SOA | Buddhist Beliefs

Question 1

quotation that links to an individuals personal choice and what it shows

Answer 1

” be a refuge unto yourself” - Buddha
- This shows that one should not always follow the dhamma dogmatically and you should decide what is best for yourself. Reaching enlightenment is a personal journey and that we should not just follow rules but make our own personal choices

Question 2

quotation that links to pattica-samupadda

Answer 2

” when this is, that is,’ Buddha

- This shows that everything is interconnected and that everything affects everything else.

Question 3

quotation that links to the three poisons and the 2nd Noble Truth

Answer 3

’ bhikkhus all is burning… burning with the fire of craving, the fire of hate , the fire of delusion’

• This states that suffering comes from lust, hatred and delusion which is fuelling the ‘ fire’ of suffering. Therefore we should recognise our dependence on these emotions and strive to ‘ put out the fire’ by eliminating the three poisons

Question 4

quotation that links to suffering and the Buddha

Answer 4

” I teach one thing and one only, that is suffering and the cessation of suffering”- The Buddha

Question 5

Name the Parable that links to anatta, briefly and what it shows

Answer 5

The Story of Nagasena and the Chariot
- The story shows that Nagasena is just a name and that there is no soul nor self, just a collection of parts - the 5 khandas- with a label.

Question 6

quotation in the dhammacakkappavattana Sutta that talks about suffering to the monks- 1st noble truth

Answer 6

” birth is suffering, aging is suffering, sickness is suffering ,death is suffering(…)”

• this shows that suffering is universal and seen in everything we do.
• The Buddha taught that to be able to overcome suffering , we must be aware of its existence first

Question 7

Name the parable that links to dukkha and what it teaches

Answer 7

The Story of Kisa Gotami
- She had lost her son and was overcome by grief; she visited the Buddha where he told her to find a mustard seed where no one had experienced suffering , she was not able to.

• This shows the universality of suffering and how we should strive to overcome it.
• it demonstrates that no one can be free from suffering as she could not find anyone who had not been touched by grief.

Question 8

quotation found in the Sermon of Benares about desire and what it shows - second noble truth

Answer 8

‘This is the noble truth concerning the origin of suffering’ (…) “craving causes the renewal of existence”
- the buddha tells monks that we should not have cravings and desires as the craving of satisfaction is what causes dukkha

• this demonstrates that craving and tanha is what inhibits one from escaping the cycle of samsara and enables rebirth therefore we should eliminate craving

Question 9

quotation that links to kamma

Answer 9

” not to do evil, to cultivate merit, to purify one’s mind - this is the teaching of the Buddha”

• this shows that we should strive to accumulate good kamma as this will be passed on to the next life and that this will allow us to clear our minds from hatred, extinguishing one of the three poisons.

Question 10

quotation that links to ethics

Answer 10

” in this world hate never dispelled hate, only love dispels hate “

• This shows that we should not cause harm but instead be thoughtful and love others as this is what will eliminate hatred

Question 11

quotation that links to compassion by the Dalai Lama

Answer 11

” the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion”

Question 12

Summarise the Parable of the Burning house and give its two interpretations

Answer 12

• A man lies to his children breaking the fourth precept to free them from a burning house by telling them there are toys outside
• Another interpretation is that it shows that there may be circumstances where one may use unconventional means that go against the teachings of the Buddha in a situation but for the greater good.

Question 13

Give the quotation supporting the Third Noble Truth and what it shows

Answer 13

Sermon at Benares ‘ Now this, o’ bhikkhus, is the noble truth concerning the destruction of suffering’

• The Buddha is explaining that the cessation of suffering occurs when one is free from the cycle of samsara and is no longer dependent on the ‘thirst’ or craving that characterises our existence.
• This demonstrates that one can escape samsara and achieving nibbana by extinguishing the three fires/poisons.