Buddhism Beliefs: Nature of Human Beings

Question 1

What does Tanha mean?

Answer 1

The 4 noble truths.

Question 2

What are the 4 noble truths?

Answer 2

Dukkha
Tanha
Nirodha
Magga

Question 3

Explain the 4 noble truths

Answer 3

Dukkha: all beings suffer
Tanha: the suffering is caused by craving and attachment
Nirodha: suffering can be overcome
Magga: the way to reach enlightenment is by following the eightfold path

Question 4

How can you explain Tanha?

Answer 4

The doctor analogy

Question 5

Explain Tanha with the doctor analogy

Answer 5

Dukkha: he diagnosed the human condition
Tanha: he identified the cause of the disease
Nirodha: he identified the cure
Magga: he then prescribes the medicine

Question 6

Tanha quote

Answer 6

“The creeper of craving grows everywhere. If you see the creeper grow, cut off its roots by the power of wisdom.”

Question 7

What are the 3 root poisons?

Answer 7

Greed
Hatred
Ignorance

Question 8

What animals represent the 3 root poisons?

Answer 8

Greed=cock
Hatred=snake
Ignorance=pig
They each chase each other as they all feed into each other

Question 9

Explain Greed

Answer 9

Greed is a root cause of Dukkha as it is craving and attachment.
Greed must be eliminated to reach enlightenment which can be achieved through vispassana.
Craving enlightenment is also a form of greed so must be avoided.

Question 10

Greed quote

Answer 10

“Neither of iron nor wood nor hemp is bond so strong, proclaim the wise, as passion yearn for sons, for wives, for gems and ornaments.”

Question 11

Explain Hatred

Answer 11

Hatred causes Dukkha as it is anger. The opposite of hatred is loving-kindness which Buddhists try to cultivate through vipassana.

Question 12

Hatred quote

Answer 12

“There is no fire like passion, no grip like hate, no net like delusion, no river like craving.”

Question 13

Explain Ignorance

Answer 13

Ignorance is a cause of Dukkha that can be ignoring (deliberately) good advice, wise teachings of those who have gone before or not being aware of something, lacking the realisation needed to make informed choices.
The antidote to ignorance is wisdom or “clear-knowing” which can be attained through spiritual growth.

Question 14

Ignorance quote

Answer 14

“Ignorance is like a thick cloud that darkens the sky, blocking the bright light of our inner wisdom.” Dharma Master Cheng Yen

Question 15

What is Kamma?

Answer 15

The Buddhist law of cause and effect.
The idea that all actions have consequences so good actions produce positive kamma and bad actions produce negative kamma. This kamma will determine what rebirth you have and it is kamma that keeps you in the wheel of samsara.

Question 16

How can you explain Kamma?

Answer 16

With the burning house parable.

Question 17

What is the burning house parable?

Answer 17

A dad owns a house that catches fire with his kids playing in it. He cant get them out the house due to their ignorance so tells them he has special carts waiting outside and they leave the house to find even better carts. If people use their skill they will be guided rather than just blindly following rules. For a buddhist the intention behind an action is important. This is called skill-in means.

Question 18

Kamma quote

Answer 18

“Our life is shaped by our mind: we become what we think.”

Question 19

benefits of belief in kamma

Answer 19

awareness that your actions affect your life
improves self control and discipline meaning good impact on society
helps control 3 root poisons
helps accept suffering