Understanding the Core Concepts of Buddhism
Three Rafts of Buddhism
- Theravada
- Mahayana
- Vajrayana
Four Noble Truths
- Life is suffering.
- The cause of suffering is desire.
- To overcome suffering, we must overcome desire.
- The path to salvation is the Noble Eightfold Path.
Four Signs Siddhartha Saw
- Old age – everything is going to change.
- Sick person – everyone suffers, and nothing can change that.
- Corpse – nothing is permanent.
- Ascetic – renounces material possessions, learns that there is hope and a chance to break suffering.
Anatma
The Buddhist doctrine of “no soul” or “not self” means a permanent, unchanging, independent self does not exist, though people act as if it does. Ignorance of anatma causes suffering.
Arhat
From the Sanskrit for “worthy one,” it is a concept of Theravada Buddhism that refers to one who has attained Nirvana in their present lifetime, thus liberated from the cycle of rebirth.
Arhats
Buddhist saints.
Ascetic
A person who renounces material comforts and practices extreme self-denial in the area of religious devotion.
Bodhi Tree
The tree under which Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment.
Bodhisattva
A being that compassionately refrains from entering Nirvana in order to save others and is worshipped as a deity in Mahayana Buddhism.
Bodhisattvas
Means “Buddha in making” or “Baby Buddha” – someone who has achieved enlightenment but decides to come back to help others.
Meaning of Buddhism
Buddhism literally means “to wake up.”
Dalai Lama
The head lama of Tibetan Buddhism who was the spiritual and political leader of Tibet until its takeover by Chinese command.
Dharma
From the Sanskrit meaning “uphold” in Hinduism, it is that which is in accordance with the laws of the cosmos and of nature, like righteous acts.
Enlightenment
A deep level of meditation, the point when Siddhartha Gautama became Buddha, described as a “perfectly calm state, like a perfectly stable lake.”
Four Sights
The inspiration for Siddhartha to become a monk, the four sights were an old crippled man (old age), a diseased man (illness), a decaying corpse (death), and finally an ascetic that Siddhartha encountered on an unannounced journey outside of the palace.
Gupta Dynasty
240-550 CE, when the Gupta Empire ruled India with political peace and prosperity.
Lamas
In Tibetan Buddhism, teachers and often heads of monasteries.
Lotus Sutra
The idea that these are the final teachings before Buddha died, part where he second-guesses monks and nuns.
Mahayana
Means “the great vehicle” and is followed in China. It focuses on the Buddha himself and does not believe in Sanghas, monks, or nuns. It believes in Bodhisattvas and has texts like the modified Tripitaka and Lotus Sutra.
Mahayana Buddhism
Literally the “Great Ox Cart.” This branch of Buddhism differs from Theravada Buddhism because it accommodates a greater number of people from all walks of life.
Mara
The demon king.
Middle Way (Buddhism)
The Buddhist teaching that liberation from samsara comes neither through severe ascetical practices nor through wild indulgences but in the middle of the spectrum between those two opposites.
Nirvana
Meaning to extinguish or to blow out, it refers to the extinction of suffering, impermanence, delusion, and all that keeps the life cycle (samsara) going.
Noble Eightfold Path
- Right understanding – be familiar with Buddha’s teachings.
- Right thought – how thoughts change actions.
- Right speech – words can build or cut.
- Right conduct – living a moral life.
- Right livelihood – a moral job.
- Right effort – wise vs. unwise.
- Right mindfulness – mental capacity.
- Right concentration – to gain enlightenment.
Pagodas
Towers in Eastern Asia, usually with roofs curving upward at the division of each of several stories and erected as temples or memorials.
Pala Dynasty
The empire that controlled the Indian subcontinent from the eighth to twelfth centuries. The word “pala” means “protector.”
Pali Canon
Also known as Tripitaka.
Sangha
The monasteries Buddha started.
Siddhartha Gautama
- When born, he could either be a great ruler or a holy man; his dad tried to protect him from pain and suffering.
- Leaves the temple and discovers the four signs.
- Died at 80.
Tantric
A word to describe Hindu literature written in Sanskrit and concerned with rituals, acts of body, speech, and mind.
The Five Precepts (Laws/Rules)
- Do not take life – do not kill yourself or anyone.
- Do not take what is not given – don’t steal, exploit, or manipulate.
- Do not engage in sexual misconduct – no porn/sex before marriage.
- Do not use false speech – don’t lie.
- You cannot use intoxicants – no alcohol or drugs.
Theravada
Means ‘Way of the Elders’ and is followed in Cambodia, Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc. It is seen as the authentic form of Buddhism, where the teachings of Buddha are most important, not himself (he is no god). It emphasizes Sanghas and has texts like the Tripitaka.
Three Parts of Tripitaka
- Vinaya Pitaka – life and stories of the Buddha, contains lessons.
- Sutra Pitaka – guidelines for monks and nuns, stories if you don’t go by the rules.
- Abhidharma Pitaka – psychological teachings of Buddha.
Tripitaka
Means “three baskets” and is the main sacred text followed by all three rafts, holding the primary teachings of Buddha.
Vajrayana
Means “diamond vehicle” and is followed in Tibet. The Dalai Lama is the reincarnation of the Buddha, with a monastic hierarchy. Texts include the Tripitaka, Lotus Sutra, Kanjur (additional teachings), Tanjur (translations and commentary), and Tantric texts (forms of prayer).
Vajrayana Buddhism
Literally “Diamond Vehicle,” it is the prominent branch of Buddhism in Tibet.