SACRED TEXTS + STORIES
The two main sections of the Christian Bible.
The Old Testament and the New Testament
The head of the Catholic Church
The Pope
Two physical objects used in the Catholic sacraments.
Water, oil, bread, wine, rings ....
The three persons of the Christian Trinity.
The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit
In the parable of Zacchaeus, Jesus visits the home of a tax collector despised by the community. The one word that describes what Jesus shows Zacchaeus that surprises everyone.
A) Anger
B) Judgement
C) Compassion
D) Indifference
C) Compassion
The primary scripture of Theravada Buddhism, whose name means "Three Baskets."
Hint: T
The Tipitaka
The title meaning "Ocean of Wisdom", held by the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism
The Dalai Lama
Three types of Buddhist worship or devotion practiced at a temple.
meditation, chanting, prostrations, making offerings, ringing a bell or gong, puja, reciting mantras.
The three foundations of Buddhist life (The Three Jewels)
- teacher, teachings and community
The Buddha
The Dharma
The Sangha
The Hare's Self-Sacrifice (Sasa Jataka) and the Widow's Offering (Mark 12:41–44) were paired together in class. Both characters give something precious at great personal cost. Name the value both stories share.
Generosity
Both give everything they have, holding nothing back.
The name for a Christian moral story, and its Buddhist equivalent.
A parable and a Jataka Tale.
The process by which Cardinals gather in secret to pray and vote for a new Pope
The conclave
Placed before a statue of the Buddha, this offering symbolises impermanence (all things are beautiful but do not last).
Flowers
The Buddhist law of cause and effect — your actions in body, speech and mind shape your future and your next rebirth.
Karma
In the Banyan Deer Jataka, the Banyan Deer offers his own life to the king to save a pregnant doe. This story and the parable of Zacchaeus were paired together in class because they both demonstrate the same value of....
Compassion
The Tipitaka is divided into three sections called the Three Baskets. Describe all three (each basket).
Sutta Pitaka — the Basket of Discourses
The teachings and conversations of the Buddha - including Dhammapada, and the Jataka Tales
Vinaya Pitaka — the Basket of Discipline
The rules for monks and nuns
Abhidhamma Pitaka — the Basket of Higher Teaching
Philosophical teachings and analysis
Both are the highest spiritual figures in their traditions — but one is elected while the other is believed to be a reincarnated Bodhisattva who already carries his authority from previous lives.
The Pope and the Dalai Lama
Name the 7 sacraments in Catholicism
Baptism, Confirmation, Confession/Reconciliation, Anointing the Sick, The Eucharist, Matrimony/Marriage, Holy Orders.
Christianity says it comes from original sin — humanity's separation from God. Buddhism says it comes from craving and attachment. These are each tradition's explanation for this universal human experience.
Suffering
In the story of the Widow's Offering (Mark 12:41–44), a poor widow gives two small coins while wealthy people give large amounts. Jesus says she has given more than all the others. Explain why Jesus says this.
She gave everything she had. The value of the gift is measured by the sacrifice it represents, not its size.
One thing the Jataka Tales and Christian parables share (250 points)
One key difference between them (250 points)
Share: Both use characters and situations/stories to teach values
Difference: The Jataka tales are the Buddha's previous lives, often as an animal
Similarity: Parables use human characters in a single story.
Explain "Apostolic Succession"
The unbroken chain of authority passed from Jesus to Peter, continuing through every Pope and Bishop to today
In Catholic worship, an ordained priest must be present to celebrate the Mass and administer the sacraments. In Buddhist worship, no equivalent leader is required; anyone can meditate, make offerings or chant. What does this difference reveal about how each tradition believes believers connect with the sacred?
In Catholicism, God's grace flows through ordained leaders — without a priest, the sacraments cannot happen. In Buddhism, no intermediary is needed because the path is personal and direct — every practitioner has direct access to the teaching and the practice.
In Christianity, this is a gift from God, received through faith and the sacraments.
In Buddhism, it is achieved through your own effort on the path.
Both are answers to the same question: how do we overcome suffering?
Hint: S , L
Salvation
Liberation