Buddhism

Question 1

Why did Prince Siddhartha want to become the buddha?

Answer 1

He had been sheltered his entire life, but when he was exposed to the horrors of the world, he wanted to help others and find a balance between suffering and joy, so went to the forest, meditated and learnt from a group of wise men

Question 2

What three things did Prince Siddhartha see that scared him and made him want to help?

Answer 2

An old man - he had never seen anyone old before and questioned his chariot driver about why the man looked that way

Illness - seeing an ill person on the roadside upset Prince Siddhartha, as he had never seen anyone ill before

A dead person being carried - his chariot driver explained to him that all people eventually die

Question 3

Explain the four noble truths:

Answer 3

The truth of suffering - the belief that suffering is deep-rooted and that even when we are not suffering outright ( eg, illness ), we are still unsatisfied

Origin of suffering - the idea that there are 3 main causes of suffering ( outside basic things like thirst etc. )

• Cessation of suffering - the idea that the only way to get rid of desire ( and therefore suffering ) is through liberation - reaching fulfillment

Path to cessation of suffering - the way to achieve fulfillment is through achieving the eightfold path

Question 4

What are the three main causes of suffering ( mentioned in the Second noble truth, origin of suffering )?

Answer 4

• desire and greed
• ignorance
• hatred and destruction

Question 5

Give 3 steps of the eightfold path:

Answer 5

• Right livelihood - avoid making a living in a way that harms animals, exploits people, trade intoxicants etc.
• Right action - behaving peacefully: refrain from violence, stealing, too much sex etc.
• Right mindfulness - developing a sense of awareness of the body, feelings and states of mind

Question 6

What is the sangha?

Answer 6

A group of nuns and monks who have chosen a life purely dedicated to Buddhism

Question 7

Give 3 of the 5 precepts:

Answer 7

• Refrain from taking life
• Refrain from taking what is not given
• Refrain from wrong speech

Question 8

Give 2 things that members of the sangha do:

Answer 8

• kept Buddhist texts safe over the centuries and relayed information
• make money to benefit the community through charity events, giving away their belongings, selling items, giving meditation classes

Question 9

What are the three jewels?

Answer 9

• The Buddha
• Dhamma ( teachings )
• Sangha ( community )

Question 10

What does anicca mean in Buddhism?

Answer 10

the belief that all things, including the self, are constantly changing