Buddhist Practises And Beliefs Flashcards
(114 cards)
1
Q
What is the word to describe a celebration for a religious reason?
A
Festival
2
Q
Give two examples of Buddhist festivals.
A
Wesak, Parinirvana Day
3
Q
What event is commonly remembered during Wesak?
A
The Buddha’s Enlightenment
4
Q
When is Wesak typically celebrated?
A
On or near the date of the full moon in May
5
Q
What is another name for Wesak?
A
Buddha Day
6
Q
What event is commonly remembered on Parinirvana Day?
A
The death of the Buddha and his attainment of, or passing into, final nibbana (nirvana)
7
Q
What Sutra is usually read on Parinirvana Day?
A
Mahaparinirvana Sutra
8
Q
What kind of journey might a Buddhist undertake to commemorate Parinirvana Day?
A
Pilgrimage
9
Q
What is the word to describe where a Buddhist may temporarily leave their everyday life and go to a special place to aid their spiritual development?
A
Retreat
10
Q
What is the name of the annual retreat undertaken by many Theravada monastics?
A
Vassa
11
Q
What form of worship is undertaken whilst walking around a coffin in a typical Japanese Buddhist funeral?
A
Chanting - ‘Namo Amida Bư’
12
Q
What is hoped to be achieved by donating on behalf of the deceased person?
A
Kamma merit
13
Q
In which Buddhist tradition do funeral ceremonies involve leaving an exposed body at high altitude?
A
Tibetan, Vajrayana
14
Q
What specific practice is used to calm the mind?
A
Samatha meditation
15
Q
What is the word to describe a short sequence of sacred syllables?
A
Mantra
16
Q
What is the word to describe the rightness or wrongness of an action?
A
Ethics
17
Q
What are the four key Buddhist ethical teachings?
A
Kamma and rebirth, Metta, Karuna, Five Moral Precepts
18
Q
How can the word karuna be translated?
A
Compassion
19
Q
How can the word metta be translated?
A
Loving kindness
20
Q
What practice can a Buddhist engage in, to help cultivate metta?
A
Metta meditation
21
Q
What is the definition of kamma?
A
Action - the idea that deliberate action affects a Buddhist’s circumstances in this life and future lives
22
Q
What is the definition of rebirth?
A
When somebody dies they will be reborn
23
Q
How is the cycle of rebirth sometimes represented for Buddhists?
A
The wheel of Life (Bhavacakra)
24
Q
What is meant by the Five Moral Precepts?
A
Commitments that most Buddhists use to guide their ethical decision-making
Do not take life, do not take what is not given, do not misuse the senses, do not speak falsehoods, do not take intoxicants that cloud the mind
25
What is the word to describe a celebration for a religious reason?
Festival
26
Give two examples of Buddhist festivals.
Wesak, Parinirvana Day
27
What Sutra is normally read on Parinirvana Day?
Mahaparinirvana Sutra
28
In which Buddhist tradition are funerals typically inexpensive?
Theravada
29
What is the name of the beads used to help count the number of mantra recitations?
Mala beads
30
Which one of the following is not a reason why Buddhists undertake ceremonies for those who have died?
To remember ethical conduct.
31
Give two Theravada rituals performed at a funeral.
1. Chanting of sutras. 2. Offering food to monks.
32
Give two Mahayana rituals performed at a funeral.
1. Reciting the 'Heart Sutra'. 2. Performing a memorial service.
33
Give two Tibetan rituals performed at a funeral.
1. Sky burial. 2. Reading the 'Bardo Thodol'.
34
Explain two contrasting Buddhist ceremonies associated with death and mourning.
1. Theravada funerals focus on merit-making for the deceased. 2. Mahayana funerals emphasize the community's role in supporting the deceased's journey.
35
Explain two reasons why death ceremony rituals are important for Buddhists.
1. They provide support to the bereaved community. 2. They help the deceased in their journey in the afterlife.
36
What is a festival in Buddhism?
A festival is a celebration for a religious reason.
37
What are Wesak and Parinirvana Day?
Important festivals celebrating key aspects of the Buddha's life.
38
What is the significance of Wesak?
It celebrates the Buddha's enlightenment and passing into parinirvana.
39
List ways of celebrating Buddhist festivals.
1. Lighting up homes. 2. Decorating. 3. Giving gifts. 4. Making offerings. 5. Attending ceremonies.
40
'Buddhist death ceremonies are more for the living than the dead.' Evaluate this statement.
In your answer you should: refer to Buddhist teaching, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion.
41
In which Buddhist tradition are funerals typically inexpensive?
Theravada
42
Who might attend a Buddhist funeral to give a sermon and/or a teaching reflecting on the Buddha's Dhamma (Dharma)?
A member of the Sangha or a monk
43
What is hoped to be achieved by donating on behalf of the deceased person?
Kamma merit
44
In which Buddhist tradition do funeral ceremonies involve pointing the head west?
Pure Land, Mahayana
45
In which Buddhist tradition do funeral ceremonies involve leaving an exposed body at high altitude?
Tibetan, Vajrayana
46
What is the name given to the ceremony where an exposed body is left at high altitude?
Sky burial
47
What is used to pick bones from ashes in a typical Japanese Buddhist funeral?
Special chopsticks
48
What form of worship is undertaken while walking around a coffin in a typical Japanese Buddhist funeral?
Chanting - 'Namo Amida Bu'
49
What is the purpose of leaving a body exposed in a Tibetan sky burial?
To allow the vultures to eat it and remind Buddhists of the impermanence of the human body
50
How many days are offerings made for after death in Japanese and Tibetan death ceremonies?
49
51
What is an example of a mantra a Buddhist may perform?
One from: Om mani padme hum / Om Amideva Hrih
52
What specific practice is used to help gain an insight into reality?
Vipassana Meditation
53
What is the word to describe acts of worship in Buddhism?
Puja
54
What is the word to describe imagining or seeing an object in one's mind?
Visualisation
55
What are the three places of refuge in the Tisarana chant?
The Buddha, Dhamma (Dharma), Sangha
56
What is the word to describe acts of worship by some Buddhists?
Puja
57
What is the word to describe reciting from Buddhist scripture?
Chanting
58
What is the word to describe a short sequence of sacred syllables?
Mantra
59
What is the name of the beads used to help count the number of mantra recitations?
Mala beads
60
What is an example of a mantra a Buddhist may perform?
Om mani padme hum, Om Amideva Hrih
61
What specific practice is used to calm the mind?
Samatha meditation
62
What specific practice is used to help gain an insight into reality?
Vipassana meditation
63
What is the word for the practice of 'seated meditation' used by many Zen Buddhists?
Zazen
64
What is the word to describe imagining or seeing an object in one's mind?
Visualisation
65
What may help a Buddhist undertake visualisation?
Thangka, Mandala
66
Which word describes a place where Buddhists may go to undertake devotional activity?
Temple
67
In which place would you find the ordained Sangha living together?
Vihara
68
Which word describes a focal point where a Buddha rupa or Bodhisattva statue can be found?
Shrine
69
What might Mahayana Buddhists place in a shrine?
A Bodhisattva statue, e.g., Avalokiteshvara
70
What is the purpose of a meditation hall?
To provide a place for Buddhists to practise meditation and help them meditate
71
What is a key aspect of Buddhist practice?
Meditation is a key aspect of Buddhist practice.
72
What does meditation allow the practitioner to do?
Meditation allows the practitioner to calm the mind and reflect on the Buddha's Dhamma.
73
What is the purpose of Samatha meditation?
The purpose of Samatha meditation is to calm the mind, develop concentration, and allow for tranquillity.
74
What is mindfulness of breathing?
Mindfulness of breathing allows the practitioner to become more aware and attentive to their breathing.
75
What is the typical focus in meditation?
Typically, the focus in meditation is on one object.
76
What are the three types of meditation based on?
The three types of meditation are based on the tradition of Buddhism followed and the aim of the meditative practice.
77
What is the purpose of Vipassana meditation?
The purpose of Vipassana meditation is to gain insight into reality.
78
What is visualisation in meditation?
Visualisation involves developing and emulating a Buddha or Bodhisattva and their qualities.
79
What aids may be used in meditation?
Aids used in meditation may include kasinas, such as colours or water.
80
What do Zen Buddhists practice?
Zen Buddhists practice zazen, which is seated meditation.
81
What is a common practice in Vipassana?
Some Buddhists may undertake Vipassana by walking.
82
What does visualisation involve?
Visualisation involves imagining an object in the mind and examining its intricacies.
83
What may practitioners visualise during meditation?
Practitioners may visualise a deity to develop qualities like compassion.
84
What is a teaching from the Buddha regarding meditation?
Those who have entered [on the path], meditative, will be released from Mara's fetter.
## Footnote
(Buddha, Dhammapada)
85
What does Zenshin say about consciousness?
When your consciousness has become ripe... pure like clear water... realisation is possible.
## Footnote
(Zenshin, Zen Monk)
86
What does the Dalai Lama say about visualisation?
As a result of this visualisation, you slowly begin to feel an affinity with others and a deep empathy with their suffering.
## Footnote
(Dalai Lama)
87
Which word describes a place where Buddhists may go to undertake devotional activity?
Temple
88
What do Buddhists store in a stupa?
Relics of the Buddha
89
Which word describes a focal point where a Buddha rupa or Bodhisattva statue can be found?
Shrine
90
Where might Tibetan Buddhists undertake meditation?
Gompa
91
What might a Buddhist offer to a shrine during worship?
Flowers, candles, incense
92
Which place has spaces for monks or nuns to eat, sleep, and study?
Monastery (vihara)
93
Give three reasons why a Buddhist might attend a temple.
To join together with other Buddhists, to meditate, to study
94
Besides Buddha rupas, Bodhisattva statues, and offerings, what else might a Buddhist find in a shrine?
Artefacts, e.g., mala beads
95
What is the purpose of a meditation hall?
To provide a place for Buddhists to practise meditation and help them to do so
96
What are the three places of refuge in the Tisarana chant?
The Buddha, Dhamma (Dharma), Sangha
97
What is the purpose of mala beads?
To help keep focus during chanting or recitation
98
What is a Buddha rupa?
A statue of a Buddha
99
What might Mahayana Buddhists place in a shrine?
A Bodhisattva statue, e.g., Avalokiteshvara
100
How does Lama Rinpoche describe the act of attending to a temple shrine?
A skilful activity
101
What does the word lay people mean?
Those not ordained
102
What is meant by the title 'the Buddha'?
Somebody who is enlightened or awake
103
Which Buddha founded Buddhism?
Siddhartha Gautama
104
What is the name of the Buddha's mother?
Queen Maya
105
What is the purpose of the Buddha's birth?
To ensure the welfare of the world
106
What period of the Buddha's life focuses on him living inside a palace?
Life of luxury
107
What period of the Buddha's life saw him witness four fundamental sights of life?
The Four Sights
108
What period of the Buddha's life saw him abandon worldly pleasures?
Ascetic life
109
What did the Buddha discover while abandoning worldly pleasures?
The Middle Way
110
What period of the Buddha's life saw him gain clarity on the nature of reality?
Enlightenment
111
Where do Buddhists visit to remember the Buddha's birth?
Lumbini
112
Which two periods of the Buddha's life may be commemorated by the festival Wesak?
Birth and enlightenment
113
Where do Buddhists visit to remember the Buddha's Enlightenment?
Bodh Gaya
114
Name three sources Buddhists can use to understand the Buddha's life.
Buddhacarita, Jataka 075, Pali Canon
