R.E | 1. The Buddha's Life & its significance Flashcards
Which one of the following is the best meaning of the term ‘the Buddha’?
(a) Awakened one/Enlightened one
(b) Teacher
(c) Arhat
(d) Bodhissatva
(a) . Awakened one/Enlightened one
Give 2 of the supernatural events which took place around the birth of the Buddha (Siddhartha Gotama)
(2 marks)
His mother, Queen Maya dreamed a white elephant came down from heaven & told her she would give birth to a holy child.*
According to legend, Siddartha could:
Immediately walk & talk *
Explain how the stories of the birth of the Buddha and his life of luxury influence Buddhists today.
(4 marks)
They influence Buddhists today by reinforcing their belief in reincarnation and samsara. This is because the Buddha’s statements at his birth e.g. his declaration that he would not be reborn, show that we are driven by past lives.
They influence Buddhists today in discouraging them from being tempted by a life of luxury, especially in Western consumerist culture. This is because Siddhartha grew up in a life of luxury, in
4 marks
several palaces, but this kept him in ignorance from the Dhamma (the truth).
Explain two ways in which Siddhartha lived a life of luxury.
Refer to sacred writings or another source of buddhist belief and teaching in your answer.
(Queen Maya died seven days after his birth. Siddhartha’s father, King Suddhodana wanted to protect Siddhartha form hardship, because he did not want him to become a holy man.)
Siddhartha grew up in a palace surrounded by luxury, and his father prepared him to become a king. The Anguttara Nikaya describes how Siddhartha was ‘delicately nurtured’. This included being entertained by female dancers.
There were lotus ponds of many colours, he was always protected by a sunshade and he had three mansions – one each for winter, summer and rainy seasons.
‘‘Stories of Siddhartha’s life cannot be accepted as being true”
Evaluate this statement.
In your answer you should:
* refer to Buddhist teaching
give reasoned arguments to support this statement
* give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view
* reach a justified conclusion.
thesis :
