Buddhism

Question 1

Describe the origins of Buddhism

Answer 1

• Started in Nepal
• 2500 years ago, Siddharta Gautama was born from a queen and king
• Queen Maya had a dream before he was born that foretold her son’s fate
• After he was born, a prophet stated that if he were to ever witness suffering, he will not become king, but a spiritual leader instead (king opposed)
• Siddharta was bathed in luxury by his father, but not allowed to leave the palace
• Married, and had a son at 16
• At 29, snuck outside the palace
• Saw an old man, a holy man, a sick man, and a dead man
• Wanted to find an answer to suffering
• 6 years of being an ascetic with a group of others
• Sat under a fig tree, meditated for 46 days and became Buddha

Question 2

Five precepts?

Answer 2

1. Abstain from killing/harming living beings
2. Abstain from stealing
3. Abstain from improper sexual misconduct
4. Abstain from false speech
5. Abstain from alcohol/harmful drugs

Question 3

Four Noble Truths?

Answer 3

1 . Truth of Suffering
- To live is to suffer
- Moments of happiness don’t last

2. Truth of the Origin of Suffering
   - = negative desire
3. Truth of the Extinction of Suffering
   - End suffering by reaching Nirvana
4. Truth of the Path Leading to the Extinction of Suffering
   - Adopt the Middle Way by following the Noble Eightfold Path

Question 4

Eightfold Path?

Answer 4

Right:
- View
- Intentions
- Speech
- Actions
- Livelihood
- Effort
- Concentration
- Mindfulness

Question 5

Six Perfections?

Answer 5

Mediation, generosity, patience, energy, morality, wisdom

Question 6

Three Characteristics of Existence?

Answer 6

Annica, dukkha, anatta

Question 7

Annica?

Answer 7

Impermanence, everything is in constant change

Question 8

Dukkha?

Answer 8

Dissatisfaction

Question 9

Anatta?

Answer 9

No self, no soul of permanent essence in people/things

Question 10

Dharma?

Answer 10

Natural law, teachings of Buddha

Question 11

Karma?

Answer 11

Good actions and thoughts

Question 12

Spiritual leader?

Answer 12

Dalai Lama
- Tibetan Buddhism
- Reincarnation
- Current= Tenzin Gyatso, fled to India after Chinese invasion of Tibet
- Kundun

Question 13

Mudra?

Answer 13

Hand gesture for mediation
- Person’s state of mind

Question 14

Stupa?

Answer 14

Dome shaped mound built to house Buddha relics

Question 15

Lotus?

Answer 15

Represents impermanence

Question 16

Buddhapada?

Answer 16

Represents Buddha’s footprints

Question 17

Wheel of Life?

Answer 17

Visual representation of the cyclical nature of samsara

Question 18

Mandala?

Answer 18

Geometrical diagrams of the spiritual journey
- Helps awaken one’s spiritual potential

Question 19

Buddha Day?

Answer 19

Celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death

Question 20

Dhamma Day?

Answer 20

Commemorates the first sermon of Buddha
- Food offered to monks
- Observance of five precepts/meditation

Question 21

Sangha Day?

Answer 21

Commemorates proclamation of Buddha’s teachings + second sermon
- Food offered to monks

Question 22

Songkran Day?

Answer 22

Symbol observance of first precept
- Thai
- Clean house
- Brings good karma

Question 23

Loy Krathong?

Answer 23

Float bowls of leaves on rivers containing candles and incense
- Thai
- Bowls carry bad luck away

Question 24

Nirvana?

Answer 24

“Extinguish”, blissful spiritual condition where the heart extinguishes passion/hatred/delusion
- Highest spiritual plane

Question 25

Arhat?

Answer 25

One who achieved liberation from samsara

Question 26

Pali?

Answer 26

Official Buddhism language

Question 27

Transmigration?

Answer 27

Continuation of a life force which people make through the actions they chose

Question 28

Mahyana/Theravada

Answer 28

Main Buddhism branches

Question 29

Three Refuges?

Answer 29

Buddha= the guide
Dharma= the path
Sangha= teachers/companions along the way

Question 30

Dana?

Answer 30

Donations

Question 31

Daily Monk Rituals?

Answer 31

3:00 AM
- Awakened by an instrument, make bed and chant in main hall, followed by mediation hall

10:30
- Chantings, offering of rice

Midday
- Lunch, chant, continue activities

6:00 PM
- Temple bell announced for chanting and mediation

10:00 PM
- Day ends

Question 32

Milestones?

Answer 32

Early life, becoming a monk, marriage, Buddhist funeral

Question 33

Early life milestone?

Answer 33

• One month baby boy’s head is shaved
• Maybe be brought to stay with monks, participate in monk activities

Question 34

Becoming a monk milestone?

Answer 34

Stage 1:
- 7-8 years, attendants to senior monks
- Senior monks teaches novices, rituals, scriptures, and philosophy

Stage 2:
- Write/chant simple texts at 20 (ordination)
- Shave head, take religious name, wear appropriate robe
- Renounce possessions, only keep necessary items

Question 35

Marriage milestone

Answer 35

Monks renounce worldly life, keep away from marriage/worldly commitments
- Marriage=personal wellbeing and happiness, not religious duty

Question 36

Buddhist funeral

Answer 36

• Death controlled in a ritual way
• Route cleared of potholes/weeds/overgrown grass
• Monks pray, ritual performed, final prayers and shared meal, five precepts recited
• Sixth day after, dharma preaching at home

Question 37

Sacred writings?

Answer 37

1. Tripitaka
   - Earliest Buddhist teachings
   - Three Baskets
   - Long narrow leaves, sewn on the edges and stored in baskets
2. Tibetan Book of the Dead
   - Describes stages of death

Question 38

What is the language of Buddhism?

Answer 38

Pali and sanskrit