Download Buddhism and Tibetan Culture: Key Terms and Practices and more Quizzes Introduction to Cultural Anthropology in PDF only on Docsity!
Sinhalese Farmers
Sri Lanka (Ceglon) / Tropics. A lot of culture derived from ancient India. National religion is Buddhism. TERM 2
Buddhism
DEFINITION 2 Based on life teachings of Sidhartha Gantama. TERM 3
The Buddha
DEFINITION 3 The enlightened one. (Called this after death.) TERM 4
Middleway Teaching
DEFINITION 4
- 3 signs of being. - Change: Enlightenment cannot change.
- Dissatisfaction: Nothing but enlightenment can make us happy forever -Selflessness - Nothing exists unto itself. - Reference to other things. - Nothing has an independent self- existence. 2. 4 Noble Truths 3. Noble eightfold path (8 steps.) TERM 5
4 Noble Truths
DEFINITION 5 The Four Noble Truths (Sanskrit: catvri ryasatyni) are an important principle in Buddhism, and were classically taught by the Buddha in the Dharmacakra Pravartana Stra. 1. Dissatisfaction 2. Self-centered attitude 3. Remove self- centered attitude 4. Follow noble eightfold path
Noble Eightfold Path
The Noble Eightfold Path (Sanskrit: '), is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering (dukkha) and the achievement of self- awakening. 1. Right views 2. Right aspirations 3. Right speech / don't harm others by speech 4. Right conduct / don't harm others by conduct 5. Right livelihood / don't harm other's how you earn your living 6. Right effort / don't give up 7. Right mindfulness / always be aware of state of body and mind; no negative emotions
- Right meditation / techniques that are designed to purify/quiet the mind TERM 7
Percepts
DEFINITION 7
- Do not kill. 2. Do not steal. 3. Do not commit adultery/no sexual connection with someone who is not an appropriate partner. 4. Do not lie. 5. Do not become intoxicated. TERM 8
2 Main Denominations of Buddhism
DEFINITION 8
- Theravada ("Southern Buddhism"): The way of the elders. - Someone who has been a monk for 20 years - Scriptures studied in Pali language (Related to San-script) 2. Mahayana ("The Greater Way"/"Northern Buddhism"): Scriptures in local languages. Napal, Bhutan, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea. TERM 9
Buddhisatura Doctrine
DEFINITION 9 If you want to become enlightened you must become enlightened for the sake of helping others. TERM 10
Meditational
Deities
DEFINITION 10 Personification of positive qualities. Meditate on positive qualities. Presents ideas in form of Buddha, or ancient Indian princes or princesses.
Dalai Lama
First one joined with Altan-Khan. Religious prestiges backed up Mongols war prestige. - Means: Teacher who's wisdom is as wide as the ocean. - Reincarnation - Each Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of a previous one. - Leaves series of clues where to look for his reincarnation when he knows he is about to die. TERM 17
Tibetans &
Mongols
DEFINITION 17 Declared independence under the 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas. (1912-1959) Chinese took over Tibet in 1959. TERM 18
Tibetans
DEFINITION 18 Number about 4.5 million people. In China, Tibetans live in 4 Chinese provinces to the East of Tibetan provinces. -Ching Hai - Kansu: SW. Has a lot of Tibetans -Szechuan: Largest most populated province of western China. - Yunnan: N. Part is widely Tibetan TERM 19
Tibetan Nomads
DEFINITION 19 Drogpa or Brogpa. -Live at highest elevations >12,000 to 17,000 ft. above sea-level >Live by pasturalism (herd of animals) TERM 20
Tibetan Semo-nomads
DEFINITION 20 Samabrog -Live in villages at slightly lower elevations -Live ad farmers and pasturalist -Grow barley in villages and keep animals
Tibetan Farmers
Rohgpa -Live in river valleys -Live by growing Barley (ingredient in beer) TERM 22
Tibetan Physical Appearance
DEFINITION 22
- Typically look east Asian - Some may look like American- indian TERM 23
Pastoralism
DEFINITION 23 Keeping domesticated animals. -Yak: Well adapted to high altitudes and cold temps. Good work ethic. Require a lot of food (oats). -Sheep: Individual family may have 700. Kept for wool. Sometimes eaten. -Horses: Transportation. Used in warfare (traditionally). -Cattle: Crossbred with yaks sometimes. Offsprings give off good milk. Some Nomads believe it is bad luck to do this. - Camels -Dogs: Bred a Mastif (big and most dangerous dogs). Watch-dog. Willingly take on wolves. -Cats: Keep down mice. TERM 24
Milk Products Important to Tibetan Diet
DEFINITION 24
- Fresh Milk - Cheese -Yogurt -Sour Milk -Butter A lot of milk churned into butter by women. TERM 25
Chuba
DEFINITION 25 A chuba is a long sheepskin coat made of thick Tibetan wool worn by many of the nomadic peoples of high altitude in the cold mountains of Tibet.
Obo Festival
Typically held in the summertime. Purpose of festival is to worship the Gyalpo (protective dieties) which are guardian God's and Goddesses. Pre-Buddhist Bon idea. Obo is an outdoor alter (basically a fitted pile of uncut stones). Obo faces sacred mountain. People make offerings (milk, barley flower, barley beer) and ask for protections. Each man sticks arrow in the ground. TERM 32
Tibetan Marriage
DEFINITION 32 First marriage usually arranged by parents. Astrology determines a lot of aspects of marriage. If the couple has a good astrology report. Engagement is considered a trial marriage; couple is encouraged to sleep together and divorces are not really acceptable. Bride and mother buy several years of new clothes and make sure they are made correctly. Wedding takes place at grooms home. Bride arrives on horseback with men of family. Bride's mother usually never comes because it's considered to be too sad. Groom invites both sides of the family. Each guest presents bride/groom with khata scarves and money. Most common form of marriage is monogamy. TERM 33
Kahta Scarves
DEFINITION 33 Common gift. Usually white. Give/received on special occasions (formal). Formally sets up engagement. TERM 34
Tibetan Arrow Blessing
DEFINITION 34 Pre-Buddhist blessing. Done with arrow. Buddhist nuns and monks cannot conduct. Priest of Bon reliegion can conduct blessing along with Lama (Teacher/Master). Take actual arrow with ribbons attached and wave over head of bride and groom. Good wealth, health, and fertility.
