Early Life
Where was Siddhartha born?
Near the Himalayas, in present-day Nepal, India at the time
How old was Siddhartha when he first left the palace?
29
Term used to describe donations or gifts of food given to monks and ascetics
alms
What caused the other ascetics to leave Siddhartha before he reached enlightenment? (Hint: He chose x instead of y)
He chose to follow the Middle Way instead of extreme self-denial
What are the Four Noble Truths mainly about?
Understanding and ending suffering
What two paths did the Brahmins predict for the baby prince?
He would either become a great king or a spiritual leader (the Buddha)
What did he see on his second trip?
A sick man
What object did Siddhartha carry as an ascetic to collect food?
a small bowl
What did Siddhartha promise to do when he sat under the Bodhi Tree?
Meditate until he reached enlightenment
What is the Middle Way?
A balanced life between too much comfort and too much hardship, "Goldilocks approach" to living
Why did Siddhartha's dad keep Siddhartha inside the palace?
To protect him from seeing suffering and keep him focused on royal life.
What did he see on his third trip?
A dead body
What did Siddhartha give up when he became an ascetic? (name at least three distinct things)
His royal clothes, jewels, home, family
What did Mara represent in the story of Siddhartha’s meditation?
Distractions and temptations that keep people from truth
According to the Buddha, why does pleasure not bring lasting happiness? (one word answer)
Because all things change and eventually end
What were Siddhartha’s parents’ names?
King Suddhodana and Queen Maya
What did he see on his fourth trip?
An ascetic
Why did Siddhartha reject the ascetics’ extreme practices?
He became dangerously thin and still hadn’t found enlightenment
What did Siddhartha see during his meditation that showed him the nature of existence? (will two of three options)
His past lives, the cycle of rebirth, and how karma affects suffering
Which word describes the idea that “all things change” and nothing lasts forever?
Impermanence
What did Siddhartha's mom dream about before his birth?
A white elephant with six tusks touching her side
In what order did Siddhartha encounter the four sights?
Old age, sickness, death, ascetic
What could Siddhartha feel when he touched his stomach during his time as an ascetic?
His backbone
What are the names of Mara's daughters, sent to distract Siddhartha
Discontent, Passion, and Desire
Name at least five parts of the Eightfold Path
Possible answers include: Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration