Teachings of the Buddha
Life of the Buddha
Buddhist Lifestyle
Festivals
True or False
100
I take refuge in the Buddha. I take refuge in the Dharma (teaching). I take refuge in the Sangha (Buddhist community).
What are the Three Jewels?
100
Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian prince who lived in the sixth century BCE. His birth was painless and he could already walk and talk. Where he walked, lotus flowers grew in his footsteps. A sage (Ascita) predicts he will be a great king/saviour of the world.
Who is the Buddha?
100
Zen, Pure Land and Tibetan are...
What are schools of Buddhism?
100
In Thailand, this festival takes place in April and lasts for three days. It is the Thai New Year. Buddhists go to the local monastery to give presents to the monks, like flowers, food and candles. Everyone eats special foods and wears new clothes as a symbol that the new year is a chance to make a fresh start. Water in important in this festival. Boat races and water fights are held, and fish are rescued from dried up rivers (or birds are set free instead). These customs are to follow the Buddha's teaching about being kind to all living things, and to gain merit. This festival ends at midnight on the third day and all over Thailand, a drum is beaten and a bell is rung at the same time, three times. When the sound had died away, the festival is over.
What is Songkran?
100
True or False? Enlightenment is the same thing as Nirvana.
False. Enlightenment means "realizing the truth". It is not the same as knowing things. Each person has to find the truth for themselves. Buddhists believe that when they reach Enlightenment, they can break free of the endless round of birth, illness, death and rebirth. They can enter Nirvana. Nirvana means "going out" - like a fire. It is neither life nor death. It means being free of greed and anger, and the end of everything that is imperfect. It is the state where "you" does not exist any longer. It is the only way to be really free.
200
Dukkha- everything that is unsatisfactory. Anicca- nothing lasts; there is no rest except Nirvana. Anatta- "no-soul", only five things make up each person: body, feelings, thoughts, ideas, awareness.
What are the Three Signs of Being?
200
The Buddha sees an old man, a sick man, a funeral, and weeping relatives (Old age, illness, death, and sorrow). This fills the Buddha with compassion and causes him to run away from home to pursue the end of suffering.
What are the Four Passing Sights?
200
Buddhists have "rules" or "guides" for living that they are expected to follow. 1) not to harm living beings 2) not to take what is not given 3) to avoid improper sexual activity 4) not to take part in improper speech 5) to avoid alcohol and the misuse of drugs There are more rules that Buddhists agree to when they become a monk or nun, or even those who are not a monk or nun. 1) not to eat after midday 2) not to attend music or dancing 3) not to use perfume or jewellery 4) not to sleep on a soft bed 5) not to accept gifts of money.
What are the Five Precepts?
200
This festival is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. It is sometimes called Buddha Day. It celebrates the birth, Enlightenment, and passing away of the Buddha. Theravada Buddhists believe that these three events all happened on the day of the full moon in the month of Wesak (May or June). Many Buddhists give each other cards and presents to celebrate the festival. In Thailand, monks give talks and preach to the people about the life of the Buddha.
What is Wesak/ Vaisakha?
200
True or False? Mahayana Buddhism started in Tibet.
False. Mahayana Buddhism began in India in about 100 BCE. It is now more popular in the 'northern' countries of China, Japan, Korea and Tibet.
300
These laws always existed but the Buddha put the teachings in a form that could be understood by people in this age of the world. By following the teachings, and realizing they are true for themselves, Buddhists can achieve Enlightenment themselves.
What is Dharma; "natural law"?
300
The Buddha lived in the forest with them for six years, trying to master suffering. They lived a hard life, eating and drinking almost nothing to make their minds stronger than their body. When the Buddha found that this did not work, he began eating and drinking again. These men left the Buddha in disgust because they thought he had given up.
What are the Ascetics?
300
For most Buddhists, this is the most important part of worship. It allows them to focus on things that are really important and rise above any worries you may have,and the world and its problems. It is intended to control and develop the mind. By doing this, Buddhists believe they will become better people, and will be able to achieve Enlightenment.
What is meditation?
300
A Thai festival which takes place at the end of the rainy season (November). People take gifts to the monastery to say 'thank you' to the monks for the work they do during the year. It also shows that the people realize how important the monks are. Giving at this time is thought to earn more merit for the giver.
What is Kathina?
300
True or False? It is not expected that all monks will stay in the monastery all their lives.
True. Many Buddhist men become monks for a few months or years, so that they have time to study and learn about their religion. Especially in Theravada Buddhism, it is common for young boys to become monks so that they can be educated in the monastery. They may leave when they become adult.
400
1) Dukkha- the truth of suffering; "Life is suffering." 2) Samudaya- the truth of the cause of suffering; Dukkha is caused by greed and selfishness. 3) Nirhodha- the truth of the end of suffering; Greed and selfishness can be stopped, and when stopped, will result in Enlightenment in Nirvana. 4) Magga- the truth of the path that frees us from suffering; follow the Eightfold Path taught by the Buddha to reach Enlightenment.
What are the Four Noble Truths?
400
After the holy men left the Buddha, he travelled on until he came to this great ____. He sat under this and meditated, and at last he gained Enlightenment.
What is the Bodhi Tree?
400
Buddhists usually worship in front of this. It is beautifully decorated and contains an image of the Buddha, a Buddharupa. They also contain holders for incense, and usually flowers and candles. Different Buddhist schools have different traditions about other things which may be found in these. It may be in a monastery or temple, or it may be one room in an ordinary house.
What is a shrine?
400
Named after the month which falls in June-July in the Western calendar. It celebrates the time when Buddhism was first brought to Sri Lanka in 250 BCE. Buddhists believe that the first Buddhist missionaries to go to Sri Lanka were a monk and a nun who were the son and daughter of the Emperor Asoka. A special play is performed in the town of Mihintale, where they arrived.
What is Poson?
400
True or False? Theravada means "great vehicle".
False. Mahayana means "great vehicle". This means that there is room for different ways to Nirvana. Mahayana Buddhists believe that anyone can reach Nirvana if they follow the Buddha's teachings, and ask him for help.
500
Right Viewpoint: To reach Nirvana, you need to look at life the right way and accept that all of life is unsatisfactory. Right Intention: Thinking correctly about life leads you to being unselfish and caring about others rather than concentrating on yourself. Right Speech: Your words should not cause harm to yourself or others. Right Action: Avoiding harmful actions like stealing, being dishonest or unfaithful, using alcohol or drugs and killing anything. Right Living: Work to the best of your ability, no matter what your job is. It should be useful, and not involve anything which harms others. Right Effort: Avoid negative things and work hard to do good. Right Mindfulness: Controlling your mind so that you can see things around you in the right way. Right Concentration: Training your mind to concentrate without wandering is achieved by meditation.
What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
500
By reaching Enlightenment, the Buddha also discovered this way of living. He continued to teach this way of moderation to others. It is between the extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification, the path of wisdom.
What is the Middle Path?
500
Many Buddhists go to worship at important burial grounds. Some are part of monasteries, but others are built at holy places. After the Buddha had passed away, his body was cremated, and the ashes were taken to eight different places plus another two for the spot where the body had been cremated, and one where the container used to collect the ashes was buried. These things were built around them.
What is a stupa?
500
In Kandy, Sri Lanka, there is a Buddhist temple which was built to keep a relic of the Buddha - one of his teeth. For ten days every August, this festival is held in honour of the relic. A procession lit by torches takes place on the night of the full moon. There are over 100 elephants who are beautifully decorate and were brightly coloured cloths. The most important elephant, Jayarajah, carries a special casket identical to the one which holds the Buddha's tooth (The real one is far too important to be taken out of the temple). Other elephants carry relics of other important Buddhists. There are dancers, drummers, and fire eaters, fire works, burning incense and more.
What is Esala Perahera?
500
True or False? Monks own very little.
True. The only things which a monk owns himself are the robes he wears (or two), a needle and thread to repair them, a razor to shave his head, a bowl and cup, and a special strainer to remove any insects from his drinking water. Monks are given food and everything else they need by people living around the monastery. This is called giving "Alms". Buddhists are pleased to give to the monks because Buddhism teaches that giving to others is very important, and giving to monks is part of a Buddhist's religious duty.
M
e
n
u