ᯓ★ Exam Reviewer

• Where did Buddhism begin?

  In India (present-day Nepal)
• What was the founder of Buddhism's proposed path?

  A "middle way" 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?

  "Enlightened one"
• How is Siddhartha Gautama referred to in East Asian Buddhism?

  As "The Shakyamuni" or "sage of the Shakya people"
• What does the name Siddhartha mean?

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

  Son of Suddhodana and Maya
• Is Buddha considered a god?

  No, Buddhism is nontheistic
• What kind of life did Siddhartha Gautama initially lead?

  Palace life
• What did Siddhartha Gautama discover after leaving the palace?

  The Middle Way, a path of moderation
• How did Siddhartha Gautama die?

  He reportedly died after eating spoiled curry
• What were the last words of Siddhartha Gautama?

  "Subject to decay are all component things. Strive earnestly to work out your own salvation."
• What is Nirvana in Buddhism?

  Enlightenment
• What are the Four Passing Sights that influenced Siddhartha Gautama?

  1. Old Age
  2. Funeral (Death)
  3. Sickness
  4. Monk
• What did Siddhartha Gautama want to discover after leaving the palace?

  Why there is suffering
• What are the Three Temptations faced by Siddhartha Gautama?

  1. Lust (2 strippers)
  2. Power (choice for the whole power of the world)
  3. Attain Moksha easier
• How long did Siddhartha meditate under the Bodhi Tree?

  20 days
• Who is Mara in the context of Siddhartha's meditation?

  A demon who tempted Siddhartha
• What are the two ends in Buddhism that Siddhartha sought to avoid?

  1. Desire
  2. Self-mortification
• Who was Asoka Maurya?

  The powerful emperor who ruled India from 268-232 BCE
• What did Asoka Maurya do for Buddhism?

  He reformed his court to be more compassionate and promoted Buddhism
• How did Indian rulers contribute to the spread of Buddhism?

  They sent missionaries into neighboring Asian nations
• What does Buddhism explain about life?

  • Purpose to life
  • Apparent injustice and inequality
  • Provides a code of practice leading to true happiness (Nirvana)
• What are the two major groups of Buddhism?

  1. Hinayana – "exclusive/lesser way"
  2. Mahayana – "expansive/greater way"
• Who assembled the First Buddhist Council?

  Mahakasyapa and around 500 followers
• What was the purpose of the First Buddhist Council?

  To identify and record the teachings of the Buddha
• What is the Tripitaka?

  The Three Baskets of Buddhist teachings
• When was the Tripitaka written down?

  At the command of King Battagamani in 30 CE
• What are the three collections of the Tripitaka?

  1. Vinaya Pitaka (Basket of Discipline)
  2. Sutta Pitaka (Basket of Threads)
  3. Abhidhamma Pitaka (Basket of Higher Teaching)
• What does the Vinaya Pitaka contain?

  A list of disciplinary rules for Buddhist monastic life
• How many regulations are in the Vinaya Pitaka for bhikkus and bhikkunis?

  227 for bhikkus and 311 for bhikkunis
• What is the Sutta Pitaka known for?

  It contains the authoritative teachings of the Buddha
• What are the most popular sections of the Sutta Pitaka?

  Jataka Tales and Dhammapada
• What do the Jataka Tales represent?

  Stories of the Buddha's past lives
• What is the Dhammapada about?

  A collection of over 400 ethical maxims
• What does the Abhidhamma Pitaka elaborate on?

  Philosophical aspects of earlier Buddhist doctrine
• What is the Mahayana concept in Buddhism?

  It contains sermons preached by the Buddha to bodhisattvas and cosmic beings
• What is the Lotus Sutra?

  A significant text in Mahayana Buddhism
• What are the major divisions of Buddhism?

  1. Theravada
  2. Mahayana

  • Chan (China)
  • Zen (Japan)
  • Tibetan (Tibet)
  • Pure Land