Buddhism Beliefs

Question 1

Explain what is meant by Arhat.

Answer 1

Theravada Buddhists believe you become an Arhat (perfected person) by following the Eightfold Path to overcome suffering and reach enlightenment.

Question 2

What is samsara?

Answer 2

It means the cycle of life: birth, life, death and rebirth

Question 3

Define Anatta

Answer 3

The idea of no self and no fixed soul. There is no unchanging essence to us.

Question 4

What was the Buddha’s birth name?

Answer 4

Siddhartha Gautama

Question 5

What is Asceticism?

Answer 5

A lifestyle of strict self-denial (rejected by Siddhartha for the Middle Way)

Question 6

List 4 of the sights Siddhartha saw on his trip outside the palace (The Four Sights)

Answer 6

An old man (we age); an ill man (we get ill); a dead man (we all die) and a holy man (the only answer to these problems)

Question 7

Which word describes the Buddhist belief that the soul doesn’t have a physical existence?

Answer 7

Anatta

Question 8

Explain what is meant by Buddhahood.

Answer 8

Buddha nature is the idea that everyone can attain Buddhahood. Mahayana Buddhists believe that everyone has the essence of a Buddha within them.

Question 9

What is Nirvana?

Answer 9

Nirvana is complete enlightenment outside the cycle of samsara.

Question 10

Explain what the concept of Dukkha means for Buddhists.

Answer 10

Dhukka is the belief that there are 3 types of suffering (Three Marks of Existence). These are: Ordinary Suffering, Suffering through change and Suffering through dissatisfaction/attachment.

Question 11

What is Dhamma (Dharma)?

Answer 11

Dhamma (Dharma) is the Buddhist doctrine that includes the teaching of the Buddha about the nature of existence.

Question 12

Give three examples of the five aggregates.

Answer 12

Form, Mental Formation, perception, consciousness and sensation

Question 13

What is anicca?

Answer 13

Annica means impermanence. It encourages Buddhists to accept death and suffering as part of life and the samsara cycle of life.

Question 14

What word is used to describe an enlightened person who chooses to remain in samsara?

Answer 14

Bodhisattva

Question 15

What is dependent arising?

Answer 15

Dependent arising is the idea that everything happens depending on certain conditions.

Question 16

What is the term for the immaterial part of you that gets tranferred from life to life?

Answer 16

Atman

Question 17

Name 2 types of Buddhism.

Answer 17

Theravada and Mahayana

Question 18

List 3 aspects of the Threefold Way

Answer 18

Ethics (sila); Meditation (Samadhi); Wisdom (Panna)

Question 19

Give 3 of the Four Noble Truths.

Answer 19

There is suffering. Suffering has a cause. Suffering can come to an end. There is a way to end suffering.

Question 20

List 3 aspects of the Eightfold Path

Answer 20

Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Understanding, Right Intention

Question 21

Which type of Buddhists attept to become Bodhisattvas?

Answer 21

Mahayana Buddhists

Question 22

In which country is Pure Land Buddhism the most commonly practised form of Buddhism?

Answer 22

Japan

Question 23

List 3 events that happen in the Buddhas life.

Answer 23

He grew up in a life of luxury as the son of a Queen. He was inspired to leave this life by the Four Sights. After he left his life of luxury, he lived an ascetic life of self-denial and pain. He wasn’t able to become enlightened so he left it for the Middle Way - between pain and luxury.

Question 24

List the 3 poisons.

Answer 24

A pig (ignorance), a snake (hatred) and a cockerel (greed); Buddhists see this as the start of all human problems.