Development of Buddhism

Question 1

what is Theravada buddhism known as

Answer 1

the school of the elders

Question 2

what is Mahayana Buddhism known as

Answer 2

the great vehicle

Question 3

what is a Bodhisattva

Answer 3

a person who is able to reach enlightenment but delays it in order to save the suffering

Question 4

what is an Arhat

Answer 4

a perfected person, one who has gained insight into the nature of existence

Question 5

what is the great schism?

Answer 5

a disagreement that most likely was the fact that the elders attempted to modify the monastic rule by adding additional rules

Question 6

what did Gethin point out as possible causes for the split between practises

Answer 6

it was a movement inspired by popular lay and stupa worship

Question 7

what is Mahayana Buddhism the foundation of

Answer 7

tibetan and zen buddhism

Question 8

what were the different views of the buddha in the Mahayana and Theravada buddhism

Answer 8

in Theravada buddhism the buddha is seen as a man and nothing else whereas Mahayana Buddhists see the buddha as almost God like, leading to rich iconography

Question 9

what is the parable of the burning house

Answer 9

• children are playing in a house, and the father sees the house is on fire
• the children won’t leave, so the father says he will give them all presents if they come out.
  -there was no presents when the children got outside

Question 10

what is the parable of the burning house an example of

Answer 10

Upaya

Question 11

what does the parable of the burning house teach

Answer 11

it explains that we can use the truth or anything that works to achieve the goal, once we are saved from immediate danger, the full truth can be revealed.

Question 12

what is Upaya

Answer 12

an enlightened being’s ability to tailor their message to fit a specific audience

Question 13

what is trikaya

Answer 13

the three Bodies of the buddha

Question 14

what are the three bodies of the buddha

Answer 14

Nirmanakaya
Sambkogakaya
Dharmakaya

Question 15

what is Nirmanakaya

Answer 15

is the human body on the earth

Question 16

what is Sambhogakaya

Answer 16

the body of enjoyment, this is the body that experiences the bliss of enlightenment

Question 17

what is Dharmakaya

Answer 17

the truth body, is the body that sees the world for what it is. it is the absolute, and essence of the universe

Question 18

what does Denise Cush say of Trikaya.

Answer 18

shows that the Nagarjuna texts talk to the two forms of the buddha. The physical and the dharma body. The important thing is not the physical body but the truth he taught.

Question 19

what does Trikaya help buddhists understand

Answer 19

solves the issue related to how the buddha simultaneously be one with the absolute while appearing in the relative world for the benefit of suffering beings.

Question 20

what is a defence against devotional practise to the buddha that can be seen as attachment

Answer 20

followers have dualistic world view, devotion an be seen as a projection of ones higher self, which helps them over come their limited lower self, so helps the path to enlightenment

Question 21

who was the bodhisattva of compassion

Answer 21

Avalokitesvara

Question 22

what are the six perfections (paramitas)

Answer 22

Wisdom, courage, generosity, patience, meditation, morality

Question 23

what are the four other perfections

Answer 23

skill in means
determination
strength
knowledge

Question 24

what is the analogy of the sinking boat

Answer 24

if Arharts help people on their way to enlightenment their boat will sink before they get there, meaning no one is helped, rather not helping until they reach their destination allows the greater number.

Question 25

what is the arhat path seen as

Answer 25

tainted with selfishness

Question 26

why do Mahayana buddhists think the path of an arhat is inferior

Answer 26

it is not worth pursuing, as it lacks compassion and wisdom beach when he leaves samsara after enlightenment and does not grasp complete selflessness

Question 27

what does Cush say of the arhat path

Answer 27

it was only taught by the Buddha as a skilful device, and it better to reject

Question 28

what is another suggestion for the parable of the burning house

Answer 28

those that came before (lesser vehicle) are the preliminary exercises that get people started on the path but not the final teachings.(greater vehicle)

Question 29

issues with upaya

Answer 29

it can be seen as dangerous to put too much to rely on a teachers ability to use it successfully.

Question 30

what is an issue with the Bodhisattva path

Answer 30

the buddha did not teach the path, and was only recognised a century after the Buddha’s death.