Buddhism

Question 1

“no-self”: One of the Three Marks of Existence; doctrine denying a permanent self

Answer 1

annatta

Question 2

“impermanence”: One of the Three Marks of Existence; doctrine that all existent things change constantly

Answer 2

anicca

Question 3

One who has become enlightened; the ideal type for Theravada Buddhism

Answer 3

arhat

Question 4

Future Buddhas. The ideal types for Mahayana Buddhists, beings who have experienced enlightenment but, motivated by compassion, stop short of entering nirvana to help others achieve it.

Answer 4

bodhisattvas

Question 5

Siddhartha Gautama and all others who have, by their own insight, attained perfect enlightenment.

Answer 5

Buddha

Question 6

Spiritual leader of Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism, believed to be an incarnation of the bodhisatta Avalokiteshvara

Answer 6

Dalai Lama

Question 7

The teachings of the Buddha, one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism

Answer 7

Dharma

Question 8

The first of the Four Noble Truths, the basic Buddhist insight that suffering is part of the human condition.

Answer 8

dukkha

Question 9

The basic moral requirements that are binding for all Buddhists

Answer 9

Five Precepts

Question 10

The central teachings of Buddhism: to live is to suffer; suffering is caused by selfish desire; the cessation of suffering can be achieved; the solution is the Noble Eight-fold Path

Answer 10

Four Noble Truths

Question 11

The moral law of cause and effect of actions; determines the nature of one’s rebirth

Answer 11

karma

Question 12

The largest of Buddhism’s three divisions, prevalent in China, Japan, and Korea; variety of forms, including devotion and prayer to the Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

Answer 12

Mahayana

Question 13

Patterned icons that visually excite; used in Vajrayana Buddhism to enhance meditation

Answer 13

mandalas

Question 14

Phrases or syllables chanted to evoke a deity or to enhance meditation; used in Hinduism and Buddhism, especially in Vajrayana

Answer 14

mantras

Question 15

A basic Buddhist teaching that rejects both the pleasures of sensual indulgence and the self-denial of asceticism, focusing instead on a practical approach to spiritual attainment

Answer 15

Middle Way

Question 16

Choreographed hand movements used in the rituals of Vajrayana Buddhism

Answer 16

mudras

Question 17

The ultimate goal of Buddhists, the extinction of desire and any sense of individual selfhood, resulting in liberation from samsara and its limiting conditions

Answer 17

nirvana

Question 18

The fourth of the Four Noble Truths; defines the basic practices of Buddhism that lead to nirvana

Answer 18

Noble Eightfold Path

Question 19

An ancient language of India, similar to Sanskrit, but more commonly understood; used in the writings of the earliest Buddhist texts; most important for Theravada Buddhism

Answer 19

Pali

Question 20

The wheel of rebirth or reincarnation; the this-worldly realm in which rebirth occurs

Answer 20

samsara

Question 21

The Buddhist community of monks and nuns; one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism

Answer 21

Sangha

Question 22

The second of the Four Noble Truths, selfish desire, which causes dukkha

Answer 22

tanha

Question 23

Prevalent form of Buddhism in Cambodia, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Sri Lanka, and Thailand; focuses on the earliest texts and emphasizes monastic lifestyle

Answer 23

Theravada

Question 24

Characteristics that summarize the changing nature of reality: anatta (no-self), anicca (impermanence), and dukkha (suffering)

Answer 24

Three Marks of Existence

Question 25

Named for the vajra, the Buddha’s diamond scepter; prevalent form of Buddhism in Tibet; emphasizes the harnessing of sensual energies to attain nirvana

Answer 25

Vajrayana