buddhism

Question 1

What is the name of the Buddha?

Answer 1

Siddartha Gautama

Question 2

At what age did Siddartha Gautama become a Buddha?

Answer 2

35

Question 3

What does ‘Buddha’ mean?

Answer 3

A person who is enlightened

Question 4

Where was Siddartha Gautama born?

Answer 4

Lumbini, modern-day Nepal

Question 5

Who was Siddartha’s mother?

Answer 5

Queen Mayadevi

Question 6

What did Queen Mayadevi dream before Siddartha’s birth?

Answer 6

A pure white elephant with six tusks entered her womb

Question 7

What is the significance of the dream about the white elephant?

Answer 7

It was interpreted as a good omen indicating Siddartha would achieve perfect wisdom

Question 8

What happened during Siddartha’s birth?

Answer 8

He was born out of his mother’s side and took seven steps, announcing he was the World-Honoured one

Question 9

What did Siddartha declare after his birth?

Answer 9

He would not experience any more births and would eliminate the sorrow caused by birth and death

Question 10

What is the ‘Four Sights’?

Answer 10

Four experiences that changed Siddartha’s life: an old man, a sick person, a corpse, and a holy man

Question 11

What did Siddartha realize from the Four Sights?

Answer 11

That all human beings suffer and no one can avoid it

Question 12

What did Siddartha do after realizing the nature of suffering?

Answer 12

He resolved to find out the cause of suffering and how it can be overcome

Question 13

What did Siddartha do before achieving enlightenment?

Answer 13

He practiced asceticism and meditation under various teachers

Question 14

What is ‘Nirvana’?

Answer 14

A state of peace achieved by overcoming desires and cravings

Question 15

What are the Three Marks of Existence?

Answer 15

• Anicca: impermanence
• Anatta: no permanent self
• Dukkha: suffering

Question 16

What does ‘Dukkha’ refer to?

Answer 16

Suffering, dissatisfaction, or discomfort

Question 17

What are the three forms of Dukkha?

Answer 17

• Suffering: unwanted changes
• Change: good things don’t last
• Conditioning: belief in permanence

Question 18

What are the Four Noble Truths?

Answer 18

• Life involves suffering (dukkha)
• The cause of suffering is craving (tanha)
• The way to overcome suffering is to overcome craving (nirodha)
• The way to overcome craving is the Middle Way (magga)

Question 19

What is ‘Karma’?

Answer 19

The principle that every deliberate thought or action has an effect on future events

Question 20

What are the three types of craving (tanha)?

Answer 20

• Kama tanha: craving sensual pleasure
• Bhava tanha: desire to be someone else
• Vibhava tanha: desire to eliminate unpleasant experiences

Question 21

What is the Middle Way?

Answer 21

A path that avoids the extremes of luxury and denial

Question 22

What is the Noble Eightfold Path?

Answer 22

• Wisdom: View, Intention
• Morality: Livelihood, Action, Speech
• Mental training: Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration

Question 23

What are the Five Precepts in Buddhism?

Answer 23

• Not to harm life
• Not to take what is not given
• Not to misuse sex
• Not to lie
• Not to cloud the mind

Question 24

What is the concept of ‘Anatta’?

Answer 24

The belief that there is no permanent self or soul

Question 25

What are the Five Skandhas?

Answer 25

* Body * Sensations * Perception * Mental formation * Consciousness

Question 26

What does 'Theravadin' Buddhism emphasize about enlightenment?

Answer 26

It equates enlightenment with nirvana, focusing on monastic life

Question 27

What is 'Bodhisattva' in Mahayana Buddhism?

Answer 27

A being who seeks enlightenment for the benefit of others

Question 28

What does 'Tathagatagarbha' refer to?

Answer 28

The idea that everyone has the potential for enlightenment or Buddha-nature

Question 29

What is the significance of the Pure Land in Pure Land Buddhism?

Answer 29

A paradise created by Buddha Amitabha where beings can attain Buddhahood

Question 30

What does chanting 'Namu Amida Butsu' signify?

Answer 30

Dedication of one's life to the Buddha of infinite light

Question 31

What is 'Arhat' in Theravadin Buddhism?

Answer 31

A person who has achieved enlightenment and can find release from the cycle of rebirth

Question 32

What is the difference between Theravadin and Mahayana views on nirvana?

Answer 32

Theravadin sees it as easier to achieve after death, while Mahayana sees it as attainable in this life

Question 33

What is a paradise in the context of the Pure Land sect?

Answer 33

A pure land far to the west of this world where members aim to be reborn to attain Buddhahood ## Footnote Members return to help others attain Buddhahood.

Question 34

What mantra do members of the Pure Land sect chant?

Answer 34

'Namu Amida Butsu' (I dedicate my life to the Buddha of the infinite light) ## Footnote This mantra signifies devotion to the Buddha.

Question 35

What does karma refer to in Buddhism?

Answer 35

The idea that intentional human actions affect others and the moral agent, influencing one's rebirth ## Footnote Actions come back to affect you proportionally.

Question 36

What does the term 'anatta' mean?

Answer 36

The principle of non-self or no permanent identity ## Footnote It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings.

Question 37

Define 'karuna' in Buddhism.

Answer 37

Compassion, feeling the experiences, emotions, pain, and suffering of others as if they were your own ## Footnote It can motivate active help to those in distress.

Question 38

What does 'metta' translate to?

Answer 38

'Love', usually translated as 'loving-kindness' ## Footnote Focuses on respect for the lives of others.

Question 39

List the Five Precepts (Pansil) in Buddhism.

Answer 39

* Not to destroy life * Not to take what is not given * Not to misuse sex * Not to lie * Not to cloud the mind ## Footnote These are moral principles to develop positive karma.

Question 40

What is the purpose of the Five Precepts?

Answer 40

To develop positive karma and guide situational decision-making ## Footnote They are not strict rules but moral guidelines.

Question 41

What are the Six Paramitas in Mahayana Buddhism?

Answer 41

* Dana (generosity) * Sila (morality) * Virya (energy) * Kshanti (patience) * Samadhi (meditation) * Prajna (wisdom) ## Footnote These virtues are essential for realizing one's Buddha-nature.

Question 42

What does 'dana' refer to in the context of the Six Paramitas?

Answer 42

Generosity, including the giving of time, support, or skills ## Footnote It is the first of the six perfections.

Question 43

What is 'sila' in Buddhism?

Answer 43

Morality, including being honest with oneself to recognize wrongdoing ## Footnote It is the second of the six perfections.

Question 44

Define 'virya' in the context of the Six Paramitas.

Answer 44

Energy, involving loving action and not just good thoughts ## Footnote It is the third perfection.

Question 45

What does 'kshanti' mean?

Answer 45

Patience, behaving in a thoughtful way ## Footnote It is the fourth perfection.

Question 46

What is 'samadhi'?

Answer 46

Meditation, seeing the world calmly ## Footnote It is the fifth perfection.

Question 47

What does 'prajna' refer to?

Answer 47

Wisdom, accepting the 3 marks and sunyata as true and responding to them ## Footnote It is the sixth perfection.