Vajrayana

Question 1

vajra

Answer 1

“diamond” yana=vehicle. so diamond vehicle “perfection of wisdom”

Question 2

antinomian

Answer 2

going against the rules to achieve sudden enlightenment in one lifetime (can be dangerous)

Question 3

guru

Answer 3

Buddhist teacher that is needed to practice Vajrayana because the practices are dangerous and can’t be understood if you don’t know what you’re doing

Question 4

mandala

Answer 4

sacred drawing/shapes that act as a map. used in visual meditation practices

Question 5

upaya

Answer 5

“Skillful means” in teaching Dharma. The goal is to make it so everyone can become enlightened

Question 6

yab-yum

Answer 6

symbol of divine union of wisdom and compassion depicted as a female on a man’s lap

Question 7

prostration

Answer 7

lying flat face down to show reverence

Question 8

mantra

Answer 8

sacred, transformative syllables that have magic powers. often repeated in a chant (ex. om mani padme hum).

Question 9

sunyata

Answer 9

means emptiness, no self or unchanging being. consistent core belief in each school of Buddhism

Question 10

twilight language

Answer 10

deliberate obscure way of writing to protect teachings from unauthorized learners. need a guru to interpret.

Question 11

om mani padme hum

Answer 11

mantra that means “the jewel is in the lotus” The diaond lotus is a symbol for wisdom and compassion

Question 12

Kalachakra

Answer 12

visual meditation practice. go through a mandala through visualization

Question 13

mudra

Answer 13

hand gestures that have meaning

Question 14

Karuna

Answer 14

compassion. Showing compassion to others is a significant concept in Buddhist teachings.

Question 15

Chang Yen

Answer 15

female monk that founded the Tz’u Chi foundation. the world’s largest Buddhist charity

Question 16

Thich Naht Hanh

Answer 16

Vietnamese Zen monk that founded the engaged Buddhist movement that teaches Buddhism in a more activist and social way. evolution of teachings to fit the times

Question 17

sky burial

Answer 17

practice of having a corpse be eaten by vultures. demonstrates samsara and completes the cycle of life., gives the dead good karma in their next ife

Question 18

Tz’u Chi

Answer 18

Buddhist charity that runs relief/aid programs, recycling centers, medical care, and more

Question 19

syncretism

Answer 19

combing different beliefs and schools of thought into one

Question 20

Perfection of Non-Duality 5.5.2

Answer 20

“true meditation” through offerings of feces, urine, snot, flesh, etc.
teachings that go against the rules

Question 21

Meditator Becomes the God 5.5.4

Answer 21

visualization meditation

can be fast paced and constantly changing

Question 22

Milarepa’s Quest 7.5

Answer 22

story about building complex things just to tear them down

shows the dedication and suffering required

Question 23

Experience of Jewish Buddhist 10.5.2

Answer 23

combing of Jewish and Buddhist practices
practicing mindfulness
original faith can be deepened

Question 24

Women in the Sangha in the West 10.6

Answer 24

customs differ, such as bowing, equality

evolution of Buddhism to fit Western traditions

Question 25

Androgynous Reconstruction of Buddhism 10.3

Answer 25

sexism in Buddhist traditions doesn’t fit western culture

ordained nuns have been lost and changes need to be made to be restored

Question 26

Smokey the Bear Sutra 10.1

Answer 26

an interpretation of Buddhist teaching that fits western culture

Question 27

Telephone Meditation

Answer 27

practicing meditation and mindfulness in daily activities

Question 28

Tibetans and Vultures

Answer 28

sky burial

Question 29

14 Precepts of Engaged Buddhism

Answer 29

Parallels with the Eightfold Path
Teachings in a more activist and social manner
Adapting Buddhism to fit Western culture

Question 30

Heal our Suffering World (Tz’u Chi)

Answer 30

largest Buddhist foundation