The Buddha’s Life Flashcards
When was the Buddha born? (1)
Around 500 BCE
What does the term ‘Buddha’ mean? (1)
‘Enlightened one’
What does ‘Siddhartha’ mean? (1)
‘Perfect fulfilment’
Which scripture records the story of his life? (1)
Jakata Tales
What was unusual about the Buddha’s birth? (3)
- Could immediately walk and talk.
- Walked seven steps and lotus flowers appeared under his feet.
- Declared that he would not be reborn.
What did Asita prophecy? (2)
That Siddhartha would become a great king or a holy man if he saw suffering.
How did this affect his upbringing? (2)
- He had three mansions where he was entertained so he didn’t want to leave the palace.
- He had a canopy to stop him experiencing heat, dust, grass and dew.
Name the first 3 sights? (3)
An old man, a sick man and a dead man.
What do they (1,2,3 Sight) represent? (1)
The realities of life (suffering).
Name the fourth sight? (1)
A holy man.
What does it (fourth sight) represent? (1)
That there is a spiritual answer to suffering.
What does ‘renunciation’ mean? (1)
Letting go.
Who did the Buddha meet? (1)
5 ascetics.
What is asceticism? (1)
Living a strict and simple lifestyle with few pleasures and possessions.
What did the Buddha choose to do as his way of denying his body? (1)
Eating so little he looked like a skeleton.
Why did he turn away from asceticism? (1)
He learnt discipline and willpower but not the answer to the problem of suffering.
What did he realise? (1)
That suffering through self-denial was not the path to spiritual wisdom.
What did he call his new path? (1)
The Middle Way.
What did he decide to do? (1)
To meditate until he found enlightenment.
Who tempted him? (1)
Mara.
What is Mara? (1)
A demon that represents spiritual obstacles.
Name what happened in the 3 watches of the night? (3)
First Siddhartha gained knowledge of all his previous lives.
Secondly he understood samsara and realised the importance of anatta.
Thirdly he understood why suffering happens and how to overcome it.
How is the Buddha viewed in Theravada Buddhism? (1)
He is viewed as a purely historical figure.
What is another term for enlightenment? (1)
‘A state of knowledge’
What are the Buddha’s teachings called? (1)
3 jewels of Buddhism
Name the 3 jewels or refuges of Buddhism? (3)
‘I go to the Buddha for refuge’
‘I go to the Dharma for refuge’
‘I go to the Sangha for refuge’
