Religious Figures And Sacred Texts

Question 1

What is the life of the Buddha used for?

Answer 1

Not autobiographical
Helps to teach concepts of Buddhism

Question 2

Significance of life story of the Buddha

Answer 2

Demonstrate that this life is the final step in the long journey to
enlightenment.
Signify the unique and special nature of the Buddha.
Distance the birth of the Buddha from normal humans births which involve
sex, blood and pain. All of these things were seen as ritually impure.

Question 3

Key events in his early life

Answer 3

Protection from the real world. No concepts of pain or suffering.
Easy life, no real hard graft.
Well educated (to become a great leader).
All the trappings of wealth and luxury, including beautiful women.
Reaching first level of enlightenment whilst watching ploughing and
seeing suffering
Wife and Child – naming the child ‘fetters’ or ‘chains’.

Question 4

The four sights/signs

Answer 4

Old Age - constant changing nature of things (Anicca)
Sickness - the understanding of suffering (dukkha)
Death - all life is finite, he will one day die
Holy man - even though the man was old and poor, he had an air of serenity - decided to seek the solution to suffering

Question 5

The Renunciation

Answer 5

Learning from 2 meditation teachers only gave him temporary relief from suffering
Ascetic practices showed him that his body and mind were connected
Decided to seek another way, disgusting his ascetic companions
Gave up his life of luxury, seeking the middle path between luxury and asceticism

Question 6

The temptation by Mara

Answer 6

Mara tempts the Buddha using:
His daughters
Demon armies
Storms
His own ego
The Buddha touches the Earth which validates his right to seek
enlightenment and overcomes all of these temptations

Question 7

The first watch of the night

Answer 7

The bodhisattva began to recall all his past lives.
These memories are usually only in the subconscious, but they were
unlocked and the bodhisattva recalled thousands of lives in detail.

Question 8

The second watch of the night

Answer 8

Gained another super-knowledge which Buddhists call ‘the heavenly eye’.
This is a clairvoyant ability to see other beings passing in and out of
the possible realms of existence.
The bodhisattva observed that beings made their own suffering
through their own behaviour (the law of karma).
The bodhisattva felt deep compassion for the beings who went
through this cycle again and again without understanding why or
what to do about it.

Question 9

The third watch of the night

Answer 9

Achieved the highest super-knowledge - the end of all worldly desires, wrong views and the end of
ignorance.
At this point he no longer had any of the desires that attached him to
this world. The path was open for him to achieve enlightenment.

Question 10

The fourth watch of the night

Answer 10

Achieved enlightenment or nibbana
Siddhartha became ‘the Buddha’ – the one who Knows or the
awakened one.
Symbolically, the moment of enlightenment is said to have coincided
with the sunrise.

Question 11

The deer park sermon

Answer 11

He preached his first sermon, which is known as the Deer Park Sermon or the Setting in Motion of the Wheel of the Law.
It was such a powerful sermon that one of his companions gained immediate insight into the Buddha’s teaching, known as dhamma-vision.
He formally committed himself to the Buddha and his teaching, as did the other four companions.
After the Buddha’s second sermon about the nature of self, the five all gained enlightenment like the Buddha. They were known as arhats, which means ‘worthy ones’ and indicates that they gained enlightenment with the help of the Buddha

Question 12

The Patimokkha

Answer 12

Rules for Theravada monks

There are 227 major rules in the Theravada tradition (311 for
nuns)
Developed gradually in response to circumstances during the lifetime of the Buddha
as he tried to set up formal procedures for following the path that he taught.
The scripture contains the reason why the Buddha formulated each rule in the first place, and any mitigating circumstances which mean that the usual consequences of breaking the law may not apply.

Question 13

Four Parajikas

Answer 13

Intentional sexual intercourse of any kind with another human or animal
2. Theft of an object that has some value
3. Murder of a human being (either personally or by instructing an assassin or by encouraging
suicide in another)
4. Making false claims about one’s own stage of awakening or spiritual knowledge (but also
extends to being honest in all things)

Question 14

Use of the Patimokkha

Answer 14

Chanted by monks at the observance days which take place on new and full moons

Question 15

The story of the turtle and the fish

Answer 15

Turtle talks about his trip onto dry land and fish doesn’t believe him.
Shows that it is impossible to understand something you haven’t experienced

Question 16

The Pali Canon - baskets

Answer 16

Vinaya Pitaka - basket of discipline
Sutta Pitaka - basket of discourses
Abhidhamma Pitaka - basket of higher teachings

Question 17

Vinaya Pitaka - basket of discipline

Answer 17

It contains the codes of training-rules known as the patimokkha and other rules for monks and nuns, and all Buddhists within monastery grounds.
These were written down after the 3rd Buddhist council around 100 years after the death of the Buddha
Second section of the Vinaya is the Khandaka which deals with the overall organisation of the Sangha
Final section is a summary and classification of the rules known as the Parivara

Question 18

Sutta Pitaka - basket of discourse

Answer 18

Discourses (speeches and sermons) of the Buddha (together with a few sermons by various disciples)
Divided into 5 sections (nikayas) by length and subject matter of the sermons, rather than in any chronological order.
5th section contains the Dhammapada, which is a popular collection of ethical teachings and is one of the best known Buddhist scriptures in the West as it is the most commonly translated section of the Pali Canon and the easiest to understand.

Question 19

Abhidhamma Pitaka - basket of higher teachings

Answer 19

Not the direct word of the Buddha, but a more philosophical treatment of the Dhamma that had been given in the Suttas of the Buddha.
Means ‘higher teaching’.
Aim was to explain how the teachings applied to life in a more systematic way using precise language rather than stories and colloquial phrases
It is thought to be designed for use by the more learned monks in the Sangha rather than for novices or lay Buddhists.

Question 20

Importance of Pali Canon for Theravada Buddhists

Answer 20

It contains the Buddha’s life story and his core teachings, which form the foundation of Buddhism.
The vinaya pitaka is important for maintaining the discipline and unity of the sangha.

Question 21

Importance of Pali Canon for Mahayana Buddhists

Answer 21

Still quite important, as it contains elements of the life story of the Buddha and his direct teachings which are
accepted as accurate
Mahayana scholars are more likely to study the Mahayana scriptures.
Some schools of Mahayana Buddhism, such as Zen practitioners have little time for any scriptures at all, preferring meditation as the means by which to seek ultimate truths.

Question 22

The Heart Sutra

Answer 22

Only has 14 verses (shlokas) in Sanskrit - summarises key ideas in a concise way that is easier to translate.
It focuses on the idea of emptiness (sunya) – this links to the three marks of existence – dukkha, anicca and anatta.
Avalokitesvara explains that the 5 Heaps (skandhas) are ‘empty’ of ‘own being’ or ‘inherent existence (svabhava).
His insight into this has caused his enlightenment.

Question 23

‘Form is emptiness, emptiness is form’

Answer 23

Our ‘form‘ or physical existence is empty of reality and is a temporary construct which is interdependent with everything else in the universe.

Question 24

“Gone gone gone beyond, gone altogether beyond, O what an awakening, all hail”

Answer 24

Describes the process of going beyond ordinary human levels of thought about reality (thought coverings) to recognise that emptiness is the ultimate reality. This ultimate truth is not really expressible through language, but the Heart Sutra attempts to point towards it.

Question 25

Influence of the Heart Sutra on Zen Buddhism

Answer 25

The Heart Sutra’s teaching on the emptiness of teachings as well as matter fits in with a Zen conception of Buddhism.
This is why it is one of the few scriptures that is chanted in Zen, where the aim is to avoid the ordinary human thought
constructions

Question 26

Thich Nhat Hahn on the Heart Sutra

Answer 26

He argues that the ‘emptiness’ of self does not mean the non-existence of self, as many have claimed.
He gives the example of a balloon, stating that a balloon that is empty inside does not mean that the balloon does not exist. In the same way the emptiness of dhamma does not mean that the dhamma does not exist. It is simply that it does not have an independent reality separate from other things.
‘It is like a flower that is made only of non-flower elements. The flower is empty of a separate existence, but that doesn’t mean the flower is not there.’

Question 27

Authority of the Heart Sutra

Answer 27

Not actually delivered by the Buddha himself
In some Chinese versions, The Buddha appears at the beginning and end of the text to confirm and praise the text as the words of Avalokitesvara
The Heart Sutra is still regarded by many as the absolute wisdom of the Buddha and contains great teachings on non attachment and the doctrine of emptiness. The idea is that he empowers Avalokitesvara to teach.

Question 28

Skilful means - Upaya Kausalya

Answer 28

The Buddha taught the dhamma at a level suitable for his listeners rather than overwhelming them with ideas that were too complex for them to understand.

Question 29

The parable of the burning house

Answer 29

A wealthy old man has a great house with only one door.
The house is in a decrepit state, and a fire breaks out, threatening to engulf all the man’s children who are absorbed in play within the house. The old man calls them in vain, then resorts in desperation to skilful means. Knowing the kinds of things which they all like he calls out that there are goat –carts, deer-carts, and bullock-carts waiting for them outside the door. Upon this they all come scrambling out of the house and are saved from the flames. The three kinds of carts are nowhere to be seen, but instead the old man gives to each one a still more splendid chariot, beautifully ornate and drawn by a white bullock.

Question 30

The burning house

Answer 30

The world of samsara and the dangers it contains

Question 31

The young children trapped in the house

Answer 31

Sentient beings who continue to attach and grasp themselves to samsara

Question 32

The old man

Answer 32

The Buddha, wishing to save sentient beings

Question 33

The fire

Answer 33

The three poisons keeping us trapped in samsara

Question 34

The three carts

Answer 34

The different paths to nibbana:
arhatship, pratyekabuddhahood, Bodhisattva path

Question 35

The splendid chariot

Answer 35

The true path to nirvana - Buddhahood

Question 36

Authority of the Lotus Sutra

Answer 36

The speaker in the Lotus Sutra is supposed to be the Buddha. Since the Buddha is the revealer of the dhamma and knows ultimate truths, this technique gives the Lotus Sutra ultimate authority within Buddhism.

Question 37

Thich Nhat Hanh - key life

Answer 37

Formed ‘socially engaged Buddhism’ - help those suffering in the war and follow a contemplative life
School of youth service
Received lamp transmission
Called for end to Vietnam war, but was exiled
Met MLK in US to discuss Vietnam and was nominated for a Nobel peace prize

Question 38

Plum Village

Answer 38

SW France
Buddhist monastery and teaching community with over 200 resident monks and over 10000 visitors per year who go to learn mindfulness. Retreats are open to people of all ages, nationalities and faiths.
Aim was to teach traditional Buddhist practices in a way that could be applied to modern life
Simple practices such as smiling, breathing and walking

Question 39

Modern issues - terrorism

Answer 39

Travelled to New York after 9/11
Lead a walking meditation
Believed that compassion and listening to others is the only way to combat violence and terrorism

Question 40

5 mindfulness trainings

Answer 40

Training 1 – Protect life and decrease violence in yourself, family and society
Training 2 – Practice social justice and generosity – no stealing or exploitation of others.
Training 3 – Practice responsible sexual behaviour
Training 4 – Deep listening and loving speech to restore communication and promote reconciliation
Training 5 – Mindful consumption – avoiding toxins or poisons for body and mind

Question 41

Mindfulness practices - smiling, breathing, walking

Answer 41

Breathing - focusing on the present moment, accessed at any time
Walking - connected to the earth and present in the moment
Smiling - benefits both the individual and others around them

Question 42

Dalai Lama - key life

Answer 42

Recognized at the age of 2 as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama
All Dalai Lamas are believed to be earthly manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva of Compassion
In 1959 following the brutal suppression of the Tibetan national uprising by Chinese troops, the Dalai Lama was forced to go into exile.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

Question 43

Three main commitments of the Dalai Lama

Answer 43

Commitment to the promotion of human values
Commitment to the promotion of religious harmony
Commitment to preserve Tibetan Buddhist culture