Mulitiple Choice
What does Buddha mean:
A) Follower of the way B) Enlightened One C) wise one D) Guru of knowledge E) Teacher of knowledge
B) Enlightened One
In what country was Buddhism first founded?
India
Who is The Buddha?
The spiritual founder of Buddhism
Define Karma
One’s behavior and thoughts determine future state. The quality of ones current and future lives is determined by their behavior in current and past lives.
Define Meditation
A form of mental concentration that leads to enlightenment and spiritual freedom.
The basic belief system of Buddhism is: A) Mishnah B) The Four Noble Truths C) The 5 Pillars D) Analects
B) The Four Noble Truths
Which is not one of the 4 noble truths: A) Life is suffering B) It is important to experience suffering C) suffering comes from attachment D) It is possible to end suffering E) There is a path (8 fold) to end suffering
B) It is important to experience suffering
Buddhism is an offshoot of what religion?
Hinduism
What was the Buddha's birth name?
Siddhartha Gautama
How many Folds are in the Buddhist path to enlightenment?
8 - The 8 Fold Path
Define Mantra in Buddhism
A sound, word or saying considered capable of creating spiritual transformations.
Karma describes what? A) Obeying the teachings and and laws of nature B) The end of craving and suffering through enlightenment C) Passing through a succession of lifetimes in different forms D) Mental and physical actions have future consequences
D) Mental and physical actions have future consequences
Buddhism differs from Islam in that Buddhism: A) Does not have a historical founder, B) Practices polytheism, C) Calls it’s god Buddha D) Does not have the concept of a single supreme being
D) Does not have the concept of a single supreme being
What is the significance of the Bodhi Tree?
The tree of enlightenment - The Buddha was sitting under it when he attained enlightened.
Who did Buddha see on his journey that spurred enlightenment?
He saw suffering people. An old man, a diseased man, a dead man and an ascetic man.
Define Enlightenment
The state attained when the cycle of reincarnation ends, and human desire and suffering are transcended.
Define Prayer wheel
A hollow metal cylinder mounted on a rod that contains a tightly wound scroll with a printed mantra. Spinning them recites the mantra and brings spiritual blessing.
What is the middle way?
The balance between indulgence and asceticism
A Bodhisavattva is: A) A female Buddha B) A god of fertility C) One who has attained enlightenment but chosen to stay to help others D) One of the Buddhas disciples
C) One who has attained enlightenment but chosen to stay to help others
Asoka took Buddhism very seriously, which of the following did he not do? A) Persecute non-believers B) Fourteen rock edicts C) Minor pillar edicts D) Cave inscriptions D) Pillar inscriptions
A) Persecute non-believers
What age did the Buddha leave home? What age did he find enlightenment?
Left home at 30. Enlightenment at 35
What are the 2 main branches of Buddhism?
Theravada (Hinayana) and Mahayana
Define Ascetic
A life characterized by strict self-denial of pleasures and comforts.
What is the main difference between Buddhism and the beliefs in Christianity, Islam and Judaism?
There is no god in Buddhism.
Which of the following describes Theraveda Buddhism? A) Monotheistic B) Nontheistic C) Pantheistic D) Polytheistic
B) Nontheistic
Who was Emperor Asoka?
He converted to Buddhism and had the greatest impact on the spread of Buddhism through India. He carved moral instructions into rock faces and stone pillars in India.
The Buddha used this flower as a metaphor for human existence and spiritual awakening. It is now a common Buddhist symbol.
The Lotus flower
List the 4 Noble Truths
All of life is suffering
The cause of suffering is craving
The end of suffering is getting rid of craving
The 8 Fold Path is the method to overcome suffering
Define Nirvana
A state of supreme liberation or enlightenment
What is the newest form of Buddhism? A) Theravada B) Mahayana or C) Vajrayana?
B) Mahayana
Approximately what year did Buddhism emerge?
450 BC
What are the steps to the 8 fold Path?
Right path, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration
Define Triratna or The 3 Jewels of Buddhism
The foundational core of Buddhism. 1) The Buddha 2) The Dharma 3) The Sangha
What are the main doctrines of Theravada Buddhism?
A strict branch of Buddhism dedicated to preserving it in it’s original form. The oldest surviving school.
Define Stupas
A Buddhist shrine, temple, or pagoda
What are the main doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism?
There are secret teachings, many Buddhas, and they believe the Buddha is divine. Emphasizes the Buddha-nature in all things
Define Arhat
A Buddhist who has reached the highest state of peace and enlightenment
What is the belief of Anatman?
There is no self. What we think of as our self, our personality and our ego are temporary as there is no soul.