BS and I
Example of a belief system
Buddhism
Define adherence
follower of belief system
What four things did Buddha see that made him realise life is suffering?
Dead, old, sick, holy man
What is the main text of Buddhism and why it important?
The Tripitaka is the main Buddhist text. It is important because it preserves Buddha’s teachings and rules for living and reaching enlightenment.
Who is the Dalai Lama what is he the leader of?
Gloabl spirtiual leader (Buddhas reincarnation) of Tibetan Buddhism.
Example of ideaology
Feminism, communism etc
How many people adhere to Buddhism
500 million
How does Buddhism say we can reduce suffering
follow eightfold path and middle way
What is the Bodh Gaya and why is it important?
Bodh Gaya is where the Buddha reached enlightenment. It is important because it is the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage site.
What is a monastery and how are they organised?
A monastery is where monks and nuns live and practise Buddhism.
It is organised in levels: senior monks lead, junior monks learn, and novices are beginners. Some monasteries are separate for women.
Define belief systems
A belief system is an organsied, structured set of ideas and values that guide how people understand life and behave.
Where do Buddhist live historcially and currently?
Historically: South East Asia
Currently: spread to rest of world
what is the middle way?
path that steers clear of both the extremes of intense indulgence and severe deprivation
What evidence is that Buddhism has become commercialised?
Evidence of commercialisation includes meditation apps, paid courses, books, retreats, and wellness products using Buddhist ideas like mindfulness to make money.
What evidence is that Buddhism has become westernised?
Buddhism has become Westernised through mindfulness for stress, secular practice without religion, and apps/books teaching meditation for wellbeing.
define ideaology
An ideology is a set of ideas and beliefs about how society should work and how people should behave. often political or economic
Where, when and who started Buddhism?
Siddhartha Gautama, Nepal 560BCE
what are 4 'right' things eightfold path says to have
right actions, speech, concentration, effort, mindfulness, intention, Livelihood, view
What are 2 and why are there different forms of Buddhism?
Buddhism has different forms because it spread to different cultures and is changed over time to better fit the culture.
Theravada Buddhism is traditional mainly in Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Western (secular) Buddhism focuses on wellbeing, often without religious beliefs like rebirth.
What are 2 changes that have occured in Buddhism who resists these changes?
Increase in the ordination of women and increased secularistaion of Buddhism some conservative monks resist change as they fear loss of tradition
Distinguish between ideaologies and belief systems using examples.
An ideology is a set of political or social ideas about how society should be organised and how power should work (e.g. capitalism, feminism).
A belief system is an orgainsed and structured set of religious or spiritual beliefs and values that explain life, meaning, and morality (e.g. Buddhism, Christianity).
Tell me Buddhas journey to enlightment and how he spread this
Siddhartha Gautama left his royal life after seeing suffering, known as the Four Sights. He practised meditation and the Middle Way, avoiding extremes. While meditating under the Bodhi tree, he reached enlightenment (Nirvana) and became the Buddha. He then taught the eightfold path, forming the Sangha, which spread his teachings.
what is difference between nirvana and enlightenment?
Enlightenment is the being awakened having wisdom and realisation of reality. Nirvana is the ultimate goal: the state of absolute peace and freedom from suffering
What does Buddhism believe about 3 ethical issues in society and provide reasoning
In Buddhism, war, abortion, and assisted suicide are generally opposed because they go against the First Precept: Do not harm or kill living beings. Buddhists believe harming life creates suffering and negative karma.
How has Buddhism being involved in conflict and peace?
In Tibet, conflict happened after China took control. Dalai Lama non-voilence.
Thích Nhất Hạnh promoted peace and non-violence during the Vietnam War.
In the Rohingya crisis, some Buddhists were involved in violence against Rohingya Muslims.