BUDDHISM
Q1. Who founded Buddhism?
Siddharta Gautama or Gautama Buddha or simply Buddha - 5th century BCE (525 BCE).
Q2. What does Buddhism mean?
Also known as "Buddha Dharma" or "Dharma" meaning the "Awakened One".
Q3. What is the Holy Book of Buddhists and how many divisions are there?
TRIPITAKA: It has three divisions.
(1) VINAYAPITAKA: Code of ethics to the followed by early Sangha monks and nuns.
(2) SUTRA PITAKA: Buddha's Teachings.
(3) ABHIDHAMMA PITAKA: Collection of philosophical texts.
Q4. How the Monks order in Buddhism is called?
Sangha.
Q5. What are the divisions/sects among Buddhists?
Theravada: Also called South East Asian Buddhism & Pali Buddhism. Practiced mainly in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand and in some parts of other countries where Buddhism is present. It is believed to be the oldest school of Buddhism.
Vajrayana: Also known as northern, Tibetian, Mongolian Buddhism and Lamaism.
Q6. Where and to whom Buddha was born?
He was born at Lumbini in Nepal. His parents were:
Father: Suddhodana - King of Sakhya.
Mother: Queen Maya, a Koliyan Princess. He was born under a Sal tree, in 563 BC.
Q7. Where did Buddha attain his "enlightenment"?
Under a Peepal tree in Bodh Gaya (now in Bihar). Bodhi is how his enlightenment is referred to. He attained the enlightenment after 49 days of meditation.
Q8. Where did Gautama stayed as a prince for 29 years?
Kapila Vastu.
Q9. Where did Gautama begins his ascetic (Spiritual) life?
Rajagraha
Q10. Buddha was married to whom and what was his son's name?
Yashodhara - Son's name was Rahul.
Q11. Where did Gautama Buddha die?
Kushinagar - U.P. 483 BC.
Q12. What are the principal denominations or sects in Buddhism?
MAHAYANA: Also known as Eastern Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism etc., Originated in India and spread to China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Singapore, etc. In this the principles of Buddha is given more importance (thus other forms of worship).
HINAYNA: A branch of Hinayana, in which Buddha as a God is given importance.
Q13. In which language, Buddhist Holy book and other scriptures are written originally?
Pali.
Q14. Other than the Holy book Tripitaka, what are the other Holy books of Buddhists?
DHAMMAPADA : A scripture containing 423 verses in 26 categories.
BUDDHA GOSHA: Contains stories corresponding to the verses.
Q15. What are the four noble truths according to Buddhism?
(1) Suffering, (2) Cause of Suffering, (3) Cessation of suffering, (4) The path leading to the cessation of suffering.
Q16. What are the "Eight Noble Paths" of Buddhism?
They are grouped into three actions of a human:
(a) SILA: Behavioral discipline under which (1) Right speech, (2) Right action, (3) Right livelihood.
(b) SAMADHI: Developing mastery over mind.(4) Right effort, (5) Right awareness, (6) Right concentration.
(c) PRAJINI: Wisdom, under which comes. (7) Right thoughts, and (8) Right understanding.
Q17. What are considered as "Three Jewels of Buddhism"?
(1) BUDDHA: Following the noble truths and the eight path, leading to attaining Bodhi like Buddha.
(2)DHARMA: Teachings or law as expounded by Buddha.
(3) SANGHA: The community of Buddhist monastic, like the "Bhikhus" or the community of people who have attained the first stage of awakening.
Q18. What are the Eight auspicious symbols in Buddhism?
(1) Parasol (Umbrella)
(2) Golden fish
(3) Treasure vase
(4) Lotus
(5) Conch Shell
(6) Endless knot
(7) Victory banner
(8) Dharma.
Q19. What are the important terminologies used in Buddhism and what do they mean?
ARHAT/ARAHANT: Signifies a spiritual practitioner.
ANICCA: All things are important.
ANATTA: That the perception of a constant self is an illusion.
DUKHA: That all beings suffer from all situations due to unclear mind.
KARMA: Meaning action, or doing whatever one does, says or thinks.
VINAYA: Meaning "Discipline" in Pali. It is the textual framework for the Buddhist monastic community (Sangha). A specific moral code for monks, containing 227 rules. It is called Vinaya Pitaka.
VIPASNA: Meditation method.
NIRVANA: It is made of being free from mind contaminants like lust, anger, craving etc.
PARINIRVANA: The final Nirvana, usually understood to be within reach only upon the death, of the body of someone who has attained complete awakening.
VITALIKAS : Buddhists singers.
VIHARA: Buddhists rest houses for monks.
Q20. When and where are the Buddhists councils held?
1. 5th BCE: Under the patronage of king Ajata Satru, it was held at *Rajgraha (today's Rajgirr, Bihar) then capital of Magadha Empire. (*the Sattapani caves).
2. 383 BCE: held at Vesal (today's Vaishali, in Bihar).
3. 250 BCE: held at Patali Putra - present day Patna in Bihar. King Ashoka patronized it.
4. 30 BCE: Two councils were held. The first one was held in first century BCE in Sri Lanka. The second one was held in Kashmir, patronished by Kushan Emperor Kanishka.
5. 1871:
Held at Burma/Myanmar: King Mindon was the ruler. The place was also called Mandalay Burma.
(6) 1954 (17th May): Again held at Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar) sponsored by the Burmese Government led by its then premier Univ. The Maha Pasana Guha, the great cave of India, where the first council was held, was constructed.
Q21. Where did Buddha deliver his first sermon?
Sarnath.
Q22. Bodh Gaya, Bihar is located on the banks of?
Falgu River, a tributary of Ganga.
Q23. How the Buddhist monk of Tibet is called?
Lama.
Q24. Who is the spiritual leader of Buddhists in Tibet?
Dalai Lama - the 14th.
Q25. What does "Buddha" mean?
The enlightened one.
Q26. How the place of worship of Buddhists called?
Pagodas.
Q27. What is the name for the birth day of Buddha?
Vesak - Buddha Poornima.
Q28. Who was the first religious practitioner of Buddhism - Arahant?
Kaundinya
Q29. Who was the first to predict that Guatama would become Buddha the enlightened one?
Kondanna, a Brahmin scholar, later to become Kaundinya the Buddhist first preacher.
Q30. What is "Dharma Chakra Pravartana Sutra" a religious scripture of Buddhists?
Deals with the four noble truths and the noble eight fold path.
Q31. Where did Buddha attain "Parinirvana"?
Kushinara forests, Bihar.
Q32. Who was the king to offer even his throne to Buddha, which he politely declined?
King Bimbisara.
Q33. What was the name of the horse of Buddha?
Kantaka
Q34. How the image of Lord Buddha is always depicted?
Buddha seated on a lotus with 8 petals.
Q35. What is "Zen" of Buddhism in Japan?
It is a form of Buddhism in Japan.
Q36. Which is the largest Buddha temple in the world?
Angkor Vat: in Cambodia (now Kampuchea)
Q37. Where is the tallest Buddha statue?
71 mtrs tall Buddha statue carved in a cliff, at the Leshaus Mountain in Sichuan Province of China. It was sculpted during Tang Dynasty in 713 AD and took 90 years to complete.
Q38. Where is the "temple of the Sacred Tooth" of Buddha?
At Kandy in Sri Lanka - called the "Sri Dalada Malanawa" (Sinhalese). A belief that the right tooth of Buddha was retrieved from the pyre and preserved here. It is UNESCO declared World Heritage Site.
Q39. Which place is considered as the birthplace of Buddhism in Tibet?
Samye in Tibet. There is a monastery here which was the first to be built in Tibet around 775-779 CE
Q40. Which famous Indian King converted himself to Buddhism, after a particular war?
Ashoka the Great, after the Kalinga War.
Q41. Buddhism is an off-shoot of?
Hinduism.
Q42. Who were the first two students of Gautama Buddha?
Maha Moggalan and Maha Sariputta.
Q43. Who successfully introduced Buddhism in Tibet?
Padma Sambhava a sage guru who brought Vajrayana Buddhism from Bhutan to Tibet and neighbouring countries in the 8th century.
Q44. How many "Dyani Buddhas" are recognized in Buddhism?
Five.
Q45. Which is the largest Buddhist monastery in India?
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
Q46. The Buddha, Dharma and Sangha compose, what three articles in Buddhism?
Jewels.
Q47. What are the various festivals in Buddhism?
Asatha Puja, Bhumchu, Buddha Purnima, Chotrul Duchen, Drupka Theshi, Kathima, Lhabab Duchen, Monlam, Parinirvana Day, Pavarana, Poy Sang Lang, Uposatha, Vassa, Vesak.
Q48. Asatha Puja in Buddhism is to?
Commemorate Buddhas first Sermon and the founding of Buddhist Sangha.
Q49. In Buddhism, Bhumchu is a festival to indicate?
Prediction of the future, celebrated during February/March.
Q50. Buddha's birthday is celebrated as ?
Buddha Purnima.
Q51. What is Chotrul Duchen, a festival of Buddhism?
Confined to Tibetian Buddhists, to celebrate the events in the life of Buddha.
Q52. Kathima is a celebration of Buddhists for?
To express gratitude to the Buddhists monks. Held in Monasteries.
Q53. What is "Lhabab Duchen" a festival of Buddhists?
Only in Tibet - To observe the descent of Buddha from heaven back to Earth.
Q54. What is Monlam Festival of Buddhists?
A religious congregation of all Buddhist monks and prayers at Jokang Temple, Lhasa in Tibet.
Q55. Parinirvana Day, a celebration of Buddhists for ?
Buddha achieving "Parinirvana" (complete enlightenment) held in February each year.
Q56. What is "Pavarana" a celebration of?
Buddhist monk seeking atonement for any sin committed during Vaasa - the lent period. Held on the full moon day of 11th Lunar month. It is held before the Buddhist Sangha.
Q57. "Poy Sang Lang" is a Buddhist festival of Myanmar for what occasion.?
Boys between the age group of 7-14 take a vow to lead a monastery life for a specific period of time.
Q58. What is "Uposatha" a celebration of Buddhists?
The day is meant for "cleansing of the defiled mind" deserved by Tharavada sect of Buddhists across Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand.
Q59. Vaasa is a festival of ?
Buddhist monks to reinvigorate their spiritual training and ascetic practice, by being in one place during rainy season.
Q60. What is "Vesak" a festival of Buddhists?
A Sri Lankan Buddhist festival of Buddha's birthday, enlightenment and parinirvana. The most holy period of Buddhist calendar. Prayers and celebrations mark the occasion.
Q61. What is "Drupka Teshi" a festival of Buddhists?
To observe Buddha's first preaching of the "Noble Truths" at the Deer Park in Saranath. Falls on the 4th day of Sixth month of Tibetan Calendar, around August.
Q62. How the Buddha's Birthday is celebrated in different countries?
Buddha Purnima - India; Vesak - Singapore; Visakha Bucha - Thailand; Waisak - Indonesia; Saga Dawa - Tibet.
Q63. Where is the world's tallest Buddha statue and what is unique about it?
Leshan, China - 71 mtr height - It has 24 hours electronic bodyguard.
Q64. What and where is the World's largest seated Buddha statue?
Tian Ten or Giant Buddha - 112 feet - 250 tonnes... Lantau Island, Hongkong.
Q65. How the Buddhist monks rest houses are called?
Vihara.
Q66. How many Dalai Lamas have been there before the present one (2009)?
Thirteen.
Q67. Who is the first royal convert to Buddhism?
Ajata Satru
Q68. Which is the last city in which Buddha spent his last 29 years of his life?
Kapilavastu.
Q69. Where is India's tallest Buddha Statue?
Saranath - It is about 80 feet in height.
