AS Level Buddhism - Northern India and the Buddha's beliefs - Revision Cards in A Level and IB Religious Studies

What the Buddha accepted

The Buddha accepted several of the Brahman beliefs in Northern India
He accepted the idea of Samsara (being the wheel of life, rebirth to death)
He accepted meditation and yogic practices, believing these to aid in the journey of enlightenment

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He modified the idea of karma to relate to thoughts as well as actions
He made reincarnation known as rebirth because reincarnation required permanent atman (self/soul) whereas the Buddha believes we are impermanent
He made Nirvana the escape from Samsara but by following The Middle Path rather than attempting to climb the Brahmanism system of Caste (to which the Buddha was a Kshatriya)

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The Buddha added the idea of anatta, meaning no self, due to the fact there is no permanent entity within us and nothing is permanent

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The Buddha rejected the idea of the Brahman caste system as he disbelieved in the various levels and the discrimination of those at the lower end of the caste (sadhus, untouchables)

He rejected the idea of Vedic sacrifices due to their inhumane nature as he believed in loving all life and respecting nature

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"The Buddha was imprisoned in paradise" (Wendy Dossett)
"Everything is therefore dependent of other things, nothing exists by itself" (Denise Cush)
"People should not believe because he (Buddha) said so but should test out his words by thinking things for themselves" (Denise Cush)
"Buddhism is about the request for true happiness and peace for all beings" (Denise Cush)
"The rich diversity of Buddhism reflects the attitude of the Buddha and his followers to what his religion is for" (Denise Cush)

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