Basics of Buddhism - Pt II


1. What was the name of Buddha’s horse?

Kanthaka

2. Who were the female members of Buddha’s sangha?

Yashodhara, Khema (wife of Bimbisara), Nanda (daughter of Gautam), Vishakha, Amrapali

3. What are the three ratnas or base pillers of Buddhism?

They are Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha

4. What was the spreading language of Buddhism?

Pali, scripts were also written in this language

5. What are the four virtues of Buddha emphasised for practicing?

Love, Compassion, Elation at others success and Equanimity towards all beings

6. During which dynasty and rule Buddhism divided into Hinayana and Mahayana?

In Kushan period during the reign of Kanishka

7. What is the Gita of Buddhism?

Dhammapada, a canonical text of Buddhism

8. Which Buddhist philosopher gave the doctrine of void (shunyata)?

Nagarjuna

9. What are the eight holy places of Buddhism?

Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar, Sravasti, Sankasya, Rajgriha, Vaishali, Sarnath

10. Who wrote Buddhacharita?

Aswaghosa

11. The Buddhist scriptures in Pali are referred as __

Tripitaka or three fold basket

12. Tripitaka includes __

Vinaya pitaka, Sutta pitaka and Abhidhamma pitaka

13. The Vinaya pitaka deals with __

Rules and regulations which Buddha promulgated. An account of life and teachings of Buddha is also given

14. The Jatakas are part of __

Khuddaka nikaya of Sutta pitaka

15. The Sutta pitaka consist of __

Discourses delivered by Buddha and some of his followers, it lays down the principles of Buddhism

16. The Abhidhamma pitaka is written in __ form. It contain seven books of which __ is most important as it is attributed to __

question and answer; Kathavattu; Tissa Moggaliputta

17. The Abhidhamma pitaka contains __

Profound philosophy of Buddha’s teachings

18. Name the five great events of Buddha’s life along with their symbols?

Following points illustrate this:

- Birth, signified by Lotus and Bull

- Great Renunciation signified by horse

- Nirvana signified by Bodhi tree

- First Sermon signified by dharmachakra or wheel

- Parinirvana or death signified by stupa