Places/Cultures/Schools

Question 1

Angkor (Cambodia)

Answer 1

originally a Hindu capital, but gradually became a center for Buddhist worship. Angkor means “temple city”, and is known for Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed

Question 2

Burma (Myanmar)

Answer 2

highest percentage of buddhist practitioners vs. population as well as highest amount of income spent on religious purposes. Poorest Nation in SE Asia with about 90% of its population living in poverty. Buddhism may have been introduced here by one of Asoka’s missions

Question 3

Ayutthaya (Thailand)

Answer 3

ancient capital and modern city in the Central Plains of Thailand, north of Bangkok. Burmese invasion burnt city to the ground in 1767. Today, Ayutthaya is an archaeological site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues.

Question 4

Deer Park (Benares)

Answer 4

The location of the Buddha’s First Sermon aka the Dhammacakkappavattanasutta. Preached to five old ascetic friends who requested ordination into monkhood. Once that was achieved, the sangha was born

Question 5

Lopburi (Thailand)

Answer 5

because of its link between Buddhism and nationalism, it is traditional for all young men to spend a short period of time as monks, usually during the 3-month rainy season retreat

Question 6

Lumbini (Nepal)

Answer 6

Birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Location of historical evidence for the association of the 84,000 stupas with Asoka (inscriptions recorded on a pillar)

Question 7

Gandhara

Answer 7

Dynasty from 200 BCE - 75 CE. Important Buddhist outpost in region of the Ganges. Ceased to exist as an independent kingdom by 7th century CE and Buddhist presence in the area disappeared soon after. Mahāyāna Pure Land sūtras were brought from the Gandhāra region to China.

Question 8

Jetavana

Answer 8

Monastery where Buddha gave many of his sermons

Question 9

Laos

Answer 9

SouthEast Asia; practices Theravada Buddhism

Question 10

Mahayana

Answer 10

type of Buddhism that begins in the 4th century BCE; identified itself as the “Greater Vehicle” - sought to emphasize the role of Buddhism as a liberating vehicle for the mass of practitioners. Offered a new literature, a new theory concerning the nature of buddhahood, and a new path to a new goal

Question 11

Mauryan Empire

Answer 11

founded by Candragupta and was succeeded by his son Bindusara who extended the empire. Asoka succeeded Bindusara

Question 12

Mt. Meru/Neru

Answer 12

The center of the universes in Buddhist cosmology. Believed to lie below the heavens. The lower heavens are on the mountain slopes and the higher terrestrial ones are on the summit. More sublime heavens float above it in space

Question 13

Sri Lanka

Answer 13

first region outside of India to be converted to Buddhism (brought over by Mahinda, son of emperor Asoka). From here, the teachings of the Buddha spread to Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and southern parts of Vietnam. Birthplace of Buddhaghosar