Buddhism Test

Question 1

Anatta

Answer 1

refers to no-self, meaning there is no ultimate reality within

Question 2

Anicca

Answer 2

refers to impernanence

Question 3

Dharma

Answer 3

only legacy is the dharma, meaning to “uphold”, the teachings of the Buddha

Question 4

Dukkha

Answer 4

refers to suffering —> the natural result of anatta and anicca: the desire to hold on to things and prevent the change

Question 5

Four Noble Truths

Answer 5

Center of all Buddhist beliefs —> ignorance of this means you will continue samsara
1. life is filled with suffering, 2. the cause of suffering is desire, 3. to cease suffering, one must cease desiring, 4. the path to the end of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path

Question 6

Four Sights/Visions

Answer 6

1. Old man, 2. sick man, 3. corpse, 4. wandering holy man

Question 7

Nirvana

Answer 7

a state of eternal bliss
- must follow the Buddha’s teachings
- no immortality
- means you extinguish
- not good, not bad
- Nirvana is.

Question 8

Noble Eightfold Path

Answer 8

1. understanding - see things as they are
2. thought - replacing wrong thoughts with right ones
3. speech - speak truthfully and kindly about others
4. conduct - do not cheat, steal, murder, or engage in sexual misconduct
5. ivelihood - do not earn a living through actions that would harm other things
6. Effort - get rid of bad/delusional thoughts and cultivate good ones
7. mindfulness - be aware of everything at all times
8. concentration - form of meditation in which you concentrate on one object to give it your full attention

Question 9

Samsara

Answer 9

continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth

Question 10

Sangha

Answer 10

• first Buddhist monastic community
• eventually term is used to describe the entire community of monks, nuns, and lay people

Question 11

Suffering

Answer 11

intimately related to life, life is filled with suffering

Question 12

The Middle Way

Answer 12

• the Buddha gives his first address at deer park —> only through the Middle Way can people achieve freedom from the cycle of rebirths

Question 13

Theraveda Buddhism

Answer 13

• oldest sect of Buddhism
• focuses on the teachings of the Buddha, rather than the Buddha himself
• adherents practice the Noble Eightfold Path

Question 14

Tripitaka

Answer 14

means “Three Baskets” aka Pali Canon (oldest scriptures)

Question 15

Koans

Answer 15

• intended to clear the mind and to serve as objects of meditation
• zen masters often use koans to teach their disciples to discover themselves

Question 16

Lotus Sutra

Answer 16

• attributed to the Buddha, but most likely comprised over generations
• contains the final teachings of the Buddha, implying it’s more important than the Tripitaka
• says all people can attain Enlightenment

Question 17

Mahayana Buddhists

Answer 17

• focuses on the Buddha himself, celebrating him as a divine savior
• known for an emphasis on lay participation
• monks abide by the same rules as Theravada monks

Question 18

Meditation of Loving Kindness

Answer 18

The individual focuses on the self and says loving things about him/her before moving his/her attention to others

Question 19

Mindfulness of Breath Meditation

Answer 19

First form a buddhist learns, begins most other forms of meditation
- aids ability to concentrate and achieve inner peace

Question 20

Tibetan Book of the Dead

Answer 20

• contains writings on death, dying, and rebirth
• read while someone is dying, if possible or after they have recently died

Question 21

Tibetan Buddhists

Answer 21

• leaders of monasteries are known as lamas
• the head of Tibetan Buddhist monastic leaders is therefore called the Dalai Lama

Question 22

Vajrayana Buddhists

Answer 22

• known as Tantric Buddhism
• harnesses the energy of desire and turns it against itself to propel the individual toward enlightenment
• emphasizes mantras, rituals and meditation as a way to strive for Enlightenment

Question 23

Zen Buddhists

Answer 23

• believes that the desire to become enlightened can itself become an illusion
• zen masters often use koans to teach their disciplines to discover themselves

Question 24

1) Given that there are a growing number of Catholics who would also identify themselves with Buddhism, please fully explain three things about this religion that could attract the Catholic follower. Then fully explain three things that could be problematic for the Catholic follower.

Answer 24

A few things in Buddhism that Catholics could be drawn to include:
1. being kind and loving - both focus on treating others well
2. calming your mind - buddhism has meditation which can be similar to catholic prayers
3. becoming a better person - buddhism encourages people to grow and be better on the inside, just like catholics try to be more like Jesus
Some challenges for Catholic followers include:
1. different ideas about heaven - catholics believe in going to heaven while buddhists believe in rebirth and finding peace within themselves
2. not worshipping a God - in buddhism, there is no God to pray to like in catholicism
3. different rules for living - buddhists think differently about euthanasia or not being attached to possessions

Question 25

2) Given that Buddhism stems from the belief that life is intimately related to suffering, how could adopting this ideal be really freeing rather than confining? How could it motivate you to participate in your life, rather than check out? Fully explain by providing two examples for each question.

Answer 25

Many people might be overly optimistic about life, hope and suffering should be treated the same, it is impossible not to suffer in life and accepting that fact will help one move forward.
Accepting that tragedy can happen can help one face it better, and it can also help one understand its roots.
Suffering can be motivation too: 1) as one can learn from it and use it to their advantage, 2) and use it to cultivate compassion for others

Question 26

3) Do you think the ceasing of all desires is possible? Fully explain using Buddhist beliefs. Is even the desire to cease all desires itself a desire? Provide two examples to support your answer.

Answer 26

I think it is possible. Buddhism has a goal of attaining enlightenment, which includes the cessation of suffering/desires, but becoming fixated on this can hinder one’s progress.
Additionally, the concept of non-attachment in Buddhism includes letting go of one’s desires and worldly attachments, and becoming fixated on this can also hinder one’s progress.
Buddhism is telling us to simply live our lives morally and focus on the present and not the end goal or the past, therefore ceasing all desires.

Question 27

4) Do you think Buddhism is a pessimistic religion? Fully explain your answer by giving five reasons why.

Answer 27

I don’t believe Buddhism is a pessimistic religion, I think it is rather “realistic” and “undefined” in a way. I believe this because:
1) it acknowledges suffering as a huge aspect of life
2) it teaches that attachment and desire are the causes of suffering
3) it describes happiness/pleasure as impermanent
4) it teaches that fixating on something can rather hinder us from achieving it
5) Buddhism urges us to focus on the present, and not what might happen or what already happened
All of these reasons have been proven true in my life, and I don’t regard my life as pessimistic, so I don’t see Buddhism as pessimistic.

Question 28

5) The Eightfold Path is similar in nature to many other religions. Given that it is easily relatable, describe one way you could incorporate each of the elements of the Eightfold Path into your own spiritual life. [must have one way for each of the paths]

Answer 28

1. understanding: studying spiritual teaching and reflecting on reality
2. thought: having intentions aligned with compassion/kindness
3. speech: speak truthfully and mindfully
4. conduct: act with integrity
5. livelihood: avoiding professions that contribute to suffering
6. effort: persevere to overcome unwholesome habits
7. mindfulness: through meditation and practices that cultivate awareness
8. concentration: develop clarity of mind through inner stability

Question 29

6) Within Buddhism, “to examine completely the inner realm of self leads to the discovery that the self does not exist.” Explain this statement according to Buddhism. Explain how a Hindu might respond to such a statement. Explain how a Christian might respond to such a statement.

Answer 29

In Buddhism, this statement claims that through deep introspection one can realize that the self is not a fixed or permanent entity.
A Hindu might respond by emphasizing Atman, the eternal self or soul that is distinct from impermanence.
And a Christian might respond by affirming that humans possess an external soul created in the image of God that persists beyond death.