Buddha's Life Key Concepts Test Flashcards
When was the Buddha born?
623 BC (approx)
What does the term ‘Buddha’ mean?
A person who has achieved full enlightenment.
What does ‘Siddhartha’ mean?
‘Accomplished goal’ and also the name of the Buddha.
Which scripture records the story of his life?
Tipitaka (means 3 baskets)
What was unusual about the Buddha’s birth?
Before he was born, his mother dreamt of a white elephant symbolising a great leader. He was born on a full moon under sala trees. When the baby took 7 steps. lotus flowers grew where he walked.
What did Asita prophecy?
That Buddha would either become a great ruler or a Buddha.
How did this affect his upbringing?
IT opened up two pathways for him.
Name the first 3 sights
- An old man - old age;
- A sick person - disease;
- A dead person - death.
What do the 3 sights represent?
It represents that suffering comes in many forms.
Name the 4th sight
- A holy man
What does the 4th sight represent?
The search for truth.
What does ‘renunciation’ mean?
To give up something/let go of material things.
Who did Buddha meet?
King Bimbisara (before Buddha’s enlightenment)
What is asceticism?
To live a simple, disciplined life avoiding all forms of pleasure to gain spiritual awareness.
What did Buddha choose to do as his way of denying his body?
He fasted (did not eat).
Why did he turn away from asceticism?
Because he realised that denying himself did not help him understand how to get rid of suffering.
What did he realise from asceticism?
He realise that living in poverty or richness was not the way to enlightement.
What did he call the new path?
The Middle Way
What did he decide to do?
He decided to live by the ‘middle way between wealth and poverty.
Who tempted him?
Mara
What is Mara?
A demon of temptation.
Name what happened in the 3 watches of the night.
- Gained knowledge of his previous lives;
- Understood the cycle of life, death and rebirth;
- Learned that suffering could be overcome through enlightenment.
How is the Buddha viewed in Theravada Buddhism?
A Historical figure.
What is another term for enlightenment?
Bodhi (awakening)
What are the Buddha’s teachings called?
Dhamma
Name the 3 jewels or refuges of Buddhism.
- Buddha: Teacher (yellow)
- Dharma: Teachings (blue)
- Sangha: Community (red)
What was Buddha’s birthname?
Siddhartha Guatama (a prince)
