Self, Death & Afterlife

Question 1

Describe samsara and its translation.

Answer 1

The process of an endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth where bound by attachment, hatred and delusion.
“Flowing on”
Enlightened permanently exit the cycle because they’re no longer bound by the three poisons, even if they choose to reborn (i.e. Bodhisattvas).

Question 2

Give the Theravada and Mahayana understandings of samsara and nirvana.

Answer 2

— Theravada Buddhists understand samsara and nirvana to be opposites.
— Mahayana Buddhists view nirvana as the purified, true nature of samsara.

Question 3

Describe karma and vipaka.

Answer 3

— Karma is the action itself
— Vipaka is its consequence or result (positive or negative)

Question 4

How is karmic consequence (vipaka) experienced?

Answer 4

1. This lifetime — e.g. thief goes to prison
2. Future lives — Suffering/poor future rebirths

Question 5

Karma is…

Answer 5

‘Self-determined’ and therefore not an external force or system of ‘punishment or reward’ but more like a natural law of the world.

Question 6

“You will not be punished for your anger…”

Answer 6

“…you will be punished by your anger.” – Buddha