Gudrun Bhnemann

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-15-2022

Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world; it encompasses several branches (or schools), including Theravada and Mahayana. In addition to fundamental teachings on the nature of reality, Buddhism offers a systematic approach involving techniques and practices that enable its followers to experience a deeper level of reality directly for themselves.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Buddhism has a long and rich history. From the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, based on whose teachings Buddhism developed, to the present day, this religion has changed how millions of people view the world. The teachings of Buddhism evolved over a long period of time, spreading from the Indian subcontinent into other parts of Asia and across the globe. Date(s) Historical Event(s) 5th Century BCE Life of Shakyamuni Buddha, based on whose teachings Buddhism developed. 269-231 BCE Reign of King Ashoka, patron of Buddhism; sends first Buddhists to Sri Lanka in the third century. 100 BCE to 100 CE Rise of Mahayana Buddhism. First half of 2nd century CE Reign of King Kanishka; Mahayana Buddhism spreads to Central Asia. 1st century CE Buddhism first enters China. 520 First Zen patriarch Bodhidharma arrives in China. 538 Buddhism enters Japan from Korea. 7th to 8th century Vajrayana Buddhism established in Tibet. 11th to 14th century Theravada Buddhism established in Southeast Asia. 1199 Nalanda University destroyed; demise of Buddhism in India. 13th century Zen, Pure Land, and Nichiren Buddhism established in Japan. 1881 Pali Text Society founded. 1893 World Parliament of Religions (Chicago). 1956 Celebration of 2,500 years of Buddhism.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Numbers have always played an important role in Buddhism. They help give structure to the teachings and practices of Buddhism. 3 Jewels of Refuge Buddha Dharma (the teachings) Sangha (the Buddhist community) 3 higher trainings Morality Concentration Wisdom 4 noble truths Suffering Cause of suffering Cessation of suffering Eight-fold path to the cessation of suffering 4 marks of Buddha's teachings Compound phenomena are impermanent Ordinary phenomena are unsatisfactory All phenomena are insubstantial (selfless) Nirvana is peace 5 aggregates (skandhas) Form Feeling Recognition (Mental) formations Consciousness 6 Mahayana perfections Generosity (giving) Moral discipline (ethics) Patience Effort, energy Meditative concentration Wisdom 10 Theravada perfections Generosity Moral discipline Patience Effort Meditative concentration Wisdom Renunciation Truthfulness Loving-kindness Equanimity 8-fold path Right view Right intention Right speech Right action Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right concentration 10 non-virtuous actions Body Killing Stealing Sexual misconduct Speech Lying Divisive speech Harsh speech Idle gossip Mind Craving Aversion Delusion 12 links of dependent arising Ignorance (Mental) formations Consciousness Name and form Six Senses Contact Feeling Craving Grasping Becoming Birth Aging and death