Buddhism

Question 1

Two schools before Buddha appear

Answer 1

Shramanas and Brahminism

Question 2

Jains

Answer 2

(they believed in a soul/life essence called Jiva, which is imprisoned within our material body and held captive by karma. They believed that the Jiva could be set free by refraining from actions, and living a life of great restraint and austerity.) Yogic Practices

Question 3

Materialist

Answer 3

(Brahmanism because they regarded religious rituals as unscientific. They rejected any non-empirical ideas, including the soul, karma, and reincarnation.)

Question 4

Sceptic

Answer 4

(Denise Cush claims that the Buddha was particularly critical of this group as he felt as if they were refusing to see what was true, and that this displayed their ignorance.)

Question 5

Birth Place and Mom

Answer 5

Born in Lumbini Park his mother, Queen Maya

Question 6

Brahminism

Answer 6

the religion officiated by the Brahmin caste. It was accessible through holy books called Vedas. It may also be referred to as Hinduism.

Question 7

Life before

Answer 7

It’s argued that Siddhartha lived many lives before his final birth. In one, he lived as an ascetic called Sumedha, who met and was inspired by a previous Buddha – Dipankara.

Question 8

His father

Answer 8

Suddhodana (He was a leader of the Shakya, who lived in an oligarchic republic)

Question 9

Mara vs Buddha

Answer 9

Ashvagosha’s account, there is a battle between Mara’s army, with weapons, which is resolved as the Buddha uses the ten perfections to defend himself. Mara then attempted to tempt Gautama with promises of glory and pleasure, which the Buddha rejects, knowing they are meaningless. Mara then sends a group of disgusting creatures to destroy his body; they launch arrows at him, which then turn into flowers and fall to the ground.

Question 10

Buddha teaching

Answer 10

Taught his companions in asceticism first, at Sarnath (the deer park)

Question 11

Key Arhat Dhamma eye

Answer 11

Kondanna

Question 12

Birth Story

Answer 12

“He immediately stood, walked seven paces, scanned in all directions, and said in a noble voice that he was the foremost being in the world, and that this would be his last birth”

Question 13

Ehipassiko

Answer 13

This suggests that the Dharma is a useful tool but if it is seen as more than that, there is a danger of ‘grasping/craving’ it. The Buddha seems to be recommending the same path of personal experimentation he took, even for his teachings. This suggests that the Dhamma is of equal value to the life of the Buddha in that neither has any intrinsic value. It is only insofar as something leads one along the path to awakening that it has value.

Question 14

Hagiography

Answer 14

Buddha should not be understood as a historical figure but as an exemplification of his teachings.

Hagiographic/mythic elaborations on the story show how this figure was perceived by the people who remembered him.

The story is archetypal and patterned on other stories of the birth of great leaders.

Question 15

Denice Cush

Answer 15

She emphasises that the Buddha should be understood as it is, the mythical elements are only used to exaggerate the fact that the Buddha is really special.

Question 16

key things that are challenging Sangha

Answer 16

• Role of Higher Education: With widespread access to higher education, there’s an expectation for a deeper understanding of Buddhism among the population. Monks and nuns need to be equipped to answer questions and earn respect through clear explanations of the Dharma. Integrating modern knowledge into monastic education is crucial.
• Role of Publishing: The proliferation of books and digital resources on Buddhism has democratized access to Dharma knowledge. Monastics should focus on embodying and practising the teachings, offering a living example of Buddhist principles alongside scholarly understanding.
• Shifting Populations: Urbanization and higher stress levels increase the need for Dharma teachings that address everyday life challenges. While adapting teachings to modern contexts is essential, core Buddhist principles shouldn’t be diluted.
• Challenges Offered by the Sangha: Monastics should not only meet the challenges of the modern age but also present challenges to societal norms. By living a life of renunciation and simplicity, the Sangha challenges materialistic values and encourages inner development.
• Voice of Conscience: The Sangha is called upon to address pressing global issues with compassion and ethical clarity. This involves speaking out against injustice, promoting compassion, and advocating for environmental sustainability.

Question 17

Thubten Chodron on the importance of Dhamma

Answer 17

Buddhists are better equipped to meet the challenges of the modern world. This is because, by contemplating on our own experiences, we can understand the disadvantages of our attachments, and thus limit the negative impacts of it. For example, the persuasiveness of advertising.
Other people’s negativity will also have less of an impact on us.
We can generate more compassion and love for others, equipping us with the skills to deal with challenges better and calmer. This has benefits beyond just relationships, as it may help in workplace environments too.

Question 18

Three types of Dhamma

Answer 18

Vinaya Pitaka (rules for discipline in a monastic setting)
Sutta Pitaka (describes the teaching in the context of the life of the Buddha
Abhidhamma Pitaka (later philosophical section, which differs according to the school of Buddhism)

Question 19

What happened in the Flower sermon

Answer 19

Buddha taught the dharma by holding up a flower and turning it in his hand. One of his disciples – Kasyapa – understood the message and smiled.

Question 20

The Six Patriarchs (1,2,5,6)

Answer 20

Bodhidharma, an Indian master, went from India to China, beginning the line of the Chinese Ch’an masters. He was a legendary figure, said to have meditated facing a wall for 9 years until his legs fell off.

Hui Ko Cut off his arm to allow the Bodhidharma to accept him. Cush believes that this is exaggerated to show the determined attitude of Zen.

Hung Jen started a poetry competition to see who understood the Buddhist truth the best, and should be next in line. Shen Hsui, who was an established monk, wrote a poem on a tree. It was expected that he would become the next patriarch.

Hui Neng An illiterate chef at the monastery. He dictated the poem to a friend to write on the tree next to Shen hsui. He won the competition. This election of an unexpected candidate shows that you don’t need scriptures in zen – you can just ‘get it’. His followers believe that he was summoned into Hung jen’s presence and was taught the diamond sutra, meaning he became enlightened.

Question 21

Four main teaching

Answer 21

The goal is enlightenment, which is seeing the non-duality of all things. There is an emphasis on the sudden realisation of sunyata.

Buddha’s nature is within all beings.

The non-duality of nirvana and samsara. This brings a spiritual value to everyday life/the universe.

The truth cannot be put into words. It can only be passed from mind to mind.

Question 22

What is Enzo

Answer 22

a circle of vast space, lacking nothing and holding nothing in excess. (Realisation through art)

Question 23

What is Koans

Answer 23

Denise Cush argues that koans are paradoxical, riddle-like sayings that cannot be solved with logic.

E.g., what is the sound of one hand clapping?

What is the Buddha? Three points of flax.

You are not meant to come up with an intellectual explanation, but, instead, koans help us realize that we impose words and concepts onto reality, and this gets in the way of us seeing it.
When a pupil struggles with a koan, they push their mind to the limit and therefore may break through to an intuitive grasp of the truth.

Question 24

Zazen Meditation

Answer 24

Barbara O’Brien argues that zazen is the foundation of zen practice. It must be practised for a while to appreciate it. It is personal and intimate. It is an independent and unique journey. It involves sitting with no goals or expectations.

Question 25

Satori

Answer 25

it is seeing the non-duality of all things.

Question 26

Two Zen schools and what are they advocating for.

Answer 26

Rinzai

Began with I hsuan, in the 9th century. Emphasised eccentric teaching methods.
E.g., shouting, beating, tough discipline and riddle-like sayings.
‘If you come across the Buddha in your path, kill him’ – I hsuan.

This is because the Buddha is killed when one realises that he’s empty of inherent existence.

Illustrated the need to be free of external forms of religion and mental constructs.

E.g., free yourself from the idea that the Buddha is separate from you.

This was attractive to the Chinese warrior class. This meant that Rinzai had a connection with politics and nationalism.

O’Brien states that there is an emphasis on kensho experience to realise enlightenment.

Soto

Started with Tung Shan.

Felt that the eccentricity of Rinzai could lead into assertiveness and mind games. The eccentricity may just be showing off, undermining the morality of normal people to show that you can break moral rules at whim.

Emphasised a quiet approach with decent moral behaviour, studying scriptures, no political involvements and long sessions of meditation.

Question 27

Who created the pure-land

Answer 27

T’an-luan

Question 28

Who is Amitabha and its history

Answer 28

Dharmakara vowed, in a past aeon, ‘in the presence of a living Buddha that he would create a perfect paradise out of compassion for suffering beings’ – Cush. He made 48 vows that refer to this land. This involves the beauty of the land, the pleasant lifestyle, the presence of Bodhisattvas and, the most important one – ‘that beings only have to think of him in trusting devotion and he will take them to this land upon their death’ – Cush. Eventually, Dharmakara became a Buddha called Amitabha.

Question 29

five types of religious practice?

Answer 29

Reciting scriptures; meditating on Amitabha and his paradise; worshipping Amitabha; chanting his name; and making praises and offerings to him. Of these, it is the recital of Amitabha’s name that is the most important.

Question 30

Two Schools of pure land

Answer 30

Jodo-shu

Started by Honen (12th century). He felt as if the Buddhist society and Japanese culture had become corrupt and, inspired by Amida Buddha’s vow, began to teach that faith in him was the only hope for people.

Therefore, ‘we must rely on the grace of Amida, have faith in him, concentrate our thoughts on his paradise land, repeat his name, and try our best to live a decent moral life’ – Denise Cush.

Jodu Shinshu

Started by Shinran (late 12th century-13th century). He was thought by his followers to be the only one to truly understand Honen’s teachings. He taught that sinful human-kind ‘could do nothing to earn salvation for themselves and must throw themselves totally on the mercy of Amida.’ – Cush. He criticized people who tried to earn merit by upkeeping moral rules, and considered a sinner closer to Amida than a so-called good man that was proud of his own achievements.

Question 31

The argument for women being able to reach enlightenment

Answer 31

The Buddha has always taught men and women, there is a historical record of the Buddha teaching being egalitarian and equal on the matter of the four noble truths and its path. If it is not it would be against the fundamental teaching of Buddhism which is to alleviate the suffering of all sentient beings. (and the eightfold path and four noble truths won’t be universal, significantly limiting the teaching)

Question 32

Counterexample of women able to reach enlightenment

Answer 32

The Dhammapada (Theravada) shows this, as Soreyya’s impure thought that his wife should have a beautiful skin hue, he turned into a woman, having to experience life as a female having two sons. When he asks for the forgiveness of Mahakaccayana, he is turned into a male again. Eventually, he attained arhatship.
Some Buddhists especially Theravada are against women reaching enlightenment in this life as being a woman is a result of bad karma.

Question 33

The social implication of women reaching enlightenment

Answer 33

Seeing female rebirth as a result of poor karma may be a result of societal, rather than inherent, inferiority.

Many women lack the support to reach enlightenment. They often aren’t as much a part of the sangha as men are.

Question 34

Thailand inequality in the Buddhist communities

Answer 34

20% equal in terms of treatment and proportion

Question 35

Dragon kings daughter

Answer 35

Sagara’s daughter is incredibly intelligent. At eight years old, she has prudence in acts of body, speech, and mind. She acquired in one moment a thousand meditations, and ifs deemed fit to arrive in nirvana.
The Bodhisattva Pragnakuta said that, when he saw the Buddha trying to become enlightened, he took aeons. He says that, therefore, it is difficult to believe that Sagara’s daughter could arrive at supreme, perfect knowledge in one moment.
After this, she asks Sariputra if the Buddha truly accepted her gem. He answered that, yes, and as soon as you presented it, he accepted it.
Then, in front of everyone, the daughter of Sagara disappeared and turned into a man, manifesting herself as a bodhisattva. She goes down to the foot of a tree and shows himself enlightened – preaching the law, filling all dimensions of space. Everyone saw this.

Question 36

Naomi Appleton

Answer 36

She said that the Theravada Tradition does not deny women from achieving nirvana and arhatship, but only the bodhisattva path in Theravada sense on higher bhumis (grounds) excels an Arhat in wisdom and merit. (eight condition vows) e.g. man and under the presence of another Buddha
However, even this comes from the commentary section of the scripture and simply assumes just because the past life of Buddha is all male, female is excluded when it is just inertia and easier to imagine.

Question 37

Mahayanist view on women attaining enlightenment and awakening

Answer 37

The prajnaparamita sutras argue that all apparent characteristics are illusionary. Therefore, you cannot assume a distinction between men and women – e.g., that women are less enlightened than men.

Question 38

A potential reason why women are demonised and seen as inferior

Answer 38

lust is one of the sensual pleasures that must be rejected by Buddhists. This may explain why women were somewhat demonised, as an objects of sexual pleasure at the time. This is significant as sexual gratification is ‘one of the most powerful forms of bondage the renunciant must combat.’ – Barnes.

‘Women are messengers of hell who can destroy the seeds of Buddahood. They may look like bodhisattvas, but at heart they are like yaksha demons.’ – The Flower Garden Suttra.

E.g., when Mara sends his daughters to the Buddha.

Question 39

Barnes Counter

Answer 39

Since lust is an attitude of the mind, it is the mind which must be controlled.

Question 40

Sir Lanka

Answer 40

Batchelor argues that Sri Lanka has changed significantly in terms of its gender equality. Previously, he claims, it was 40% equal, now it is 80%.

Question 41

Bachelor’s view on Korea and the localisation of inequality

Answer 41

Nuns have their nunneries; teachers are financially independent from the monks.

This is because, for the past 500 years, Buddhism was oppressed by a Confucianist regime. Therefore, monks were limited in their power. Consequently, nuns and monks were equal in their shared experiences.

In Korea, there’s a strong tradition of female shamans.

Question 42

Rita Gross’s four levels of androcentrism

Answer 42

First-level androcentricism: the texts and stories are about men and involve statements by men far more than they do women.
Second level: The texts and stories there are about women are considered less important.
Third level: The Western study of Buddhism follows and accepts, rather than challenging, these biases in the Buddhist texts & stories.
Fourth level: The result is that contemporary Buddhism is androcentric.
Men rarely give much thought to their privileged status, they just accept it as the way the world is on a conditioned instinctual level of their mind. Merely overlooked many facts about women in the scripture.

Question 43

The Eight Gurudharmas

Answer 43

A nun must always respectfully greet a monk, even if she has been ordained for a hundred years, and he has only been ordained that day.

A nun mustn’t spend the rains (the 3-month rainy season retreat) in a place where there are no monks.

Every half month, a nun should ask the Order of Monks for the date of Observance Day and the coming of the exhortation.

After the rains, a nun must confess to both the order of the monks and nuns what was seen, what was heard, and what was suspected.

If a nun acts immorally, they must undergo manyatta discipline for half a month.

When a nun has trained in the six rules for two years, she should seek higher ordination from both orders.

A monk must not be abused or reviled in any way by a nun.

Nuns must not reprimand monks.

Question 44

First ordination

Answer 44

Initially, the Buddha was reluctant to ordain women.

Gotamid, the woman asking the Buddha for ordination, is the Buddha’s aunt, who raised him after the death of his mother.

Women require a male intermediary in the form of Ananda, a leading disciple of the Buddha, to argue on their behalf.

When the Buddha agrees to female ordination, he lists eight conditions:

The Buddha also predicts a decline in his teachings because of the ordination of women.

Question 45

Rules on Bhikkhunis

Answer 45

The Buddha made it a rule that both bhikkus and bhikkunis must be present at the ordination of a bhikkuni. However, after most of the orders of the nuns died out, there were none available to ordained new bhikkhunis. This acted as a catalyst for the already declining numbers of ordination of women.

Question 46

Thailand monk

Answer 46

In 2003 Dhammananda became the first Thai Bhikkuni to be ordained in the Theravada tradition by traveling to Sri Lanka. Upon returning to Thailand much of the Theravada Sangha rejected her.

Question 47

Thailand stat

Answer 47

They receive 8 precepts.

They aren’t considered anything – not laywomen nor nuns.

They serve as servants to the monks, e.g., they cook for them.

Thailand is 95% Theravada Buddhist and typically does not think women can be ordained due to the ordination rules. Bhikkhunis are tolerated but technically illegal and risk being charged with the crime of impersonating a monk, though that is rare. Bhikkhunis are not allowed to participate in state or public rituals and do not receive any state subsidy.

Question 48

Analogy of the Mango

Answer 48

King Milinda asks Nagasena, what it is to be reborn. Nagasena replies ‘name-and-form is reborn’, meaning that both identity and physical appearance are reborn. He argues that it is not the same name and form as in the past life, but instead that the new name and form are shaped by this through karmic fruits. He claims that karma passes from life to life. He gives the example of a mango tree. A man plants a mango, and it turns into a tree. A thief then steals a mango from the tree, and Nagasena asks the King whether he should be punished, to which the King says yes. This is because the mango grew as a result of the owner’s past actions, and therefore he has ownership and still should take responsibility. ‘Just so, great king, deeds good or evil are done by this name-and-form and another is reborn. But that other is not thereby released from its deeds’ – Nagasena. This imagery represents the Buddhist belief in cause and effect. It also demonstrates the ownership of acts / karmic fruits.

Question 49

Analogy of the Lamp

Answer 49

Nagasena gives another example. He uses a lamp, asking whether it is the same flame of the lamp that burns through all three nights. Milinda answers no. However, Nagasena says ‘then there is one lamp in the first watch [of the night], and another in the second, and another in the third?’. This is not the case, as he continues to say that this is like ‘the continuity of a person or thing maintained. One comes into being, another passes away; and the rebirth is, as it were, simultaneous. Thus neither as the same nor as another does a man go on to the last phase of his self-consciousness’. Ultimately, this analogy shows that there can be new wicks/oils/flames, but it is still not a new lamp – they cease at different times to each other and therefore there is contingency. The flame changes, but the light stays the same.

Question 50

On Rebirth fate seal

Answer 50

King Ajatasattu became his disciple, the Buddha acknowledged that he had his fate sealed, as he had killed his own father earlier. This is because one who has killed his parents / an arahat / a Buddha is said to have done an action with immediate kammic effect, meaning that they will be reborn in hell for the remainder of an aeon. Peter Harvey

Question 51

Four Noble Truth

Answer 51

Dukkha Samudaya Nirodha Magga

Question 52

Compassion

Answer 52

Karuna

Question 53

Wisdom

Answer 53

Prajna

Question 54

Craving

Answer 54

Taṇhā

Question 55

Mind

Answer 55

Citta

Question 56

15 min meditation health effect

Answer 56

The blood pressure will become lower and the immune system will become stronger due to lower stress. This is true according to five-year research in which 15-minute meditation a day reduced the risk of death and heart attack by 48 per cent.
UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence endorsed mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy to combat the relapse of depression.

Question 57

Mindfulness

Answer 57

sati

Question 58

Jhana

Answer 58

1. Five hindrances are opposed to the five
   jhāna factors.
   Characterized by rapture and happiness
   born of seclusion
2. Disappearance of applied and sustained
   thought
   Characterized by delight and happiness
   born of concentration
3. Rapture fades, revealing a quiet, subtle,
   and pervasive happiness.
   Characterized by the subtle enjoyment
   of a mindful mind and
   equanimous
4. Happiness is replaced by equanimity.
   The mind is profoundly stable, still, and
   equanimous.
   Mindfulness is purified by equanimity.

Question 59

The five hindrances:

Answer 59

Sensual desire.
Ill-will.
Tiredness and sleepiness
Excitement
Depression.

Question 60

4 Brahma Viharas

Answer 60

Metta: This translates to ‘loving kindness’. A person first wishes themselves well, as you cannot love another without first loving yourself. The person then gradually spreads wishes out to family, friends, the community and all beings.

Karuna: This means active compassion: understanding the nature of suffering and sharing compassion with others.

Mudita: A sympathetic joy in which the mediator shares the happiness of all beings.

Upekka: This is the state of peace and serenity. A person looks at everyone with the same well-wishes.

Question 61

Analogy of the three bowl

Answer 61

Upside-down bowl: Represents a distracted or closed mindset, where one’s attention is scattered or preoccupied, hindering receptivity to wisdom. It highlights the importance of being fully present and attentive to the teachings in order to benefit from them.
Cracked bowl: Symbolizes a lack of retention or integration of the teachings into one’s life. Even if the teachings are initially received, they may not be sustained or applied consistently, leading to minimal lasting impact. It emphasizes the need for genuine transformation through consistent practice and application of the teachings.
Dirty bowl: Signifies a contaminated attitude or selective approach to the teachings, where certain aspects are embraced while others are rejected based on personal preferences or biases. It underscores the importance of approaching the teachings with an open mind and willingness to explore unfamiliar or challenging concepts in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the path to enlightenment.

Question 62

Buddhism against war

Answer 62

Non-violent methods should be employed against Barbara O’Brian
2007 Saffron Revolution in Burma protest against the government’s decision to raise oil and gas price
Poor example of Buddhist engagement
Zen and Japanese Militarism, were twisted and corrupted to excuse killing. Raise money to manufacture warplanes.
Scripture or Buddha Prohibition
Gamani Samyuttam

Question 63

Opposition to oppression and injustices

Answer 63

The Sangha for Peace project.

• 2-year project funded by USAID.
• Promote peace, harmony and non-violent means as a way to foster a sense of community.
• Use the dhamma.
• 20 peace workers to effect outreach activities.
• They target groups in South and South-East Asia where high levels of ethno-religious tensions because of national groups increase levels of discrimination and violent conflict.

Question 64

Evidence in support of Defensive War

Answer 64

Some Buddhists point to the Kosala Samyutta as allowing defensive warfare. King Pasendai, who was liked by the Buddha, learns his kingdom is about to be attacked. He leads his army into battle to protect the kingdom. Although that battle was lost, the overall war was won. Pasendai captured the King of the enemy but let him go. The Buddha then claimed Pasendai was ‘a friend of virtue, acquainted with virtue, intimate with virtue’, while the opposite was said of the King who led a non-defensive attack.

Question 65

14 precept

Answer 65

• Don’t be idolatrous about/bound to any doctrine, theory or ideology, even if they are Buddhist.
• Don’t think that the knowledge that you possess changeless, absolute truth. Learn and practice non-attachment from views to be open to receive others’ opinions.
• Don’t force people to adopt your views.
• Don’t avoid suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Awaken yourself to the reality of suffering in the world.
• Don’t accumulate wealth while millions are in poverty.
• Don’t maintain anger or hatred. This can be done with meditation.
• Remain in the moment. This can be done with meditation.
• Don’t say things that can cause conflict. Try your hardest to reconcile all conflict.
• Don’t lie to hurt people. Always speak truthfully and constructively.
• Don’t use the Buddhist community for gain or profit. Don’t turn it into a political party.
• Don’t live in a way that’s harmful to animals and nature.
• Don’t kill. Preserve life.
• Possess nothing that should belong to others, including other species.
• Don’t mistreat your body.

Question 66

Three Dukkha

Answer 66

1. Dukkha – Dukkha.
   This is normal suffering. It occurs because of inherently painful things in the world for example, death, physical pain, frustration of desires.
2. Viparinama – Dukkha.
   This is suffering because of the temporary world around us. Because of annica (impermanence), the enjoyable experiences do not last, and as a result, we suffer.
3. Sankhara – Dukkha.
   This is suffering because of insubstantiality. For example, humans limits such as lack of knowledge, ability, or foresight means that we suffer.

Question 67

Where is Bikkhuni prescribe

Answer 67

Cullavagga

Question 68

Males and Females are treated equally

Answer 68

King Pasenadi of Kosala became a follower of the Buddha very early in the Buddha’s ministry and has remained a loyal supporter ever since. “A good daughter is as good as a good son.’