Buddhism Part 1 - beliefs/teachings

Question 1

what is the Buddha’s full name?

Answer 1

Siddhartha Guatama

Question 2

where is it believed the Buddha to have been born?

Answer 2

Nepal (northern India)

Question 3

what did Siddhartha’s mother dream about before he was born which symbolised good luck?

Answer 3

white elephants

Question 4

why did Siddhartha’s father surround him with luxury and protection as a child?
what was his father’s aim?

Answer 4

his father did not want him to become a holy man
his father’s aim was to protect him from pain and suffering

Question 5

name the 4 sights

Answer 5

1) old age
2) sickness
3) death
4) holy man

Question 6

why did Siddhartha take upon the ascetic lifestyle?

Answer 6

denied himself from all luxuries to desire less = end suffering

Question 7

why did Siddhartha reject his ascetic lifestyle?

Answer 7

he was on the verge of death

Question 8

what did the Siddhartha choose instead of an ascetic lifestyle?

Answer 8

the middle way

Question 9

what is the middle way?

Answer 9

a lifestyle in between the ascetic life and a life of luxury (life of moderation)

Question 10

why did Siddhartha begin meditation?

Answer 10

to help achieve enlightenment

Question 11

what did the 3 watches of the night result in?

Answer 11

Siddhartha becoming enlightened, and being known as the ‘Buddha’

Question 12

name the first of the 3 watches of the night.

Answer 12

1) Siddhartha gained knowledge of all previous lives

Question 13

name the second of the 3 watches of the night.

Answer 13

2) understood the cycle of life, death and rebirth. understood beings were born depending on their karma and the importance of anatta (no fixed self)

Question 14

name the third of the 3 watches of the night.

Answer 14

3) understood why suffering happens and how to overcome it

Question 15

what are the 3 marks of existence?

Answer 15

1) Dukkha
2) Annica
3) Anatta

Question 16

what is dukkha?

Answer 16

suffering

Question 17

what is anicca?

Answer 17

impermanence (nothing lasts forever)
everything is constantly changing, and nothing stays the same

Question 18

what is anatta?

Answer 18

belief there is no fixed self or soul
there is no eternal, unchanging soul, what makes up a person isn’t fixed but is always evolving

Question 19

how to Buddhists try to reduce suffering?

Answer 19

through right actions and intentions by increasing their understanding of reality

Question 20

name the 3 types of Dukkha.

Answer 20

1) suffering
2) change
3) attachment

Question 21

name the first of the 4 noble truths

Answer 21

1) suffering exists (Dukkha)

Question 22

name the second of the 4 noble truths

Answer 22

2) suffering is caused by something else (desires(tanha))

Question 23

name the third of the 4 noble truths

Answer 23

suffering can end (by eliminating desires)

Question 24

name the fourth of the 4 noble truths

Answer 24

4) there is a right way to bring about the end of suffering (EIGHTFOLD PATH)

Question 25

what is another name for 'the middle way'?

Answer 25

the eightfold path

Question 26

name the 8 parts of the eightfold path

Answer 26

1) right speech 2) right action (MOST IMPORTANT) 3) right livelihood 4) right effort 5) right concentration 6) right mindfulness 7) right understanding 8) right intention

Question 27

what 3 sections can the eightfold path be split into?

Answer 27

1) ethics (1,2,3) 2) meditation (4,5,6) 3) wisdom (7,8)

Question 28

define dependent arising.

Answer 28

the idea that all things arise (come to exist) because of particular conditions, and then continue to depend upon these things

Question 29

give a practical, real-world example of dependent arising

Answer 29

trees depend upon sunlight to arise

Question 30

name the 3 types of Buddhism

Answer 30

1) Theravada 2) Mahayana 3) Pure Land

Question 31

give 4 key facts about Theravada Buddhists

Answer 31

- oldest Buddhist group - TEACHINGS OF THE ELDERS - aim to become an 'arhat' (perfected person) - do not consider Buddha as a God

Question 32

give 4 key facts about Mahayana Buddhists

Answer 32

- range of traditions - Buddha remains active - 'sunyata' letting go of possessions (desires) - aim to become a 'Bodhisattva'

Question 33

give 4 key facts about Pure Land Buddhists

Answer 33

- an offshoot of Mahayana traditions - Amitabha Buddha - during his passing, created pure land aka Sukhatvi - Pure Land Buddhists aim to reach Sukhatvi and meet Amitabha Buddha who will help them reach Nirvana - no suffering in Pure Land

Question 34

define arhat.

Answer 34

a perfected person

Question 35

define Bodhisattva.

Answer 35

a person who is willing to remain in the cycle of samsara to allow others to escape

Question 36

what type of Buddhism aims to become an arhat?

Answer 36

Theravada

Question 37

what type of Buddhism aims to become an Bodhisattva?

Answer 37

Mahayana

Question 38

define the cycle of Samsara.

Answer 38

the cycle of life, death and rebirth

Question 39

how can you break out of the cycle of samsara?

Answer 39

being enlightened

Question 40

what does your rebirth/ next life depend upon?

Answer 40

your karma

Question 41

define refuge.

Answer 41

a place of safety

Question 42

name the 3 refuges.

Answer 42

1) The Dhamma 2) The Buddha 3) The Sangha

Question 43

what is the Dhamma?

Answer 43

the teachings of the Buddha, the nature of reality, and the path to enlightenment UNIVERSAL TRUTH

Question 44

who was the Dhamma written by?

Answer 44

the Buddha

Question 45

why is the Buddha an important part of the 3 refuges?

Answer 45

teaches Buddhists and provides them an example for Buddhists to follow