Buddhist Beliefs

Question 1

Life of Buddha

Answer 1

• Siddharthas journey still important to Buddhists today as he proved that meditation can lead to enlightenment.
• He has left behind his teachings (dharma) which guide people to enlightenment.
• Theravada- Buddha no longer able to be reached as he achieved Nirvana before death, however is still a good example to follow.
• Mahayana- Buddha is able to be reached and known.

Question 2

4 Noble Truths

Answer 2

1. All life is Dukkha.
2. Dukkha is caused by tanha (craving).
3. To stop Dukkha, stop tanha.
4. To do this, follow the 8-fold path.

Question 3

Samsara

Answer 3

• cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
• trapped in samsara by the three root poisons.
• can be escaped by reaching nirvana by following the eightfold path and building up good karma.
• wheel of life- beings do not remain permanently in one realm.

Theravada- merit making is linked closely to rebirth.

Question 4

Nibanna

Answer 4

A state of being where one is enlightened and extinguished the fires of the three poisons.

Theravada- believe can be achieved by following the arhat path. Only monks have any chance of reaching enlightenment. Nirvana is a goal but may take many lifetimes.

Mahayana- can be achieved by following the bodhisattva path. All have the Buddha nature but bodhisattvas delay their own nirvana to help all beings achieve enlightenment (compassion).

Question 5

The Arhat Path

Answer 5

• an arhat is one who is at the final stage on the path to nibanna.
• path to becoming an arhat begins with a stream entrant then rebirth occurs and a once-returner is formed then rebirth occurs and a non-returner is formed.

Question 6

Three Marks of Existence

Answer 6

Anicca- everything is impermanent. Helps some understand change, some don’t like change. Kisagotami story.

Dukkha- everything is suffering.
It is caused by tanha.

Anatta- there is no permanent soul or self.
The five aggregates.

Question 7

Karma

Answer 7

Literally means ‘action’.
Actions in one life affect the lives of future rebirths.
Good karma is built up through skilful action.

Question 8

The 5 aggregates demonstrate..

Answer 8

Anatta

Question 9

The 5 aggregates are..

Answer 9

Body, feelings, memories, volitions and consciousness.

Question 10

Negative to nibanna

Answer 10

Three poisons are all part of human nature so it may seem as tho one has to deny themselves what is a natural instinct, which seems unrealistic.

Question 11

Positive to nibanna

Answer 11

Connotations such as ‘peace’ and ‘freedom’ to highlight ultimate liberty one has when they cease to desire

Question 12

Nibanna Mahayana we all have the..

Answer 12

Buddhanature

Question 13

Theravada nibanna

Answer 13

Nirvana is a goal but may take many lifetimes

Question 14

Theravada and Mahayana view of the nature of reality

Answer 14

Theravada- anicca and dukkha are the key focus.

Mahayana- anicca, dukkha and sunyata (everything is inter-related) are the key focus.

Question 15

Nature of human beings theravada and Mahayana view

Answer 15

Theravada- Anatta and the 5 aggregates, the four noble truths, emphasis on wisdom.

Mahayana- buddhanature, the four noble truths, emphasis on compassion in action.

Question 16

Beliefs about the Buddha Theravada and Mahayana

Answer 16

Theravada- no longer accessible having attained his pari-nirvana. A good example to follow.

Mahayana- accessible and knowable as historical Buddha is one of many buddhas.

Question 17

Samsara and nibanna Theravada and Mahayana view

Answer 17

Theravada- follow the arhat path, only monks have a chance of reaching enlightenment, nirvana is a goal but it may take many lifetimes.

Mahayana- follow the bodhisattva path, all have the potential to achieve enlightenment but bodhisattvas delay their own nirvana to help all being reach enlightenment.