Buddhism

Question 1

Ehi - Passika

Answer 1

come and see

Question 2

is Buddhism a Religion?

Answer 2

• there’s no Gods
• the scripture should not be taken literally
• focus on practical questions instead of the metaphysical
• take inspiration from teachers but discover the faith for yourself

Question 3

Hindu history

Answer 3

• Indus valley was invaded by the Aryan warriors
• they bought the Vedas with them which combined with the indigenous culture
• the Upanishads texts were revealed and led to Brahmanism

Question 4

Vedic world views

Answer 4

• focus on this physical world
• emphasis on community
• focus on ritual and prayer
• you are the mind and body

Question 5

Upanishadic world views

Answer 5

• focus on the spiritual world
• emphasis on the individual
• focus on samsara and karma
• we are our Atman

Question 6

moksha

Answer 6

liberation and escaping samsara (Upanishads)

Question 7

Shruti

Answer 7

revealed texts that cannot be questioned

Question 8

Atman

Answer 8

• our awareness and our true self
• we are all the same Atman
• only thing with ultimate existence

Question 9

transmigration

Answer 9

the soul moving into another body

Question 10

Buddha’s birth

Answer 10

• took 7 steps when he was born
• announced his mission
• his mother dreamt of a white elephant

Question 11

The Dhamma (quote)

Answer 11

“a raft to cross over” - used as a means to an end to overcome practical challenges

Question 12

the 3 great bads

Answer 12

decay, death, disease

Question 13

dukkha

Answer 13

suffering

Question 14

sukkha

Answer 14

happiness and health

Question 15

eternalism

Answer 15

the true self is an external self and this life is to be overcome

• brahaminism
• jainism
• ajivikas

Question 16

annihilation

Answer 16

life is to be enjoyed as it’s the true reality and the self is material
- materialists

Question 17

the 4 noble truths

Answer 17

1. dukka - all life is suffering
2. samodaya - suffering is caused by craving
3. nirodha - suffering has an ending
4. magga - follow the eightfold path

Question 18

the 3 marks of existence

Answer 18

1. dukkha
2. anatta
3. annica

Question 19

the first noble truth

Answer 19

3 forms of suffering:

1. ordinary
2. change
3. all pervasive (we don’t see the world the way it is)

Question 20

annica

Answer 20

2 forms of impermanence:

1. gross = things in the cosmos changing (history)
2. subtle = there are no static entities despite what our perception says

Question 21

anatta

Answer 21

the 5 aspects of the self
1. consciousness 
2. sense perception
3. form/body
4. emotions
5. motivation
these are constantly changing

Question 22

Ryle

Answer 22

used the analogy of the university to show it’s a category error to say that the self is separate from the parts of the body

Question 23

5 bundles of grasping

Answer 23

1. material form
2. feelings
3. will (intention)
4. thoughts
5. consciousness

Question 24

dependent origination

Answer 24

everything has a cause and effect

Question 25

how the marks of existence are connected

Answer 25

becoming attached to our current selves causes suffering as nothing is impermanent so everything will change

Question 26

the 3 refuges

Answer 26

1. buddha
2. dhamma
3. sangha