Buddhism Flashcards
According to our in-class discussion, in Buddhism, “official doctrine” often gets overridden by what?
Tradition
How important is conformity to “orthodox” beliefs or practices in Buddhism?
Not too important, if doing it wrong, in next life will do it again and get another try
Who was the founder of Buddhism? And when did the founder live?
Siddhartha Gautama, born 563 BCE
Who is Śākyamuni, according to Mahayana Buddhist tradition?
He is the transcendent, transformed, enlightened form of Siddhartha Gautahama, the founder of Buddhism
On the day of his birth, what did a Brahmin priest predict about Siddhartha’s potential future vocation?
2 Possible futures:
1. If Siddhartha were to remain in the palace and pursue a worldly life, he would become a powerful ruler, known for his wealth and influence.
2. If Siddhartha were to renounce worldly life and pursue a spiritual path, he would become a Buddha, an enlightened being who would liberate himself and others from suffering.
In the second oracle about Sidhartha’s future, it was predicted that—if he saw one of four signs— he would leave his family and become an ascetic. What were those four signs?
- Old Man
- Sick Man
- Monk
- Corpse
How old was Sidhartha when he became so dissatisfied with the meaninglessness of his opulent lifestyle, that he decided that he would venture out and see what is in the world?
29 Years old
According to our in-class discussion, what did Sidhartha’s father do to prevent his son from becoming a religious leader?
He kept him in luxury, and when he was allowed out of the palace, his father had artificially cleaned up everything and gotten rid of all the beggars and such
For how long did Sidhartha live a life of “extreme self-denial”?
6 Years
According to tradition, Sidhartha’s daily diet (during his period of self-denial) consisted of what each day?
1 Bean/sesame seed or single Grain of rice
According to our in-class discussion, during his period of extreme self-denial, Sidhartha was confronted with a double paradox. What did we say that two-fold paradox was?
He wanted enlightenment so much that it became a carnal desire
What did Sidhartha eat that saved his life?
A bowl of rice pudding
One day, while sitting under a bodhi (or fig) tree, Sidhartha made a vow. What was that vow?
He would not leave the tree until he is enlightened
Upon enlightenment, the founder of Buddhism is said to have declared what?
He achieved enlightenment
How old was Sidhartha when he became enlightened, how many lives had he lived prior to his enlightenment, and why is the number of lives he had lived significant?
- He was 35 years old
- He had had 550 different previous incarnations
- More tries is more better
According to our in-class discussion, what does the term “Buddha” mean?
The enlightened one
After his enlightenment, Sidhartha ran into his five former disciples. Where did the six of them encounter each other?
In Deer Park
Upon his enlightenment, the Buddha was initially tempted (by Mara or the devil) to do what Hinduism taught that he should do; which was what?
Withdraw from society and not share his enlightenment with others
How long did the Buddha’s ministry last?
45 years preaching
How did the Buddha die?
Died at 80 by food poisoning
Since the Buddha appointed no successor, what ultimately was considered his successor?
- 4 Noble Truths
- Find your own path
According to our in-class discussion, among the Buddha’s last words where what?
Diligently work out your own salvation.
How many denominations of Buddhism developed in the years shortly after the death of the Buddha? How many of those original denominations have survived down to our day?
18 different denominations formed right after his death
Eventually narrowed down to 3 denominations
* Theravada
* Mahayana
* Tibetan/Vajrayana
According to our in-class discussion, in what sense was Sidhartha Gautama a bit like the Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther?
Unsatisfied with current religion. Neither were trying to start a new religion. Reformers not restorers.
