GK BURST: Basics of Buddhism

1. What are the four noble truths?

They are:

- The world is full of sorrows

- Desire is the root cause of sorrow

- If desire is conquered all sorrows can be removed

- Desire can be removed by following the eight fold path

2. What are the eight fold path?

They are:

- Right understanding

- Right speech

- Right livelihood

- Right mindfulness

- Right thought

- Right action

- Right effort

- Right concentration

3. What is the meaning of Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha?

They are:

- Buddha: founder of Buddhism

- Dhamma: his sermoning

- Sangha: Buddha monks and organisation of Buddha monks

4. What is the code of conduct in Buddhism?

They are:

- Do not covet the property of others

- Do not commit violence

- Do not speak a lie

- Do not indulge in corrupt practices

5. What are the four Buddhist councils?

The following table shows this:

Council	Description
The First Council	Held in 483BC at Saptaparni cave near Rajagriha to compile the Dhamma Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka. Chairman was Mahakassapa, patron was Ajatshatru
The Second Council	Held at Vaishali in 383BC. The monks of Vaishali wanted some change in the rites. Chairman was Sabakami and patron was Kalashoka
The Third Council	Held at Pataliputra during the reign of Ashoka 236years after the death of Buddha. It was held under the presidentship of Moggliputta Tissa to revise the scriptures
The Fourth Council	Held during the reign of Kanishka in Kundalvana of Kashmir, under the presidenship of Vasumitra, helped by Aswaghosa and resulted in the division into Hinayana and Mahayana

6. What are the sects of Buddhism?

The following table illustrates this:

Name	Description
Hinayana	The followers believed in the original teachings of Buddha. They sought individual salvation through self discipline and meditation. They did not believe in idol worship they do not believe in god but rather in karma. Nirvana is regarded as extinction of all. The oldest school of the sect is Staviravada (doctrine of the elders).
Mahayana	The followers believed in the heavenliness of Buddha and sought salvation through grace and help of Buddha and bodhisattvas believes in idol worship they had two chief schools Madhyamika and Yogachara
Vajrayana	The followers believe that salvation could be best attained by acquiring magical power called Vajra. The chief divinities were the Taras. It became popular in eastern India particularly in Bengal and Bihar.

7. Where is the location and founder of Nalanda, Vikramshila, Somapuri, Jagadal?

Check out the following table: