Buddhism study guide

1. How did Buddhism originate? 

Buddhism originated in India during the 6th century BCE, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha, 

 

He was born into royalty and experienced everything with royalty, but then he went out, and he saw people who were sick, old, and hurt.  He then began to open his eyes and thought he should live that way. He then found out that he was not happy either, so he decided to go with the middle way. 

2. Name and briefly explain each of the 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism. 

What is Dukkha?

The Truth of Suffering 

Life involves suffering. This includes obvious pain (illness, loss, death) and subtler forms like dissatisfaction, anxiety, and impermanence. Even pleasure is fleeting, which makes attachment a source of suffering. 

2. Name and briefly explain each of the 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism. 

What is Samudaya

The Truth of the Origin of Suffering 

Suffering arises from craving (tanhā), attachment, and ignorance. We desire things to be permanent, pleasurable, and under our control—but reality doesn’t work that way. This mismatch fuels suffering. 

2. Name and briefly explain each of the 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism. 

What is Nirodha

The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering-Suffering can end. By extinguishing craving and attachment, one can achieve nirvana—a state of liberation, peace, and freedom from the cycle of rebirth. 

2. Name and briefly explain each of the 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism. 

What is Magga

The Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering 

There is a path to end suffering: the Eightfold Path, which includes right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. It’s a practical guide to ethical living and mental discipline. 

3. Name and describe 2 similarities between Buddhism and Hinduism. 

Both traditions teach that life is part of a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth known as samsara. The soul (or consciousness) is reborn into new forms based on past actions. 

• Hinduism views the soul (atman) as eternal, passing through many lives until it achieves moksha (liberation). 

• Buddhism teaches that there is no permanent soul, but rather a stream of consciousness that continues until nirvana(liberation from suffering and rebirth). 

 Law of Karma 

Both religions emphasize karma, the principle that actions have consequences. 

• In Hinduism, karma affects one's future rebirth and social status, and good karma helps the soul ascend toward liberation. 

• In Buddhism, karma shapes the conditions of future lives and influences progress on the path to enlightenment. 

Also Darma

4. Name and describe 2 significant differences between Buddhism and Hinduism. 

Concept of the Self 

• Hinduism teaches the existence of an eternal soul called atman, which is ultimately identical with Brahman, the universal spirit. Liberation (moksha) comes from realizing this unity. 

• Buddhism, in contrast, denies the existence of a permanent self. It teaches anatta (non-self), asserting that what we call the "self" is just a collection of changing physical and mental components (skandhas). Liberation (nirvana) comes from letting go of attachment to this illusion. 

Role of Ritual and Caste 

• Hinduism is deeply intertwined with ritual practices, Vedic scriptures, and the caste system, which traditionally governs social and spiritual duties (dharma). 

• Buddhism emerged as a reform movement, rejecting caste distinctions and emphasizing personal ethical conduct, meditation, and direct insight over ritual and social hierarchy.