn to help others) and transcendent Bodhisattvas (spiritual beings beyond time and space).
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