The Buddha's Life Flashcards
Give two events in the life of the Buddha (2)
1) Buddhas birth
2) Four sights
3) Ascetic life
give two items of luxury the Buddha has in his early life (2)
1) Buddha shielded away from suffering in the palace
2) Buddha born in a privileged family
give two of the four sights (2)
1) old age
2) sickness
3) death
4) monk
give two reasons why the buddha rejected his life of wealth (2)
1) find a way to end dukkha after seeing four sights
2) living an ascetic life allowed him to learn great self-control
give two ways the life of the buddha is important for Buddhists today (4)
1) by comparing the privileged life of Buddha & the 4 sights he saw, Buddhists become able to accept the realities of life ( Sankhara Dukkha )
2) buddhas ascetic life allowed him to discover the eightfold path, living life between self-indulgence and denial,
Buddhists follow eightfold path
bring closer to enlightenment
3) buddhas birth, buddha born immediately could walk and talk, extraordinary, encourages Buddhists to follow his teachings as an extraordinary being
Explain two ways in which the Four Sights influenced the Buddha’s
teachings. (4)
By seeing the dead body, Siddhartha realised that dead is inevitable regardless of
your wealth hence anatta. Seeing the holy man inspired him to reject his extreme
luxurious life and find a solution for dukkha. He began to meditate and live an ascetic
life which eventually resulted in a ‘middle way’ lifestyle.
Explain two ways in which the Buddha’s ascetic life influences Buddhists today. (4)
1) Buddhists will meditate more as Buddha learnt the practice of meditation allows the mind to focus and reflect the true meanings of specific teachings
2) Buddha found living middle way was the best way to live between self control and self indulgence. Buddhists will follow eightfold path to bring them closer to enlightenment
Explain two ways in which the Buddha’s Enlightenment influences Buddhists today. (4)
1) Buddhists follow the eightfold path which is living life in between the middle way and asceticism as Buddha reached enlightenment by following this path
2) Buddhists will follow Buddha’s teachings (dhamma) in order to reach enlightenment
Explain two teachings about the Buddha’s life. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist belief and
teaching in your answer. (5)
1) Buddha lived an ascetic life. “it was to him like a time of intertwining the sky with knots.”
shows for Buddha, asceticism did not provide a solution to suffering
2) Buddha saw a holy men during 4 sights after being sheltered from suffering, Buddha turned away from a luxurious life to find a way to overcome suffering
Explain two teachings about the birth of the Buddha. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist
belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
1) Buddha was born in a privileged family where his mother felt no pain while giving birth: “from the side of the queen her son was born & without illness.”
2) Buddha walked seven steps, six represented suffering and the seventh represented being free from suffering
Explain two teachings about the Buddha’s life of luxury. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist
belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
1) Buddha was unaware of suffering due to being shielded from suffering in the palace. “I was very spoiled” When Buddha saw four sights was a shock
2) Buddhists can compare Buddhas luxurious life and the four sights to understand samkhara dukkha where life is unfair causing dissatisfaction
Explain two teachings about the Four Sights. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist belief and
teaching in your answer. (5)
1) old age, illness and death express the idea of dukkha in human life
2) the holy man inspired Buddha to find a solution to suffering: “inspired him to lead the life of an ascetic.”
Explain two teachings about the Buddha’s ascetic life. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist
belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
1) Buddhas ascetic life allowed him to gain great self control over his emotions and himself
2) Buddhas ascetic life did not bring him closer to enlightenment and was not the solution towards suffering:
“to him like a time of intertwining the sky with knots”
Explain two teachings about the Buddha’s Enlightenment. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist
belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
1) the Buddha stayed in meditation despite the temptations of Mara.
“not until I attain the supreme enlightenment will I give up this seat of meditation.”
2) the four watches allowed him to understand that beings are reborn according to their karma and the deeper realities of suffering
