Buddhism Terms

Question 1

Arhat

Answer 1

Saint that reached nirvana; released from Samsara

Question 2

Bhikkhu

Answer 2

Buddhist monk

Question 3

Bodhisattva

Answer 3

Being wanting to be fully enlightened

Question 4

Buddha

Answer 4

Enlightened one

Question 5

Dalai Lama

Answer 5

Spiritual and political leader of Tibetans

Question 6

Dharma

Answer 6

The truth; teaching of the buddha

Question 7

Eightfold Path

Answer 7

Toward Nirvana, the right:

1. Views
2. Resolve
3. Speech
4. Conduct
5. Livelihood
6. Effort
7. Mindfulness
8. Concentration

Question 8

Five Precepts

Answer 8

Moral precepts, to refrain from:

1. Destroying life
2. Taking what is not given
3. Wrongful sex
4. Wrongful speech
5. Drugs and liquor

Question 9

Four noble truths

Answer 9

Teachings from Buddha:

1. Truth of sorrow
2. Cause of sorrow
3. Overcoming sorrow
4. Path to follow

Question 10

Four Sights

Answer 10

Lead Buddha to seek enlightenment:

1. Sickness
2. Old age
3. Death
4. Wandering hermit

Question 11

Impermanence

Answer 11

Change is characteristic of everything that arises

Question 12

Karma

Answer 12

All deeds and thoughts have consequences

Question 13

Mantra

Answer 13

Powerful sacred words for meditation

Question 14

Nirvana

Answer 14

Liberation form suffering and rebirth

Question 15

Parinirvana

Answer 15

Complete liberation achieved at death

Question 16

Rebirth

Answer 16

Belief that after death the accumulated karma with cause rebirth

Question 17

Samsara

Answer 17

Rebirth cycle of existence

Question 18

Sangha

Answer 18

Communities of buddhist monks and nuns

Question 19

Skandhas

Answer 19

A person is a changing process in:

1. Physical matter
2. Sensations
3. Perceptual Activities
4. Impluses to actions
5. Bits of consciousness

Question 20

Theravada

Answer 20

Teaching of the elders

Question 21

Three refuges

Answer 21

I take refuge in: the Dharma, Buddha, and the Sangha

Question 22

Vinaya

Answer 22

Rules for Buddhist monastic life