Buddhism Beliefs

Question 1

Dharma definition

Answer 1

The teachings of the Buddha

Question 2

Paticcasamuppada definition

Answer 2

Dependent arising - Everything exists only because of conditions, so everything is linked to each other

Question 3

3 marks of existence

Answer 3

Anicca, anatta and dukkha

Question 4

Dukkha meaning + quote

Answer 4

Suffering, “Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering” - Buddha

Question 5

Anicca meaning + quote

Answer 5

Impermanence, “All conditioned things are impermanent”

Question 6

Anatta meaning + quote

Answer 6

Non-self, “I am in myself so little that what they do with me scarcely interests me”

Question 7

2 main Buddhist denominations

Answer 7

Theravada (more traditional) and Mahayana (more modern)

Question 8

Theravada Buddhists believe what forms a person

Answer 8

5 aggregates

Question 9

5 aggregates

Answer 9

1. Form - Sense organs
2. Feeling - Mental or physical pain or feeling when touching something
3. Perception - How we view and perceive things
4. Mental formation - A person’s thoughts, what makes them do good or bad things
5. Consciousness - A person’s general awareness

Question 10

Mahayana beliefs on what forms a person

Answer 10

Every person is empty (sunyata) and their existence is based on anatta

Question 11

What is the target for Theravada Buddhists in life

Answer 11

Get enlightened, become an Arhat and go to Nirvana

Question 12

What is the target for Mahayana Buddhists in life

Answer 12

Become enlightened, become a Bodhisattva and join the Buddhahood, help others get enlightened

Question 13

Who is Amitabha Buddha

Answer 13

A monk called Dharmakara who made many vows, including that he could promise rebirth in the Pure Land

Question 14

What is the Pure Land

Answer 14

A place believed by Pure Land Buddhists that is free of dukkha, and can get there by reciting the name of Amitabha Buddha and being reborn there

Question 15

How do Pure Land Buddhists believe they will get enlightenment

Answer 15

Reciting the name of Amitabha Buddha and having faith in him

Question 16

What is an Arhat

Answer 16

An enlightened, perfect being who avoids the 3 root poisons and understands the true existence of everything

Question 17

Difference between Arhat and Bodhisattva

Answer 17

Arhats go to Nirvana, Bodhisattvas delay going to Nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment and end suffering

Question 18

How do Bodhisattvas delay going to Nirvana

Answer 18

They either choose to reincarnate after death or do 1 immoral act such as drinking alcohol to prevent being a pure Arhat

Question 19

5 key facts about Siddhartha’s birth
(Hint: Elephant, pain, walk, side, steps)

Answer 19

1. His mother dreamed of a white elephant with 6 tusks entering her side, meaning Siddhartha would be either a religious leader or a world leader
2. His mother had no pain during birth
3. The Buddha could immediately walk and talk
4. He was born out of his mother’s side
5. He took 7 steps north, as all Bodhisattvas do at birth

Question 20

What is a life of luxury

Answer 20

Living a life of comfort and wealth, with the Buddha being shielded from reality

Question 21

What were the 4 sights the Buddha saw

Answer 21

1. Old man (old age)
2. Sick man (sickness)
3. Dead man (death)
4. Holy man

Question 22

What did the 4 sights make the Buddha do

Answer 22

Leave the palace and seek a cure for suffering

Question 23

What is an ascetic lifestyle

Answer 23

A minimalistic lifestyle without luxuries or anything except bare necessities

Question 24

How did the Buddha lead an ascetic lifestyle

Answer 24

He ate only 5 sunflower seeds a day and sat under a Bodhi tree without food, clothes or shelter

Question 25

What is the Middle Way

Answer 25

(Another term for 8-fold path), a balance between an over-indulgent lifestyle and an ascetic lifestyle

Question 26

How did the Buddha reach enlightenment

Answer 26

Regular meditation under a Bodhi tree

Question 27

What analogy is used for the 4 Noble Truths

Answer 27

Doctor analogy 1. Doctor establishes you are ill 2. Doctor finds a cause 3. Doctor knows a cure 4. You go to the pharmacy and take the medicine to get better

Question 28

What are the 4 Noble Truths

Answer 28

1. Dukkha 2. Samudaya 3. Tanha 4. Magga

Question 29

What does Dukkha mean

Answer 29

Suffering

Question 30

What are the 3 types of Dukkha and what do they mean

Answer 30

1. Dukkha (regular suffering) 2. Viparinama-dukkha (suffering due to change) 3. Samkhara-dukkha (suffering due to attachment/dissatisfaction)

Question 31

What was the Buddha's first teaching

Answer 31

The truth about suffering and the 4 noble truths

Question 32

What does samudaya mean

Answer 32

The cause of suffering

Question 33

What are the 3 types of craving that cause suffering

Answer 33

1. Pleasing the senses 2. Trying to be something you aren't (such as wealthy or popular) 3. Not-to-be, getting rid of something you don't want (such as pain)

Question 34

How does anicca relate to cravings

Answer 34

If nothing is permanent on this planet, getting attached to something will only cause suffering as everything will eventually change

Question 35

What does tanha/nirodha mean

Answer 35

There is an end to suffering through right actions

Question 36

How is nirodha connected to nirvana

Answer 36

Nirodha is the cessation suffering, which is only possible in nirvana

Question 37

What does magga mean

Answer 37

The Middle Way (the 8-fold path), how to stop suffering

Question 38

What is the 8-fold path

Answer 38

The 8 key practices that a Buddhist adheres to in order to get to nirvana

Question 39

Name 3 of the parts of the 8-fold path

Answer 39

Right intention Right view Right concentration Right mindfulness Right speech Right action Right livelihood Right effort

Question 40

The 8-fold path is sometimes simplified to what

Answer 40

The 3-fold way

Question 41

What are the 3 elements of the 3-fold path

Answer 41

Sila - ethics Samadhi - meditation Panna - wisdom

Question 42

How would the eightfold path influence career choices

Answer 42

Buddhists may be more likely to pick a job that enable right effort and right speech

Question 43

Dhammapada 190-191

Answer 43

"He who has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Teaching and his Order, penetrates with transcendental wisdom the Four Noble Truths — suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the cessation of suffering"