the buddha

Question 1

what was the name of the system the buddha was born into and what sect

Answer 1

caste system
buddha belonged to the kshatriya, which were the warrior fighter who fought for justice - according to the gobrich

Question 2

what was the caste system + according to who?

Answer 2

according to the rigveda (ancient hindu scriptures)
brahmins - holy figures
kshatriya - fighter warriors
vaisya - merchants
sudra - labourer

Question 3

what caused the buddha to renounce the caste system

Answer 3

the 4 passing sights and the samana movement

Question 4

what was the samana movement

Answer 4

a rejection of the power of the brahmins imposed by the vedic religion (ancient Hinduism/aryans)

Question 5

at were the 4 passing sights

Answer 5

1) old age - wrinkled man (impermenance)
2) sickness - connection to nature - pain and suffering
3) death - cremation
4) ascetic/monks

Question 6

what were the 3 types of samanas

Answer 6

jains
materialsts
skeptics

Question 7

what influence did the jains have

Answer 7

mahavira (founder)
believe that we are set free from living life with great restraint and austerity.
all devout to aesceticism - great compassion for nature. introduced key ideas of the samsara cycle - being karma and rebirth.

Question 8

what influence did the materialists have

Answer 8

they relied on empirical evidence for religious facts. statement must be falsifiable - which is only possible for analytical and synthetic statements. rejected samsara. rejected brahmanism and taught that the correct way to live live is to follow a noble path

Question 9

what influence did skeptics have

Answer 9

they were constantly apprehensive to new ideas. no commitment to any positions. often played the devils advocate. had no real influence over the samana movement.

Question 10

what was the background of rejected brahmins

Answer 10

indra, mitra, varuna, fire - all linking to god. brahmins often performed rituals such as animal sacrifice and chants. they adopted beliefs in rebirth into a heavenly realm.

Question 11

why did the buddha reject the caste system

Answer 11

becuase he viewed the brahmin rituals to be a disrespect to nature. Futhermore he held the firm belief that we do not have a soul, therfore we are all interdependent and do not hold priority or authority over each others existence.

Question 12

birth story of the buddha and its significance

Answer 12

queen maya had a dream of an elephant walking around her 3 time (buddha, dharma and sangha) and entering her side, whilst carrying a white lotus flower (symbolising fertility). the king ordered 64 brahmins to interpret the dream and they concluded that the baby would either become the buddha or a great ruler. she fell pregnant. on the way to deliver her baby, she stopped in the lumbini park (connection to nature with the buddhas birth under the trees). upon birth the buddha stood up and took 7 steps forward - appearing as a blooming lotus flower upon each step. the steps symbolised a relinquishing of ignorance and a full knowledge of life - north, east, south, west, up, down, here. thus foreshadowing enlightenment in that life.

Question 13

meaning of allegorical

Answer 13

often referred to as metaphorical - having a double meaning in religious context.

Question 14

sambodhi

Answer 14

a being full of complete enlightenment

Question 15

hagiographical

Answer 15

ancient text enshrouded in mythical elements

Question 16

what was the buddhas upbringing like

Answer 16

born into the kshatriya sect and heavily spoiled and sheltered all his life as a prince (hedonistic upbringing). he was referred to as the sakya sage - meaning he held great importance as a leader but held religious significance.

Question 17

what influence did the 4 sights have on the buddha

Answer 17

he had the sudden realisation that he was not exempt from these sights and he saw clearly the difference between extremes. he gained the understanding of no-self, implying there is no real hierarchy which motivated him to gain a holistic knowledge of nature and life.

Question 18

what is the 3 fold knowledge

Answer 18

1) the process of dependent origination - according to karma
2) destruction of the asvas - 3 fires - ignorance, greed and hatred
3) recollection of his previous lives

Question 19

where did the buddha first attain his disciples (who later became arhats with constant training)

Answer 19

the deer park - they only began to have faith one they gained insight into the buddhas preaching.

Question 20

what was the buddhas first sermon about

Answer 20

the middle way - a balance between the extremes - hedonistic upbringing and ascetic life.

Question 21

what is enlightenment

Answer 21

organic growth across the middle path through the cycle of samsara to relinquish the 3 fires and gain a complete understanding of life.

Question 22

who is king mara and what influence does he have

Answer 22

the buddha experienced the influence of king mara during his journey to the middle path. mara effects you psychologically and he represents the hindrances such as sensual desire - represent by his 3 daughters who each held the image of the 3 fires

Question 23

what are the different parts of the jhana’s

Answer 23

1) applied thought and sustained thought - total state of calm
2) thoughts are discarded which enables concentration and brings a sense of joy
3)a state of equanimity, composure with absolute attentiveness