005 Expressions of religious identity

Question 1

What are the three refuges?

Answer 1

• the buddha
• the dhamma
• the sangha

Question 2

What is the sangha?

Answer 2

the buddhist community

Question 3

What is the purpose of the sangha?

Answer 3

to spread the message of the buddha

Question 4

What does the term Sangha literally mean?

Answer 4

‘assembly’

Question 5

Which part of the pali canon regulates monastic life?

Answer 5

The vinaya pitaka

Question 6

what is a bhikku?

Answer 6

An ordained monk

Question 7

What are alms?

Answer 7

respect given by a lay buddhist to a buddhist monk or nun

Question 8

What should a monk do if they break rules?

Answer 8

Leave the sangha

Question 9

What is the patimokkha?

Answer 9

the monastic rules which monks chant

Question 10

What is the status of nuns

Answer 10

inferior to monks

Question 11

why might monks retreat during monsoon rains?

Answer 11

to protect animals and insects

Question 12

at what age can a person become a novice monk?

Answer 12

from age of 7 or 8w

Question 13

why might someone be a short term novice?

Answer 13

it generates karmic fruitfulness

Question 14

Why might people in countries such as Thailand take on a temporary monkhood?

Answer 14

monastic life can provide education, religious and secular, enhancing one’s position and respect in lay society

Question 15

Evidence for the importance of the Sangha in Thailand

Answer 15

Temporary monkhood is prevelant where about half of the male Buddhists join the Sangha at some point in their lives for a limited period

Question 16

Define reciprocal

Answer 16

felt in return/communal

Question 16

Evidence for why monks are well respected in Thailand

Answer 16

If a monk disrobes, his position in lay society is higher than it previously was, and he is also respected as an ex-monk

Question 17

Examples of the recirpocal relationship between the sangha and the lay community

Answer 17

• the giving of alms (food, drink, clothing, shelter)
• donations of land
• labour
• service within the monastery

Question 18

How do the lay community benefit from the sangha?

Answer 18

from monks teaching the dhamma and perform practical rites such as marriage, death and offering guidance

Question 19

Which monk self immolated in the 1960s?

Answer 19

Thich Quang Duc

Question 20

Which buddhist tradition is most prevalent in Thailand?

Answer 20

Theravada

Question 21

In Thailand, who is required by law to be a Buddhist?

Answer 21

The king

Question 22

How does the Thai government have control of the Sangha

Answer 22

The government partly used the Sangha to maintain an anti-Communist stance.

Question 23

What was the past role of the sangha?

Answer 23

the Sangha helped to maintain the social order by promoting peace, happiness and security

Question 24

How is the Sangha used in politics in C21?

Answer 24

political campaigners use the sangha as a way of gaining votes, particularly in rural areas where the monasteries have maintained their importance in the community.

Question 25

What is the Wat Phra Dhammakaya movement?

Answer 25

Temple founded in Northern Thailand in 1970.

Question 26

What does the WPD emphasize?

Answer 26

the revival of traditional Buddhist values, but does so through modern methods and technology.

Question 27

How does WPD aim to promote world peace?

Answer 27

Through inner peace

Question 28

What forms of moden technology do the WPD use?

Answer 28

• social media
• tv channels

Question 29

What is controversial about the WPD?

Answer 29

They accept monetary donations in exchange for merit

Question 30

What can women not become in the WPD?

Answer 30

Nuns

Question 31

What can women be in the WPD?

Answer 31

Mai Chis - They occupy a position somewhere between that of an ordinary lay follower and an ordained monastic and similar to that of the monks.

Question 32

Examples of religious practice of the WPD

Answer 32

• teaching people about Buddhism through university lectures and seminars
• encourage donations
• monthly ceremony of honouring the food through food
• focusing on samatha meditation

Question 33

Define devotion in buddhism

Answer 33

showing love and reverence for the Buddha, his teachings, and senior religious leaders in Buddhism.

Question 34

Why might MBs worship bodhisattvas?

Answer 34

Bodhisattvas have unlimited punya to share with the world

Question 35

Define punya

Answer 35

s a power which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts, or thoughts and which affects one’s entire life, but also carries over to subsequent rebirths.

Question 36

TBs view on puja?

Answer 36

less of a focus and worshipping the Buddha will give Buddhists good punya

Question 37

MB views on puja

Answer 37

More of a focus on worship generally temples are more ornate.
There are more beings to worship as bodhisattvas in heavenly realms

Question 38

Define meditation

Answer 38

an altered state of consciousness which is induced in a controlled manner

Question 39

Finish the quote by the Buddha: “It is better to conquer yourself …

Answer 39

than to win a thousand battles”

Question 40

What role does meditation play in Buddhism?

Answer 40

Calms the mind and helps people to overcome negative emotions

Question 41

Why must Buddhists meditate?

Answer 41

It was practiced by the Buddha and is part of the 8FP

Question 42

What is samatha meditation?

Answer 42

calm abiding’/mindfulness meditation.