Buddhism

Question 1

What is the Dhamma

Answer 1

The Buddhist teachings

Question 2

What will following the dhamma lead to

Answer 2

Overcoming dissatisfaction and suffering, protection from suffering

Question 3

What does the dhamma encourage people to do

Answer 3

Examples: follow the eightfold path, meditation
All will lead to better chance of enlightenment

Question 4

What is the dhamma one of?

Answer 4

The 3 refuges: Buddha, Sangha, Dhamma

Question 5

What do some Buddhist believe the dhamma does?

Answer 5

Up holds the religion and the natural order of the universe

Question 6

What is dependant arising - paticcasamupada?

Answer 6

The belief that everything is interconnected, everything is dependant on other things

Question 7

Explain the belief of paticcasamupada being a cycle

Answer 7

Past causes like ignorance lead to future feelings being affected and present causes like craving are linked to future events like aging and death

Question 8

What are the 3 marks of existance?

Answer 8

Anicca, Dhukka, Anatta

Question 9

What is Anatta?

Answer 9

The belief that we have no fixed self or soul

Question 10

What is Annica?

Answer 10

The belief that everything changes and nothing is permanent so we must accept death and suffering as a part of life that we cannot avoid

Question 11

What is dukkha?

Answer 11

Suffering and dissatisfaction

Question 12

What are the three types of Dhukka?

Answer 12

1. Dhukka: ordinary suffering
   2: Viparinama-Dhukka: suffering through change
2. Samkhara-Dhukka: suffering due to attachment

Question 13

What is the aim in Theravada Buddhism?

Answer 13

To become enlightened (arhat) and to reach nibbana (eternal peace)

Question 14

What is a big belief of Theravada Buddhists?

Answer 14

The 5 Aggregates

Question 15

What are the 5 Aggregates?

Answer 15

1. Form: sense organs and how they experience materials and matter
2. Perception: knowing and understanding of things
3. Consciousness: general awareness of the world and other things around them
4. Sensation: emotion or physical pain from touching objects
5. Mental formation: leads a person to doing good or bad things

Question 16

What is Mahayana Buddhist aim?

Answer 16

To become enlightened but to delay nibanna to help teach others how to become enlightened

Question 17

What are 3 main concepts in Mahayana Buddhism?

Answer 17

Sunyata, Buddha nature, attaining buddhahood

Question 18

What is sunyata

Answer 18

Emptiness, everything is empty and lacks intrinsic nature

Question 19

What is Buddha nature?

Answer 19

Everyone has the ability to become a Buddha once they understand the Buddha’s Dhamma

Question 20

What is attaining buddhahood

Answer 20

When a person achieves enlightenment but to reach enlightenment they have to remove distractions

Question 21

What does Parinirvana day celebrate

Answer 21

Buddha entering death and reaching nibanna

Question 22

What is nibanna

Answer 22

Liberation from Dukkha and wheel of samsara

Question 23

Why is parinirvana day important

Answer 23

Buddhists can reflect on their own future death and loved ones deaths to realise impermanence - anicca

Question 24

What should Buddhists read on parinirvana day, what is it, why

Answer 24

Mahaparinirvana sutra
Accounts of Buddha before he dies
To gain wisdom - one of 6 perfections

Question 25

Where can Buddhists pilgrimage to for parinirvana day and why

Answer 25

Kushingar India Where Buddha supposedly died

Question 26

What does wesak day celebrate

Answer 26

Buddha’s death, birth and rebirth Known as Buddha day

Question 27

Why do they celebrate wesak

Answer 27

Honour and remember Buddha

Question 28

How is wesak celebrated (3)

Answer 28

Candles, lanterns are lit Meditation, offerings and worship at temples Singapore - caged animals are released as a sign of liberation

Question 29

What is samatha mediation and what does it do

Answer 29

Concentration meditation Calms the mind, de-stress, prepares for vipissana

Question 30

What is vippisanna meditation and what does it help with

Answer 30

Insight meditation Understand nature of reality and the Buddha’s teachings Developing wisdom Understand 3 marks of existence Closer to enlightenment

Question 31

What is zazen mediation

Answer 31

From Zen Buddhism and helps to focus on present moment

Question 32

What is walking meditation

Answer 32

Walking and meditating

Question 33

Explain visualisation and what is done

Answer 33

Imagine object in mind Imagines qualities to try gain them

Question 34

What is a mandala and why are the significant

Answer 34

Pattern made from sand Symbolises impernamence

Question 35

What is a thangka

Answer 35

Detailed painting of Buddha or Bodhisattva

Question 36

Where does deity visualisation come from

Answer 36

Tibetan Buddhism

Question 37

Explain deity visualisation

Answer 37

Visualise a deity - enlightened being who could be a heavenly Bodhisattva or the Buddha You visualise their qualities to try gain them

Question 38

Who could you also visualise in deity visualisation (2)

Answer 38

Amitabha Buddha - pure land Avalokiteshvara - Bodhisattva of compassion

Question 39

What happens in the main hall of the temple and what is there

Answer 39

Where Buddhists practise together, statue of the Buddha

Question 40

What is the mediation hall in the temple

Answer 40

Quiet space for mediation

Question 41

What is the study hall for in the temple

Answer 41

Meetings and lectures

Question 42

What is a stupa

Answer 42

A tower which houses relics or remains

Question 43

Who lives in monestry

Answer 43

Monks + nuns

Question 44

What is the shrine for and what is placed there

Answer 44

Final point for mediation Offerings gain merit Lights symbolise enlightenment Flowers symbolise impermanence Incense symbolise purity

Question 45

What is puja and give some examples

Answer 45

Worship Bowing, meditation, chanting

Question 46

Why do Buddhists do chanting

Answer 46

Teachings have always been recited not written down Shows devotion to Buddha Focuses mind Helps to remember teachings

Question 47

Why do Buddhists worship

Answer 47

Understand teachings Show gratitude and respect to Buddha

Question 48

What are mantras and give an example

Answer 48

Sacred teachings chanted over and over Omni padme hum - Tibetan Buddhists believe it helps to connect you with Avalokiteshvara