the nature and extent of adherents in the world today

Question 1

why are there many different forms of Buddhism?

Answer 1

some new forms have developed in recent times because of the adaptability of the Buddhist belief system to different eras and cultures.

Question 2

what is Buddhism?

Answer 2

timeless and spaceless

Question 3

Where ever it appears, Buddhism adapts to

Answer 3

to local beliefs and customs and changes them slightly

Question 4

how many Buddhists worldwide?

Answer 4

There are an estimated 300-500 million

Question 5

Theravada Buddhism claims to be?

Answer 5

the original Buddhism and hold facts to the essentials of Buddhism.

Question 6

Theravada Buddhism is a rigorous form practiced by ?

Answer 6

monks and nuns

Question 7

what is Theravada Buddhism referred to as?

Answer 7

small raft because it offers an immediate path to Nirvanna for only a few (the monks and nuns).

Question 8

Mahayana Buddhism is referred to as

Answer 8

the great vehicle because it offers a path to Nirvanna for a greater number of people.

Question 9

Mahayana Buddhism explicit goal is?

Answer 9

for individuals to forego their own striving for Nirvanna in order to assist others to get on the right path.

Question 10

Mahayana Buddhism what type of form?

Answer 10

communitarian form

Question 11

Vajrayana Buddhism is possibly the most

Answer 11

explicitly supernatural of all forms of Buddhism

Question 12

Vajrayana Buddhism what do they believe?

Answer 12

There are many gods and divine personification of Buddha and his thoughts and actions

Question 13

Vajrayana Buddhism e.g.?

Answer 13

in Tibet, Dalai Lama is regarded as reincarnation of Buddha.

Question 14

Vajrayana Buddhism what does it emphasise?

Answer 14

emphasises rigorous meditation and the necessity for being instructed by special religious teachers

Question 15

Lamaism was developed in

Answer 15

Tibet

Question 16

Lamaism why developed in Tibet?

Answer 16

its emphasis on hierarchy which places special monks at the top of religious society.

Question 17

Lamaism , to them, the Dalai Lama is the

Answer 17

rightful worldly leader (look for reincarnations if one dies).

Question 18

Lamaism - present Dalai Lama?

Answer 18

been in exile since 1959 when the Chinese invaded Tibet and forced its own belief system on the country.

Question 19

Zen Buddhism: when?

Answer 19

circa 600 CE

Question 20

Zen Buddhism: it was reaction to? attempt to?

Answer 20

the way Buddhism was developing at the time, and an attempt to return to the roots of the religion.

Question 21

Zen Buddhism: what does it present?

Answer 21

a radical attempt to return to the essential meditation aspect of Buddhism.

Question 22

Zen Buddhism: what does it stress?

Answer 22

stresses that enlightenment can only be achieved through deep contemplation/meditation = deeper understanding of life and allow us to withstand trials of life.

Question 23

Pure land Buddhism is associated with

Answer 23

Japanese Buddhism

Question 24

Pure land Buddhism why associated with Japanese buddhism?

Answer 24

connection with Shinto beliefs of the afterlife

Question 25

Pure land Buddhism speaks of?

Answer 25

a pure and holy place where Buddhists go after dying (a kind of heaven).

Question 26

Soto Zen Buddhism believe that

Answer 26

the true law of Buddhism has been passed down directly from teacher to pupil since the time of Buddha (mainly through meditation).

Question 27

Soto Zen Buddhism is attractive to?

Answer 27

to non-Buddhists because it does not require rejection of any other religious belief to be practiced
can be christian and still practice soto zen

Question 28

Won Buddhism developed where and when?

Answer 28

Korea in the early 20th century

Question 29

Won Buddhism: why typically Buddhist?

Answer 29

Buddhist because it’s primarily about meditation.

Question 30

Won Buddhism: who does it appeal to?

Answer 30

busy modern world as it emphasises that enlightenment is available to anyone who is willing to seek it out.

Question 31

Won Buddhism: what are these monks able to do?

Answer 31

to marry and live fairly normal lives (unlike most Buddhist monks).

Question 32

Soka Gakkai is what form of Buddhism?

Answer 32

most modern

Question 33

Soka Gakkai believe how to achieve enlightenment in self?

Answer 33

At its heart is a form of mediation/meditation combined with a tantric chant

Question 34

Soka Gakkai - what do its followers use to promote it?

Answer 34

modern social mediums (papers, tv, internet sites) to promote it.

Question 35

Soka Gakkai what do they try to make?

Answer 35

their form of Buddhism fit in with the modern world/materialised society