test 1

Question 1

What are the Four Sights

Answer 1

Sickness, Death, Old Age, A holy man

Question 2

What are the Three Marks of Existence

Answer 2

Annica (impermanence), Anatta (no-self), Dukkha (suffering)

Question 3

Why did the Buddha reject his ascetic life? (2 details)

Answer 3

He nearly died. He was no closer to the truth of why people suffer

Question 4

Explain two ways in which the Four Sights influenced the Buddha’s teachings.

Answer 4

Old Man reminded of Impermanence. The sick man reminded of Dukkha. Dead Man reminded of Anatta. Holy man influenced Eightfold path which became vital to overcoming suffering .

Question 5

Give three stages in Magga.

Answer 5

Right Speech, Right Mindfulness, Right understanding.

Question 6

List the Four Noble Truths.

Answer 6

Dukkha (suffering), Samodaya (cause), Nirodva (extinction), Magga (eight-fold noble path).

Question 7

Which one of the following is one of the Three Marks of Existence? 
Annata 
Dhamma 
Nibbana 
Sunyata

Answer 7

Anatta

Question 8

Give two of the Four Sights the Buddha saw.

Answer 8

Old Man + Sick Man

Question 9

How did the Buddha’s Ascetic Life influence his later teachings?

Answer 9

He taught the eightfold noble path (middle way between a life of ascetism and self-indulgence).

Extreme fasting was pointless. The way to enlightenment lay in meditation - deep within his own mind.

Buddha took his fasting further than other ascetics. It did not lead to greater wisdom but to physical and mental weakness.

Question 10

Explain two Buddhist teachings about the causes of suffering.

Answer 10

Four Noble Truths/ suffering is caused by cravings, end cravings to end suffering (we become too attached - leads to more suffering.

Three Marks of Existence/ we want everything to stay the same, when things change it causes sufferings. We do not realise everything is subject to change. Annica (impermanence).

Question 11

Is an Arhat a Theravada Ideal/ Mahayana Ideal

Answer 11

Theravada Buddhism

Question 12

Is an Bodhisattva a Theravada Ideal/ Mahayana Ideal

Answer 12

Mahayana Buddhism

Question 13

What book contains stories from the life of the Buddha?

Answer 13

Jataka Tales.

Question 14

Why did the Buddha reject his life of wealth? (2 Details)

Answer 14

He saw the Four Sights. He wanted to find a solution to suffering.

Question 15

Explain three ways in which learning about the life of the Buddha influences Buddhists
today.

Answer 15

The Buddhas life offers a blueprint on how to achieve enlightenment (eight-fold noble path etc.)

The Buddha proved that reaching enlightenment was possible. - gives Buddhas confidence and motivation.

Buddhas teachings help Buddhists today make sense of the complicated nature of life. Three Marks of Existence. Wealth does not = happiness.

Question 16

In Pure Land Buddhism what do they believe?

Answer 16

That we are live in mappo (dark age) where we cannot achieve enlightenment through our own efforts.

Question 17

Why do Pure Land Buddhists want to be reborn in Sukhavati?

Answer 17

They believe that the conditions are more favourable for reaching enlightenment there.

Question 18

Who do Buddhist’s call upon to rescue them from samsara?

Answer 18

Amitabha