Buddhism

• What is the term for a Buddhist statue?

  Rupa
• What does Dharma refer to in Buddhism?

  The teachings of the Buddha
• What are the components of the Noble Eightfold Path?

  • Right views
  • Right intentions
  • Right speech
  • Right conduct
  • Right livelihood
  • Right effort
  • Right mindfulness
  • Right meditation
• What are the 5 skandhas in Buddhism?

  Physical form, sensations/feelings, perception, mental formations, awareness/consciousness
• What is the first skandha?

  Physical form (rupa)
• What is the second skandha?

  Sensations/feelings (vedana)
• What is the third skandha?

  Perception (samjna)
• What is the fourth skandha?

  Mental formations (samskara)
• What is the fifth skandha?

  Awareness, consciousness (vijnana)
• What does the Asita prophecy state about the Buddha?

  He would become a great leader or religious leader
• What are the Four Sights that the Buddha encountered?

  1. Old age
  2. Sickness
  3. Death
  4. Holy man
• What is the quote associated with Dukkha (suffering)?

  'To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering'
• What does Dukkha-dukkhata refer to?

  Ordinary suffering; physical and mental pain
• What does Viparinama-dukkha refer to?

  Suffering due to change as a result of losing something good
• What does Samkhara-dukkha refer to?

  Suffering caused by attachment
• What does Anicca mean?

  Impermanence - everything changes
• What does Anatta mean?

  No permanent self - nobody stays the same from birth to death
• What is the story of Kisa Gotami and the mustard seed?

  • Kisa Gotami had a child who passed away.
  • Buddha advised her on dealing with death.
  • She was tasked to get a mustard seed from households where no one has died.
  • She found that every household had experienced death.
  • She learned that suffering is normal in life.
• What does an ascetic life entail?

  Self-discipline and simplicity
• What is the Middle Way in Buddhism?

  A balance between a life of luxury and a life of simplicity
• What is Enlightenment in Buddhism?

  When a Buddhist gains wisdom and finds the truth about life, stopping rebirth by reaching Nirvana
• What is the name of the tree under which Buddha meditated to become enlightened?

  Bodi/Peepal tree
• What are the 3 watches of the night?

  Gaining knowledge of all past lives, understanding of dependent arising and Anatta, and why suffering happens
• What are the 5 ways Mara tried to stop the Buddha from becoming enlightened?

  1. Sent daughters to seduce Buddha
  2. Sent armies to attack Buddha
  3. Offered Buddha control of his kingdom
  4. Attacked the Buddha himself
• What are the Four Noble Truths?

  1. Truth of suffering (dukkha)
  2. Truth of cause of suffering (samudaya)
  3. Truth of end of suffering (nirodha)
  4. Path leading to end of suffering (magga)
• What is the Dharma quote associated with refuge?

  'To the Buddha for refuge I go, To the Dhamma for refuge I go, To the Sangha for refuge I go'
• What are the 3 Jewels of Buddhism?

  • Buddha
  • Dharma
  • Sangha
• What are Koans?

  Unanswerable, illogical riddles used as the object of focus during meditation
• What are Jataka tales?


  Stories of the Buddha in previous lives, each usually has a moral
• What are the 6 realms in the Tibetan wheel of life?

  1. Realm of Gods
  2. Realm of Asuras
  3. Realm of pretas
  4. Realm of hell
  5. Realm of animals
  6. Realm of humanity
• What is Mahayana Buddhism?

  • Unorthodox Buddhism
  • Devote their whole life to follow the path to enlightenment
• What is Theravada Buddhism?

  • Orthodox Buddhism
  • Follow the Buddha's teachings
  • Aim to achieve enlightenment by reaching Nirvana
• What is a Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism?

  Enlightened beings to whom Buddhists look for guidance and inspiration
• What is an Arhat in Theravada Buddhism?

  A 'perfected person' who has achieved enlightenment and will not be reborn
• How can a Buddhist become a Bodhisattva?

  By perfecting the 6 perfections: generosity, morality, patience, energy, meditation, wisdom
• How can a Buddhist become an Arhat?

  By overcoming the 3 poisons: greed, hatred, and ignorance
• What does Sunyata mean?

  Emptiness
• What is Buddha-nature?

  The belief that everyone has the potential to become a Buddha
• Who is Amitabha Buddha?

  The Buddha of infinite light, considered the most important form of the Buddha for Japanese Buddhists
• What is Pure Land Buddhism?

  • A type of Mahayana Buddhism
  • Emphasizes faith in Amitabha Buddha