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Question 1

1: Joyous

Answer 1

In this stage, the bodhisattva concentrates on developing a high level of selfless generosity by giving away possessions or even family for the benefit of others

Question 2

2: Stainless

Answer 2

The bodhisattva aims to perfect their moral virtues so that their behaviour is totally pure

Question 3

3: Luminous

Answer 3

The bodhisattva now tries to develop perseverance as they try to fully understand the Dharma

Question 4

4: Radiant

Answer 4

The bodhisattva develops more energy as their desire to help others and their compassion increases. This is often the stage where the follower of the path becomes a monk or nun.

Question 5

5: Difficult to conquer

Answer 5

This stage is named ‘difficult to conquer’ as it is beyond the demon Mara to conquer the bodhisattva through temptations. The bodhisattva focuses on perfecting their meditation technique and the highest jhanas.

Question 6

6: Approaching

Answer 6

Here the bodhisattva fully understands the concepts of paticca samuppada and anicca. As they attain perfect widsom, the previous five perfections become fully complete. The bodhisattva could enter final nirvana but they delay this out of compassion.

Question 7

7: Gone afar

Answer 7

The bodhisattva becomes a transcendent being who is able to help beings in many worlds

Question 8

8: Immovable

Answer 8

The bodhisattva has now reach the point at which Buddhahood is inevitable. Their knowledge expands so they are able to understand things which are impossible for the unenlightened to grasp.

Question 9

9: Good intelligence

Answer 9

The bodhisattva perfects the powers they have developed and gains insight into the character of others so that they can fully understand how to teach them in an appropriate way.

Question 10

10: Cloud of Dharma

Answer 10

The bodhisattva attains a heavenly body and dwells with Maitreya in the heavens. They have perfect knowledge and are ready for Buddhahood.

Question 11

Arhat

Answer 11

A Buddhist who has attained enlightenment through the teachings of the Buddha

Question 12

Avalokiteshvara

Answer 12

‘He who hears the cries of the world’. Dedicated to freeing the world of all suffering, he is one of the most popular celestial bodhisattvas

Question 13

Bhumis

Answer 13

The bodhisattva path is divided into eight stages, on each of which specific qualities are perfected

Question 14

Bodhichitta

Answer 14

The mind of enlightenment; the development of the bodhichitta distinguishes a bodhisattva from other types of Buddhist practitioner

Question 15

Bodhisattva

Answer 15

A person who aims to reach enlightenment or Buddhahood in order to save all beings out of compassion (karuna)

Question 16

Buddhist history

Answer 16

After the Buddha died, his teachings were preserved through oral tradition, as very few people could read or write

Question 17

Characteristics of the arhat

Answer 17

An arhat has fully developed the seven factors of awakening: mindfulness, investigation of dharma, vigour, joy, tranquility, mental unification and equanimity (mental calmness, composure and evenness of temper)

Question 18

Mahayana Buddhism

Answer 18

‘The greater vehicle’. Common in China, Japan and Tibet. They believe in bodhisattvas rather than arhats and are less concerned with the exact teachings of the historical Buddha and more with the whole notion of enlightenment.

Question 19

Manjushri

Answer 19

The bodhisattva of infinite wisdom. He carries a flaming sword in his right hand and a lotus flower with a book of the Buddha’s teachings in his left.

Question 20

Paramitas

Answer 20

The qualities which are perfected on the bodhisattva path are called paramitas

Question 21

The bodhisattva path

Answer 21

The path begins with the arising of the bodhichitta - the aspiration to seek enlightenment for its own sake ad for the good of others. Then a person must develop four measureless states through meditation: loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity.

Question 22

The bodhisattva vow

Answer 22

‘For as long as space exists and sentient beings endure, may I too remain to dispel the misery of the world’

Question 23

The Four Stages of Awakening

Answer 23

At each stage, the Buddhist gains for sustained glimpses into enlightenment.
1 - a ‘stream winner’ will gain arhat status in less than seven lifetimes
2 - a ‘once returner’ will gain arhat status in one more lifetime
3 - a ‘never returner’ will not be reborn as a human but will reach enlightenment in a higher dimension
4 - an ‘arhat’ reaches enlightenment in their present life, as Buddha’s followers did

Question 24

The Ten Stages of the Bodhisattva Path

Answer 24

Stages - Perfections
1; Joyous - Generosity
2: Stainless - Moral Virtue
3: Luminous - Endurance
4: Radiant - Vigour
5: Difficult to conquer - Meditation
6: Approaching - Wisdom
7: Gone afar - Skillful means
8: Immovable - Determination
9: Good intelligence - Power
10: Cloud of dharma - Gnosis (knowledge)

Question 25

Theravada Buddhism

Answer 25

‘The Way of the Elders’. Found mainly in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Bruma. They believe in arhats rather than bodhisattvas

Question 26

The three main realms of existence in Theravada tradition

Answer 26

The samsaric realm of desire, the realm of forms and the formless realm