Buddhism

Question 1

What are the four sights Siddhartha experienced outside the temple?

Answer 1

1.An old man’s body, broken by life

2.Sick man lying on the roadside

3.A corpse being prepared for cremation

4.An ascetic, wandering Hindu monk

Question 2

How did the driver of Siddhartha’s chariot describe the ascetic Hindu Monk they saw

Answer 2

“This is a man living the homeless life in order to seek the answer to life’s riddle”
-This inspired Siddhartha to begin his spiritual journey

Question 3

What were the three things that Siddhartha did to try and achieve enlightenment
(All failed

Answer 3

1.Meditation to reach a trance-like state
2.Controlled breathing
3.Reducing food intake to a single grain of rice per day

Question 4

What is Nirvana?

Answer 4

The state of total liberation and serenity

Question 5

Siddhartha was born in India, what Caste was he from?

Answer 5

Kshatriya

Question 6

What is Parinirvana?

Answer 6

Complete release from the cycle of involuntary rebirth. (When someone who has achieved Nirvana in their life dies)

Question 7

What life is best according the Buddha?

Answer 7

One in moderation

Question 8

What does Buddha believe everything has (Outside of Nirvana)

Answer 8

1.Impermanence, everything breaks down overtime/constantly changes

2.Dissatisfaction, humans and animals experiences suffering, happiness only lasts for a limited amount of time

3.Selflessness, no single part dictates ‘self’, we are made up of several different things. State of mind, personality,

Question 9

What are the Five Precepts? (Things not to do)

Answer 9

1.No killing or harming living things

2.No stealing

3.No improper sexual conduct

4.No lies, gossiping

5.No alcohol or drugs

Question 10

What are the Four Nobel Truths?

Answer 10

1. Life is to suffer

2.Origin of Suffering is desire

3.The goal of Buddhism is to end suffering

4.To end suffering, we must live the Buddhist way of life, (eightfold path)

Question 11

What is the Eightfold Path?

Answer 11

The Buddhist Roadmap for ending suffering and achieving Nirvana

Question 12

Name the first four steps of the Eightfold path

Answer 12

1.Right View; Understand the cause of suffering and how to end it

2.Right Thought; Nurture good thoughts because we are what we think

3.Right Speech; By using kind speech, we will be respected and trusted

4.Right Conduct: Good Behavior, accomplished by living out the Five Precepts

Question 13

Name steps 5-8 in the Eightfold Path

Answer 13

5.Right Livelihood; Hold the right occupation, no butchers, weapons manufacturing, etc.

6.Right Effort; Must try your best at all times, put effort into creating and maintaining good thoughts

7.Right Mindfulness; Full attention to thoughts, words, and deeds.

8.Right Concentration; Focus on mind, meditation

Question 14

What does Tripitaka literary mean, and what does it mean?

Answer 14

Means ‘Three Baskets’, and is considered the most accurate record of Buddha’s teachings.

Question 15

The Tripitaka is composed into three main baskets of texts, what are they?

Answer 15

1. Basket of Discipline, Rules of a monastic life and codes of conduct

2.Basket of Disclosures; Teachings of Buddha (Most important basket)

3.Basket of further teachings; Discuss the nature of conciousness and technical explanations

Question 16

What are Sutras?

Answer 16

Written words of Buddha’s oral teachings, following Sutra’s bring eternal prosperity and happiness

Question 17

What are the two schools of Buddhism?

Answer 17

Theravada and Mahayana

Question 18

Describe Theravada

Answer 18

Means “Way of the Elder”, most traditional and conservative. Only recognises Tripitaka as true Buddhist scripture. They believe you should follow his teachings, but not worship him because he is not a God.

Question 19

Describe Mahayana

Answer 19

Means “Greater Vehicle”, which is a sneak diss towards Theravada. They Believe Buddha is divine, emphasises role of compassion.

Question 20

What are Bodhisattvas?

Answer 20

Someone who has reached enlightenment, but chooses to be reborn to help others.

Question 21

What is Vajrayana Buddhism

Answer 21

-A branch of Mahayana , Emphasis on rituals, mantras, and visualisations

Question 22

What is the Dalai Lama?

Answer 22

The leader of the Tibet people and Vayrayana Buddhists

Question 23

What do Tibetan Buddhists believe about the Dalai Lama?

Answer 23

When the current Dalai Lama dies, the newly released consciousness immediately enters the body of a newborn child

Question 24

How are Religious Rites performed in Tibetan Buddism

Answer 24

Lamas, Religious Leaders. Lamas pray 3 times a day

Question 25

Describe Zen Buddhism

Answer 25

-A sect of Buddhism popular in Japan, founded by an Indian Monk named Bodhidarma. Places emphasis on meditation. Good deeds are good, but do not lead you towards enlightenment

Question 26

What are Koans in Zen Buddhism?

Answer 26

Non-Rational statements, or riddles. “When many are reduced to one, to what is one reduced?”

Question 27

Buddhist Meditation is a combination of what?

Answer 27

Bowing, chanting, and receiving offerings. Believed to bring inner peace and wisdom, helping end one’s suffering

Question 28

Describe the Meditation process (Position)

Answer 28

Legs crossed, hands on your lap, souls of your feet resting on your thighs.

Question 29

Describe Mantras

Answer 29

-Symbolic phrases used to help in meditation. -They are NOT prayer

Question 30

Are images of Buddha worshipped?

Answer 30

No, they are just treated with respect

Question 31

What are Mudras

Answer 31

-Hand gestures, often used in meditation

Question 32

What did Buddha come to the conclusion to when he had a vision about Lotus Flowers ?

Answer 32

All people have the ability to develop their potential and arise from an undesirable life

Question 33

what is Buddhapada

Answer 33

-Buddha’s footprints; Signifies that Buddha is in parinirvana, and his toes are all the same length to represent his oneness and and harmony

Question 34

What are prayer wheels?

Answer 34

-Used for spreading blessings and harmony. Inside are mantras.

Question 35

Where are prayer flags typically used?

Answer 35

Tibet or Vajrayana Buddhism

Question 36

What do prayer flags colours represent?

Answer 36

The different colours of prayer flags represent difference elements (Fire, water, earth, ect.)

Question 37

What are Mandalas

Answer 37

Vajrayana Buddhist monks must construct sand Mandalas. They are a square centre enclosed by circles.