Buddhism

MULTIPLE CHOICE: Which major denomination of Buddhism believe that their scriptures are the actual words of Siddhartha?

All three of these denominations believe their scriptures are the words of Siddhartha

MARK ALL THAT APPLY: In which of the following countries is Mahayana Buddhism most prevalent?

China; Taiwan; Korea; Japan

TRUE/FALSE: In Theravada Buddhism, one who has attained freedom from rebirth is called a Sangha.

False

TRUE/FALSE: The Buddha claimed to be a supernatural being.

False

TRUE/FALSE: The term "Buddha" means literally "released" (i.e., one who is "released" from the wheel of reincarnation).

False

TRUE/FALSE: There are two general categories of divine beings in Mahayana Buddhism—buddhas and gods.

False

MARK ALL THAT APPLY: Which of the following are truths of the Four Noble Truths (which Buddha learned upon his enlightenment?)

Life is painful; Selfish desire is the origin of our pains; Craving can be eliminated

MULTIPLE CHOICE: Which major denomination of Buddhism is known as "the Great Vehicle" or "the Greater Vehicle"?

Mahayana Buddhism

MARK ALL THAT APPLY: Which of the following are part of the Eightfold Middle Path (which Buddha learned upon his enlightenment)?

Right Views; Right Thought; Right Speech; Right Action; Right Livelihood; Right Effort; Right Mindfulness; Right Concentration

MARK ALL THAT APPLY: Which of the steps in the Eightfold Middle Path are attainable by lay people?

Right thought; Right action; Right livelihood; Right views; Right speech

MULTIPLE CHOICE: What is a mandala?

Ritualistic circles

Founder's Name?

Siddhartha Gautama

MULTIPLE CHOICE: In the beginning, Buddhism's primary purpose was to:

Teach its followers how to attain release from the cycle of rebirths

MULTIPLE CHOICE: Which of the major denominations of Buddhism call their scriptures Tipitaka (or Tripitaka)?

The Theravada Buddhists

MULTIPLE CHOICE: Which major denomination of Buddhism is non-theistic, in that its practitioners are expected to work out their own salvation?

The Therevada Buddhists

MULTIPLE CHOICE: Which of the major denominations of Buddhism hold their scriptures in great ritual esteem—venerating them, burning incense to them, and offering prayers to them?

The Tibetan Buddhists

MULTIPLE CHOICE: What is the main point of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism?

To achieve the highest condition in this lifetime

TRUE/FALSE: Bodhisattvas are "buddhas-to-be" who live on the edge between existence and non-existence—avoiding Nirvana because of their compassion for and desire to help those who are stuck in the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

True

TRUE/FALSE: To some extent, the Buddhist concept of nirvana can be compared to the Western concept of heaven.

True

TRUE/FALSE: Unlike Jainism, Buddhism has all but disappeared from the land of its birth.

True

MULTIPLE CHOICE: What are Koans?

Unsolvable riddles thought to provoke enlightenment