Buddhism Beliefs and Practices

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Japan

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Bodhisattva

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

Give three examples of the five aggregates.

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What is anicca?

Answer 6

Anicca means impermanence and encourages Buddhists to accept death and suffering as part of life. The cycle of birth, life death and rebirth is called samsara.

Question 7

Explain what is meant by Buddhahood

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Explain what the concept of Dukkha means for Buddhists

Answer 8

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 9

What is samsara?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Which type of Buddhists attempt to become Bodhisattvas?

Answer 10

Mahayana Buddhists

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Anatta

Question 12

List three events that happen in the Buddhas life

Answer 12

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 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 and luxury.

Question 13

Give three of the four noble truths

Answer 13

1. There is suffering&raquo_space; 2. Suffering has a cause&raquo_space; 3. Suffering can come to an end&raquo_space; 4. There is a way to end suffering.

Question 14

List the 3 poison

Answer 14

These are the three poisons, a pig, a snake and a cockerel, they represent ignorance, hatred and greed, Buddhist see these as the starting point of all human problems.

Question 15

List three aspects of the eightfold path

Answer 15

Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right effort, Right mindfulness, Right concentration, Right understanding, Right intention

Question 16

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

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Explain the three marks of existence

Answer 17

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. That suffering is inevitable, that everything is impermeant and that we have no fixed, immortal soul.

Question 18

Name two types of Buddhism

Answer 18

Theravada, Mahayana,

Question 19

what is meant by Arhat?

Answer 19

Theravada Buddhists aim to become an Arhat by following the Eightfold Path. An Arhat is a ‘perfected person’ who overcomes the main sources of suffering and reaches nirvana

Question 20

List the three aspects of threefold way

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Define Nirvana

Answer 21

A state of complete enlightenment which lies outside the cycle of samsara

Question 22

What is meant by Asceticism?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

What was the Buddhas birth name?

Answer 23

Siddhartha Gautama

Question 24

Define Anatta

Answer 24

the idea of no self. We don’t have a fixed soul – there is no unchanging essence to us.

Question 25

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

Answer 25

Atman

Question 26

What is the definition of puja?

Answer 26

Worship- it expresses gratitude and respect for the Buddha and his teachings.

Question 27

What are two different types of meditation?

Answer 27

Samatha and Vipassana

Question 28

Which type of worship involves reciting and repeating Buddhist scriptures?

Answer 28

Chanting

Question 29

Which type of statue is commonly used for meditation and can often be found as part of a shrine?

Answer 29

Rupa- A statue of Buddha used in worship and meditation

Question 30

Give three of the six perfections in the Mahayanan traditions

Answer 30

· Generosity or giving (dana)
· Morality (sila)
· Patience (kshanti)
· Energy (virya)
· Meditation (samadhi)
· Wisdom (prajna)

Question 31

What is Wesak?

Answer 31

A festival celebrating the life and teachings of Buddha

Question 32

What name is given to a Buddhist monastery?

Answer 32

Vihara

Question 33

Explain one element of a Buddhist funeral?

Answer 33

Spend as little money as possible on funerals as they believe in reincarnation.
Sky Burial this reflects a belief in anicca.

Question 34

Give three features of a shrine?

Answer 34

Rupa, Flowers, water, candles, incense, fruit, bell, book of teachings

Question 35

Name a Buddhist festival?

Answer 35

Parinirvana Day

Question 36

What is meant by a skilful act?

Answer 36

Actions that lead to good Karma.

Question 37

What is the common name for a Buddhist place of worship?

Answer 37

A temple

Question 38

Give three of the 5 moral precepts

Answer 38

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 wrong speech
5. to abstain from intoxicants

Question 39

What is the purpose of Samatha mediation?

Answer 39

Breathing meditation focused on calming the mind and mindfulness.

Question 40

Name the Three Jewels

Answer 40

• The Buddha • The Dhamma • The Sangha

Question 41

Explain two contrasting aims of meditation.

Answer 41

Stillness, focus/ samatha meditation- mindfulness, breathing.
Insight, the three marks of existence.

Question 42

Why are devotional rituals carried out?

Answer 42

For a Buddhist to show their devotion to the Buddha

Question 43

What is the main purpose of a Buddhist temple?

Answer 43

A place for Buddhists to come together

Question 44

What are Malas?

Answer 44

Beads used to help focus and count the number of times scripture is repeated

Question 45

What is the main purpose of a Buddhist retreat?

Answer 45

They help them to practice meditation and remember the Buddha’s life.

Question 46

Why do Buddhists use visualisation?

Answer 46

Buddhists use visualisation to deepen their meditation and their understanding of Buddhist teaching.

Question 47

Why is Karma important in Buddhism?

Answer 47

it allows Buddhists to focus on their actions to move closer to enlightenment.

Question 48

Why is chanting important?

Answer 48

Chanting is important because it enables focus in meditation.

Question 49

Explain how the lay community contributes to the monastic community.

Answer 49

They provide alms. Donate money. By supporting the monastic community it means the monks do not have to work allowing them to focus on meditating.

Question 50

Explain the concept of Karuna?

Answer 50

Karuna is compassion, a feeling of concern for the suffering of others. Buddhists should do something to make their lives better and ease suffering. One of the 4 sublime states.

Question 51

Give two examples of how monks contribute to the community

Answer 51

to teach children how to read and write, the vihara acts as a school. Teaching skills such as farming and building. The vihara can also act as a bank. Monks teach dhamma and lead worship.