Buddhism Quiz - East Asian Studies

Siddhartha Gautama

Born in a high caste, saw the 4 sights (old person, death, sick person, and holy man)

4 Noble Truths

1. Life is suffering

2. Suffering comes from attachment and craving

3. Suffering can be overcome by riddilng self of cravings

4. Follow the eightfold path

What is the 8-Fold Path?

Understanding, concentration, mindfulness, effort, livelihood, action, speech, and thought

What is nirvana?

The ultimate goal

What does Theravada mean?

Small vehicle

Who is Asoka?

Leaduring during Maruyan Empire, sent missionaries to Sri Lanka and his son, which helps growth of Mahayana Buddhism

Where is Theravada Buddhism popular

India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia

What Buddhism does Vietnam primarily have?

Mahayana Buddhism

Arhat

Someone trying to obtain nirvana, mainly associated with Theravada Buddhism

Bodhisattva

Someone who delays their own enlightenment to help others, mainly associated with Mahayana Buddhism

Stupa

Monument built on top of a resting place or other items

Hinahaya Buddhism

Theravada is lesser (Hinayana) because it is for the elites

Dalai Lama

Incarnation of the Bodhisattva

Sunyata

Emptiness, lack of self

Examples of Mahayana Literature

The Lotus Sutra (teachings)

What are the three paths of Buddhism as outlined in the Parable of the Burning House?

Shravaka (goat) — voice hearers

Arhats — seek enlightenment only for themselves

Bodhisattvas — teach others and delay their nirvana

Why are there three paths of Buddhism?

They all lead into the One Vehicle, which is straight to Buddhahood

“The Diamond Vehicle”

A quick path

What is Vajrayana Buddhism?

Combination of traditions, confronts the taboo by seeing if people can directly resist temptation.

The TIbetan Lama

Some are reincarnations, they like debating.