World Religions - Exam 2

Who was Siddhartha Gautama?

Siddhartha Gautama was the founder of Buddhism who became known as the Buddha after achieving enlightenment.

What is the life story of Siddhartha Gautama?

He was born a prince

What are the Four Passing Sights?

An old man

What is asceticism?

A lifestyle of extreme self-denial and discipline practiced to achieve spiritual goals.

What are the Four Noble Truths?

1) Life involves suffering

What is the Eightfold Path?

A set of guidelines for ethical and mental development including right view

What is Dharma in Buddhism?

The teachings of the Buddha or the universal truth about reality.

What is Sangha?

The Buddhist community of monks

What is Dhyana?

Meditation or focused concentration used to achieve enlightenment.

What is Nirvana?

The ultimate goal in Buddhism; a state of liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.

What is a Sutra?

A sacred Buddhist scripture or teaching.

Who was King Ashoka?

An Indian emperor who spread Buddhism throughout Asia after converting to the religion.

What is Ahimsa?

The principle of nonviolence toward all living beings.

What is Karuna?

Compassion or empathy for the suffering of others.

What is a Bodhisattva?

A being who delays entering Nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment.

What is Zazen?

A form of seated meditation practiced in Zen Buddhism.

What is Satori?

A sudden moment of enlightenment in Zen Buddhism.

What are the three great branches of Buddhism?

Theravada

What is a Koan?

A paradoxical question or statement used in Zen Buddhism to provoke enlightenment.

Who is the Dalai Lama?

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism believed to be a reincarnation of a Bodhisattva.

Who was Mao-Tse-Tung?

The communist leader of China who restricted religious practices including Buddhism.

Who was Abraham?

The patriarch of Judaism who made a covenant with God.

What is the Promised Land?

The land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants (Israel).

What is the Sacrifice of Isaac?

The story in which Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of faith.

What is the sign of the covenant?

Circumcision as a physical sign of the agreement between God and Abraham.

What is the Mosaic Law?

The laws given to Moses by God

Who are the Sephardim?

Jews whose ancestry traces to Spain and Portugal.

What is the Exodus?

The departure of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt led by Moses.

What is Passover?

A Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt.

What is God’s name in Judaism?

Yahweh

What is the Ark of the Covenant?

A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments.

What are the books of the Torah?

Genesis

What is the Davidic Covenant?

God’s promise that the lineage of King David would endure forever.

What is the Messiah in Judaism?

A future anointed leader who will bring peace and restore Israel.

What are the modern branches of Judaism?

Orthodox

What is Midrash?

Interpretations and commentaries on biblical texts.

What is the Talmud?

A central text of Rabbinic Judaism containing law and commentary.

What was the Jerusalem Temple?

The central place of worship for ancient Jews in Jerusalem.

What is Kabbalah?

A mystical tradition within Judaism exploring the nature of God and the universe.

What is Zionism?

A movement supporting the establishment and protection of a Jewish homeland in Israel.