Buddhism

What is the subject matter of Buddhism?

 Life, teachings, and principles of Gautama Buddha and the Buddhist religion.

Who founded Buddhism?

 Gautama Buddha.

What was the original name of Gautama Buddha?

 Siddhartha.

To which clan did Gautama Buddha belong?

 Shakya clan.

Where was Gautama Buddha born?

 Lumbini.

When was Gautama Buddha born?

 c. 563 BC.

Who was the father of Gautama Buddha?

 Shuddhodana.

Who was the mother of Gautama Buddha?

 Maya Devi.

What was the capital of the Shakya republic?

 Kapilavastu.

What was the name of Buddha’s wife?

 Yashodhara.

What was the name of Buddha’s son?

 Rahul.

At what age did Siddhartha renounce worldly life?

 29 years.

What is Buddha’s renunciation known as?

 Mahabhinishkramana.

Where did Gautama Buddha attain enlightenment?

 Bodh Gaya.

At what age did Buddha attain enlightenment?

 35 years.

Under which tree did Buddha attain enlightenment?

 Peepal tree.

What is the enlightenment of Buddha called?

 Nirvana or Bodhi.

Where did Buddha deliver his first sermon?

 Sarnath.

What is Buddha’s first sermon known as?

 Dharmachakra Pravartana.

Where did Buddha attain Mahaparinirvana?

 Kushinagar.

When did Buddha attain Mahaparinirvana?

 c. 483 BC.

Which language was used by Buddha for his teachings?

 Pali.

What are the Three Jewels of Buddhism?

 Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.

What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?

 Suffering, cause of suffering, cessation of suffering, and path to cessation.

What is the First Noble Truth?

 Life is full of suffering.

What is the Second Noble Truth?

 Desire is the cause of suffering.

What is the Third Noble Truth?

 Suffering can be ended.

What is the Fourth Noble Truth?

 The Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering.

What are the components of the Eightfold Path?

 Right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.

What is the ultimate goal in Buddhism?

 Nirvana.

What does Nirvana mean in Buddhism?

 Liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

What is the Buddhist monastic order called?

 Sangha.

What does Buddhism oppose?

 Ritualism and caste distinctions.

Which doctrine emphasizes the law of action in Buddhism?

 Karma.

Which doctrine explains rebirth in Buddhism?

 Reincarnation.

What is the Buddhist concept of non-violence?

 Ahimsa.

How many Buddhist Councils were held in ancient India?

 Four.

Where was the First Buddhist Council held?

 Rajagriha.

Who presided over the First Buddhist Council?

 Mahakassapa.

During whose reign was the Second Buddhist Council held?

 Kalashoka.

Where was the Second Buddhist Council held?

 Vaishali.

Which ruler patronized the Third Buddhist Council?

 Ashoka.

Where was the Third Buddhist Council held?

 Pataliputra.

Who presided over the Third Buddhist Council?

 Moggaliputta Tissa.

Which ruler patronized the Fourth Buddhist Council?

 Kanishka.

Where was the Fourth Buddhist Council held?

 Kundalvana in Kashmir.

What are the two major sects of Buddhism?

 Hinayana and Mahayana.

Which sect emphasized the original teachings of Buddha?

 Hinayana.

Which sect emphasized idol worship and Bodhisattva concept?

 Mahayana.

Which ruler greatly promoted Buddhism?

 Ashoka.

Which Buddhist text contains the teachings of Buddhism?

 Tripitaka.

How many Pitakas are there in the Tripitaka?

 Three.

Name the three Pitakas.

 Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.