Buddhism Flashcards
What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism?
The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to achieve Nirvana.
True or False: Buddhism originated in India.
True.
Fill in the blank: The founder of Buddhism is ______.
Siddhartha Gautama.
What are the Four Noble Truths?
The Four Noble Truths are: 1) The truth of suffering, 2) The truth of the cause of suffering, 3) The truth of the end of suffering, 4) The truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.
Which path is known as the path to enlightenment in Buddhism?
The Eightfold Path.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism? a) The Buddha, b) The Dharma, c) The Sangha, d) The Veda
d) The Veda.
What does ‘Dharma’ refer to in Buddhism?
Dharma refers to the teachings of the Buddha.
True or False: There is a single authoritative text in Buddhism.
False.
Fill in the blank: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhism is known as ______.
Samsara.
What is ‘Karma’ in the context of Buddhism?
Karma refers to the actions and their consequences that influence future rebirths.
Multiple choice: Which branch of Buddhism emphasizes rigorous meditation and monastic life? a) Theravada, b) Mahayana, c) Vajrayana, d) Zen
a) Theravada.
What is the significance of Bodhi Tree in Buddhism?
The Bodhi Tree is where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment.
True or False: Meditation is a key practice in Buddhism.
True.
Fill in the blank: The term ‘Buddha’ means ______.
The Awakened One.
What are the Five Precepts in Buddhism?
The Five Precepts are: 1) To abstain from taking life, 2) To abstain from taking what is not given, 3) To abstain from sexual misconduct, 4) To abstain from false speech, 5) To abstain from intoxicants.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a Mahayana text? a) The Tripitaka, b) The Lotus Sutra, c) The Dhammapada, d) The Bhagavad Gita
b) The Lotus Sutra.
What is ‘Nirvana’?
Nirvana is the state of liberation from the cycle of Samsara and the cessation of suffering.
True or False: Zen Buddhism emphasizes the use of koans.
True.
Fill in the blank: The concept of ______ refers to compassion in Buddhism.
Karuna.
What is the difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism?
Theravada focuses on individual enlightenment and the historical Buddha, while Mahayana emphasizes the role of bodhisattvas and the potential for all beings to achieve enlightenment.
Multiple choice: Which festival celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha? a) Vesak, b) Diwali, c) Hanukkah, d) Ramadan
a) Vesak.
What role do monks play in Buddhism?
Monks serve as spiritual teachers, practitioners of the Dharma, and maintainers of the monastic community.
True or False: The Dalai Lama is a title given to the leader of Tibetan Buddhism.
True.
Fill in the blank: The practice of ______ involves deep concentration and mindfulness.
Meditation.
What is ‘Sangha’?
Sangha refers to the community of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners in Buddhism.
Multiple choice: What is the main focus of Tibetan Buddhism? a) Rituals, b) Meditation, c) Philosophy, d) Art
a) Rituals.
What is the significance of ‘The Middle Way’ in Buddhism?
The Middle Way refers to the path of moderation between extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification.
True or False: Buddhism does not believe in a permanent self or soul.
True.
Fill in the blank: The term ‘Anatta’ refers to ______.
Non-self.
What is the purpose of chanting in Buddhism?
Chanting is a practice used to focus the mind, express devotion, and embody teachings.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a common symbol in Buddhism? a) Cross, b) Star of David, c) Dharma Wheel, d) Om symbol
c) Dharma Wheel.
What does ‘Metta’ mean?
Metta means loving-kindness.
True or False: The concept of impermanence is central to Buddhist thought.
True.
Fill in the blank: The practice of ______ helps to cultivate mindfulness and awareness.
Vipassana.
What is ‘Buddhism’s view on desire’?
Buddhism teaches that desire is a root cause of suffering.
Multiple choice: The ‘Three Marks of Existence’ include all EXCEPT: a) Impermanence, b) Suffering, c) Eternalism, d) Non-self.
c) Eternalism.
What role does mindfulness play in Buddhism?
Mindfulness is key to understanding and transforming one’s thoughts and actions.
True or False: All Buddhists believe in the same set of texts and scriptures.
False.
Fill in the blank: The ______ is a collection of scriptures that form the doctrinal foundation of Theravada Buddhism.
Pali Canon.
What is ‘Bodhisattva’?
A Bodhisattva is an enlightened being who seeks to help others achieve enlightenment.
Multiple choice: Which meditation technique focuses on the breath? a) Samatha, b) Zazen, c) Tonglen, d) Metta
a) Samatha.
What is the significance of the ‘Lotus Flower’ in Buddhism?
The Lotus Flower symbolizes purity and enlightenment, rising from muddy waters.
True or False: Buddhism has a central authority or single leader.
False.
Fill in the blank: The ______ is the first of the Four Noble Truths.
Truth of suffering.
What does ‘Right Action’ refer to in the Eightfold Path?
Right Action refers to ethical conduct, avoiding harm to others.
Multiple choice: What is the first step in the Eightfold Path? a) Right Understanding, b) Right Intention, c) Right Speech, d) Right Action
a) Right Understanding.
What does ‘Right Livelihood’ mean in the context of the Eightfold Path?
Right Livelihood means earning a living in a way that does not harm others.
True or False: Meditation in Buddhism is only for monks.
False.
Fill in the blank: The practice of ______ helps to cultivate compassion towards all beings.
Loving-kindness meditation.
What is ‘Satori’?
Satori is a sudden moment of enlightenment or realization in Zen Buddhism.
Multiple choice: Which of the following practices is primarily associated with Tibetan Buddhism? a) Zen, b) Thangka painting, c) Vipassana, d) Walking meditation
b) Thangka painting.
What is the significance of ‘Sangha’ in Buddhism?
Sangha represents the community of practitioners who support each other on the path to enlightenment.
True or False: Buddhism advocates for asceticism as the only path to enlightenment.
False.
Fill in the blank: The ______ is the cycle of rebirth that all beings go through in Buddhism.
Samsara.
What role does ritual play in Buddhism?
Rituals in Buddhism can help focus the mind, express devotion, and mark important events.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a key concept in Mahayana Buddhism? a) Arhat, b) Bodhisattva, c) Nirvana, d) Dukkha
b) Bodhisattva.
What is the meaning of ‘Dukkha’?
Dukkha refers to suffering or unsatisfactoriness.
True or False: Buddhist cosmology includes various realms of existence.
True.
Fill in the blank: The practice of ______ is often used to develop concentration and insight.
Meditation.
What is the purpose of the Zen practice of ‘Zazen’?
Zazen is seated meditation aimed at calming the mind and developing insight.
Multiple choice: Which of the following terms refers to the teachings of the Buddha? a) Sutra, b) Mantra, c) Tantra, d) Sutta
a) Sutra.
What does the term ‘Upaya’ refer to in Buddhism?
Upaya refers to skillful means or methods used to help others along the path.
True or False: Buddhism teaches that enlightenment can be achieved in a single lifetime.
True.
Fill in the blank: The ______ is a collection of teachings attributed to the Buddha.
Tripitaka.
What is the significance of ‘Mindfulness’ in daily life according to Buddhism?
Mindfulness helps individuals to live fully in the present moment and reduce suffering.
Multiple choice: The practice of ‘Tonglen’ in Tibetan Buddhism involves: a) Giving and taking, b) Chanting, c) Meditation on emptiness, d) Visualizations
a) Giving and taking.
What is ‘Emptiness’ in the context of Buddhist philosophy?
Emptiness refers to the lack of inherent existence in all phenomena.
True or False: The concept of rebirth is central to Buddhist teachings.
True.
Fill in the blank: The ______ is a key practice in Theravada Buddhism that involves deep meditation.
Vipassana.
What is the role of ‘Ritual’ in Buddhist practice?
Ritual serves to reinforce teachings, create community, and express devotion.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a symbol of the Buddha’s teachings? a) The Cross, b) The Dharma Wheel, c) The Star of David, d) The Crescent Moon
b) The Dharma Wheel.
What does the term ‘Non-attachment’ mean in Buddhism?
Non-attachment refers to the practice of not clinging to desires or outcomes.
True or False: Buddhism encourages individuals to seek material wealth.
False.
Fill in the blank: The practice of ______ is essential for developing insight into the nature of reality.
Meditation.
What is ‘Lojong’?
Lojong is a Tibetan Buddhist practice of mind training and developing compassion.
Multiple choice: Which of the following practices is often associated with mindfulness? a) Breathing exercises, b) Chanting, c) Rituals, d) Offerings
a) Breathing exercises.
What does ‘Noble Silence’ mean in a Buddhist context?
Noble Silence refers to the practice of silence to cultivate inner peace and mindfulness.
True or False: Buddhism teaches that one must suffer to attain enlightenment.
False.
Fill in the blank: The ______ is a key concept that describes the nature of existence as ever-changing.
Law of Impermanence.
What does ‘Metta Bhavana’ mean?
Metta Bhavana refers to the cultivation of loving-kindness.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a common meditation posture in Buddhism? a) Seated, b) Standing, c) Walking, d) All of the above
d) All of the above.
What does the term ‘Buddhism’ literally mean?
Buddhism literally means ‘the path of the Buddha.’
True or False: There is a single style of meditation practiced in Buddhism.
False.
Fill in the blank: The ______ is a collection of teachings that includes the discourses of the Buddha.
Sutta Pitaka.
What does ‘Right Mindfulness’ involve in the Eightfold Path?
Right Mindfulness involves being aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a key practice in Zen Buddhism? a) Zazen, b) Vipassana, c) Tonglen, d) Metta
a) Zazen.
What is the significance of ‘Lifelong learning’ in Buddhism?
Lifelong learning is essential for personal growth and understanding the teachings of the Buddha.
