Part 1
An enlightened disciple of the Buddha; a monk who has achieved nirvana.
What is arhat?
The emperor who most helped to spread Buddhism throughout India and beyond.
Who is Ashoka?
The teachings of the Buddha.
What are dharma?
The head monk of Tibetan Buddhism and leader of the Gelugpa.
Who is the Dalai Lama?
“nonself”, rejection of the Hindu concept of a permanent soul
What is anatman?
The elimination of ignorance, which completely clears the mind to see reality as it truly is.
What is enlightenment?
right view, aspiration, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration
What is the Eightfold Path?
The “Great Enlightenment” temple where the Buddha was enlightened under the bodhi tree.
What is the Mahabodhi?
The name for a Buddhist monk.
Who is a bhikkshu?
The Buddhist term for “compassion”; or mercy, the special kindness shown to those who suffer.
What is karuna?
A “future Buddha,” either in the present life or in a future life.
What is a bodhisattva?
“Great Vehicle”; the dominant school of Buddhism in Nepal, Tibet, and East.
What is the Mahayana?
“Demerit”; bad karma earned by breaking the precepts.
What is pap?
A prescription for liberation, which involves following the Eightfold Path.
What are the Four Noble Truths?
Selfless giving to diminish desire; the chief merit making activity in Buddhist societies.
What is dana?
The early Mahayana text that reveals the universal cosmic character of Buddhas and the Dharma.
What is the Lotus Sutra?
A doctrinal statement that provides guidance for how to live, aimed at the laity.
What are the Four Good Deeds?
One who has “awakened,” ended karmic bondage, and will not be reborn.
Who is the Buddha?
The Buddhist term for “loving kindness”; caring displayed to all you meet.
What is the maitri?
“Merit”; earned by moral practices, learning, and meditation.
What is punya?
The final state of liberation and enlightenment; release from samsara.
What is nirvana?
The birthname of the man to become Buddha.
What is Siddhartha?
A Buddhist monastic community.
What is the sangha?
Where all the conditions exist for the individual to be reborn and reach enlightenment.
What are the Pure Lands?
The world of rebirth subject to the law of karma and the inevitability of death.
What is samsara?
A group of Buddhist sects that focus on meditation; also known as Ch'an.
What is Zen?
Relic mound shrines, eight of which contain ashes of the Buddha.
What are stupa?
Suffering, impermanence, and no soul.
What are the Three Marks of Existence?
“Zero”; designates the emptiness of all constructs.
What is shunya
The only complete version of the Buddha’s teachings.
What is the Pali Canon?
He started a movement called “engaged Buddhism”; when encountering suffering, Buddhists must take action.
Who is Thich Nhat Hanh?
A recitation used to mark conversion to Buddhism, to affirm one’s devotion, or to start Buddhist rituals.
What are the Three Refuges?
The insight or wisdom necessary for enlightenment.
What is prajna?
A branch of Mahayana Buddhism also known as tantric Buddhism.
What is the Vajrayana/Thunderbolt Vehicle?
Traditionalists; school of Buddhism dominant in South and Southeast Asia.
What is the Theravada?