Buddhism Michaelmas Y8

What are the five symbols of the birth of Buddha?

White Elephant, Bhoddi tree, 7 steps, Lotus flower, Prophecy

What is the significance of the white elephant?

The white elephant was great and sacred and foretold the Buddha (sign of purity)

What is the significance of the Bhoddi tree?

It symbolises the birth of Buddha, and represents hope and patience

What is the significance of the seven steps?

The first 6 steps symbolised the levels of suffering, and the 7th step being when we are free/enlightenment

What is the significance of the lotus flower?

The growth of the flower symbolises being opened up into the world/Buddhism

What is the significance of the prophecy?

That the prophecy came true - he became a great teacher.

What are the four sights?

Old man, sick man, dead man, holy man

What did the old man teach the Buddha?

That all people will grow old.

What did the sick man teach the Buddha?

That all bodies will eventually deteriorate

What did the dead man teach the Buddha?

That everyone will die

What did the holy man teach the Buddha?

That all people suffer

What conclusion did these sights cause the Buddha to come to?

They gave him a purpose in life and a determination to end suffering

What are the four noble truths?

Everywhere there is suffering, the origin of suffering is our cravings, we can end suffering, the way to end suffering is by following the eightfold path/middle way

What is the eightfold path?

The eight principles that help Buddhists follow the middle way and reach enlightenment.

What are some of the eight principles?

Right action, right mindset, right coincidence, right speech

What are the three sections of the eightfold path?

Ethics, meditation, wisdom

What are the five precepts?

Don’t harm living things, don’t steal, don’t act in a sexually inappropriate way, don’t lie, don’t take intoxicating substances