Introducing Buddhism Course
Tutor: Mike Horne
Quiz Answers
What was the name of the Buddha before He became enlightened? Gotama (Gautama) Siddhartha
When was He born? 624, 568, 566, 563, or 554 BCE, (or 80 years before Buddhist Era!)
On what day is the birth of the Buddha celebrated in Theravada Buddhism? Wesak, full moon of May/June
Where was He born? Lumbini, now called Rummindai, near Kapilavasthu, in modern day Nepal.
What were the four sights that inspired the Buddha to seek enlightenment? Old person, sick person, corpse and mendicant/sanyassin (ascetic holy person)
How old was He when he left home? 29
How old was He when he became enlightened? 35
How old was He when He died? 80
What were the last words of the Buddha? All conditioned things are impermanent, strive at your own salvation with diligence
What are the Five Precepts of Theravada Buddhism?
I
promise to train myself in the rule to ....."
1. refrain from taking the life of a sentient being
2. not to take what is not given
3. not to indulge in sensual/sexual misconduct
4. not to tell what is not true
5. not to indulge in drinks and drugs
Give two definitions of the term Bodhisattva (Theravada & Mahayana) Siddhartha Gotama - the historical Buddha before He became enlightened. A person who has taken the Bodhisattva Vow - to put off final enlightenment until all others have entered Nirvana. A mythical Bodhisattva, embodying an aspect of enlightenment who helps others achieve enlightenment.
What is the world's oldest printed book? Chinese translation of the Diamond Sutra, Vajrachchedika-prajnaparamita-sutra, "Sutra of the Diamond-Cutter of Supreme Wisdom", from Dunhuang, China, 868CE.
How many beads are there normally on a Buddhist rosary? 108
When did Buddhism arrive in Tibet? First in 173 CE, but outlawed and fell into decline, it was reintroduced ca 640 CE, Padsambhava arrived in Tibet 817 CE, B'hism outlawed 840 CE, it was again reintroducesd ca 1000 CE, 1042 CE Atisha Dipankara founded the Kadampa School, Dalai Lama becomes head of State in 1578.
Which animals are depicted in the centre of the "Wheel of Life"? Pig, snake and cockerel, representing delusion/ignorance, hatred and greed/desires.
When did Buddhism arrive in Japan? 6th Century CE, became state religion in 610 CE, many new schools flourished in the Kamakura period 1185-1333 CE
What does the word Zen (literally) mean? Meditation or meditative absorption
Who was the founder of Zen Buddhism in China? Bodhidharma, Daruma (J), P'u-t'I-ta-mo or Tamo(Ch), ?460-543CE
Where did he 'spend nine years facing the wall'? Shao-Lin Monastery on Sung-shan Mountain in Honan Province of northern China, about 500 CE
Who is Avalokiteshvara? Bodhisattva of Compassion; Chenresi in Tibet, Kwan Yin in China, Kanzeon/Kannon/Kwannon in Japan; "Goddess of Compassion"
Who is Amida Buddha? Buddha of Boundless/Infinite Light, mythical Buddha of the Western 'Pure Land' Paradise, central to the "Pure Land" schools of Buddhism of China and Japan.
Why does Manjushri hold a sword? It is the Sword of Wisdom that cuts away at the fetters of delusion
Who founded the Soto Zen School in Japan? Eihei Dogen, Dogen Zenji, Great Master Dogen, 1200-1253 CE
Which scripture is central to Nichiren Buddhism? Lotus Sutra, Saddharmapundarika-sutra, "Sutra of the Lotus of the Good Dharma".
When was the Buddhist Society founded in England? 1924 byChristmas Humphries