Study guide test 1

Question 1

define sa􏰆sāra

Answer 1

The cycle of perpetual flux, a term used to designate the entire cycle of transmigration. It is frequently contrasted to nirvā􏰄a.

Question 2

define stūpa

Answer 2

A memorial mound constructed over the relics of the Buddha or other important person. Around the turn of the Common Era, a cult grew up around the worship of stūpas. To this day, stūpas remain worthy of reverence in Buddhist countries.

Question 3

define samudaya

Answer 3

The Sanskrit term for the second of the Noble Truths, that of cause. This Noble Truth emphasizes that there is a cause for suffering, centered around the various forms of craving.

Question 4

define vijñāna –

Answer 4

‘Consciousness’; the fifth of the five skandhas. It represents the resultant activity when our mental and physical organs come into contact with objects in the external world, and the input derived therefrom is integrated, identified, and acted upon. Traditionally, there are six vijñānas: eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind (but the Yogācārins enlarge this list).

Question 5

define nirvana

Answer 5

Literally ‘blowing out’; in Buddhism the goal of religious practice. The texts are very enigmatic on the topic of nirvana. It is obviously that which needs to be experienced to be understood.

Question 6

who was Aśoka –

Answer 6

The third emperor of the Mauryan Dynasty in India, he brought India together under his rule. According to Buddhist legends, he became a lay disciple (upāsaka), and took up
a policy of Dharma-conquest. Author of an extensive missionary movement, it is also said that the famous ‘Third Council’ was held during his reign. Aśoka became the model for many other rulers who sought to govern in accordance with the Dharma

Question 7

define preta –

Answer 7

A ‘hungry ghost’; one of the six destinies (gatis) into which one may be reborn. Knowing no peace, one in this realm is destined to constantly wander around searching for tiny bits of food.

Question 8

define karma – ‘

Answer 8

Action’ or ‘deed’ in Sanskrit. The moral law of causality which states that what a person does in this life will have an effect in later rebirths. It is closely related to cetanā.

Question 9

define dharma

Answer 9

The teaching or doctrine of the Buddha. Dharma is said to include all the Buddha’s sermons and doctrinal pronouncements.

Question 10

define duhkha –

Answer 10

‘Suffering’; the first of the Four Noble Truths points out the transience of all mental and physical pleasures. Thus we find a statement that all life is characterized by suffering

Question 11

define anitya – ‘Impermanence’;

Answer 11

that Buddhist doctrine which states that all things originate, have duration, and decay. This notion of constant flux or impermanence forms the second of the Buddha’s ‘three marks of existence’ (tri-lak􏰇a􏰄a).

Question 12

who was T.W Rhys Davids

Answer 12

(1843-1922)
founded Pali Text Society
scholar of sanskrit, determined that Pali is the original language of buddhism BUT IT ISN’T
focused on the texts that appealed to him and ignored the others and other people’s interpretation
developed the common ‘aryan ethnicity’ of people of england because he couldn’t imagine other people being this smart across the world/ethnicities
these ideas he generated at this time brace the horrifying 20th c idea of white supremacy

Question 13

define sa􏰆jñā –

Answer 13

‘Perception’; the third of the five skandhas. It determines the characteristics of an object without placing a ‘tag’ or ‘label’ on the object itself.

Question 14

define trsn􏰍􏰇􏰄ā –

Answer 14

literally ‘craving’; noted in the second Noble Truth to be the cause of suffering. Usually three kinds of craving are noted: sensual craving, craving for continued existence, and craving for extinction.

Question 15

define prajñā –

Answer 15

Literally ‘wisdom’; it is the sixth of the perfections (pāramitās) and is applied, generally, as a description of a section of the Eightfold Path (Right View and Right Resolve).

Question 16

define anātman –

Answer 16

‘Not self ’; that doctrine of the Buddha which contradicts the Hindu notion of a pure, eternal, subtle self (ātman). The doctrine, intended to eliminate attachment, later became problematic in terms of Buddhist explanations of rebirth.

Question 17

define Bhumisparśa mudrā

Answer 17

the earth-touching gesture depicted in many buddhist art… when he reached enlightenment and called upon the earth goddess to witness it he touch the ground to summon her

Question 18

what is Buddha –

Answer 18

The ‘Awakened One’; title given to Siddhārtha Gautama after he achieved complete, perfect enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.

Question 19

what is mārga –

Answer 19

The ‘path’ leading to the cessation of suffering. The fourth Noble Truth is often referred to as the mārga.

Question 20

define nirodha –

Answer 20

Literally ‘cessation’; the third Noble Truth, stating that there can be a cessation to suffering.

Question 21

define sa􏰆sāra –

Answer 21

The cycle of perpetual flux, a term used to designate the entire cycle of transmigration. It is frequently contrasted to nirvā􏰄a.

Question 22

define vedanā –

Answer 22

Literally ‘feeling’; the second of the five skandhas. It derives from the contact of our physical and mental organs with objects in the external world.

Question 23

define Bhavacakra

Answer 23

The bhāvacakra is a symbolic representation of saṃsāra. It is found on the outside walls of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries in the Indo-Tibetan region, to help ordinary people understand Buddhist teachings.

Wheel of Becoming/Wheel of Life is a form of a mandala or tanka (painted wall hanging), used primarily in Tibetan Buddhism

Question 24

define kleśa –

Answer 24

‘Defilement’; both moral and intellectual, which must be overcome in order to attain enlightenment.

Question 25

define rūpa –

Answer 25

One of the five skandhas, dealing with those elements in the realm of ‘form’. Since rūpa deals with the physical or form realm, it was of primary importance to Abhidharmists’ analyses of existence.