Buddhism Quiz - Theology

Meaning of Budh

To awaken

What does the name Buddha signify?

The one who has awaken

What did the Buddha awaken to?

Awareness of the human condition - (what it means to be human)

Early life of Prince Siddhartha Gautama

Born in India as a Kshatriya

Father wanted him to be a great ruler

Lived a sheltered life

Married and had a son

Describe the 4 Passing Sights

1. An old man-

Feeble and helpless due to his age - Gautama had never seen old age

2. A sick man-

   Helpless because of disease. Gautama learned disease is a threat to everyone

3. A dead man-

   His corpse being carried by his grieving family. Gautama learned death is unavoidable

4. A Hindu ascetic-

   A man who chosen to live a life of solitude and detachment from worldly things in search of moksha. This filled Gautama w/ hope

The Great Going Forth

Gautama says goodbye to his family, cuts off his hair, and changed his clothes. He put on a simple robe and began a new life.

Gautama planned to be a mendicant (monk or religious person who owned nothing and begged for food/clothes)

For 6 years, Gautama wandered and slept only on the ground, ate just enough to survive, and listened to other holy men

Ascetic

somebody who isolates themself to develop a further spiritual focus, away from themselves

What does Bodhi mean? Why is the tree significanct?

Bodhi means wisdom. The Bodhi tree is significant because this is the tree Buddha meditated under to find salvation for 49 days.

After this meditation, he understood human condition.

Mara

A demon of death and desire

Sends his daughters to distract Buddha;

The goddesses of Discontent, Delight, Desire

Why did Mara want to distract Gautama?

Mara wants to distract Gautama because if he became enlightened he would not be under the control of Mara anymore

Nirvana

Extinguishing passions for things like desire, (escaping the cycle)

Arhat

Enlightened people (saint equivalent)

Sangha

The community

What are the Four Noble Truths

Taught these to his former companions:

1. Human life is full of suffering

2. Suffering is caused by people’s greed for power, pleasure, and possessions

3. Suffering will end when people overcome their greed (nirvana)

4. People can overcome their greed by following the Middle Way and the Eightfold Path

Goal of the Truths and Eightfold Path

The goal of the path and the truths is to help Buddhists move to nirvana

Similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism

• Both have the concept of reincarnation (samsara)

• Both have the goal to escape the cycle in some capacity

• Using meditation and mindful action is path to enlightenment

Mantras

chants to enhance meditation

Mudras

hand movements to enhance meditation

Mandalas

circular, patterned art to enhance meditation

Tripitaka

Means 3 baskets in Pali

Collected by his followers

The 3 sets of teachings from the Buddha (oral tradition)

Categories of the Eightfold Path

1. Moral conduct

2. Meditation

3. Wisdom

Wisdom category of the Eightfold Path

1. Right Understanding

2. Right Thought

Moral conduct category of the path

3. Right Speech

4. Right Conduct

5. Right Livelihood

Meditation category of the path

6. Right Effort

7. Right Mindfulness

8. Right Concentration

Ignatian teachings and Buddhist teachings similarities

• Importance of reflection

• Detachment of value

Differences from Hinduism in Buddhism

• Caste system is rejected

• Elitist practices rejected (no Brahmins)

• Women can join the community (sangha)

• Texts in Pali, not Sanskrit

• Does not have the idea of karma

The Middle Way/ Eightfold Path

a path of moderation and balance that avoids both extremes of excessive indulgence and extreme self-denial

Dharma

the Buddha's teachings, the nature of reality, and the path to enlightenment