Buddhism Theme 2A - Zen Buddhism

Question 1

Zen Buddhism is said to have started with what?

Answer 1

The flower sermon

Question 2

What is Madhyamaka Philosophy?

Answer 2

The philosophical school associated with Nagarjuna

Question 3

What is the key teaching of Madhyamaka Philosophy?

Answer 3

Sunyata

Question 4

What is sunyata?

Answer 4

Emptiness

Question 5

How did Nagarjuna answer the question, ‘Do objects exist?’

Answer 5

He could not simply answer it, yes is too definite and no is too negative. He suggested that things neither exist or not exist, they are sunyata

Question 6

For nagarjuna, this magga view of sunyata applied to what as well?

Answer 6

Samsara and Nirvana

Question 7

Nagarjuna believed that Nirvana was seeing Samsara as what?

Answer 7

as it really is, empty

Question 8

When was the Yogacara School founded

Answer 8

4th century by Asanga and his brother

Question 9

Why did Yogacara criticise Madhyamaka?

Answer 9

for being too negative and suggesting that things don’t truly exist, instead argued that objects are mental constructions

Question 10

Why did Yogacara criticise Madhyamaka?

Answer 10

for being too negative and suggesting that things don’t truly exist, instead argued that objects are mental constructions

Question 11

What did Asanga believe?

Answer 11

That the universe appears to be made up of billions of beings and objects, but this is only an appearance

Question 12

Yogacara school suggests that we have two different what?

Answer 12

Conciousnesses

Question 13

The debate between Madhyamaka and Yogacara has continued over the last_____ years

Answer 13

1600

Question 14

Ma-tu believed that Zen masters should use any method they wanted to help their students achieve enlightenment, what method would he use?

Answer 14

He would punch, kick and beat his students

Question 15

How was Buddhism exported to Japan?

Answer 15

Via Korea

Question 16

Early Buddhism in japan was seen as a supplement to what?

Answer 16

Shinto beliefs

Question 17

What is the first Buddhist school developed in Japan/

Answer 17

Tendai

Question 18

What did Tendai accept?

Answer 18

Main Mahayana doctrines

Question 19

Pure Land Buddhism developed a what type of Buddhism?

Answer 19

devotional form

Question 20

Nicheren Buddhism was a reaction to what?

Answer 20

Pure Land

Question 21

Who was Master Esai?

Answer 21

Tendai monk that took the Rinazi school of Buddhism over to Japan

Question 22

Who was master Dogan?

Answer 22

Tendai monk that brought over brought back to Japan the teachings and created soto school

Question 23

What did Christmas Humphreys say about Zen?

Answer 23

‘Zen is a subject extremely easy to misunderstand’

Question 24

Zen is not something that can be what?

Answer 24

not a concept that can be described in words

Question 25

What is the essence of Zen?

Answer 25

All human beings are Buddha and all they have todo is discover that truth for themselves

Question 26

What is the first step of Zen?

Answer 26

To control the mind through meditation

Question 27

What is Zen about?

Answer 27

Intuitive understanding, not on philospohy

Question 28

Why is to be a human being is to be a Buddha?

Answer 28

Buddha nature is just another name for human nature

Question 29

Zen tries to free the mind from the slavery of what?

Answer 29

words and constriction of knowledge

Question 30

Rinazi Zen is marked by the emphasis it places on what?

Answer 30

Kensho (seeing one's nature)

Question 31

What does Zen training focus on?

Answer 31

Zazen, koan and samu

Question 32

Rinazi school is known for what?

Answer 32

Rigor and severity of its training

Question 33

Pure Land offers a way to enlightenment for people who cant what?

Answer 33

handle subtleties of meditation or endure long rituals

Question 34

What is the essential practice in Pure Land

Answer 34

Chanting of the name Amitabha Buddha with total concentration, trusting that one will be reborn in the Pure Land

Question 35

Why was Pure Land so popular in China?

Answer 35

Simplicity of the practice, imagery of 'mappo' may have struck a chord with people living in tumultuous times of warfare

Question 36

When did Pure Land become popular in Japan?

Answer 36

Took off in Japan when monk Honen simplified the teachings and practices

Question 37

What did Honen say was needed to be said that would make someone attain birth in the Pure Land?

Answer 37

'Namu amida Butsu'

Question 38

What is Nembutsu?

Answer 38

Concentration on Buddha and his virtues, or recitation of the Buddha's name

Question 39

What Pure Land scriptures are there?

Answer 39

Infinite Life Sutra, Amitabha Sutra and The Contemplation Sutra

Question 40

What idea to Shin Buddhists not accept?

Answer 40

that beings can earn merits for themselves by their own acts

Question 41

Pure Land Buddhism rests on what is known as what?

Answer 41

The Tripod

Question 42

What are the Three parts of the Tripod?

Answer 42

Practice, Aspiration, Fsith