Buddhism Key Words

Question 1

Budda

Answer 1

The enlightened one - formally known as prince Siddhartha Gautama

Question 2

Nibbana

Answer 2

The blissful state of enlightenment & escape of rebirth

Question 3

Enlightenment

Answer 3

Another term for nibbana, escape from rebirth

Question 4

Four noble truths

Answer 4

Life involves suffering, origins of suffering are craving, the end of suffering is possible through the end of craving, the noble eightfold path is how to end craving and suffering.

Question 5

Noble eightfold path

Answer 5

Right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration.

Question 6

Kamma

Answer 6

Good and bad actions that leads to good and bad rebirth.

Question 7

Samsara

Answer 7

The cycle of everlasting rebirth

Question 8

Wheel of life

Answer 8

The visual representation of the eternal rebirth cycle

Question 9

Reincarnation / rebirth

Answer 9

The perpetual cycle of birth, death and rebirth

Question 10

Compassion.

Answer 10

One of the central buddhist teachings about showing loving and kindness to all beings

Question 11

Meditation

Answer 11

The practice of stilling the mind in order to perceive reality as it truly is

Question 12

Dukkha

Answer 12

Suffering

Question 13

Ahimsa

Answer 13

Non-violence

Question 14

Vihara

Answer 14

Monastery

Question 15

Chanting

Answer 15

The practice of repetitive singing of words to induce a mediative state.

Question 16

Theravadan

Answer 16

Major type of Buddhism in world

Question 17

Mahayana

Answer 17

Major type of buddhism in the world

Question 18

Sangha

Answer 18

A community of monks, sometimes used to refer to the wider Buddhist community based around a monastery

Question 19

Dhamma

Answer 19

Teachings and practice of the Buddha

Question 20

Five precepts

Answer 20

Non violence, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, speaking truthfully & no gossip, no taking of intoxicating substances.

Question 21

Wesak

Answer 21

A Buddhist festival

Question 22

The middle way

Answer 22

The path that the buddha taught between the extreme luxury and complete self denial.

Question 23

Bodhisattva

Answer 23

An enlightened being who has held back from achieving enlightenment in order to help other beings achieve it.

Question 24

Upaya

Answer 24

Skilful means

Question 25

Conditioned arising

Answer 25

The idea that all things happen as a result of other actions and reactions but are not permanent and can fall away as well as rise

Question 26

Anicca

Answer 26

Impermanence

Question 27

Khandhas

Answer 27

Changing aspects of human life

Question 28

Anatta

Answer 28

Non-self (detachment from yourself)

Question 29

Tibetan lama

Answer 29

Buddhist spiritual leader from Tibet

Question 30

Satori

Answer 30

Zen moment of insight into nibbana

Question 31

Zen

Answer 31

Small Buddhist group in Japan

Question 32

Three refugees

Answer 32

Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha

Question 33

Dana

Answer 33

The importance of giving

Question 34

Lotus sutra

Answer 34

Important Mahayana scripture

Question 35

Tipitaka

Answer 35

Three baskets- three important scriptures sutta, vinaya and abhidamma pitakas - also called the pali canon. Important for Theravada buddhists.

Question 36

Buddharupa

Answer 36

Image of Buddha

Question 37

Bhikkhunis

Answer 37

Nun

Question 38

Bhikkhus

Answer 38

Monks