Wisdom and Authority (Buddhism) Flashcards
What was the name of the historical Buddha?
Siddhartha Gautama
Which auspicious animal appears in Queen Maya’s dream?
A white elephant (holding a lotus flower)
Where was the historical Buddha born?
Lumbini Park, Nepal
What did the Buddha say after being born?
“I am chief of the world,
Eldest I am in the world,
Foremost am I in the world.
This is the last birth.
There is now no more coming to be.”
What are some of the auspicious symbols around the Buddha’s birth?
- Queen Maya’s dream
- Auspicious day
- Full Moon
- 7 steps
- Lotus flowers
- Buddha’s speech
- Seer’s prophecy
How did King Suddhodana approach raising Siddhartha?
He raised Siddhartha to live a life of abundance, sheltered from suffering in palaces.
At what age did Siddhartha Gautama leave the palace (and his wife & child)?
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What were The Four Sights that Siddhartha Gautama saw?
- An old man
- A sick man
- A corpse
- A holy man
Which of the Four Sights inspired Siddhartha Gautama?
The holy man
What lifestyle did Siddhartha live that included heavily restricting himself as a form of extreme self-discipline?
Asceticism
What metaphor inspired Siddhartha to find the middle-way?
Tuning an instrument
What were the temptations of Mara?
- Sent his Daughters to seduce the Buddha
- Sent armies to attack him
- Offered his kingdom
- Personally attacked him
Where did Siddhartha reach enlightenment?
Under a Bodhi tree
What were the stages of the Buddha’s enlightenment?
- Recalled his past lives
- Understood impermanence (anicca), Samsara, Karma, Dependent Arising and the Four Noble Truths
- Reached Nirvana and overcame the 3 poisons
Who were the first Buddhist monks?
The 5 ascetics, to which the Buddha first taught the Dharma
What does the raft parable explain about the Dharma?
- The Dharma helps people reach Nirvana
- The teachings can be left behind when no longer needed
- The teachings should be returned to others to help them reach Nirvana
What does ‘Upaya’ mean?
Skillful means
In what scripture is Upaya a main theme?
Lotus Sutra
What does the parable of the burning house show?
Lying/exaggerating is permissible if it serves a greater purpose (reducing suffering, helping to reach Nirvana)
What are the Four Noble Truths?
Dhukka: Life is suffering, Samudaya: Origin of suffering is craving, Nirodha: End of suffering is end of craving,
Magga: The way to end suffering is the Eightfold path
What comparison is often given to explain the purpose of the Four Noble Truths?
The process of getting treatment for an illness (Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prescription)
What are the 3 poisons?
Moha (ignorance), Raga (greed), Dvesha (hatred)
What are the 3 jewels?
The Buddha, the Dharma ans The Sangha
What does the Buddha tell Kiso Gotami to do to teach her about the reality of suffering?
“Go to town, and beg a mustard seed in a house where no man has died”
What was the name of the robber with the necklace of fingers hat the Buddha meets?
Angulimala
What are the three examples of Miracles related to the Buddha?
- The well miracle
- The twin miracle
- The life of the Buddha
What scripture is followed in Theravada Buddhism?
The Pali Canon
What are the 3 parts of the Pali Canon?
- Vinaya Pitaka (rules of the Sangha)
- Sutta Pitaka (moral stories and teachings)
- Abhidhamma Pitaka (further teachings on reality)
How many councils are believed to have been involved in developing the Pali Canon?
6
Approx. when was the first Pali Canon related council convened?
5th Century BCE
At which council was the Pali Canon finally written down?
Fourth Council
How is the Vinaya Pitaka of the Pali Canon used in the daily lives of Buddhists?
The rules outline in it instruct life in the monastic Sangha
