World Religion Chapter 4
Describe the event of Gautama's attainment of enlightenment.
Gautama achieved enlightenment when he discovered the 4 noble truths. He did his on his third "watch", which was him turning his focus inward entering a meditative trance. In these trances he would ascend through levels of deepening awareness, until he could perceive with perfect clarity the true nature of the human condition.
According to the Buddhist doctrine of samsara, what is actually reborn? Explain the role of karma in the Buddhist understanding of samsara.
A bundle of energy is actually reborn and personal identity is based on one's karma.
Describe the Buddha's reaction against early Hinduism.
Buddha's reaction against early Hinduism was not good. Buddha thought the speculation regarding the nature of the world, the human condition, and the divine was useless. He also disagreed with the class system and the institutional structure of Hinduism, where only the males in the Brahmin class controlled the sacrificial rituals and sacred texts.
What features of Buddhist cosmology are shared with Hinduism?
Buddhism and Hinduism both share the regard of time as cyclical, and both are considered eternal. They both believe many worlds exist in this eternal cyclical time scheme. They also both share the doctrine of samsara.
What is the literal meaning of the name Mahayana, and what are the implication of this meaning?
Mahayana literally means the great vehicle. It implies it's superiority over Theravada Buddhism.
What is the literal meaning of the word nirvana? How does this help to explain the concept of nirvana?
Nirvana literally means blowing out. This helps to explain the state of nirvana because when a person achieves nirvana, it is like their energy is being snuffed out.
What are some possible English tranlations of the term dukkha? Explain it meaning in your own words.
Some possible English translations of the work dukkha are suffering, frustration, dislocation, or discomfort. It means that a person cannot be happy in life, he/she will always be a little uncomfortable.
What is tanha? How does it relate to dukkha?
Tanha is selfish desire and it causes dukkha.
List the Five Precepts, which apply to all Buddhists. Then list the five additional precepts that apply to monks and nuns.
The 5 Precepts that apply to all Buddhists are do not take life, do not take what is not give, do not engage in sensuous misconduct, do not use false speech, and do not drink intoxicants. The five additional that apply to monks and nuns are do not eat after noon, do not watch dancing or shows, do not use garlands, perfumes, or ornaments, do not use a high or soft bed, and do not accept gold or silver.
Who is the Dalai Lama? How is each Dalai Lama chosen?
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Vajrayana Buddhism, believed to be an incarnation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. They are chosen through various means, some supernatural and some mundane.
What are the Three Jewls of Buddhism?
The Three Jewels of Buddhism are three focal elements of Buddhism: Buddha, the Dharma (the Buddha's teachings), and the Sangha (the Buddhist monastic community).
What were the Four Passing Sights? Explain their significance to the origins of Buddhism.
The four passing sights were a decrepit old man, a diseased man, a corpse, and a religious ascetic man who lead a "homeless life of solitude and self-denial" in search of salvation from the world of suffering. They helped Gautama realize the world is suffering but there was a way to be free of the suffering.
Define and briefly describe the character of an arhat.
The arhat is the one who had become enlightened. The arhat has experiences through the transcendent state of enlightenment a forecast of the final nirvana.
What is the difference between the Buddha and other humans who attain enlightmentment?
The difference between the Buddha and other humans that achieve enlightenment is that the Buddhas don't need help in achieving liberation.
What is the doctirne annatta? How does it relate to the Hindu concept Atman?
The doctrine of anatta denies permanent self. It helps achieve Atman by helping one focus on not being attached to a "self" so they are more able to move on.
Explain the doctrine of the Middle Way.
The doctrine of the middle way rejects pleasures of sensual pleasure and the self-denial of asceticism, focusing on a practical approach to spiritual attainment.
What is the main focus of Theravada Buddhism?
The main focus of Theravada Buddhism is on the early texts, not on Buddha himself.
What was the name of the man who later became the Buddha and founded the religion of Buddhism?
The name of the man that became Buddha and discovered Buddhism is Siddhartha Gautama.
What are the primary geographical regions of the three divisions of Buddhism?
The primary geographical regions of the type of Buddhism are Theravada (Cambodia, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Thailand), Mahayana (China, Japan, and Korea), and Vajrayana (Tibet).
what is the Sangha? Who are its members?
The sangha is the Buddhist monastic community of monks and nuns: one of the three Jewels of Buddhism.
List the steps of the Eightfold Path.
The steps of the eightfold path are: right views, right intentions, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right meditation.
What are the three divisions of Buddhism?
The three divisions of Buddhism are Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
Identify the Three Marks of Existence. How are they interrelated?
The three marks of existence are anatta (no-self), anicca (impermanence), and dukkha (suffering). All of these marks indicate the changing nature of reality.
How does Vajrayana Buddhism "fight fire with fire"?
Vajrayana Buddhism fights fire with fire by setting themselves on fire in protest of being kicked out of their homeland Tibet.