Buddhism

Question 1

What does the term “Buddha” mean?

Answer 1

enlightened one

Question 2

What are Buddhist monks called? What are Buddhist nuns called?

Answer 2

monks = bhikshus
nuns = bhikshunnis

Question 3

What Four Sights did Siddhartha witness?

Answer 3

a. old man
b. sick person
c. dead person
d. ascetic (seeking lasting happiness rather than temporal pleasure)

Question 4

Name the four noble truths of Buddhism that form its core beliefs.

Answer 4

a. Life inevitably involves suffering, dissatisfaction, and distress.
b. Suffering is caused by craving, rooted in ignorance
c. Suffering will cease when craving ceases
d. The way to realize this state is the Noble Eightfold Path

Question 5

Name the views of the Noble Eightfold Path.

Answer 5

a. Right Views
b. Right Thought
c. Right Speech
d. Right Action
e. Right Work
f. Right Progress
g. Right Mind
h. Right Concentration

Question 6

What memorial dome contains relics of the Buddha?

Answer 6

stupa

Question 7

What stories tell of the Buddha’s past lives?

Answer 7

Jataka Tales

Question 8

What is the Triple Gem?

Answer 8

The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha

Question 9

What collection of ancient scriptures are used by the Theravada Buddhist?

Answer 9

Pali Cannon

Question 10

What form of Buddhism offers faithful prayers to Amida Buddha?

Answer 10

Pure Land Buddhism

Question 11

In Mahayana Buddhism, what being is dedicated to attaining enlightenment?

Answer 11

Bodhisattva

Question 12

The Japanese teacher Nichiren believed that the essence of Buddhism could be found in what?

Answer 12

Lotus Sutra

Question 13

T/F

Siddhartha was born in the mountains of Japan.

Answer 13

False

Question 14

T/F

Like many noteworthy religious figures, the Buddha only lived into his early thirties.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

T/F

Buddhism accepts the Hindu caste system.

Answer 15

False

Question 16

T/F

Buddhism is often described as a non-theistic religion.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

T/F

The Buddha encouraged gossip as a harmless way to analyze one’s feelings towards others.

Answer 17

False

Question 18

T/F

There have always been about as many Buddhist monks as there are nuns.

Answer 18

False

Question 19

T/F

Tibetan Buddhism suffered persecution at the hands of communist China.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

T/F

Contemporary Buddhists do not think that Buddhism can provide answers for social problems.

Answer 20

False

Question 21

T/F

Zen Buddhism is said to preserve the Buddha’s teachings through mind-to-mind transmission rather than scriptures.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

T/F

Vesak is the most important Buddhist festival.

Answer 22

True

Question 23

T/F

Chan Buddhism focuses predominately on meditation.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

T/F

Buddhism was brought to the west through missionaries.

Answer 24

False

Question 25

Who was the contemporary of the founder of Buddhism?

Answer 25

Mahavira

Question 26

What does the term anatman mean?

Answer 26

No eternal soul

Question 27

In which country would you likely not find Theravada Buddhist practitioners?

Answer 27

China

Question 28

What are Theravada mindfulness meditation techniques known as?

Answer 28

Vipassana

Question 29

What does Dukkha mean?

Answer 29

suffering

Question 30

According to Mahayana Buddhism, how is the Buddha present?

Answer 30

Enlightened wisdom, which is formless
A celestial bliss body
A transformation body, which can take human form

Question 31

What are the Three Root Afflictions?

Answer 31

Delusion, Greed, Hate

Question 32

How does Buddhist teaching differ from Hindu teaching?

Answer 32

it rejects the idea of an eternal soul

Question 33

Buddhist temples serve as what?

Answer 33

Centers of community identity and integration
Places to celebrate festivals
The location of ceremonies blessing the deities

Question 34

What is Vajrayana Buddhism?

Answer 34

a form of Buddhism which promises a speeded-up path to enlightenment