ᯓ★ 1

• Where did Buddhism originate?

  In India (present-day Nepal)
• What was the "middle way" proposed by the founder of Buddhism?


  A path between worldliness and extreme asceticism
• Who is the founder of Buddhism?

  Siddhartha Gautama
• When was Siddhartha Gautama born?


  About 563 BCE
• What does "Buddha" mean?


  "The Enlightened One"
• What does the name Siddhartha mean?


  "One who has achieved his goal"
• Who were Siddhartha Gautama's parents?


  Suddhodana and Maya
• What significant life change did Siddhartha Gautama undergo?


  He left the palace to discover the Middle Way
• How did Siddhartha Gautama die?


  He reportedly died after eating spoiled curry
• What is Siddhartha Gautama referred to by East Asian Buddhists?


  "The Shakyamuni" or "sage of the Shakya people"
• What were the last words of the Buddha?


  "Subject to decay are all component things. Strive earnestly to work out your own salvation."
• What is the significance of the "Great Renunciation" in Siddhartha's life?


  It marks his departure from princely life and self-mortification
• Who were the Brahmin sages that Siddhartha encountered?


  Alara Kalama & Uddaka Ramapulta
• What did Siddhartha learn from the Four Signs?


  That age, illness, and death are unavoidable, and tranquility can be found in renunciation
• What was the location of the Buddha's death?

  Hindu city of Banaras (Varanasi)
• What did the Buddha teach about extremes of indulgence and asceticism?


  Neither extreme is acceptable; one should seek to live in the Middle Way
• Who was the powerful emperor that ruled India from 268-232 B.C.E.?


  Ashoka Maurya
• What did Asoka Maurya do for Buddhism?


  He reformed his court to be more compassionate and sent missionaries to spread Buddhism
• What are the two major groups of Buddhism?

  Hinayana and Mahayana
• What are the three collections of the Tripitaka?

  1. Vinaya Pitaka (Basket of Discipline)

  • Disciplinary rules for monastic life

  1. Sutta Pitaka (Basket of Threads)

  • Authoritative teachings and sayings of the Buddha

  1. Abhidhamma Pitaka (Basket of Higher Teaching)

  • Philosophical elaboration of Buddhist doctrine
• What is the significance of the First Buddhist Council?


  It aimed to identify and record the teachings of the Buddha
• What is the Tripitaka also known as?


  "Three Baskets"
• Who commanded the writing down of the oral tradition of the Tripitaka?

  King Vattagamani
• What is the Dhammapada?


  A collection of over 400 ethical maxims about inner peace and non-violence
• What are Jataka tales?


  Stories of the Buddha's past lives
• What does Mahayana Buddhism recognize?


  Other writings that express Mahayana concepts
• What is an example of a Mahayana text?


  Saddharmapundarika Sutra (Lotus Sutra)