The Three Refuges/Jewels

Question 1

What does “refuge” mean in Buddhism?

Answer 1

faith (saddha) - one must have faith in the possibility of achieving enlightenment through buddhism. faith in buddhism is expressed as an act of taking refuge

Question 2

Does Buddhism expect blind faith?

Answer 2

No, it places great stress on individual self reliance and the idea of ehipassiko (come and try) Buddha wrote in a scripture named the Kalama Sutta that it is natural to be uncertain but that we should not do things because others have told us to, we need to be sure in ourselves first.

Question 3

Who is Gautama addressing in the Kalama Sutta?

Answer 3

The Kalamas - villagers. They complain to Gautama that wondering holy men teach many things and they dont know who to believe.

Question 4

What is buddhahood?

Answer 4

the possibility of becoming a buddha

Question 5

When saying “i take refuge in the buddha’ what does the term buddha refer to?

Answer 5

buddhahood - the person saying tis is expressing a faith in his or her own capacity to achieve buddhahood

Question 6

How many buddhas have there been?

Answer 6

In buddhist tradition, there have been 29 named Buddhas, all of them but one came before Gautama, existing in mythological time instead of historical time. There is one buddha of the future.

Question 7

What is the name of the buddha of the future?

Answer 7

Maitreya

Question 8

What are the three refuges?

Answer 8

I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha

Question 9

What does it mean when someone says “I take refuge in the Dhamma”?

Answer 9

they are saying that he or she has faith in the teachings of Gautama Buddha to make the quest for enlightenment easier

Question 10

What does dhamma mean?

Answer 10

the systematic teachings of Buddhism such as the four noble truths and the eightfold path, rather than Buddha’s stories and parables. This detaches the method of achieving enlightenment from siddhartha gautama himself.

Question 11

What is the Sangha?

Answer 11

the name for the community of Buddhists on Earth, monks, nuns and lay people (ordinary people).

Question 12

What does the Theravada tradition believe about the Sangha?

Answer 12

That it only refers to monks and nuns

Question 13

What did the Buddha allow which was unusual for his time?

Answer 13

He allowed women to enter the order of monks.

Question 14

What are buddhist monks called?

Answer 14

Bhikkus

Question 15

What are buddhist nuns called?

Answer 15

Bhikkunis

Question 16

Where do bhikkunis live?

Answer 16

They live with the monks but in their own separate part of the Vihara - this probably for their ow safety as is was fairly dangerous for groups of single women at this time.

Question 17

How many rules are there for monks?

Answer 17

227

Question 18

How many rules are there for nuns?

Answer 18

311

Question 19

As well as bhikkus and bhikkunis, what does the sangha also include?

Answer 19

Upasakas and upasikas - male and female lay followers who undertake to observe the 5 precepts

Question 20

What are the 5 precepts?

Answer 20

1. Don’t take life - most buddhists are vegetarian but if somebody puts meat in their begging bowl they should eat it
2. Don’t take what is not freely given
3. Don’t engage in sexual misconduct
4. Don’t misuse the power of speech
5. Don’t take alcohol or drugs - the point of Buddhism is to cultivate aware ness and these reduce awareness

Question 21

What is the middle way?

Answer 21

The balance between starving yourself and over indulging

Question 22

What does Theravada mean?

Answer 22

“The way of the elders” or “the ancient teaching”

Question 23

What is the oldest form of Buddhism?

Answer 23

Theravada Buddhism

Question 24

What is the most important thing in Theravada Buddhism?

Answer 24

The vihara (monastery) - the requirements of Buddhism are thought to be too rigorous for anything other than full time commitment

Question 25

What do bhikkus do in the community according to Theravada tradition?

Answer 25

Teach the lay believers how to make things How to farm and dig wells Teach the children how to read and write Take valuable goods into safe keeping

Question 26

What do the people do in return for the bhikkus?

Answer 26

They put food in their alms bowls to say thank you but also to build up good karma for themselves

Question 27

When did Mahayana Buddhism come about?

Answer 27

100-150 CE

Question 28

What is a Bodhisattva?

Answer 28

Someone who deliberately delays their enlightenment because their compassion for suffering beings has been awakened and they wish to help those beings achieve enlightenment

Question 29

What is the main difference between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism?

Answer 29

Mahayana puts a lot of emphasis on Bodhisattvas

Question 30

What does Mahayana believe about buddhas?

Answer 30

They believe that there are buddhas throughout the universe in incredibly distant locations however they can reach us through a kind of psychic energy generated by their compassion

Question 31

What is another difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism?

Answer 31

There are many forms of Mahayana Buddhism because as it spread to different countries it became mixed with other religions which already existed in those countries. This means that Mahayana has many rituals inherited from other religions it has mixed with, Theravada does not.

Question 32

What is the third form of Buddhism called?

Answer 32

Vajrayana

Question 33

Why is there some debate over Vajrayana Buddhism?

Answer 33

Because some argue that it is part of the Mahayana tradition

Question 34

Why is vajrayana Buddhism unique?

Answer 34

Because it developed in Tibet which is very cold and surrounded by mountains so it was isolated for many centuries

Question 35

What is different about Tibetan Buddhism?

Answer 35

There is a large tantric element

Question 36

What does tantric mean?

Answer 36

A highly ritualised, magical religion

Question 37

Which two traditions are important in Tibetan Buddhism?

Answer 37

Prayer wheels - cylinders on which mantras are written | Mandalas - circular diagrams to aid meditation

Question 38

Who are the most important Bodhisattvas in Tibetan Buddhism?

Answer 38

Avalokitesvaras - has a thousand arms and represents compassion Manjusri - usually shown with a flaming sword to destroy falsehood

Question 39

How do vajrayana buddhists and Mahayana Buddhists differ from Theravada teachings?

Answer 39

They differ about how easy it is to achieve enlightenment and what happens once a person is enlightened