Buddhism Test 3

What is the term for “esoteric” (special) practices & texts in Indian tradition?

Mantras, mandalas, mudras

What are some examples or characteristics of those practices?

Envisioning one as buddha, practicing speech and sacred phrases/sounds, embody sacred energy

Why didn’t Buddhism accept tantric practices at first?

It violated certain social values and religious precepts, including the ban alcohol and sexual ritual. This served as emotional blockages that could be used in spiritual attainments.

What are the other two branches?

Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism

What is the name of Tantric Buddhism?

Vajrayana

What does Vajrayana mean?

Diamond Vehicle

What does Dalai Lama mean?

Spiritual Teacher

What power was given to the Dalai Lama by the Mongolians?

Political power as a spiritual leader

How is the Dalai Lama connected to the heavenly Bodhisattva called Avalokitesvara (or Kannon in Japanese)?

just as Avalokiteśvara is said to watch over all beings, the Dalai Lama served as both a spiritual and political leader of Tibet, acting as a compassionate guardian

VAIROCHANA
DAINICHI (Japanese)
THE SUN BUDDHA

What is the meaning of “age of the Degenerate Dharma.”

It was an age of spiritual decline and erosion of religious institutions, The teachings remain in name, but proper understanding and true practice are lost. Enlightenment is nearly impossible.

How could this idea support Pure Land Buddhism?

That faith and devotion, not personal achievement, are the keys to liberation. That the Pure Land offers a hopeful alternative when the world and human capacity are in decline.

What are the four ways to experience Dharmadhatu, according to Hua-yen?

First: the ordinary experience of all things, dharmas, or shih

Second: The experience of existence that reveals emptiness of all phenomena, the true suchness of things

Third: Seeing the realm of the non-obstruction between principle and phenomena

Fourth: Seeing the realm of the non-obstruction between phenomena

To explain mutual interpenetration, a statue of a Buddha with a lamp was used. How was mutual interpretation explained using that statue?

All things reflect and contain all other things

To explain this, the text uses the symbols of “the waters of the ocean,” the “waves,” and “the wind.” Explain these symbols and the basic point. (43)

The waters of the ocean represent enlightenments, the waves represent modes of mind, and the wind represents ignorance.

What does Hua-yen mean, what sutra is this school based on and who really produced it

“Wreath” school, based off avatamsaka sutra but Fa-tsang really produced the philosophy

What is another major connection between Taoism and Buddhism

idea of being and non being and the ultimate reality of things. both practice detachment.

Grounded on original enlightenment is nonenlightenment. And because of
nonenlightenment, the process of actualization of enlightenment can be spoken
of.” What positive point can we find here that is not in original Buddhism?

Chih-i is the true founder of T-ien-t-ai philosphy, what was the main reason for his emphasizing the lotus sutra

The Lotus Sutra teaches that all beings have the potential to become Buddhas, not just monks or elites.

Chih-i used this to resolve contradictions among Buddhist texts by interpreting earlier teachings as skillful means

What is Mantra

the speech, vibrations of the voice

What is Mudra

is the focusing of the mind and thoughts

What is Vajra

also known as Tantric or Esoteric Buddhism, Like a diamond, the vajra represents something unbreakable and eternal, symbolizing the unchanging truth of enlightenment.

What is the process of Diety Yoga

the visualization of diety form, recitation of mantra, use of mundras

What is Mandalas purposes

It is a circular diagram that contains images of a diety in his or her realm, along with symbols and images that depict enlightened virtues