Buddhist Practices

Question 1

Why do Buddhists worship

Answer 1

To show devotion gratitude and respect to the Buddha for his teachings

Question 2

What is a stupa

Answer 2

A Buddhist monument usually built to commemorate the events in the Buddhist life and for berrying remains of monks who were linked to the Buddha

Question 3

Why do Buddhists give shrine offerings

Answer 3

To show honour and respect to the Buddha

Question 4

Why are candles given as offerings

Answer 4

To symbolise wisdom as the candles driveway the darkness of ignorance

Question 5

Why is incense used as an offering

Answer 5

To symbolise purity and to remind Buddhists to be pure their thoughts, words and actions

Question 6

Why are flowers used as offerings

Answer 6

To represent impermanence since the flowers will decay and die 

Question 7

What is a Buddha rupa

Answer 7

A statue or image of the Buddha

Question 8

What are monasteries

Answer 8

The centre of Buddhist community and where monks and nuns live

Question 9

What do monks and nuns dedicate their lives to

Answer 9

Spiritual practices like meditation and the study of the dharma 

Question 10

How do Buddhists worship

Answer 10

Meditation
making offerings
reciting mantras
rituals and ceremonies

Question 11

What is worship refer to in Buddhism

Answer 11

Puja

Question 12

What is Puja

Answer 12

A ceremony that includes reflection chanting and offerings that deepen appreciation of the Buddha and his teachings

Question 13

What is chanting

Answer 13

Repeating of the Buddha’s teachings

Question 14

Why do Buddhists chant

Answer 14

To increase receptivity to the Buddha’s teachings

Question 15

What teachings may Buddhists choose to chant

Answer 15

The three refuges
Five more precepts

Question 16

What is mantra

Answer 16

A sequence of sacred syllables that is chanted out loud or silently to yourself

Question 17

Why did Buddhists read mantras 

Answer 17

To concentrate the mind

Question 18

What school of Buddhism uses Samantha meditation

Answer 18

Theravada

Question 19

What school of Buddhism uses vipassana meditation

Answer 19

Theravada and Zen

Question 20

Which school of Buddhism uses visualisation meditation

Answer 20

Mahayana 

Question 21

 What does Samantha mean in Buddhism

Answer 21

Calming

Question 22

What does Samantha meditation lead to

Answer 22

A more tranquil settled and restful mind which enables deep concentration

Question 23

What can be used in Samantha meditation to focus on

Answer 23

A kasina 

Question 24

How many recognised kasinas are there in Buddhism

Answer 24

10

Question 25

State examples of kasinas

Answer 25

Fire and water

Question 26

What is a teaching on Samantha meditation

Answer 26

‘Even the gods envy those awakened and mindful ones who are intent on meditation’ - dhammapada

Question 27

What is vipassana meditation also known as

Answer 27

Insight meditation

Question 28

What is different between vipassana and Samantha meditation

Answer 28

In vipassana meditation everything is explored not just a single object

Question 29

What is the aim of Vipassana meditation

Answer 29

To penetrate and gain insight into the true nature of reality

Question 30

What is Zazen meditation known as

Answer 30

Seated meditation

Question 31

What’s the purpose of Zazen meditation

Answer 31

To lead to a deeper understanding of the nature of existence

Question 32

Why do Buddhists focus on objects when meditating

Answer 32

It provides a focus of concentration and allows to connect with spiritual qualities

Question 33

Why do some Buddhists focus on a Buddha when meditating

Answer 33

To awaken their Buddha nature

Question 34

What can thangkas and mandalas be used for

Answer 34

Meditation

Question 35

What is a thangka 

Answer 35

Detailed painting of the Buddha

Question 36

What is a Mandala

Answer 36

Colourful pattern that illustrates Buddhist principles or teaching

Question 37

What does death signifying in Buddhism

Answer 37

The transition between the next phase of existence within Samsara 

Question 38

What are the components of a Theravada funeral

Answer 38

An altar Displays the diceased portrait along with offerings of candles and incense The living participate in acts that transfer merit Family wear white

Question 39

What are the components of a Tibetan sky funeral

Answer 39

Family members don’t attend as they stay at home and prey Villagers take the body to the burial site and the master of the burial performs rituals over the body The body is summoned and eaten by vultures

Question 40

Why is the body offered to the vultures

Answer 40

As a last act of generosity (dana) which will increase merit

Question 41

What book is read to prepare the dead for bardo

Answer 41

The book of the dead

Question 42

What is Bardo

Answer 42

The place where Buddhists wait up to 49 days where they await rebirth

Question 43

What are the components of pure land funerals

Answer 43

Body will face West towards the Pure Land to remind how the Amitabha Buddha can help in times of need After cremation relatives will pick out bones using chopsticks

Question 44

What do Buddhist festivals allow an opportunity for

Answer 44

People to celebrate Buddhas life and his teachings

Question 45

When is Wesak celebrated

Answer 45

On the full moon during the month vesak

Question 46

What does Vesak commemorate

Answer 46

The Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing into Parinirvana

Question 47

What do Buddhists do during Wesak

Answer 47

Make offerings to the Buddha Meditate Give light from candles or lamps

Question 48

Why is like an important symbol during Wesak

Answer 48

Light can drive away ignorance and darkness 

Question 49

Which school of Buddhism commemorates paraNirvana day

Answer 49

Mahayana 

Question 50

What is PariNirvana day

Answer 50

The focusing of the death of the Buddha

Question 51

Why is parinirvana significant

Answer 51

It allows Buddhists to reflect on relatives who have passed and their own death 

Question 52

Where do Buddhists go on pilgrimage to

Answer 52

Lumbini - Birthplace of the Buddha Bodh Gaya - Where the Buddha became enlightened

Question 53

What are retreats

Answer 53

A period spent away from regular life to focus on Buddhist teachings

Question 54

What is the aim of retreats

Answer 54

Deepen understanding of Buddhist practice

Question 55

What is Karma

Answer 55

Actions can lead to suffering or happiness

Question 56

What is skilful action motivated by

Answer 56

Generosity and compassion

Question 57

What is unskilful action motivated by

Answer 57

The three poisons: greed, ignorance and hatred

Question 58

What is Karuna

Answer 58

Compassion

Question 59

What does Karuna recognise

Answer 59

You should empathise with those who are suffering as one can’t be happy if others around you aren’t happy 

Question 60

What is metta

Answer 60

Loving kindness

Question 61

What are the six perfections

Answer 61

Qualities that Mahayana Buddhists try to develop in order to become bodhisattvas

Question 62

What do the six perfections include

Answer 62

Generosity morality patience energy meditation wisdom