Buddhism - Founder, Doctrine, and Predictions

Buddhism 1. According to our in-class discussion, in Buddhism, “official doctrine” often gets overridden by what? Believe and do what you want 2. How important is conformity to “orthodox” beliefs or practices in Buddhism? Not very important 3. Who was the founder of Buddhism? And when did the founder live? Siddhartha Guatama (563-483 BCE) 4. Who is Śākyamuni, according to Mahayana Buddhist tradition? “Sage of the Sakya tribe/clan” and interpreted as the hermit 5. On the day of his birth, what did a Brahmin priest predict about Siddhartha’s potential future vocation? Future priest(founder of great religion) or king (his father was the king 6. In the second oracle about Sidhartha’s future, it was predicted that—if he saw one of four signs—he would leave his family and become an ascetic. What were those four signs? He’d cross paths with an old person, sick person, dead person, and Holy men 7. How old was Sidhartha when he became so dissatisfied with the meaninglessness of his opulent lifestyle, that he decided that he would venture out and see what is in the world? 29 he became disenchanted 8. According to our in-class discussion, what did Sidhartha’s father do to prevent his son from becoming a religious leader? Hide him from opportunities to see those things- tried to get all those people removed (but he saw what he wasn’t supposed to see) (TRUMAN SHOW) 9. For how long did Sidhartha live a life of “extreme self-denial”? 6 years of extreme self-denial 10. According to tradition, Sidhartha’s daily diet (during his period of self-denial) consisted of what each day? One grain of rice, or one bean or one sesame seed 11. According to our in-class discussion, during his period of extreme self-denial, Sidhartha was confronted with a double paradox. What did we say that two-fold paradox was? His desire for no desires has become a desire. If he starts with a blank slate then he won’t have any memory of what he’s learned 12. What did Sidhartha eat that saved his life? Rice pudding 13. One day, while sitting under a bodhi (or fig) tree, Sidhartha made a vow. What was that vow? I will not get up from this spot until I achieve enlightenment- bad night with enticements, dangers, etc. 14. Upon enlightenment, the founder of Buddhism is said to have declared what? Birth is no more because desire is no more 15. How old was Sidhartha when he became enlightened, how many lives had he lived prior to his enlightenment, and why is the number of lives he had lived significant? 55 at the time, 551 reincarnations (if it took the Buddha that many times it's gonna take you a lot longer) 16. According to our in-class discussion, what does the term “Buddha” mean? “One who is awake” 17. After his enlightenment, Sidhartha ran into his five former disciples. Where did the six of them encounter each other? Deer park 18. Upon his enlightenment, the Buddha was initially tempted (by Mara or the devil) to do what Hinduism taught that he should do; which was what? Go into a life of seclusion (but then realizes he needs to go preach) 19. How long did the Buddha’s ministry last? 45 years 20. How did the Buddha die? Died at 80 by food poisoning- he knew it was poisonous and took it for himself so his friends wouldn’t die and he wouldn’t hurt Kunda’s feelings. 21. Since the Buddha appointed no successor, what ultimately was considered his successor? He felt his teachings were to be his successor, everyone should seek within to find the path rather than relying on others (four noble truths) 22. According to our in-class discussion, among the Buddha’s last words where what? “Diligently work out your own salvation” 23. How many denominations of Buddhism developed in the years shortly after the death of the Buddha? How many of those original denominations have survived down to our day? 18 total- but only one survived today 24. According to our in-class discussion, in what sense was Sidhartha Gautama a bit like the Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther? Saw problems in their own religion and wanted reforms- but religions sprang up around their teachings 25. What are a couple of doctrines in Hinduism that Sidhartha was disturbed by? The Caste System 26. Based on what we said in class, is the “historic” Buddha (Sidhartha Gautama) the god of Buddhism? No- his teachings bring salvation but he is not a God 27. Some Buddhists believe in god (or gods), while others reject the existence of any gods. Which of the denominations we talked about reject the existence of any god, and which believe in one or more gods? Therevada Buddhists: non-theistic- Hindu gods do exist but work out your own salvation aside from the Gods Mahayana buddhists believe there are a whole host of savior beings and buddhas that can help you get off the wheel Mahayana and Viyadria believe in multiple gods 28. In Theravada Buddhism, the Hindu gods are actually believed to be what? Still belongs on the wheel trying to achieve nirvana, not beings to save you 29. According to Theravada Buddhism, how does one obtain salvation? Work out your own salvation- do it your self 30. What denomination of Buddhism was the monk who said, “Savior beings are for life’s cheaters!”—and how do we know he would have been that denomination? Theravada 31. Based on our in-class discussion, can a person convert to Buddhism? Depends on the Buddhist- no official position 32. According to our in-class discussion, what is the two-fold purpose of life in Buddhism? 1. REACH BUDDHA STATUS 2. Overcome the misery of the world 33. What does Buddhism say about the importance of temporal things? Incredibly unimportant 34. According to our in-class discussion, what is the meaning of the Buddhist term, “Śūnyatā”? Emptiness- hollow 35. What is the traditional Buddhist view of “the self”? Everything is one 36. Do all Buddhists believe in reincarnation? Not all of them- a wash with different ideas 37. What is an “Arhat” (in Theravada Buddhism)? A worthy saint 38. What, according to our in-class discussion, does the word “Nirvana” mean? Extinction of attachment 39. Whereas Theravada Buddhists focus on becoming an “Arhat,” Mahayana Buddhist focus more on becoming what? Bodhisattva- someone who helps others off the wheel (a buddha to be)--> achieved Nirvana but don’t go and stay to help others (kind of a 3 Nephite kind of thing) 40. What did Sidhartha discover about extremism in how one lives one’s life and how one pursues enlightenment? More moderate→ because he didn’t achieve enlightenment in asceticism or in luxury 41. In class, we listed “5 Vows” that all Buddhists are expected to take, and then “5 Vows” specific to monasticism. What were those 10 vows, and who commits to live each? All Buddhists: - No killing - No stealing - No immorality - No lying or deceiving - No intoxicants 5 specific to Monasticism: - No eating between meals - No secular entertainment - No adorning of body - No high or wide beds (no pampering yourself) - No accepting of money 42. According to our in-class discussion, why is it that Buddhists avoid intoxicants, like alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs? Then you can’t be mindful when your mind is intoxicated 43. According to our in-class discussion, what do the terms “Theravada” and “Hinayana” mean? Thervada: oldest version- means the way or doctrine of the elders Hinayana: the lesser vehicle (kind of derogatory to say the little guys) 44. According to our in-class discussion, what does the term “Mahayana” mean? The greater or larger vehicle (most popular) 45. Which of the denominations of Buddhism (which we discussed in class) is the most “progressive” and “evolutionary”? Mahayana 46. Which denomination of Buddhism has been referred to as a “museum piece of the past”? Theravada 47. When, according to our in-class discussion, was Mahayana Buddhism officially founded? 100 CE 48. What is the central tenet of Zen Buddhism? Meditation as a means of becoming enlightened (sect within Mahayana) 49. According to our in-class discussion, what “is like looking for the spectacles that are sitting on your nose”? Zen (there are things that ought to be obvious to the spiritual that aren’t) 50. What are “koans”—most commonly used by Zen Buddhists? Irrational riddles that has some power to help you in enlightenment quest 51. For practitioners of Zen, what is the goal of life? Use meditation to find your authentic self- find the latent buddha in you and awaken it 52. According to our in-class discussion, the focus of Pure Land Buddhism is on what? Achieve union with the ultimate through grace