Basic Knowledge Test
Buddhism
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You have 8 minutes to answer the following
questions
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Name 2 countries where Mahayana Buddhism is practiced
Name 2 countries where Theravada Buddhism is practiced
What is Samsara?
What 3 emotions are at the centre of the wheel of life?
What are they called?
What are the Three marks of Existence?
Which form of Buddhism is known as the Way of the
Elders?
What are the Three Jewels or refuges?
What is the 2nd Noble Truth
How does the Fourth Noble Truth link with the Noble
Eight Fold Path?
Answers 2 minutes
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You could have any of the following: Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal,
Burma, China, Japan, North/South Korea, Vietnam or Mongolia.
You can have any of the following: Sri Lanka, Thailand,
Cambodia, Bangladesh or Laos.
The cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
They are greed, hatred and ignorance.
They are the Three Poisons or defilements.
Anicca, anatta and dukkha.
Theravada Buddhism because it is the oldest and original form.
They are the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
Suffering is caused by craving or desire.
The Fourth Noble Truth is the means to end suffering, it is the
Noble Eight Fold Path
Answer this question in 4 Minutes.
How would a Buddhist explain nibbana? 6AE
Answers
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It is very difficult to explain as it must be experienced to be
understood.
It is a state of mind
it is a state of perfect bliss
it is the end of suffering, the end of tanha
the end of kamma
It is not a place that one can go to
it is not heaven
it is experienced in life
It is not conditioned nor is it caused by anything
It is beyond space and time.
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It is like a cool cave or cool water that relieves a fever.
Take 5 minutes to answer this
question
• What is kamma and how does it affect the
life of a Buddhist? 5KU
Answer
Kamma means action, it is the law of cause and effect related to
intentional action. All actions have consequences, the motivation
behind the action determines whether the kamma which results
will be good or bad. Kamma affects rebirth, it keeps beings
trapped in the cycle of birth death and rebirth. If our actions are
motivated by the three poisons the kamma will be bad and a less
favourable rebirth will result. So Buddhists are encouraged to act
in a way that does not cause hurt or suffering to others and to be
aware of their actions. If actions are motivated by compassion and
wisdom, the karmic effect will be good and a better rebirth will
result. Lay Buddhists in Theravada countries help the monks in
their daily lives and gain good merit for this. The Noble Eight Fold
Path encourages a middle way, a life between the extremes.
3 minutes to answer the question 4KU
Explain 1 part of the Noble Eight Fold
Path.
Answer
• Right action: acting in a way towards others that
causes no harm.
• These actions should be skilful in order to reduce
the suffering caused.
• The motivation for one’s action is very important
and should be performed for the sake of others.
• Action should be performed from compassion and
wisdom to enable one to see the effect of their
action and the karmic consequences that result
from them.
• When actions are performed from wisdom this
enables the unenlightened to move closer to
enlightenment.
Right Speech
• Right speech is important as it can be a very destructive
force.
• In Buddhism one is discouraged from gossip, talking behind
someone’s back, swearing or lying
• Speech can have a profound effect a profound effect for
good or for bad
• Being in control of oneself means that one is acting through
the cultivation of wisdom.
• Knowing that the things that we say can be good or bad and
can inflict more suffering
• Bad speech can carry karmic consequences