Buddhism Quiz

Middle Way (Short Answer)

A basic Buddhist teaching that rejects both the pleasures of sensual indulgence and the self-denial of asceticism, focusing instead on a practical approach to spiritual attainment After leaving his life of luxury in the palace, Gautama spent 6 years as a spiritual seeker. He tried: philosophy and meditation/yoga practices strict asceticism - Rather than the extremes of sensual pleasure or strict asceticism, Gautama advocated a "middle way."

Spiritual Search of Siddhartha

at 29 years old he left home left his family for six years sought out for his enlightenment rejected his life as a prince, rejected extreme poverty (asceticism) followed the middle way

Mudra

bhumispara to call earth Goddess witness to his worthiness to become Buddha

Youth of Siddhartha

born 500 years before Jesus (560 B.C) Kshatriya Caste was the son of a king raised in a palace delicately brought up shielded from pain/ suffering father wanted him to be a king

Four Passing Sights

old man diseased man corpse religious ascetic The first three sights confronted him with the reality of the human condition: it is marked by suffering, impermanence, and death. The fourth passing sight—the ascetic (holy man)—gave Gautama hope that he could find a way to transcend the world of suffering and achieve peace. Decided to leave his home after these events

what in (Vedic) hinduism did Guatama Reject?

- Religious structure, especially the role of brahmins (who controlled many aspects of ritual life) - Reliance on ritual sacrifice - Emphasis on philosophical speculation - Caste distinctions - Using Sanskrit, which was understood only by the religious elite

What do Hinduism and Buddhism share?

- cyclical cosmology - the universe undergoes cycles of creation and destruction - the universe is compromised of multiple realms/ worlds - doctrine of samsara and belief in reincarnation - goal of liberation from "wheel of rebirth" - belief in karma

After "Waking Up"

- preached first sermon in Deer Park near Banares (Varanasi) - gained his first followers, marking the beginning of Buddhism as a religion - taught for 45 years, establishing a monastic community called the Sangha - died in about 480 BCE

The Great Going Forth

At age 29 Gautama left the palace and took up a new path, renouncing material things in his search for spiritual fulfillment. Buddhists consider this an important event that demonstrates the victory of the spiritual over the material

Buddha

Sanskrit and Pali "awaken one" Siddhartha Guatama and all others who have by their own insight attained by perfect enlightenment

Sangha

Sanskrit and Pali (assemblage) the Buddhist community of monks and nuns; one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism

The Three Jewels (Triratna)

The Buddha- the persona and his example The Dharma- buddhist teachings and wisdom The Sangha- community that works toward enlightenment When a person "takes refuge" in the three jewels he or she makes a formal commitment to Buddhism.

Asana

sitting- position of meditation

Urna (dot between the eyes)

symbolizes spiritual insight

Ushnisha (bump on his head)

symbolizes wisdom and spirituality and his attainment of enlightenment

Dharma

the teachings of the Buddha, and one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism

Nirvana

the ultimate goal of all Buddhists, the extinction of desire and any sense of individual self-hood, resulting in liberation from Samsara and its limiting conditions

Elongated Earlobes

was once a prince who wore a great deal of jewelry (very heavy) ears are still elongated after giving up life of luxury