Buddhism Review Questions

1.   Siddhartha Gautama

2.  The four passing sights were 1.) Old age 2.) A diseased man 3.) A corpse 4.) Ascetic. The significance of the first three sights was that they pertained to the reality of suffering and the impermanent nature of life’s pleasures. The fourth sight was a means of overcoming his despair.

3.   The Middle Way holds that a healthy spiritual life depends on a healthy physical life.

4.    Siddhartha’s enlightenment happened when he discovered the four noble truths; spiritual perfection in this life-thus had won salvation.

5. Sangha is the first Buddhist monastic community. It is made up of men and women from all walks of life. In Sangha, there are specific roles for monks, nuns and laypeople.

6.   The Three Jewels of Buddhism are Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

7.   Both Hinduism and Buddhism regard time as cyclical. The universe is eternal. The doctrine Samsara is believed by both religions. Liberation, which is known as Moksha (Hinduism) and Nirvana (Buddhism).

8.   The Buddha’s reaction towards Hinduism was not welcoming. He rejected the Hindu caste system and did not like the fact that only males controlled the Brahmin class through rituals and sacred texts.

9.   The three Marks of Existence are Anatta, Anicca, Dukkha. All three of the Three Marks of Existence deal with three common themes, ego (Anatta) suffering (Dukkha) and Impermanence (Anicca).

10.  The doctrine of Anatta raises a complex question regarding the belief in samsara. In Hinduism, it is not a problem because the eternal Atman resides within everyone.

11.   In Buddhism, your Karma is reborn. Karma in the understanding of Samsara is that the nature’s of one’s rebirth depends upon one’s Karma. When a person dies, his or her Karma continues on its path as it were, eventually bringing about rebirth.

12. The Five Percepts are 1.) do not take life. 2.) Do not take what is not given. 3.) Do not engage in sensuous misconduct. 4.) do not use false speech. 5.) Do not drink intoxicants. For monks/nuns:  6.) Do not eat after noon. 7.) Do not watch dancing or shows. 8.) do not use garlands, perfumes or ornaments. 9.) do not use a high or soft bed. 10.) do not accept gold or silver.

13.   Some possible English translations of the term Dukkha are suffering, frustration, dislocation or discomfort. Dukkha to me means a way a struggling in ones life.

14.   Tanha is desire, thirst or craving. It relates to Dukkha because it it seemingly unavoidable.

15.  The steps to of the Eightfold Path are Right view, intention, speech, conduct, effort, mindfulness, meditation and livelihood.

16.    The difference between the Buddha and other humans is that Buddha’s do not need a role model to provide teachings leading to their awakening. They are able to accomplish liberation on their own. Humans who attain enlightenment are known as Arhats.

17.   An arhat is a “worthy one” who has become awakened, is forever transformed, having experienced through the transcendent state of enlightenment.

18.   The literal meaning of the word Nirvana is “blowing out.” Nirvanas, rather than being reborn, the life energy of arhat is snuffed out, like a flame of a candle.

19.   The three divisions of Buddhism are 1.) Theravada 2.) Mahayana and 3.) Vajrayana.

20.     Theravada Buddhism focuses on the teachings: on cultivating wisdom through knowing the Four Noble Truths, and practicing the Noble Eightfold Path especially meditation.

21.    The literal meaning of the name Mahayana is “Great Vehicle.” The implications of the meaning that Mahayana is greater than Hinayana.

22.   Vajrayana Buddhism “fights fire with fire” by harnessing the energy of desire and turning it against itself.

23.    The Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader of Vajrayana Buddhism. He is supposed to be the incarnation of Avalokiteshavara (bodhisattva). When the Dalai Lama dies, his successor is sought out through various means, some supernatural and others more mundane.

24.    Primary geographical regions of the three divisions of Buddhism: Theravada- Cambodia, Burma, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Mahayana- China, Japan and Korea. Vajrayana- Tibet.