Core Teachings
What does Buddha mean?
The Awakened One/Enlightened One
What age was Buddha when he left his home and what age was he when he achieved enlightenment?
29 years and 35 years
In which year and where did Babasaheb convert into Buddhism with 600,000 followers?
In 1956, at Deekshabhoomi
What are the 5 precepts of the Panchsheel (in English)?
1. Refrain from killing
2. Refrain from stealing
3. Refrain from sexual misconduct
4. Refrain from false speech
5. Refrain from intoxicants that cloud the mind
This spiritual leader is considered the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Dalai Lama
Name any 5 Pratigya/vows out of 22 given by Babasaheb while converting to Buddhism.
1. I shall have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara, and I shall not worship them.
2. I shall have no faith in Rama and Krishna, who are believed to be incarnation of God, and I shall not worship them.
3. I shall have no faith in Gauri, Ganapati and other gods and goddesses of Hindus, and I shall not worship them.
4. I do not believe in the incarnation of God.
5. I do not and shall not believe that Lord Buddha was the incarnation of Vishnu. I believe this to be sheer madness and false propaganda.
6. I shall not perform Shraddha and I shall not give pind-daan.
7. I shall not act in a manner violating the principles and teachings of the Buddha.
8. I shall not allow ceremonies to be performed by Brahmins.
9. I shall believe in the equality of man.
10. I shall endeavour to establish equality.
11. I shall follow the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddha.
12. I shall follow the ten paramitas prescribed by the Buddha.
13. I shall have compassion and loving-kindness for all living beings and protect them.
14. I shall not steal.
15. I will not commit adultery.
16. I will not speak lie.
17. I shall not take intoxicants like liquor, drugs, etc.
18. I shall endeavour to follow the Noble Eightfold Path and practice compassion and loving-kindness in everyday life.
19. I renounce Hinduism which is harmful to humanity and impedes the advancement and development of humanity, and adopt Buddhism as my religion.
20. I firmly believe the Dhamma of the Buddha is the only true religion.
21. I believe that by adopting Buddhism I am having a rebirth.
22. I solemnly declare and affirm that I shall hereafter lead my life according to the principles and teachings of the Buddha and his Dhamma.
Where was Buddha born?
Where did he acheive enlightenment?
And where did he die?
Lumbini
Bodhgaya
Kushinagara
Known for its massive stupa and ancient relics, which site in Madhya Pradesh, India, was developed by Emperor Ashoka?
Sanchi Stoop
What is Nirvana?
Nirvana is the ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) and the cessation of suffering and desire
Which Southeast Asian country has over 90% of the population practicing Theravāda Buddhism, with saffron-robed monks being a common sight?
Thailand
What are 3 key differences between Buddhism and other religions?
1. No God
2. No Heaven/Hell
3. No Soul
(open to other answers)
What are the Four Sights that Siddharth Gautama saw that led him to leave his princely life and seek enlightenment?
He saw an old man, a sick person, a corpse and a wandering ascetic
Name 4 Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar
What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
Right view, Right thought, Right speech, Right action, Right livelihood, Right effort, Right mindfulness, and Right concentration
Zen Buddhism, a school of Mahāyāna known for meditation and simplicity, became especially influential in which East Asian country?
Japan
What concept means "the idea that there is no permanent, unchanging soul or essence"?
Anatta
Where did Buddha give his First sermon where the Sangha was also formed?
Sarnath
What was the event in Samrat Ashoka’s life which made him follow Buddhism?
Kalinga War
What is Threefold Training or Tisikkha that helps us train in 3 specific areas to follow the Buddhist path?
1. Sila: discipline or ethical living
2. Samadhi: concentration
3. Prajna: insight or wisdom
Together, these three trainings support each other: moral conduct stabilizes the mind (Sīla), concentration refines it (Samādhi), and wisdom transforms it (Prajñā)
Which Himalayan nation blends Tibetan Buddhism with local Bon traditions and features the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery?
Bhutan
What are the 4 Noble Truths?
1. Dukkha - Life is suffering
2. Samudaya - The cause of suffering is desire or craving
3. Nirodha - The end of suffering comes with an end to craving
4. Magga - The path to the cessation of suffering is the Noble Eightfold path
Who initiated women’s entrance in Sangha in Buddha’s Era?
Mahaprajapati, along with 500 other women who had shaved their heads and requested to join the Sangha
What was the name of the ancient learning center of India regarded as one of the world's first residential university? Who built it? After multiple invasions, whose significant attack led to the destruction of Nalanda University?
Nalanda University was founded by the Gupta Emperor Kumaragupta I. It was destroyed by Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji in late 12th century.
What is the key concept in Buddhism that refers to the idea that all things arise in dependence upon multiple causes and conditions, and nothing exists independently or permanently called? It is often described by the formula: "When there is this, that is; with the arising of this, that arises"
Dependent Origination or Pratītya-Samutpāda
What are the types of Buddhism across the world and what is the one that is followed currently in India called?
Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna. We follow Navyana in India.