Buddhism Quiz #5

Esoteric Buddhism

“Secret”, “Hidden”

Tantric Buddhism

Buddhism using tantras as the primary literary texts

Vajrayāna

the Adamantine Vehicle

Vajra

“Diamond”, “Thunderbolt”, “Adamant”-

a ritual implement in Esoteric Buddhism; signifies indestructibility

Mandala

“Circle”, “Sphere of Influence”-

A cosmic diagram in Esoteric Buddhism; a ritual arena in which the practitioner transforms into a Buddha

Mantra

“Incantation”, “Spell”-

A verbal utterance used in Esoteric ritual

Mudrā

“Gesture”, “Seal”-

A physical posture which helps the esoteric practitioner becomes a Buddha in a ritual space

Tantras

Large practice manuals for specific mandalas and deities

Sādhanas

Ritual instructions attached to a particular tantric traditions or lineages

The logic of emanation

Important historical and religious figures are emanations of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas

Padmasambhava

Summoned by Trisong Setsen to Tibet, asked to conquer the native gods and demons of the land

Samye monastery

The first Tibetan Buddhist monastery

Lang Darma

Assassinates brother Ralpachen, and shuts down Buddhist monastic institutions, begins a “Dark Age” for Buddhism in Tibet

Yeshe ‘Od

Revives Tibetan Buddhism

Atiśa

Invited to reestablish dharma in Tibet; helps establish non-transgressive Vajrayāna (esoteric Buddhism)

Sakya Pandita

Summoned to Mongolian court to serve as court priest in exchange for Mongolian protection

Buton

Complies ordered catalog of Tibetan canon; writes history of Indian Buddhism

Kanjur

The Tripitaka

Tenjur

Commentary and exegesis

Tsongkhapa

Founder of the Geluk Order; discouraged most transgressive rites, emphasized Madhyamaka

Tulku

“Emanation Body”-

A master who reincarnates into new bodies upon death to continue serving the dharma; used as a system of transmitting religious authority in Geluk tradition

Dalai Lama

“Ocean of Wisdom Teacher”-

A tulku who is head of the Geluk order; ruler of the Tibetan political regime

Henry Steel Olcott and H.P. Blavatsky

Founders of the Theosophical Society

Young Mens’ Buddhist Association (YMBA)

Most important Buddhist lay organization in Ceylon

The Pāli Text Society

Printed Pāli canonical texts in Latin alphabet

Dharmapāla

Founder of new nationalist newspaper Sinhala Buddhaya

Protestant Buddhism

A form of Buddhism serving Sri Lanka’s middle class bourgeoisie; laity emphasized over monastics

Shaku Soen

Ordained Buddhist monk from Kamakura; recommends D.T. Suzuki to Paul Carus; tours USA giving Dharma talks

Paul Carus

Editor of The Monist; Sponsored translation work of D.T. Suzuki

Sasaki Shigetsu

Studies Rinzai Zen under Shaku Soen; founds Buddhist Society of America in NY

Ruth Fuller Sasaki

Chief financial backer of Buddhist Society of America; priest of Rinzai Zen temple in Japan; translator of Buddhist works

The Beat Generation

Rebels against post-WWII America, its materialism, and its suburban conformity; experiments in sex, drugs, literature, and Eastern sexuality