- 1. Buddhism began with the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha, meaning 'the Enlightened One.' Born around the 5th to 4th century BCE in what is now Nepal, Siddhartha was raised in a life of luxury, shielded from the harsh realities of the world. However, upon encountering sickness, aging, and death during his excursions outside the palace walls, he was profoundly impacted by the suffering inherent in human existence. This exposure ignited a deep quest for understanding and a desire to discover a way to alleviate suffering. At the age of 29, Siddhartha renounced his royal life, took up the life of an ascetic, and devoted himself to rigorous meditation and self-discipline in search of enlightenment. After years of searching, he sat under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, where he attained a profound state of awakening, realizing the Four Noble Truths which articulate the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation, known as the Eightfold Path. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Buddhism as a spiritual tradition, as Siddhartha began to teach others about his discoveries, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, compassion, and ethical living. His teachings spread across Asia and beyond, evolving into various schools of thought while maintaining the core principles of seeking enlightenment and helping others reach a similar understanding.
At what age did Siddhartha Gautama leave his home to seek enlightenment?
A) 16
B) 29
C) 25
D) 40
- 2. Under what tree did Siddhartha Gautama achieve enlightenment?
A) Palm Tree
B) Bodhi Tree
C) Maple Tree
D) Willow Tree
- 3. What is the term for the path to the cessation of suffering according to Buddhism?
A) The Five Pillars
B) The Ten Commandments
C) The Eightfold Path
D) The Four Noble Truths
- 4. What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism?
A) Heaven
B) Nirvana
C) Purgatory
D) Reincarnation
- 5. What is the middle way in Buddhism?
A) A balanced approach to life
B) A specific meditation technique
C) Avoiding all worldly pleasures
D) Following strict rules and rituals
- 6. What is the Pali term for a community of Buddhist monks?
A) Sangha
B) Dojo
C) Monastery
D) Zendo
- 7. What is the first of the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism?
A) Life is suffering
B) Desire causes suffering
C) Nirvana is the ultimate goal
D) There is a way to end suffering
- 8. What is the practice of developing loving-kindness and compassion toward all beings called?
A) Koan
B) Vipassana
C) Metta
D) Zazen
- 9. Which Buddhist festival celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha?
A) Uposatha
B) Dharma Day
C) Vesak
D) Kathina Festival
- 10. What is the traditional gesture of meditation in which the Buddha is depicted with his legs crossed and his hands resting in his lap?
A) Downward Dog
B) Corpse Pose
C) Lotus Position
D) Tree Pose
- 11. What is the name of the ancient language used for sacred texts in Theravada Buddhism?
A) Chinese
B) Pali
C) Sanskrit
D) Tibetan
- 12. Which type of Buddhism emphasizes the meditation techniques taught by the Buddha?
A) Theravada
B) Mahayana
C) Zen
D) Vajrayana
- 13. Buddhism spread to Tibet primarily through the influence of which branch of Buddhism?
A) Vajrayana
B) Theravada
C) Zen
D) Mahayana
- 14. In Zen Buddhism, what is the practice of questioning a paradoxical statement to reach enlightenment?
A) Sesshin
B) Zazen
C) Koan
D) Mandala
- 15. Who is credited with founding Buddhism?
A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Siddhartha Gautama
C) Laozi
D) Confucius
- 16. What is the title often given to Siddhartha Gautama?
A) Guru
B) Buddha
C) Prophet
D) Emperor
- 17. Where was Siddhartha Gautama born?
A) Kathmandu, Nepal
B) Bodh Gaya, India
C) Varanasi, India
D) Lumbini, Nepal
- 18. What is the belief in Buddhism concerning the self?
A) Anatta (no permanent self)
B) Ego (strong self)
C) Identity (unique self)
D) Atman (permanent self)
- 19. What is the term for the teaching or law in Buddhism?
A) Karma
B) Dharma
C) Maya
D) Nirvana
- 20. What is the common form of greeting in Buddhist cultures?
A) Aloha
B) Salaam
C) Shalom
D) Namaste
- 21. What is the name of the gesture often made by the Buddha with one hand raised and the palm facing outward?
A) Bhumisparsha Mudra
B) Dhyana Mudra
C) Anjali Mudra
D) Abhaya Mudra
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