Midterm #1

Question 1

Samsara

Answer 1

“Wandering”; beginningless cycle of rebirth composed of 6 realms that include gods, demigods, humans, animals, ghosts, and hell beings. Ultimate goal of Buddhism is to be liberated from this cycle

Question 2

Karma

Answer 2

“Action”; the law of cause and effect of actions, virtuous deeds result in happiness in the future and non-virtuous deeds lead to suffering. Karma is accumulated over many lifetimes and fructifies to create present experience

Question 3

Formless Realm

Answer 3

The highest realm within the cycle of rebirth where beings exist as deep states of concentration

Question 4

Vinaya

Answer 4

The code of conduct for monks and nuns

Question 5

Stupa

Answer 5

A place containing the remains or possessions of the Buddha or a Buddhist saint. Serve as important places of pilgrimage throughout the history of Buddhism

Question 6

Aryan

Answer 6

“Nobel one”; stream-enterers, once-returners, never-returners, arhats

Question 7

Anatman

Answer 7

“No self”

Question 8

Bhiksuni

Answer 8

“Nun”, “female beggar”

Question 9

Nirvana

Answer 9

A state of ceasing to exist, having burned off all seeds of future rebirth; the cessation of suffering, goal of the Buddhist practice

Question 10

Sangha

Answer 10

Community of monks and nuns

Question 11

Arhat

Answer 11

“One who is worthy”, one who has followed the path of the Buddha and has destroyed all causes of future rebirth, and will enter nirvana upon death

Question 12

Mara

Answer 12

Buddhist god of desire and death and the chief divine antagonist of the Buddha and his followers

Question 13

Devadatta

Question 14

Ananda

Answer 14

Buddha’s cousin and attendant

Question 15

Mahaprajapati

Answer 15

Buddha’s stepmother, first Buddhist nun

Question 16

dhyana

Answer 16

“Concentration” or “meditation”; refers to any of the several levels of concentration achieved through the practice of meditation; also refers to the four abodes of the Form Realm, where those who have achieved the requisite levels of concentration are reborn in their next lifetime

Question 17

Six Realms

Answer 17

Gods, demigods, humans, animals, ghosts, hell beings

Question 18

Five Deeds of Immediate Retribution

Answer 18

1. Killing father
2. Killing mother
3. Wounding the Buddha
4. Causing dissent in the sangha

Question 19

Four Noble Truths

Answer 19

1. Suffering
2. Origin
3. Cessation
4. Pain

Question 20

Three Poisons

Answer 20

1. Desire
2. Hatred
3. Ignorance

Question 21

Three Trainings

Answer 21

1. Ethics
2. Concentration
3. Wisdom

Question 22

Three Jewels

Answer 22

1. Buddha
2. Dharma
3. Sangha

Question 23

Ten Non-Virtuous Deeds

Answer 23

1. Killing
2. Stealing
3. Sexual misconduct
4. Lying
5. Divisive speech
6. Harsh speech
7. Senseless speech
8. Covetousness
9. Harmful intent
10. Wrong view

Question 24

Five Lay Vows

Answer 24

1. Not to kill
2. Not to steal
3. Not to lie
4. Not to engage in sexual misconduct
5. Not to use intoxicants

Question 25

Levels of the path

Answer 25

1. Stream enterer 2. Once returner 3. Never returner 4. Arhat

Question 26

Four Inverted Views

Answer 26

1. Seeing pain as pleasure 2. Seeing impure as pure 3. Seeing impermanent as permanent 4. Seeing no self as self

Question 27

Three types of suffering

Answer 27

1. Pain 2. Change 3. Conditioning