Buddhism Beliefs

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Japan

Question 2

Give 3 examples of the five aggregates (3)

Answer 2

The Five Aggregates are form, mental formation, perception, consciousness and sensation

Question 3

What is dependent arising?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What is Dhamma (Dharma)?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What is anicca?

Answer 5

Anicca means impermanence and encourages Buddhists to accept death and suffering as part of life.

Question 6

Explain what the concept of Dukkha means for Buddhists? (2)

Answer 6

Dukkha is the belief that there are three types of suffering, as part of the Three Marks of Existence. The three types are ordinary suffering, suffering through change and suffering through dissatisfaction or attachment.

Question 7

Explain the Three Marks of Existence (2)

Answer 7

The Three Marks of Existence are the fundamental Buddhist beliefs about the nature of human existence. They present a very different view of the world to Christianity. The suffering is inevitable, that everything is impermanent.

Question 8

Name two types of Buddhism (2)

Answer 8

Therevada, Mahayana

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Anatta

Question 10

List the three aspects of Threefold Way (3)

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Give three of the four Noble Truths (3)

Answer 11

1: There is suffering
2: Suffering has a cause
3: Suffering can come to an end
4: There is a way to end suffering

Question 12

Define Nirvana

Answer 12

The state of complete enlightenment which lies outside the cycle of Samsara

Question 13

List three aspects of the Eightfold Path (3)

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is meant by Asceticism?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What was the Buddhas first name?

Answer 15

Siddhartha Gautama

Question 16

Define Anatta

Answer 16

The idea of no self. We don’t have a fixed soul - there’s no unchanging essence to us.

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Atman

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Bodhisattva

Question 19

Which type of Buddhists attempt to become Bodhisattvas?

Answer 19

Mahayana Buddhists

Question 20

Explain what is meant by Buddhahood (2)

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What is Samsara?

Answer 21

Samsara is the Buddhist belief in the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth.

Question 22

List three events that happen in the Buddhas life (3)

Answer 22

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

Question 23

List the 3 poisons (3)

Answer 23

The Three Poisons are a pig, a snake and a cockerel, they represent ignorance, hatred and greed, Buddhists see these as the starting point of all human problems.

Question 24

List four of the sights Siddhartha saw on his trip outside the palace. (4)

Answer 24

An old man - everyone ages
A sick man - everyone becomes ill
A dead man - all things die
A holy man - the only answer to these problems