The Study of Religions Buddhism: Beliefs and Teachings

Question 1

Amitabha Buddha

Answer 1

The Buddha worshipped by Pure Land Buddhists

Question 2

Anatta

Answer 2

The idea that people do not have a permanent, fixed self or soul

Question 3

Anicca

Answer 3

Impermanence; the idea that everything changes

Question 4

Arhat

Answer 4

For Theravada Buddhists, someone who has become enlightened

Question 5

Ascetic

Answer 5

Living a simple, strict lifestyle

Question 6

Bodhisattva

Answer 6

For Mahayana Buddhists, someone who has become enlightened but chooses to remain in the cycle of samsara

Question 7

Buddha

Answer 7

A title given to someone who has achieved enlightenment, usually referred to Siddhartha Gautama

Question 8

Buddha Rupa

Answer 8

A statue of the Buddha, often sitting cross-legged in a mediation pose

Question 9

Buddhahood

Answer 9

When someone achieves enlightenment and becomes a Buddha

Question 10

Buddha-nature

Answer 10

The idea that everyone has the essence of a Buddha inside them

Question 11

Chanting

Answer 11

Reciting from the Buddhist scriptures

Question 12

Dependent Arising

Answer 12

The idea that all things arise in dependence upon conditions - nothing exists that hasn’t already been made

Question 13

Dhamma/Dharma

Answer 13

The Buddhas teachings / the truth of reality

Question 14

Dukkha

Answer 14

The first noble truth: there is suffering

Question 15

Engaged Buddhism

Answer 15

A movement in Buddhism that is particularly concerned with applying the Buddhas teachings to matters of social and environmental injustice

Question 16

Enlightenment

Answer 16

The gaining of true knowledge about self or the nature of reality, usually through meditation or self discipline

Question 17

Ethics (sila)

Answer 17

A section of the threshold way that emphasises the importance of skilful action as the basis for spiritual progress

Question 18

Festival

Answer 18

A day or period of celebration for religious reasons

Question 19

Gompa

Answer 19

A hall or building where Tibetan Buddhists meditate

Question 20

Greed

Answer 20

Selfish desire for something

Question 21

Jataka

Answer 21

The Jataka Tales are popular stories about the lives of a Buddha

Question 22

Kamma/Karma

Answer 22

Consequences to your actions

Question 23

Karuna

Answer 23

Compassion

Question 24

Magga

Answer 24

The fourth noble truth; the way to stop suffering

Question 25

Mahayana Buddhism

Answer 25

Umbrella term - Pure Land Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Zen Buddhism