Buddhism Flashcards
What does the term “Buddha” mean?
enlightened one
What are Buddhist monks called? What are Buddhist nuns called?
monks = bhikshus nuns = bhikshunnis
What Four Sights did Siddhartha witness?
a. old man
b. sick person
c. dead person
d. ascetic (seeking lasting happiness rather than temporal pleasure)
Name the four noble truths of Buddhism that form its core beliefs.
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
Name the views of the Noble Eightfold Path.
a. Right Views
b. Right Thought
c. Right Speech
d. Right Action
e. Right Work
f. Right Progress
g. Right Mind
h. Right Concentration
What memorial dome contains relics of the Buddha?
stupa
What stories tell of the Buddha’s past lives?
Jataka Tales
What is the Triple Gem?
The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha
What collection of ancient scriptures are used by the Theravada Buddhist?
Pali Cannon
What form of Buddhism offers faithful prayers to Amida Buddha?
Pure Land Buddhism
In Mahayana Buddhism, what being is dedicated to attaining enlightenment?
Bodhisattva
The Japanese teacher Nichiren believed that the essence of Buddhism could be found in what?
Lotus Sutra
T/F
Siddhartha was born in the mountains of Japan.
False
T/F
Like many noteworthy religious figures, the Buddha only lived into his early thirties.
False
T/F
Buddhism accepts the Hindu caste system.
False
T/F
Buddhism is often described as a non-theistic religion.
True
T/F
The Buddha encouraged gossip as a harmless way to analyze one’s feelings towards others.
False
T/F
There have always been about as many Buddhist monks as there are nuns.
False
T/F
Tibetan Buddhism suffered persecution at the hands of communist China.
True
T/F
Contemporary Buddhists do not think that Buddhism can provide answers for social problems.
False
T/F
Zen Buddhism is said to preserve the Buddha’s teachings through mind-to-mind transmission rather than scriptures.
True
T/F
Vesak is the most important Buddhist festival.
True
T/F
Chan Buddhism focuses predominately on meditation.
True
T/F
Buddhism was brought to the west through missionaries.
False
Who was the contemporary of the founder of Buddhism?
Mahavira
What does the term anatman mean?
No eternal soul
In which country would you likely not find Theravada Buddhist practitioners?
China
What are Theravada mindfulness meditation techniques known as?
Vipassana
What does Dukkha mean?
suffering
According to Mahayana Buddhism, how is the Buddha present?
Enlightened wisdom, which is formless
A celestial bliss body
A transformation body, which can take human form
What are the Three Root Afflictions?
Delusion, Greed, Hate
How does Buddhist teaching differ from Hindu teaching?
it rejects the idea of an eternal soul
Buddhist temples serve as what?
Centers of community identity and integration
Places to celebrate festivals
The location of ceremonies blessing the deities
What is Vajrayana Buddhism?
a form of Buddhism which promises a speeded-up path to enlightenment
