Noble Truth #1
Refers to mental or emotional distress that is not inherent to the nature of the mind, but rather arises unexpectedly or temporarily due to external factors, clinging, or reactivity.
Name the three poisons.
greed, aversion, ignorance
What is the lamrim?
means "graduated path"; is a Tibetan Buddhist textual tradition organizing Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings into a step-by-step, actionable framework for spiritual development
Describe the appearance of a hungry ghost.
depicted with tiny mouths and bloated bellies
What number Dalai Lama is currently alive?
14th
Define karma.
the universal law of cause and effect, defined specifically as intentional, volitional action (mental, verbal, or physical). It is not fate or divine judgment, but a "seed" planted by conscious choices that eventually produces a corresponding result or "fruit" (karmic consequence) in one's life.
Define emptiness and explain ONE way misunderstanding it leads to suffering.
def: the absence of separate (inherent, independent), or permanent existence in all phenomena
why suffering: we believe we have a permanent, unchanging self (a "me") that must be protected, satisfied, and preserved; we treat transient objects, relationships, or situations as solid, lasting possessions; we label situations as fixed (e.g., "this person is evil," "I am a failure").
Name the four sights and explain why they are important.
an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and an ascetic
they shattered Prince Siddhartha’s sheltered life, revealing the inescapable nature of suffering, impermanence and death
How are the "six sense spheres" generally depicted?
as a house with 5 windows and a door
How many Buddhists are there on the planet today?
a. 20 million
b. 1 million
c. 500 million
c. (though estimates range from 300 to 500 million)
Provide one pair from the "eight worldly conditions."
1 & 2: Happiness vs. Suffering
3 & 4: Fame vs. Insignificance
5 & 6: Praise vs. Blame
7 & 8: Gain vs. Loss
Contact.
Name the goal of a small scope practitioner and then the goal of a medium scope practitioner.
small: another human rebirth
medium: liberation from cyclic existence
Describe Shakyamuni Buddha's appearance at the end of his time as an ascetic.
incredibly emaciated
Which of the three poisons is depicted as a snake? Why do you think this is the animal someone long ago selected?
The snake symbolizes the striking, venomous nature of anger and the aggressive pushing away of things we dislike.
Define each of the following types of suffering:
suffering of suffering
suffering of change
pervasive suffering
suffering of suffering: the most direct and obvious form of pain, encompassing physical discomfort and emotional distress
suffering of change: the anxiety and dissatisfaction that arise from the impermanent nature of pleasure
pervasive suffering: the background state of insecurity and dissatisfaction inherent in being a finite, conditioned being
Name the three marks of existence.
dukkha - suffering
annica - impermanence
annata - no self
Name and define each of the two truths.
the two truths doctrine distinguishes between conventional truth (how things appear to the mundane mind) and ultimate truth (how things actually exist: empty of inherent existence
When did we encounter the chariot metaphor? How was it used?
The chariot analogy is a famous Buddhist metaphor illustrating the doctrine of anatta (not-self) or emptiness, demonstrating that a "self" or "being" is a convenient designation for a collection of parts (the 5 Aggregates), not a permanent entity. It is primarily found in "The Questions of Milinda"?
Why do Buddhist monks and nuns shave their heads?
monks and nuns shave their heads every two months (or when hair reaches two finger-widths) to signify commitment and discourage vanity
Name TWO of the five aggregates and why each causes suffering (Note, the suffering can arise out of misunderstanding the aggregate).
form - it ages, gets sick, and dies—so attachment to it leads to fear, pain, and loss
feeling - we chase pleasant feelings and avoid unpleasant ones, creating craving and aversion
perception - we mistake our interpretations for reality and become attached to our views and judgments
mental formations - conditioned patterns (like fear, desire, bias) shape our reactions and keep cycles of suffering going
consciousness - we cling to the ongoing stream of awareness as a stable “self,” even though it is constantly shifting
Name and briefly define the 3 lower realms.
animal - beings in this realm live in fear, routine, and habit. Life revolves around basic needs—food, safety, reproduction—with little awareness or reflection.
hungry ghost - beings are depicted with huge stomachs and tiny mouths—always hungry but never able to be satisfied.
hell - marked by extreme pain—either fiery (rage, hatred) or icy (coldness, isolation).
Define the "true nature of mind."
"clear and knowing"; an intrinsically pure, luminous, and empty awareness that transcends all dualistic thoughts and conceptual elaborations. It is often described as Buddha-nature -- a radiant, spacious emptiness similar to the sky, existing within all beings, untouched by temporary, defiled emotions
On the night of his Enlightenment, the Buddha performs a mudra (a hand gesture). What is it and why is it significant?
When Mara claimed the Buddha's spiritual accomplishments were invalid, the Buddha touched the ground to call upon the earth itself as a witness to his countless lifetimes of virtue. This moment, often shown with the right hand touching the ground and the left hand in the lap, signifies victory over temptation and firm commitment to truth.
What do you think the lotus flower symbolizes in Buddhism?
The lotus flower is a central symbol, representing purity of body, speech, and mind, as it grows in murky water yet blossoms clean; "No mud, no lotus" is a mindfulness teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh meaning that suffering and happiness are inseparable. Just as a lotus flower needs mud to grow, humans need to embrace and understand suffering to cultivate true joy, compassion, and resilience. It encourages transforming difficulties into growth rather than avoiding them.