Key Terms (Week 2)

Question 1

“One who is worthy”; one who has followed the path and destroyed all causes for future rebirth, and who will enter nirvana upon death. Certain arhats were selected by the buddha to remain in the world until the coming of Maitreya

Answer 1

Arhat

Question 2

“beggar”, generally translated to “monk”; refers to a male follower of the Buddha who has received ordination, served as a novice, and holds all of the approximately 250 vows

Answer 2

Bhiksu/Bhikkhu

Question 3

“one on the path to enlightenment”; a person who has compassionately vowed to achieve Buddhahood but has not yet done so. All forms of Buddhism set forth the path of the bodhisattva, who works for the welfare of others. The bodhisattva path is presented as the ideal to which all should aspire.

Answer 3

Bodhisattva/Bodhisatta

Question 4

1. The teaching or doctrine of the Buddha, both as expounded and as manifested in practice
2. Phenomena, basic constituents of mind and matter

Answer 4

Dharma/Dhamma

Question 5

Generally “concentration” or “mediation”

Answer 5

Dhyana/Jhana

Question 6

“action”, the law of the cause and effect of actions, according to which virtuous deeds result in happiness in the future and non-virtuous deeds result in suffering. Accumulated over many lifetimes and fructifies to create present experience.

Answer 6

Karma/Kamma

Question 7

“Buddhist devil”, the god of death and desire and chief divine antagonist of the Buddha and his followers. Sought to obstruct the Buddha throughout his life, famously unleashing his armies against him on the night of the Buddha’s enlightenment

Answer 7

Mara

Question 8

the mountain in the center of the universe; Gods inhabit its surface

Answer 8

Meru

Question 9

“blowing out”; the cessation of suffering and hence the goal of Buddhist practice

Answer 9

Nirvana/Nibbana

Question 10

“aphorism”; a discourse traditionally regarded as having been spoken by the Buddha or spoken with his sanction, a physical code

Answer 10

Sutra/Sutta

Question 11

“wandering”; beginningless cycle of rebirth composed of gods, demigods, humans, animals, ghosts and hell beings. Liberation from this place is the ultimate goal of Buddhism

Answer 11

Samsara

Question 12

in Buddhist cosmology, the mountain in the centre of the universe, Gods inhabit it’s surface and summit

Answer 12

Meru

Question 13

Gods, demigods, humans, animals, ghosts, and hellbeings

Answer 13

6 realms of Samsara

Question 14

Buddha’s mother, died 7 days after his birth

Answer 14

Mahamaya

Question 15

Garden where Buddha was born

Answer 15

Lumbini

Question 16

Buddha’s wife, who gives birth to a son days before Buddha escapes

Answer 16

Yashodhara

Question 17

Old man, sick man, corpse, meditating man

Answer 17

The four sights

Question 18

1. Visions of all past lives in detail
2. Visions of beings rising and falling according to deed (understanding the cause and effect of karma)
3. Becomes awakened

Answer 18

Three watches

Question 19

Nakaras/Niraya

Answer 19

Hell

Question 20

Nakaras/Niraya

Answer 20

Hell

Question 21

Peta/Preta

Answer 21

Ghosts/the departed one

Question 22

Devas/Maharajika

Answer 22

Gods

Question 23

Asuras

Answer 23

Demigods

Question 24

Place on Mt. Meru where gods live

Answer 24

Thirty-Three Gods

Question 25

Meditation

Answer 25

Jhana

Question 26

One of Buddha’s early disciples

Answer 26

Sariputra

Question 27

Name Buddha refers to himself

Answer 27

Tathagata

Question 28

Siddhartha’s native city

Answer 28

Kapilavastu

Question 29

Stories of Buddha’s life

Answer 29

Jataka

Question 30

Rules of the sangha

Answer 30

Vinaya

Question 31

Name of Siddhartha’s son

Answer 31

Rahula

Question 32

Tree where Buddha was enlightened

Answer 32

Sala