Buddhism: The Sangha

Question 1

Sangha

Answer 1

Refers to the community of Buddhist monks, nuns, and lay followers who practice and uphold the teachings of the Buddha. It is one of the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) that Buddhists take refuge in

Question 2

Tripitaka

Answer 2

“Three Baskets,” is the traditional term for the Buddhist scriptures, divided into three sections: the Vinaya Pitaka (rules for monastic life), the Sutta Pitaka (discourses of the Buddha), and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical and psychological analysis)

Question 3

King Ashoka

Answer 3

An Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who converted to Buddhism and became a patron of the religion. After witnessing the horrors of war, he embraced non-violence and spread Buddhism throughout his empire and beyond

Question 4

Theravada

Answer 4

“Way of the Elders,” is the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism, primarily practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and other Southeast Asian countries. It emphasizes the original teachings of the Buddha, focusing on personal enlightenment and strict adherence to monastic rules

Question 5

Arhat

Answer 5

A person who has achieved enlightenment and has overcome all desires and attachments, attaining nirvana in Theravada Buddhism. They are seen as perfected beings who have completed the path to liberation

Question 6

Monk/Laity Relationship

Answer 6

In Buddhism, the relationship between monks and the laity is symbiotic: monks provide spiritual guidance and teaching, while the lay community supports the monastic Sangha through alms, food, and other necessities

Question 7

Mahayana

Answer 7

“Great Vehicle,” a major branch of Buddhism that developed around the 1st century CE. It emphasizes the universal potential for Buddhahood and the compassionate role of the Bodhisattva, who postpones personal nirvana to help others attain enlightenment

Question 8

Second Turning of the Dharma

Answer 8

Refers to the development of Mahayana Buddhism, marked by the introduction of the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom) teachings, which emphasize the doctrine of emptiness (shunyata) and the Bodhisattva ideal

Question 9

Nirvana = Samsara

Answer 9

In Mahayana Buddhism, the concept that “Nirvana is Samsara” signifies the non-duality of ultimate reality and everyday experience. It means that enlightenment (nirvana) and the world of suffering (samsara) are not separate; rather, they are two aspects of the same reality

Question 10

Bodhisattva

Answer 10

A being who has generated bodhicitta (the wish to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings) and chooses to remain in the cycle of samsara to help others attain liberation. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva ideal is central, with figures like Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri embodying compassion and wisdom

Question 11

Kwan Yin (Guanyin)

Answer 11

A Bodhisattva associated with compassion and mercy in East Asian Buddhism. She is often depicted as a female figure who hears the cries of the world and responds to the suffering of all beings