Part C: Life, Death & The Soul

Question 1

Wheel of Becoming: Different Interpretations: LITERAL (2)

Answer 1

Realms are real places
Physically reborn depending on karma

Question 2

Wheel of Becoming: Different Interpretations: PSYCHOLOGICAL (3)

Answer 2

Each realm is a psychological state of mind
Can experience 6 states in here and now
Can experience these so strongly seem to live in another realm

Question 3

Wheel of Becoming: Different Interpretations: METAPHORICAL (3)

Answer 3

Not all realms exist, instead metaphor for Samsara
Realms show visual representation of how good and bad karma leads to good and bad things
Can only be reborn as human/ animal

Question 4

What is Samsara? (3)

Answer 4

Cycle of life, death, rebirth
In samsara, subject to suffering
Bound by 3 poisons as we create negative karma

Question 5

How do we escape Samsara? (2)

Answer 5

Follow Buddha’s teachings (4 Noble Truths)
Overcome ignorance and see things for what they are

Question 6

What is the Mahayana belief about Samsara? (3)

Answer 6

Samsara is nirvana
Both empty, so have same nature so are the same
Just need to realise nirvana is purified version of samsara

Question 7

What is the Theravada belief about Samsara? (1)

Answer 7

Samsara and nirvana are opposites

Question 8

What is the Wheel of Becoming? (2)

Answer 8

Depicts different characteristics of samsara
Also called Tibetan Wheel of Life

Question 9

What are the key parts of the Wheel of Becoming? (5)

Answer 9

1) Yama- Lord of Death- devoted to protecting Buddhists and represents anatta & death
2) Buddha- hope for liberation
3) Moon, Door, Hare- liberation of nirvana
4) Three Poisons- Cockerel, Snake, Pig
5) Realms of… Gods (good karma), Asura (hate & jealousy), Preta (greed), Hell (anger), Animal (ignorance), Humans (best realm)

Question 10

What do the different rings of the Wheel of Becoming represent? (4)

Answer 10

Centre: 3 Poisons
Second layer: contented people moving up and opposite
Third layer: Realms
Fourth layer: Twelve Nikayas

Question 11

What is karma? (2)

Answer 11

‘Action’ driven by intention
Realised by Buddha during Second Watch of the Night

Question 12

What is Vipaka? (1)

Answer 12

The consequence of karma

Question 13

What form does Vipaka take? (2)

Answer 13

Mentally or physically
Can affect the 4th aggregate (mental formations)

Question 14

What makes an action good or bad? (2)

Answer 14

Intention and result
Skilful actions result in good Vipaka

Question 15

When can we experience karmic results? (2)

Answer 15

1) this life
2) future life

Question 16

What is the cause of karma? (3)

Answer 16

Three poisons:
- Ignorance: root of other two poisons
- Hatred: anger, jealousy
- Greed: objects, existence and non-existence

Question 17

Ideal of a Bodhisattva: GOAL & AIM OF MAHAYANA (4)

Answer 17

Don’t aspire for enlightenment purely for themselves, do it out of compassion
Motivated by Bodhichitta ‘awakened mind’
6 Perfections
Bodhisattva Vow

Question 18

Ideal of a Bodhisattva: DEVOTIONAL OBJECT (2)

Answer 18

Heavenly bodhisattvas (samboghakaya)
Visualisation of Boddhisattvas (sadhana)

Question 19

Ideal of a Bodhisattva: EARLY BUDDHISM (2)

Answer 19

Originally meant being ‘on the way to becoming a Buddha’
Previous lives of Buddha told in Jakarta Tales

Question 20

What is an Arhat?

Answer 20

Means someone who has become enlightened and achieved nirvana
Theravada
Purified of all defilements

Question 21

What is the difference between and Arhat and a Buddha?

Answer 21

Theravada
One Buddha in each age/eon and is person who discovers Dhamma and teaches is to world (Gautama Buddha)

Question 22

Anatta: Is this a problem for rebirth?

Answer 22

If no soul/self, what passes from one life to next
Buddha taught no PERMANENT self so self may be evolving and that can move on

Question 23

Tibetan beliefs about 14th Dalia Lama as expression of Avalokitesvara: What is he?

Answer 23

Spiritual leader
Political leader
Trulku
Bhikkhu
Human
Human embodiment of Avaloikitshvara