Buddhism(Lectures) Flashcards
1
Q
Who founded Buddha-dharma and when?
A
Buddha-dharma was historically founded by Gautama Siddhartha Sakyamuni Buddha in the 6th century B.C.E.
2
Q
What question does Buddha-dharma address?
A
It addresses the cause of the entanglement of beings in the cycle of existence (samsara).
2
Q
What teaching did Buddha provide in response to samsara?
A
Buddha expounded the Noble Four Truths to explain the cause of entanglement in samsara.
2
Q
What are the characteristics of conditioned existence according to Buddha-dharma?
A
Conditioned existence is impermanent, without essence, and characterized by suffering.
3
Q
Who are Buddhas in Buddhist thought?
A
Buddhas are “awakened beings” who “know it how it is.”
4
Q
What do Buddhas directly see?
A
Buddhas directly see how things really are.
5
Q
How does knowledge function in Buddhism?
A
Knowledge liberates beings from pain, frustration, anguish, and similar suffering.
5
Q
What type of system is Buddhism classified as based on its emphasis on knowledge?
A
Buddhism is classified as gnoseological, emphasizing knowledge for liberation.
6
Q
What does it mean to say knowledge is relational?
A
It means that “to know x” partly involves understanding the context of x and yourself as the one who knows x.
6
Q
What are the three phases of Buddhist history in South Asia?
A
1.Early South Asian Period – “Nikaya Buddhisms” (500 BCE - 100 BCE)
2.Middle South Asian Period – “Sanskritic Buddhism” (100 BCE - 600 CE)
3.Late South Asian Period – “Syncretic Buddhisms” (600-1200 CE)
6
Q
How is knowledge described in relation to the knower?
A
Knowledge is perspectival, meaning “to know x” also involves knowing yourself as the one who knows x.
7
Q
What characterizes the Early South Asian Period in Buddhist history?
A
It is known as “Nikaya Buddhisms” and spans from 500 BCE to 100 BCE.
7
Q
What is the timeline for the Middle South Asian Period, and how is it described?
A
The Middle South Asian Period spans from 100 BCE to 600 CE and is referred to as “Sanskritic Buddhism.”
7
Q
Where is Theravada Buddhism practiced outside South Asia?
A
Southeast Asia: Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia (Vietnam)
7
Q
What marks the Late South Asian Period in Buddhist history?
A
The Late South Asian Period is called “Syncretic Buddhisms” and lasted from 600 to 1200 CE.
8
Q
Which regions in South Asia practice Theravada Buddhism?
A
Theravada Buddhism is practiced in Sri Lanka in South Asia.
9
Q
Where was Mahayana Buddhism practiced in Central Asia?
A
Along the Silk Road, though it is no longer extant in Central Asia.
10
Q
In which East Asian countries is Mahayana Buddhism practiced?
A
-Tibet
-China (including Ch’an Buddhism)
-Japan (including Zen Buddhism)
11
Q
Which two types of Buddhism are found outside and after South Asia?
A
Theravada and Mahayana.
12
Q
Which form of Buddhism includes Zen and Ch’an traditions?
A
Mahayana Buddhism includes Zen (Japan) and Ch’an (China) traditions.
13
Q
What period is associated with the Brahmanic culture of classical South Asian civilization?
A
1500 - 500 BCE
14
Q
What is the “Age of the Wanderers”?
A
The period from the 6th to 4th century BCE.
15
Q
What cultural or historical significance is tied to the period of 1500 - 500 BCE in South Asia?
A
It marks the Brahmanic culture of classical South Asian civilization.
16
Q
When did the “Age of the Wanderers” take place in South Asia?
A
During the 6th to 4th century BCE.
17
What new sense emerged during the Age of the Wanderers?
A new sense of individuality and anxiety.
18
What key social change occurred during the Age of the Wanderers (6th-4th century BCE)?
Sudden social transformation and dislocation.
19
What marked the transition to the Iron Age in South Asia?
The Age of the Wanderers, from the 6th to 4th century BCE.
20
What demographic changes occurred during the Age of the Wanderers?
Population increase and urbanization.
21
What two opposing groups defined the religious and philosophical landscape during the Age of the Wanderers?
Brahmanas vs. Shramanas.
22
Who were the Brahmanas (or Brahmins)?
Hereditary priests or "technicians of the sacred" who upheld the sacred order of the cosmos through performing sacrifices.
23
How did the Brahmanas view themselves in terms of tradition?
They were "conservatives," upholding the traditional sacred order.
24
What characterized the Shramanas in contrast to the Brahmanas?
The Shramanas were "radicals" challenging the old order and renouncing ordinary life.
25
What were some of the lifestyle characteristics of the Shramanas?
They were "wanderers" and "forest dwellers," often seen as the "true cosmopolitans."
26
What was a key feature of Shramana thought compared to Brahmanic traditions?
Shramanas posed new questions and answers, challenging the traditional cosmological order.
27
What does "duhkha" mean in the context of Buddhist thought?
Duhkha refers to suffering or unhappiness.
28
What is "samsara"?
Samsara is the cycle of suffering, the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
29
What does "karma" refer to in Buddhist philosophy?
Karma refers to the moral order of actions, meaning that actions have consequences.
30
What are "moksha" or "nirvana"?
Moksha (or nirvana) refers to liberation or release from duhkha and samsara, the ultimate goal in Buddhist thought.
31
What is the purpose of Brahmanic Ritualism, especially sacrifice?
The purpose of Brahmanic Ritualism, especially sacrifice, is to sustain the cosmic order, obtain personal prosperity, and attain rebirth in heaven.
31
What is the Buddhist Middle Path?
The Buddhist Middle Path is the path to enlightenment, avoiding extremes of indulgence and self-mortification, focusing on moderation and mindfulness.
32
What does Shramanic Self-Mortification aim to achieve?
Shramanic Self-Mortification aims to separate the self from society, transform the self, and free the self from all obstructions.
33
What are the Three Jewels (Triratna) in Buddhism?
The Three Jewels (Triratna) are:
1.The Buddha – the "awakened" one
2.The Dharma (Dhamma) – the Truth to be realized
3.The Sangha – the community
34
What is the Buddha in the context of the Three Jewels?
The Buddha is the "awakened" one, who has attained enlightenment.
35
What does the Dharma represent in the Three Jewels?
The Dharma represents the Truth to be realized, the teachings and laws of Buddhism.
36
What is the Sangha in the context of the Three Jewels?
The Sangha is the community, especially the monastic community, that practices and upholds the teachings of Buddhism.
37
What is the literal meaning of "Buddha"?
The “awakened” one.
38
Is "Buddha" a proper name?
No, it is a title.
39
Who is Shakyamuni Buddha?
The most recent of many buddhas.
39
Is Buddha considered a god?
No, Buddha is not a god. He is an extraordinary human being.
39
How is Buddha described in relation to humanity?
Buddha is more of a “guide” than a “savior” and exemplifies what it means to be truly and fully human.
39
What does Buddha represent as one of the Three Jewels?
The goal of human growth and development to which Buddhists aspire.
40
What are the two related meanings of the Dharma?
1.The Truth – the nature of reality realized by the Buddha.
2.All of the Buddha’s teachings leading to that Truth.
41
What does "Going for Refuge to the Dharma" mean?
Seeking to realize the Truth or reality by using the teachings of the buddhas.
41
What are the Sanskrit and Pali terms for Dharma?
Dharma (Sanskrit) = Dhamma (Pali).
42
What does the Dharma represent in Buddhism?
The Truth of reality and the teachings that lead to understanding it
43
What is the Sangha?
The community of those following the Path of the Buddha.
43
To which Sangha do Buddhists "go for refuge"?
Buddhists “go for refuge” to the Arya-Sangha.
43
What is the Arya-Sangha?
Those who have been liberated or awakened.
43
What is the Maha-Sangha?
All those following the path of the buddhas.
43
What does "Going for Refuge" mean in Buddhism?
It is also translated as "taking refuge in" the Three Jewels and emphasizes the active sense of "going."
44
How are the teachings of Buddhism meant to be understood?
They are not articles of belief or faith but are meant to be verified in one’s own experience.
44
What does "Going for Refuge" express?
It is an expression of faith or confidence (sraddha).
44
What has no value in Buddhism, and what is important instead?
Belief alone has no value, but confidence does.
44
What are the two types of truths in the life of the Buddha?
Historical Truth and Mythic Truth.
45
What does the Historical Truth of the Buddha's life include?
Biographical facts such as time, place, and cultural context (e.g., the Age of the Wanderers).
46
What are some Archetypal Encounters in the Buddha’s life?
The Four Sights, Mara, Earth Goddess, Wise Old Man, etc.
46
What is the Universal Structure of the Buddha’s life?
Birth, Renunciation, Enlightenment, Teaching Career, and Death.
46
Who is Śākyamuni Buddha in the context of time?
Śākyamuni Buddha is one of many buddhas in cycles of time.
47
What does "Mahapurusa" mean in relation to the Buddha?
Mahapurusa means a "Great Person," representing the paradigmatic body and mind of excellence.
48
How is the Buddha's excellence physically exemplified?
By the marks and signs on his body.
49
How is the Buddha's excellence mentally exemplified?
By his ease of learning.
49
How is the Buddha's excellence socially exemplified?
Through kingship.
49
What is a key structure in the Buddha's life as a paradigm?
The Twelve Deeds.
49
Where was the Buddha born?
Lumbini.
50
What is the "Going Forth" and where did it happen?
The Buddha's renunciation of worldly life, which occurred in Kapilavastu.
50
Where did the Buddha attain Enlightenment?
Bodh Gaya.
50
What is Parinirvana, and where did it occur?
Parinirvana is the "Final Nirvana," which took place in Kushinagar.
50
Where did the Buddha give his First Teaching?
Sarnath.
51
What does the name Siddhartha mean
"He who will succeed."
51
To which clan did the historical Buddha belong?
The Gautama clan.
51
What does Shakyamuni mean?
"Sage of the Shakya people."
51
When was Siddhartha (Shakyamuni Buddha) born?
Around the 3rd or 4th century BCE, traditionally dated 563-483 BCE.
51
Who was Siddhartha's father?
Shuddhodana, a leader of the Shakya people who ruled from Kapilavastu near the border between India and Nepal.
52
When was the Bodhisattva Siddhartha born?
On the Full Moon of the month of Vaisakha (May).
52
Where was Siddhartha born?
In Lumbini Grove, under flowering sala trees.
53
Who was Udraka Ramaputra, and what did he teach Siddhartha?
A teacher who taught Siddhartha about the state of "neither perception nor nonperception."
53
What were Siddhartha’s two potential destinies according to the legend?
He could become either a Wheel-Turning King or a Buddha.
54
What is the "Great Going Forth" in Buddhism?
Known as mahapravrajya, it is Siddhartha's renunciation of worldly life to seek enlightenment.
54
Who was Arada Kalama, and what did he teach Siddhartha?
A teacher who taught Siddhartha about the state of "nothingness."
54
What was the fourth vision Siddhartha saw, and what did it represent?
An ascetic, representing peace and contentment.
55
What is the meaning of the lute analogy in Buddhism?
"If the string is too loose, the lute will not play. If the string is too tight, it will break," symbolizing the Middle Way between extremes of indulgence and asceticism.
55
What is a "Mahapurusa"?
A "Great Person," which Siddhartha was recognized as at birth.
55
How was Siddhartha born according to legend?
He was born from the side of his mother, Mahamaya, while she was standing.
55
What were the armies of Mara that Siddhartha confronted?
Desire, aversion, hunger, craving, sleepiness, fear, and doubt
55
Where was Siddhartha instructed to go after the Pragbodhi cave?
Vajrasana, the "diamond seat," where he would achieve enlightenment.
55
Who is Mara in Buddhist tradition?
Mara is a symbolic figure representing obstacles to enlightenment, such as desire, aversion, and fear.
55
What does the Middle Way represent in theory?
The Middle Way lies between mentalism and physicalism.
55
What does the Middle Way represent in ontology?
The Middle Way lies between existence and nonexistence.
55
What was the third vision Siddhartha saw, and what did it represent?
A corpse, representing death.
56
What does the Middle Way represent in practice?
The Middle Way lies between austerity and sensuality.
56
Who were the daughters of Mara, and what did they represent?
Discontent, Desire, and Delight, symbolizing distractions and temptations.
56
What did Siddhartha do after departing from his five ascetic companions?
He went to an area known for charnel grounds.
56
What was the first vision Siddhartha saw, and what did it represent?
An old man, representing old age.
56
What cave did Siddhartha meditate in during his ascetic period?
The Pragbodhi cave.
56
What was the second vision Siddhartha saw, and what did it represent?
A crippled, sick person, representing illness.
57
How did Siddhartha defeat Mara?
By calling the earth as his witness to his right to achieve enlightenment.
57
What does the Middle Way represent in terms of society?
For a monk, it lies between the forest and the city.
58
What is the direct experience Siddhartha has during his awakening?
The direct experience of the unconditioned—the reality of things.
59
What is the fourth Noble Truth?
The truth/reality of the path (marga) which leads to the cessation of suffering.
59
What is the second Noble Truth?
The truth/reality of the arising of suffering (samodaya).
59
What key teachings did the Buddha proclaim during his First Teaching?
The Middle Way—between self-indulgence and self-mortification.
60
What were the three visions Siddhartha experienced during his awakening?
(The exact content of the three visions isn't provided, but they are typically understood to involve visions related to the nature of life, suffering, and liberation in Buddhist tradition.)
60
What is the first Noble Truth?
The truth/reality of suffering or dissatisfaction (duhkha).
60
Where did Siddhartha give his First Teaching?
In Deer Park outside Benares.
60
What did Siddhartha discover during his awakening?
The Middle Way.
60
What did the Buddha teach his first disciples?
The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
60
What is the first characteristic of all things?
All conditioned things are impermanent.
60
What is symbolized by "the turning of the Wheel of the Law" in Buddhist art?
The First Teaching of the Buddha, also known as the turning of the Dharma wheel.
61
What is the third Noble Truth?
The truth/reality of the cessation of suffering (nirodha).
61
What are the five aggregates (pañca-skandha) that constitute an individual?
1.Form/matter (rūpa-skandha)
2.Feeling Sensations(vedanā-skandha)
3.Recognition (samjñā-skandha)
4.Mental Formations (samskāra-skandha)
5.Consciousness (vijñāna-skandha)
61
Who became the Buddha's first disciples?
The five ascetics who had previously accompanied him.
62
What is the nature of an "individual" in Buddhism?
An "individual" is posited as a combination of ever-changing mental and physical forces, which are classified into five aggregates (pañca-skandha).
62
What is the third characteristic of all things?
All things lack essence, meaning they lack inherent existence or a soul/self.
62
What is the second characteristic of all things?
All contaminated things are suffering.
63
How is suffering produced in Buddhism?
Suffering arises as conditioned states produced by attachment to the five aggregates.
64
What is the cause of suffering in Buddhism?
The cause of suffering is mental afflictions and karma.
65
What is the primary cause of suffering in Buddhism?
The primary cause of suffering is "desire" or "craving" (tanha), which leads to attachment.
66
What are the three types of craving (tanha)?
1.Craving for sense pleasures (kama-tanha)
2.Craving to become (bhava-tanha)
3.Craving to get rid of (vibhava-tanha)
67
What are the three types of actions in Buddhism?
1.Physical actions (body)
2.Verbal actions (speech)
3.Mental actions (mind)
68
What primarily determines the effect of an action in Buddhism?
The intention (cetan) behind the action.
69
How does karma influence rebirth?
Actions determine the manner of rebirth, but not the actions of the reborn individual.
70
What does "conditioned open-endedness" mean in the context of karma?
Karma provides the situation, but not the response to the situation.
71
What concept contrasts with the idea of an unchanging essence in Buddhism?
Anātman (no-self) vs. ātman (self).
72
How is the "self" viewed in Buddhism?
The "self" is seen as an ever-changing combination of karmically conditioned tendencies or patterns of habituation (karma formations or samskāras).
72
What is the dynamic model of personal identity in Buddhism?
Personal identity is not static but dynamic, defined by karmic continuity and the ever-changing combination of conditioned tendencies.
73
How are beings viewed in Buddhism?
Beings are seen as dynamic flows of actions and the residue of those actions (habit or tendency), meaning they are "becomings" rather than static "beings."
74
What are the three components of karmic continuity?
1.Action (Karma): A specific action.
2.Samskāra: The "karma-formation," or tendency to act in the same way again.
3.Karma-vipāka: The future fruition of that tendency or karma-formation.
75
What is the meaning of karma in karmic continuity?
Karma refers to a specific action that initiates the karmic cycle.
76
What is samskāra in the context of karmic continuity?
Samskāra is the tendency or disposition to act in the same way again, formed from previous actions.
77
What does karma-vipāka represent in karmic continuity?
Karma-vipāka is the future fruition or result of a karmic formation, the outcome of past actions or tendencies.
78
Why is no ātman (self) necessary in Buddhism?
Personal continuity over time is sufficient for karma to "work" without the need for an unchanging essence or soul (ātman).
79
What is personal continuity in Buddhism?
Personal continuity refers to the ongoing karmic flow and pattern of actions and tendencies, not the persistence of an unchanging self.
80
What example illustrates the idea of personal continuity in Buddhism?
The example of Nagasena and King Menander: personal continuity is sufficient for karma to function, despite no permanent self (ātman).
81
What does the sequence "abcde, bcdef, cdefg, defgh, efghij, fghij" illustrate?
It illustrates personal continuity over time, where the identity or actions of a person change but still maintain continuity, much like a sequence that shifts but retains a pattern.
82
What principle did the Buddha realize under the Bodhi Tree?
The Principle of Universal Conditionality (Pratīya-samutpāda or paticca-samuppāda), also known as Dependent Co-arising.
83
What is the principle of Dependent Co-arising?
It refers to the idea that all phenomena arise due to specific conditions and are interconnected.
84
How did the Buddha communicate his realization conceptually?
Through the Principle of Universal Conditionality (Pratīya-samutpāda) and the concept of Conditioned Co-arising.
85
How did the Buddha communicate his realization symbolically?
Through the symbols of the Wheel (representing the cycle of life) and the Path (representing the path to enlightenment).
86
What does "Effect follows from causes naturally" mean in Buddhism?
It means that everything is interconnected, and effects are the result of causes, with nothing occurring in isolation.
87
What is the principle of causal connectedness in Buddhism?
The principle that events are causally connected, meaning when one event (X) occurs, a corresponding effect (Y) follows, and when X does not occur, Y does not follow.
88
What is idampratyayata?
It is the principle of causal connectedness, describing the relationship between events where one event (cause) leads to another (effect).
89
What does the Principle of Conditionality affirm?
It affirms the reality of change and sees change as the source of unsatisfactoriness, but asserts that change is governed by conditionality and is not random or by chance.
89
How does the Principle of Conditionality describe existence?
It describes existence as an ongoing process of cause and condition, where everything arises due to specific factors.
90
What are the two possible directions of conditionality?
Cyclical or Reiterative Order: Symbolized by the Wheel, representing the vicious cycle of samsaric existence.
Developmental or Augmentative Order: Symbolized by the Spiral Path, representing progression from suffering to liberation.
91
What does the Cyclical or Reiterative Order represent?
It represents the vicious circle of samsaric existence, where beings are trapped in cycles of birth, death, and rebirth.
92
What does the Developmental or Augmentative Order represent?
It represents the developmental progression leading from suffering to liberation, symbolized by the Spiral Path.
93
What does the term samsāra mean in Indian Buddhism?
Samsāra literally means "wandering" and has two main connotations:
-The cycle of repeated birth and death in various realms.
-The influx of impure constitutive elements in a being's life-stream.
94
What does the Wheel symbolize in Buddhism?
The Wheel is a mirror that represents four aspects of existence:
1.The Three Poisons: greed (rooster), hatred (snake), and delusion (pig).
2.Two Orders of Conditionality: ascending and descending.
3.Six Realms of Existence.
4.The Twelve-fold Chain of Cause and Condition.
95
What are the Three Poisons and their symbols?
1.Greed: Rooster
2.Hatred: Snake
3.Delusion: Pig
96
What are the two orders of conditionality depicted in the Wheel?
1.Ascending Order: Progression toward liberation.
2.Descending Order: The cyclical movement of samsaric existence.
97
What is the Twelve-fold Chain of Cause and Condition?
It is a representation of the interdependent causes and conditions that sustain samsaric existence, illustrating how beings remain trapped in the cycle of birth and death.
98
What is Interdependent Origination?
It is the Buddhist teaching that all phenomena arise through a chain of dependent causes and conditions, described in a twelve-linked cycle.
99
What starts the vicious cycle of samsāra?
Ignorance leads to karma formations, which initiate the chain of dependent origination.
100
What are the key stages of samsāra in the Wheel?
Ignorance → Karma Formations → Consciousness → Name-and-Form → Six Sensory Faculties → Contact → Feeling → Craving → Grasping → Becoming → Birth → Old Age and Death.
100
List the 12 links in the cycle of Interdependent Origination.
1.Ignorance
2.Karma Formations
3.Consciousness
4.Mind/Body
5.Six Senses
6.Sense Contact
7.Feeling
8.Craving
9.Grasping
10.Becoming
11.Birth
12.Old Age and Death
101
What role does feeling play in the cycle of samsāra?
Feeling arises from sense contact and leads to craving, which further binds beings to samsāra.
101
What are the Six Realms of Existence in the Wheel of Samsāra?
The Six Realms are different states of rebirth, often influenced by one's karma and actions.
102
How does craving sustain samsāra?
Craving leads to grasping and the desire for continued existence (becoming), which results in rebirth and perpetuates the cycle.
103
What is the relationship between ignorance and karma formations?
Ignorance gives rise to karma formations, which set the entire cycle of samsāra into motion.
103
What is the role of Ignorance in the Wheel of Samsāra?
Ignorance initiates the cycle by creating karma formations, leading to the perpetuation of samsāra.
104
What happens at the Becoming stage of samsāra?
Becoming refers to the desire for continued existence, which directly leads to (Re)-Birth in the cycle of samsāra.
105
What do Feeling, Craving, and Grasping represent in samsāra?
-Feeling arises from sensory contact.
-Craving is the desire or attachment to pleasant experiences.
-Grasping is the intensified attachment that leads to becoming and rebirth.
105
What does Nirvana mean in the Third Noble Truth?
Nirvana is the cessation of dukkha, not of life or self. It is a state of perfect, unconditioned freedom free from subjective limitations.
106
What are the three aspects of Nirvana?
1.Pure, clear awareness: Knowledge
2.Intense, overflowing love and compassion
3.Inexhaustible mental or spiritual energy
106
What are the three key steps in the step-by-step discourse?
1.Generosity/Conduct (Sila)
2.Concentration (Samadhi)
3.Wisdom (Prajna)
107
What are the three divisions of the Noble Eightfold Path?
1.Conduct (Sila): Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood
2.Meditation (Samadhi): Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration
3.Wisdom (Prajna): Right View, Right Intention
107
What is Right View?
-Seeing the Four Noble Truths
-Developing desirelessness
107
How is Nirvana described in a nutshell?
A state of perfect unconditioned freedom from all subjective limitations.
107
What is the Third Noble Truth?
The cessation of dukkha (suffering), also known as Nirvana, Liberation, or Enlightenment.
107
What is Right Intention?
-Cultivating friendliness
-Developing compassion
108
What are the four aspects of Right Speech?
1.Refraining from false speech
2.Refraining from divisive speech
3.Refraining from hurtful speech
4.Refraining from idle chatter
108
What are the three principles of Right Action?
1.Refraining from harming living beings
2.Refraining from taking what is not given
3.Refraining from sexual misconduct
108
What are the three divisions of the Noble Eightfold Path?
1.Conduct (Sila): Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood
2.Meditation (Samadhi): Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration
3.Wisdom (Prajna): Right View, Right Intention
108
What is Right Livelihood?
Choosing a livelihood not based on wrong speech or action.
109
What are the four aspects of Right Effort?
1.Preventing unarisen unwholesome states
2.Abandoning arisen unwholesome states
3.Arousing unarisen wholesome states
4.Developing arisen wholesome states
109
What are the four areas of focus in Right Mindfulness?
1.Contemplation of the body
2.Contemplation of feelings
3.Contemplation of the mind
4.Contemplation of dharma
109
What is Right Concentration?
The practice of the four dhyanas (meditative absorptions).
110
What are the "Three Baskets" (Tripitaka) of Buddhist scriptures?
1.Vinaya Pitaka: Monastic code (focus on morality).
2.Sutra Pitaka: Discourses of the Buddha (focus on concentration).
3.Abhidharma Pitaka: Philosophical analysis (focus on discernment).
110
How do the "Three Baskets" align with the "Three Trainings"?
1.Vinaya → Morality
2.Sutras → Concentration
3.Abhidharma → Discernment
110
What is the 12th Act of the Buddha's life?
The Buddha's death, also known as "The Full Going Out" (Parinirvana).
111
How old was the Buddha when he passed away?
The Buddha passed away in his 81st year.
111
What were the Buddha's final instructions?
1."All conditioned things are impermanent."
2."Be a lamp unto yourselves."
3."Strive on with diligence.
112
Where and when was the First Buddhist Council held?
The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagrha shortly after the Buddha's death.
112
What was the purpose of the First Buddhist Council?
To compile and preserve the Buddha's teachings (Sutras) and monastic rules (Vinaya).
112
Where and when was the Second Buddhist Council held?
The Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaisali, about 100 years after the Buddha's death.
113
What major distinction emerged at the Second Buddhist Council?
1.The "elders" (Sthavira) emphasized strict adherence to monastic rules.
The "great community"
2.(Mahasanghika) advocated for a more inclusive approach.
113
Where and when was the Third Buddhist Council held?
The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka.
113
What was the role of King Ashoka in early Buddhism?
1.Ashoka played a key role in spreading Buddhism within and beyond India.
2.He supported the Third Buddhist Council to purify the Sangha and resolve disputes.
3.He sent Buddhist missionaries to other regions, including Sri Lanka.
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What was the role of Kasyapa at the First Buddhist Council in Rajagrha?
Kasyapa presided over the council and played a crucial role in organizing the recitation of the Vinaya and Sutras.
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What was Ananda's role at the First Buddhist Council?
1.Ananda recited the Sutras, as he had been the Buddha's close attendant and had memorized his teachings.
2.He faced charges for certain actions, including not asking the Buddha to extend his lifespan, but was later forgiven.
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Who was punished at the First Buddhist Council, and why?
Channa was punished for his improper behavior and arrogance, symbolizing the importance of monastic discipline.
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What were the main issues debated at the Second Buddhist Council in Vaisali?
The council debated and contested the Ten Points of Conduct, including:
1.Taking food after mid-day.
2.Going to another village for another meal after finishing a meal.
3.Observing uposathas (fortnightly recitation of rules) in different places within the same parish (sima).
4.Conferring higher ordination with an incomplete quorum.
5.Acting improperly and justifying it by citing habitual performance.
6.Drinking milk-whey after meals.
7.Drinking unfermented wine.
8.Using mats without borders.
9.Accepting gold and silver.
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What was the outcome of the Second Buddhist Council?
The council aimed to preserve the salina harm (pure monastic conduct), rejecting the contested practices and maintaining the original rules.
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What was the purpose of the Third Buddhist Council during King Asoka's reign?
1.To settle disputed points of doctrine.
2.To expel corrupt and non-genuine monks from the Sangha.
3.To send out missionaries to spread Buddhism beyond India.
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How was King Asoka involved in the Third Buddhist Council?
King Asoka supported the council by overseeing its proceedings, ensuring order, and aiding in the missionary efforts to spread the Dharma.
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What significant change occurred after Asoka's conquest of Kalinga?
After the conquest of Kalinga, King Asoka embraced the Dharma-conquest, shifting from a violent rule to one guided by non-violence, compassion, and the principles of Buddhism.
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What are King Asoka's Rock Edicts?
King Asoka’s Rock Edicts are inscriptions that proclaimed his commitment to Dharma-rule, non-violence, ethical governance, and the promotion of Buddhist values.
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What was the Dharma-rule under King Asoka?
1.A system of governance based on Buddhist ethical principles.
2.Focused on non-violence, compassion, and justice for all beings
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What was the impact of the missionaries sent after the Third Council?
The missionaries spread Buddhism to regions outside India, including Sri Lanka, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, greatly expanding the reach of the religion.
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What are the phases of Buddhist history in South Asia?
1.Early South Asian Period: "Mainstream Buddhism" or "Nikaya Buddhism" (500 BCE - 100 BCE).
2.Middle South Asian Period: "Sanskritic Buddhism" (100 BCE - 600 CE).
3.Late South Asian Period: "Syncretic Buddhism" (600 - 1200 CE).
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What defines the Early South Asian Period of Buddhism?
The development of Nikaya Buddhism, characterized by the early schools of Buddhism with their scriptures in Pali and Prakrit.
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What defines the Middle South Asian Period of Buddhism?
The rise of Sanskritic Buddhism, marked by the Mahayana movement and the use of Sanskrit in Buddhist texts.
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What defines the Late South Asian Period of Buddhism?
The emergence of Syncretic Buddhism, which integrated Buddhist practices with local religious traditions and beliefs.
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How did Buddhism spread to the South and Southeast?
Through Theravada Buddhism, a form of Nikaya Buddhism with its canon preserved in the Pali language.
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How did Buddhism spread to the North and East?
Various Buddhist traditions expanded, using Sanskrit and the local vernaculars for their scriptures.
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What are the Three Turnings of the Dharma?
1.The First Turning: Mainstream Buddhism, especially the teachings at Sarnath on the Four Truths.
2.The Second Turning: The Perfection of Wisdom Sutras at Vulture's Peak, emphasizing Emptiness and Interdependence.
3.The Third Turning: The Samdhinirmocana Sutra, focusing on Mind as the ground of existence.
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What does the First Turning of the Dharma focus on?
The teachings of Mainstream Buddhism, especially the Four Truths taught at Sarnath.
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What does the Second Turning of the Dharma focus on?
The Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, emphasizing Emptiness and Interdependence, taught at Vulture's Peak.
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What does the Third Turning of the Dharma focus on?
The Samdhinirmocana Sutra, which teaches that Mind is the ground of existence.
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How many schools developed after the Buddha's lifetime?
18 schools developed after the Buddha's lifetime.
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What are some important schools of Mainstream Buddhist Thought?
1.Sarvastivada: "All Things Exist"
2.Mahasamghika: "Great Assembly"
3.Dharmaguptaka:
4.Theravada: "The Elders"
5.Pudgalavada: "Those who posit a Person"
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What does Theravada Buddhism emphasize?
Theravada emphasizes the monastic life of renunciation for serious seekers, with separate paths for monastics and laypersons, but a mutual dependence between them.
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What is the ideal in Theravada Buddhism?
The Arhat is the ideal in Theravada Buddhism—a perfected disciple who attains Enlightenment through self-effort.
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How does Theravada Buddhism view the Buddha?
Theravada Buddhism views the Buddha as simply an extraordinary human being, emphasizing the historical Buddha and adhering closely to the original Pali scriptures.
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How does Theravada Buddhism approach divine assistance and rituals?
Theravada Buddhism strongly discourages reliance on divine assistance, sacred rituals, or shamanic powers, focusing instead on self-reliance and personal effort.
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How does Theravada Buddhism portray nibbana (Nirvana)?
Theravada Buddhism portrays nibbana (Nirvana) as an "elsewhere"—a state that is very difficult to attain and requires many lifetimes to achieve.
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What is emphasized in Theravada Buddhism regarding practice?
Theravada Buddhism emphasizes a tight integration of morality, wisdom, and meditative concentration.
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What are the Five Precepts for laypersons in Buddhism?
1.Refrain from taking life.
2.Refrain from taking things not given.
3.Refrain from sexual misconduct.
4.Refrain from false speech.
5.Refrain from intoxicants.
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What additional precepts are included in the Novice Vows (Sramanera)?
6. Refrain from eating after noon.
7. Refrain from dancing, singing, or playing music.
8. Refrain from wearing perfume or jewelry.
9. Refrain from using high and luxurious seats.
10. Refrain from touching gold or silver.
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What are merit-making rituals in Theravada Buddhism?
1.Almsgiving (dāna).
2.Paritta chanting (collection of hymns for blessings).
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What is the significance of Vaisakha in Theravada Buddhism?
Vaisakha is a full moon event near May that commemorates:
1.The Buddha's birth.
2.The Buddha's enlightenment.
3.The Buddha's parinirvana (final passing).
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What role do death rituals play in Theravada Buddhism?
Death rituals are performed to generate merit for the deceased and to bless their journey in samsara.
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What is a stupa, and what is its purpose?
A stupa is a burial mound for the Buddha, formed at sites of the Buddha's major events. It serves to commemorate miracles and is a focus of worship in Buddhist practices across Asian countries.
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What are the two symbolic meanings of the stupa?
1.Buddha's absence: The burial mound reminds people of the Buddha's death and the impermanence of life.
2.Buddha's presence: It serves as a focus of reverence and a way to gain merit.
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Who built the Sanchi Stupa, and why is it significant?
The Sanchi Stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka (273–236 BCE). It is located on top of the Sanchi hill, rising about 100 meters above the plain. The Great Stupa at Sanchi is the oldest stone structure in India.
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What are the three early types of stupas?
1.Sarika Stupa: Raised over body relics.
2.Paribhojika Stupa: Erected over articles such as bowls or robes.
3.Uddeshika Stupa: Built as commemorative monuments.
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What are mudras, and why are they significant in Buddhism?
Mudras are symbolic bodily gestures, often seen in Buddha images. These gestures, made with the hands and sometimes involving objects, convey specific symbolic meanings. Ritualized poses may involve one or both hands.
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Name some examples of mudras.
1.Anjali Mudra
2.Dharmacakra Mudra
3.Dhyāna Mudra
4.Tarjani Mudra
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What is the meaning of the epithet "Buddha"?
Buddha means "The Awakened One" or "The Enlightened One," referring to one who has attained full awakening and liberation from samsara.
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Who are the Brahmanas and Sramanas?
-Brahmanas: Priests and religious scholars focused on Vedic rituals and teachings.
-Sramanas: Ascetics who renounce worldly life, seeking liberation through meditation and self-discipline.
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Who is Sākyamuni Buddha?
Sākyamuni Buddha is another name for Gautama Buddha, referring to his lineage as the sage (muni) of the Śākya clan.
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What are the "Three Jewels" (Triratna)?
The Three Jewels are:
1.Buddha: The teacher
2.Dharma: The teachings
3.Sangha: The community
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What are the Five of the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha?
Five key deeds:
1.Birth in Lumbini
2.Renunciation after the Four Visions
3.Ascetic practice
4.Defeat of Mara
5.Attaining Enlightenment
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What are the Four Visions of Disenchantment?
Gautama Buddha saw
1.An old person
2.A sick person
3.A dead body
4.An ascetic
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Who is Mara?
Mara is the tempter who symbolizes obstacles, desire, and fear, attempting to distract the Buddha from attaining enlightenment.
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What are the Nobles' Four Truths?
1.Duhkha: The truth of suffering
2.Samodaya: The truth of the arising of suffering (craving)
3.Nirodha: The cessation of suffering
4.Marga: The path to cessation
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What is the role of "Trsṇa" (craving)?
Trsṇa (craving) is the primary cause of suffering, characterized by:
1.Craving for sense-pleasures
2.Craving to become
3.Craving to get rid of
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What is Nirvana?
Nirvana is the cessation of suffering, a state of liberation, ineffable and inconceivable, marked by pure awareness, love, and inexhaustible energy.
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What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
1.Right View
2.Right Intention
3.Right Speech
4.Right Action
5.Right Livelihood
6.Right Effort
7.Right Mindfulness
8.Right Concentration
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What are the Three Instructions?
1.Moral discipline (Sila)
2.Meditation (Samadhi)
3.Wisdom (Prajna)
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What are the Three Characteristics of All Things?
1.Impermanence
2.Suffering
3.Selflessness
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What is Anātman?
Anātman means "selflessness" or the absence of a permanent, unchanging self.
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What are the Five Aggregates (Skandhas)?
1.Form (Rūpa)
2.Feelings (Vedanā)
3.Perceptions (Samjñā)
4.Mental Formations (Samskāra)
5.Consciousness (Vijñāna)
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What is "Feeling" in Buddhism?
Feeling (Vedanā) refers to the sensation or experience that arises when the mind contacts an object, categorized as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.
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What is "Recognition" in Buddhism?
Recognition (Samjñā) is the aggregate that identifies and labels objects, enabling distinction and perception.
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What is "Consciousness" in Buddhism?
Consciousness (Vijñāna) is the awareness or discernment of objects through the six senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and mind.
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What is "Dependent-Arising" (pratītyasamutpāda)?
Dependent-Arising is the principle that all phenomena arise and cease due to specific conditions, emphasizing interdependence and impermanence.
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What are the Three Poisons?
The Three Poisons are:
1.Greed (Rooster)
2.Hatred (Snake)
3.Delusion (Pig)
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What is the Buddhist meaning of Karma?
Karma refers to intentional actions (of body, speech, and mind) that result in consequences, shaping future experiences and rebirth.
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What are "Mental Formations" in Buddhism?
Mental Formations (Samskāra) are volitional forces, habits, and tendencies that shape behavior and reactions.
134
What happened at the First Council at Rajagrha?
The First Buddhist Council organized the recitation of the Vinaya and Sutras under Kasyapa’s guidance, settling disputes and preserving teachings.
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What is Samsāra?
Samsāra is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, characterized by suffering and governed by karma.
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What are the Three Baskets (Tripitaka)?
The Tripitaka consists of:
1.Vinaya Pitaka: Monastic rules
2.Sutra Pitaka: Discourses of the Buddha
3.Abhidharma Pitaka: Philosophical teachings
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What are the Six Realms of Rebirth?
The Six Realms are:
1.Devas (Gods)
2.Asuras (Demigods)
3.Humans
4.Animals
5.Pretas (Hungry Ghosts)
6.Naraka (Hell Beings)
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Who was King Asoka, and what was his role in Buddhism?
King Asoka (268-239 BCE) promoted Buddhism through Dharma-rule, sending missionaries, and erecting rock-edicts and stupas.
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What are the Three Trainings?
The Three Trainings are:
1.Moral Discipline (Sila)
2.Meditation (Samadhi)
3.Wisdom (Prajna)
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What is Theravāda Buddhism?
Theravāda, the "Way of the Elders," adheres to Pali scriptures and emphasizes the monastic path, moral discipline, and attaining nirvana through self-effort.
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What is Vaishakha/Vesak?
Vaishakha/Vesak is a major Buddhist festival commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana.
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What is Vipassana (Insight) Meditation?
Vipassana is a meditative practice focused on mindfulness and insight into the nature of reality, particularly impermanence, suffering, and selflessness.
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What are Stupas?
Stupas are Buddhist structures commemorating the Buddha, symbolizing his presence and absence, and housing relics or serving as monuments of devotion.
