Buddhist End Of Term Assessment

Question 1

The book that contains the stories from the life of the Buddha

Answer 1

Pali canon

Question 2

2 reasons why the Buddha rejected his life of wealth

Answer 2

To find the good and become enlightened

Question 3

2 ways which learning about the life of the Buddha influences Buddhists today?

Answer 3

To reach enlightenment and to exit the cycle of samsara - teaching them to meditate - by doing this they reflect on themselves and think about suffering - enlightenment is there ultimate goal.

Helping them to resist evil- he did this by resisting to take the feast given by the devil and not to give into temptation and to find the middle way- finding the not having too much but not having too little

Question 4

2 Teachings about nirvana

Answer 4

Theravada- they believe that nirvana is the result of enlightenment or awakening- you have to have full insight into your faith your past lives workings, karma and reincarnation etc. linked to the 3 poisons - delusion, greed and anger- you have to have wisdom, generosity, love and kindness . Associated with the 4 noble truths- truth of suffering (dukkah), origin of suffering, cessation of suffering, truth of the path of the cessation of suffering.

“The second noble truth is the origin of suffering. It is carving which leads to renewed existence”

Mahayana- born with a Buddha nature- enlightenment experiences happen quickly- small enlightenment will bring great enlightenment. - enlightened mind is something you inherit rather than something you gain

Question 5

Impermanence is the most important of three three marks of existence

Answer 5

Dukkah- all life has suffering- you cannot escape suffering you have to find the middle way. - suffering comes in many forms and essentially associated with the Buddha and his firsts sights of suffering- the old man, the sick man, the dead man, and the holy man- humans are subject to desire and craving causing suffering and to avoid that you have to find the middle way. To stop suffering you have to stop wanting and craving
“What I teach is suffering and the cessation of suffering” - middle way- life should be in balance e.g. people should never steal or kill

Impermanence- impermanence helps Buddhists to realise that suffering doesn’t last forever and by following the middle way and stopping craving and wanting that suffering should stop eventually reaching enlightenment and exiting the cycle of samsara.
“What is the use of the great daemon to me?”