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gq: Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by scholars: Theravada ("The School of the Elders") and Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle"). Vajrayana, a body of teachings attributed to Indian siddhas, may be viewed as a third branch or merely a part of Mahayana. Theravada has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Mahayana which includes the traditions of Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Shingon, and Tiantai (Tendai) is found throughout East Asia. Tibetan Buddhism, which preserves the Vajrayana teachings of eighth century India, is practiced in regions surrounding the Himalayas, Mongolia and Kalmykia. Buddhists number between an estimated 488 million[web 1] and 535 million, making it one of the world's major religions. | Question: What are the two major branches of Buddhism? Question: Theravada means what? Question: Which branch practices the teachings of Zen? Question: What is sometimes viewed as the third branch of Buddhism? Question: What minor branch is sometimes attributed to Mahayana? Question: What kind of teachings does Tibetan Buddhism preserve? Question: Vajrayana is attributed to who? Question: Where does Theravada have the largest following? Question: Mahayana includes which practices of Buddhism? Question: What is the estimated number of Buddhists in the world? |
gq: In Theravada Buddhism, the ultimate goal is the attainment of the sublime state of Nirvana, achieved by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path (also known as the Middle Way), thus escaping what is seen as a cycle of suffering and rebirth. Mahayana Buddhism instead aspires to Buddhahood via the bodhisattva path, a state wherein one remains in this cycle to help other beings reach awakening. Tibetan Buddhism aspires to Buddhahood or rainbow body. | Question: In what buddhism is the goal a state of nirvana? Question: What is the goal of Theravada Buddhism? Question: How is Nirvana attained? Question: How is Nirvana achieved? Question: The Noble Eightfold Path is also known as what? Question: Theravada escapes what cycle? Question: Mahayana aspires to Buddhahood through what path? Question: What is the bodhisattva path? Question: What buddhism has a goal of Buddhahood or rainbow body? Question: What is the goal of Tibetan Buddhism? |
gq: Buddhist schools vary on the exact nature of the path to liberation, the importance and canonicity of various teachings and scriptures, and especially their respective practices. Buddhism denies a creator deity and posits that mundane deities such as Mahabrahma are misperceived to be a creator. The foundations of Buddhist tradition and practice are the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community). Taking "refuge in the triple gem" has traditionally been a declaration and commitment to being on the Buddhist path, and in general distinguishes a Buddhist from a non-Buddhist. Other practices are Ten Meritorious Deeds including, giving charity to reduce the greediness; following ethical precepts; renouncing conventional living and becoming a monastic; the development of mindfulness and practice of meditation; cultivation of higher wisdom and discernment; study of scriptures; devotional practices; ceremonies; and in the Mahayana tradition, invocation of buddhas and bodhisattvas. | Question: Buddhism denies what kind of deity? Question: What are the Three Jewels of the Buddhist tradition? Question: What other practices do Buddhists adhere to? Question: Of the Ten Meritorious Deeds, giving charity reduces what? Question: What is one of the Ten Meritorious Deeds? Question: What is one of the Ten Meritorious Deeds of Buddhism? Question: Invocation of buddhas and bodhisattvas is in what tradition? |
gq: This narrative draws on the Nidānakathā of the Jataka tales of the Theravada, which is ascribed to Buddhaghoṣa in the 5th century CE. Earlier biographies such as the Buddhacarita, the Lokottaravādin Mahāvastu, and the Sarvāstivādin Lalitavistara Sūtra, give different accounts. Scholars are hesitant to make unqualified claims about the historical facts of the Buddha's life. Most accept that he lived, taught and founded a monastic order, but do not consistently accept all of the details contained in his biographies. | Question: The Nidānakathā of the Jataka tales of the Theravada is attributed to who? Question: Who founded a monastic order in his life? Question: Scholars do not make claims without evidence about who's life? Question: When was the Buddhagohosa written? Question: The Jataka tales of the Theravada happened in what century? Question: What is one of the earlier biographies on Buddhism? Question: What are some other biographies that differ from the Jataka tales? Question: What do scholars recognize about the life of the Buddha? Question: Most accept that Buddha lived and taught in what type of order? |
gq: According to author Michael Carrithers, while there are good reasons to doubt the traditional account, "the outline of the life must be true: birth, maturity, renunciation, search, awakening and liberation, teaching, death." In writing her biography of the Buddha, Karen Armstrong noted, "It is obviously difficult, therefore, to write a biography of the Buddha that meets modern criteria, because we have very little information that can be considered historically sound... [but] we can be reasonably confident Siddhatta Gotama did indeed exist and that his disciples preserved the memory of his life and teachings as well as they could."[dubious – discuss] | Question: Who said "the outline of the life must be true: birth, maturity, renunciation, search, awakening and liberation, teaching, death."? Question: Who believes "the outline of the life must be true" in reference to Buddha? Question: What are some of the outlines of life? Question: Karen Armstrong wrote a biography on who? Question: Who wrote a biography of Buddha? Question: What do some say is Buddha's real name? Question: Karen Armstrong has said that we can be confident who existed? Question: What are the helpers called that helped Buddha? |
gq: The evidence of the early texts suggests that Siddhārtha Gautama was born in a community that was on the periphery, both geographically and culturally, of the northeastern Indian subcontinent in the fifth century BCE. It was either a small republic, in which case his father was an elected chieftain, or an oligarchy, in which case his father was an oligarch. | Question: Where did we find proof of his existence? Question: Who was born in a northeastern part of India/ Question: According to early texts, where was Siddhārtha Gautama born? Question: Where was Siddhārtha Gautama born? Question: According to early texts, when was Siddhārtha Gautama born? Question: When did Siddhārtha Gautama live? Question: What type of community was Siddhārtha Gautama raised in? Question: What size was Siddhārtha Gautama's birthplace? Question: If Siddhartha lived in a small republic, his father would have been a what? Question: What was most likely Siddhārtha Gautama's father? |
gq: According to this narrative, shortly after the birth of young prince Gautama, an astrologer named Asita visited the young prince's father, Suddhodana, and prophesied that Siddhartha would either become a great king or renounce the material world to become a holy man, depending on whether he saw what life was like outside the palace walls. | Question: What was the occupation of the person who visited Gautama? Question: What was the name of the astrologer who visited Prince Gautama's father? Question: What was the name of the astrologer that visited Gautama's father? Question: What was the name of his father? Question: What is Gautama's fathers name? Question: What was the prediction made by Asita? Question: What was Buddha predicted to become contrary with his life as we know it? Question: Asita prophesied that Siddhartha would be a kind or a what? Question: According to Asita, how would Siddhartha decide which path to take in life? |
gq: Śuddhodana was determined to see his son become a king, so he prevented him from leaving the palace grounds. But at age 29, despite his father's efforts, Gautama ventured beyond the palace several times. In a series of encounters—known in Buddhist literature as the four sights—he learned of the suffering of ordinary people, encountering an old man, a sick man, a corpse and, finally, an ascetic holy man, apparently content and at peace with the world. These experiences prompted Gautama to abandon royal life and take up a spiritual quest. | Question: What did Buddha's father want him to become? Question: Suddhodana wanted his son to become what? Question: What did Śuddhodana do to ensure that his son became a king instead of a holy man? Question: How old was Gautama when he first left the palace grounds? Question: By what age was he venturing outside? Question: At what age did Gautama venture out from the palace area? Question: What were his first four encounters called? Question: How many "sights" did Gautama have that are well known? Question: What happened when Gautama left the palace grounds? Question: What are the four sights in Buddhism? Question: Gautama encountered an old man, a sick man, a holy man, and a what? Question: What did Gautama do after learning about the outside world? |
gq: Gautama first went to study with famous religious teachers of the day, and mastered the meditative attainments they taught. But he found that they did not provide a permanent end to suffering, so he continued his quest. He next attempted an extreme asceticism, which was a religious pursuit common among the śramaṇas, a religious culture distinct from the Vedic one. Gautama underwent prolonged fasting, breath-holding, and exposure to pain. He almost starved himself to death in the process. He realized that he had taken this kind of practice to its limit, and had not put an end to suffering. So in a pivotal moment he accepted milk and rice from a village girl and changed his approach. He devoted himself to anapanasati meditation, through which he discovered what Buddhists call the Middle Way (Skt. madhyamā-pratipad): a path of moderation between the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification.[web 2][web 3] | Question: What was the first thing Gautama did on his spiritual quest? Question: Gautama didn't like the religious teaching he initially found because of why? Question: What almost killed Gautama in his pursuit? Question: What are some of the practices Gautama underwent on his quest? Question: What did he receive from the locals that changed his approach? Question: What did Gautama accept from a village girl? Question: Gautama devoted himself to what type of meditation? Question: What was the first skill Gautama learnt? Question: What is the path of moderation between the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification called? Question: Buddhists call anapanasati what? Question: What is the path of moderation called he followed? |
gq: Gautama was now determined to complete his spiritual quest. At the age of 35, he famously sat in meditation under a Ficus religiosa tree now called the Bodhi Tree in the town of Bodh Gaya and vowed not to rise before achieving enlightenment. After many days, he finally destroyed the fetters of his mind, thereby liberating himself from the cycle of suffering and rebirth, and arose as a fully enlightened being (Skt. samyaksaṃbuddha). Soon thereafter, he attracted a band of followers and instituted a monastic order. Now, as the Buddha, he spent the rest of his life teaching the path of awakening he had discovered, traveling throughout the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent, and died at the age of 80 (483 BCE) in Kushinagar, India. The south branch of the original fig tree available only in Anuradhapura Sri Lanka is known as Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. | Question: How old was Gautama when he sat under the Bodhi Tree? Question: What kind of tree was the Bodhi Tree? Question: What was the tree called he sat under? Question: What type of tree was the Bodhi Tree? Question: What was the tree renamed that Gautama achieved enlightenment under? Question: When he was 35 Gautama sat in meditation under what tree? Question: What town was the Bodhi Tree in? Question: What did Gautama spend the rest of his life doing after reaching enlightenment? Question: How old was the Buddha at the time of his death? Question: At what age did Gautama come to pass? Question: What is the south branch of the tree Gautama sat under called? Question: The south branch of the original fig tree is known as? |
gq: Within Buddhism, samsara is defined as the continual repetitive cycle of birth and death that arises from ordinary beings' grasping and fixating on a self and experiences. Specifically, samsara refers to the process of cycling through one rebirth after another within the six realms of existence,[note 2] where each realm can be understood as physical realm or a psychological state characterized by a particular type of suffering. Samsara arises out of avidya (ignorance) and is characterized by dukkha (suffering, anxiety, dissatisfaction). In the Buddhist view, liberation from samsara is possible by following the Buddhist path. | Question: What is samsara? Question: What is samsara defined as? Question: How many realms of existence are there in Buddhism? Question: How many realms of existance are within the cycle of rebirths? Question: Realms can be understood as physical realms of what type of states? Question: The cycle of birth and death is called what in Buddhism? Question: Samsara is caused by what? Question: What is avidya? Question: avidya is what kind of samsara? Question: What is dukkha? Question: Is liberation from samsara possible? Question: How can you be freed from samsara? Question: A person can get away from samsara by doing what? |
gq: In Buddhism, Karma (from Sanskrit: "action, work") is the force that drives saṃsāra—the cycle of suffering and rebirth for each being. Good, skillful deeds (Pali: "kusala") and bad, unskillful (Pāli: "akusala") actions produce "seeds" in the mind that come to fruition either in this life or in a subsequent rebirth. The avoidance of unwholesome actions and the cultivation of positive actions is called sīla. Karma specifically refers to those actions of body, speech or mind that spring from mental intent (cetanā), and bring about a consequence or phala "fruit" or vipāka "result". | Question: What does the Sanskrit term Karma translate as? Question: What is the definition of Karma from Sanskrit? Question: What is karma according to Buddhism? Question: What is Karma? Question: What is theavoidance of unwholesome actions and the cultivation of positive actions called? Question: What is the avoidance of bad acts called? Question: Avoidance of unwholesome actions and use of positive actions is called what? Question: What actions does karma refer to in Buddhism? Question: Karma's actions come from what? Question: What is the result of Karma called? Question: what does vipaka mean? |
gq: In Theravada Buddhism there can be no divine salvation or forgiveness for one's karma, since it is a purely impersonal process that is a part of the makeup of the universe.[citation needed] In Mahayana Buddhism, the texts of certain Mahayana sutras (such as the Lotus Sutra, the Aṅgulimālīya Sūtra and the Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra) claim that the recitation or merely the hearing of their texts can expunge great swathes of negative karma. Some forms of Buddhism (for example, Vajrayana) regard the recitation of mantras as a means for cutting off of previous negative karma. The Japanese Pure Land teacher Genshin taught that Amitābha has the power to destroy the karma that would otherwise bind one in saṃsāra. | Question: In which branch of Buddhism is it believed that there can be no divine salvation or forgiveness for karma? Question: What Buddhism says that salvation is unattainable? Question: What type of sutra is the Lotus Sutra? Question: In Mahayana Buddhism, what are some Mahayana sutras that are believed to remove negative karma just by the hearing of the texts? Question: Some mantras are used for cutting off what type of karma? Question: The reciting of mantras as a means for removing past negative karma is a part of which branch of Buddhism? Question: Who was the Japanese Pure Land teacher? Question: According to Genshin, who has the power to destroy karma? Question: Who has the power to destroy bad karma? Question: According to Genshin, whats has the power to destroy karma? |
gq: Rebirth refers to a process whereby beings go through a succession of lifetimes as one of many possible forms of sentient life, each running from conception to death. The doctrine of anattā (Sanskrit anātman) rejects the concepts of a permanent self or an unchanging, eternal soul, as it is called in Hinduism and Christianity. According to Buddhism there ultimately is no such thing as a self independent from the rest of the universe. Buddhists also refer to themselves as the believers of the anatta doctrine—Nairatmyavadin or Anattavadin. Rebirth in subsequent existences must be understood as the continuation of a dynamic, ever-changing process of pratītyasamutpāda ("dependent arising") determined by the laws of cause and effect (karma) rather than that of one being, reincarnating from one existence to the next. | Question: What is the process in which beings go through cycles of lifetimes as many forms of sentient life? Question: What is the name for the process of a succession of lifetimes? Question: Sentient life according to Buddhism runs between what two points? Question: Which doctrine denies the concept of a permanent self or soul? Question: Hinduism and Christianity use what term for a permanent self? Question: What doctrine rejects the idea of permanent self? Question: "dependent arising" is the meaning of what word? Question: In Buddhism, rebirth into consecutive lives is determined by what? Question: The laws of cause and effect can also be called? |
gq: The above are further subdivided into 31 planes of existence.[web 4] Rebirths in some of the higher heavens, known as the Śuddhāvāsa Worlds or Pure Abodes, can be attained only by skilled Buddhist practitioners known as anāgāmis (non-returners). Rebirths in the Ārūpyadhātu (formless realms) can be attained by only those who can meditate on the arūpajhānas, the highest object of meditation. | Question: How many planes of existence are there? Question: How many planes of existence? Question: What are the higher heavens called? Question: Rebirth into the Śuddhāvāsa Worlds or Pure Abodes can only be attained by who? Question: What are skilled Buddhists called? Question: Skilled buddhist practictioners that can get to the higher heavens are known as what? Question: What is another name for Ārūpyadhātu? Question: What does arupyadhatu mean? Question: Rebirth into the formless realms can only be attained by who? Question: What is the highest object of meditation called? Question: What is the highest object of meditation? |
gq: According to East Asian and Tibetan Buddhism, there is an intermediate state (Tibetan "bardo") between one life and the next. The orthodox Theravada position rejects this; however there are passages in the Samyutta Nikaya of the Pali Canon that seem to lend support to the idea that the Buddha taught of an intermediate stage between one life and the next.[page needed] | Question: There is a transitional state between one life and the next according to what branches of Buddhism? Question: Other than Tibetan Buddhism, what other Buddhism supports bardo? Question: There is an intermediate state between one life and the next according to what Buddism? Question: What is the state called between lives? Question: What type of Theravada rejects the intermediate state idea? Question: What branch of Buddhism rejects that there is a transitional state between lives? Question: Which major part of Buddhism rejects bardo? Question: Passages in what teaching support the idea that the Buddha taught of a stage between lives? Question: What book discusses bardo? Question: Some passages of what Canon support the idea of intermediate stages? |
gq: The teachings on the Four Noble Truths are regarded as central to the teachings of Buddhism, and are said to provide a conceptual framework for Buddhist thought. These four truths explain the nature of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, unsatisfactoriness), its causes, and how it can be overcome. The four truths are:[note 4] | Question: What is considered to be central to the teachings of Buddhism? Question: What teachings are the most important to Buddhism? Question: What is considered central to the teachings of Buddhism? Question: What do the Four Noble Truths explain? Question: The four truths explain the nature of what? Question: What part of Dukkha deals with pain? |
gq: The first truth explains the nature of dukkha. Dukkha is commonly translated as "suffering", "anxiety", "unsatisfactoriness", "unease", etc., and it is said to have the following three aspects: | Question: What does the first of the Four Noble Truths explain? Question: What does the first truth cover? Question: Suffering, anxiety, unsatisfactoriness, and unease is the translation of what word? Question: What is Dukkha? Question: What is another word for Dukkha? Question: What is another nature of Dukkha? Question: Dukkha can be translated as what word in regards to unhappiness? Question: How many aspects are there to Dukkha? Question: How many aspects does dukkha have? |
gq: The second truth is that the origin of dukkha can be known. Within the context of the four noble truths, the origin of dukkha is commonly explained as craving (Pali: tanha) conditioned by ignorance (Pali: avijja). On a deeper level, the root cause of dukkha is identified as ignorance (Pali: avijja) of the true nature of things. The third noble truth is that the complete cessation of dukkha is possible, and the fourth noble truth identifies a path to this cessation.[note 7] | Question: What does the second of the Four Noble Truths explain? Question: The second truth is? Question: What is the second truth? Question: The third noble truth is that the complete cessation of what is possible? Question: What is the origin of dukkha? Question: How is the meaning of Dukkha explained? Question: What is a contributing factor to Dukkha? Question: The origin of dukkha is explained as craving conditioned by what? Question: The root cause of dukkha is identified as ignorance of what? Question: What is the third of the Four Noble Truths explain? Question: What is the fourth of the Four Noble Truths explain? |
gq: The Noble Eightfold Path—the fourth of the Buddha's Noble Truths—consists of a set of eight interconnected factors or conditions, that when developed together, lead to the cessation of dukkha. These eight factors are: Right View (or Right Understanding), Right Intention (or Right Thought), Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. | Question: What is the fourth of the Buddha's Four Noble Truths? Question: The fourth truth consists of how many factors? Question: The Noble Eightfold Path is which of Buddha's Truths? Question: The Noble Eightfold Path is which Noble Truth? Question: The noble Eightfold path is a set of how many inerconnected factors? Question: What is the purpose of the Noble Eightfold Path? Question: What is the end goal of the Fourth Truth? Question: When the eight factors are developed together, is leads to the cessation of what? Question: What are the eight factors of the Noble Eightfold Path? Question: What is one of the eight factors? |
gq: Ajahn Sucitto describes the path as "a mandala of interconnected factors that support and moderate each other." The eight factors of the path are not to be understood as stages, in which each stage is completed before moving on to the next. Rather, they are understood as eight significant dimensions of one's behaviour—mental, spoken, and bodily—that operate in dependence on one another; taken together, they define a complete path, or way of living. | Question: Who describes the Noble Eightfold Path as "a mandala of interconnected factors that support and moderate each other."? Question: Who describes the path as "a mandala of interconnected factor that support and moderate each other"? Question: How are the eight factors of the Noble Eightfold Path to be understood? Question: What can one's behaviour be divided into? |
gq: While he searched for enlightenment, Gautama combined the yoga practice of his teacher Kalama with what later became known as "the immeasurables".[dubious – discuss] Gautama thus invented a new kind of human, one without egotism.[dubious – discuss] What Thich Nhat Hanh calls the "Four Immeasurable Minds" of love, compassion, joy, and equanimity[full citation needed] are also known as brahmaviharas, divine abodes, or simply as four immeasurables.[web 5] Pema Chödrön calls them the "four limitless ones". Of the four, mettā or loving-kindness meditation is perhaps the best known.[web 5] The Four Immeasurables are taught as a form of meditation that cultivates "wholesome attitudes towards all sentient beings."[web 6][web 7] | Question: During his search for enlightenment, Gautama combined what teachings? Question: Gautama combined the yoga practice of what teacher? Question: What was the new kind of human invented by Gautama? Question: Gautama invented a new kind of human without what? Question: What are the "four Immeasurable minds"? Question: What are the Four Immeasurable Minds also known as? Question: Who calls the four immeasurable minds "four limitless ones"? Question: What is the best known of the four immeasurables? Question: The Four Immeasurables are taught as a form of what? Question: The Four Immeasurables are taught as a form of meditation that cultivates what? |
gq: An important guiding principle of Buddhist practice is the Middle Way (or Middle Path), which is said to have been discovered by Gautama Buddha prior to his enlightenment. The Middle Way has several definitions: | Question: An important guiding priciple of Buddhist practice is what? Question: When did Gautama Buddha discover the Middle Way? Question: Guatama discovered the middle path before his what? |
gq: Buddhist scholars have produced a number of intellectual theories, philosophies and world view concepts (see, for example, Abhidharma, Buddhist philosophy and Reality in Buddhism). Some schools of Buddhism discourage doctrinal study, and some regard it as essential practice. | Question: Who has produced a number of theories and concepts such as Abhidharma and Reality in Buddhism? Question: What are some of the theories and philosophies produced by Buddhist scholars? Question: Does Buddhism encourage or discourage doctrinal studies? Question: Some schools within Buddhism discourage what type of study? |
gq: The concept of liberation (nirvāṇa)—the goal of the Buddhist path—is closely related to overcoming ignorance (avidyā), a fundamental misunderstanding or mis-perception of the nature of reality. In awakening to the true nature of the self and all phenomena one develops dispassion for the objects of clinging, and is liberated from suffering (dukkha) and the cycle of incessant rebirths (saṃsāra). To this end, the Buddha recommended viewing things as characterized by the three marks of existence. | Question: What is the goal of the Buddhist path? Question: Liberation is know as what? Question: What is the goal of the buddhist path? Question: In awakening to the true nature of the self, one no longer care about what? Question: Upon awakening to the true nature of the self, what is one is liberated from? Question: Buddha recommended viewing thing by how many marks of existence? |
gq: Impermanence (Pāli: anicca) expresses the Buddhist notion that all compounded or conditioned phenomena (all things and experiences) are inconstant, unsteady, and impermanent. Everything we can experience through our senses is made up of parts, and its existence is dependent on external conditions. Everything is in constant flux, and so conditions and the thing itself are constantly changing. Things are constantly coming into being, and ceasing to be. Since nothing lasts, there is no inherent or fixed nature to any object or experience. According to the doctrine of impermanence, life embodies this flux in the aging process, the cycle of rebirth (saṃsāra), and in any experience of loss. The doctrine asserts that because things are impermanent, attachment to them is futile and leads to suffering (dukkha). | Question: What is the meaning of impermanence in Buddhism? Question: What is in a constant flux? Question: Everything is continuously coming into being and what? Question: According to the Buddhist doctrine of impermanence, how does life express impermanence? Question: The cycle of rebirth is also called what? Question: Why is attachment to things futile? Question: According to doctrine, because all thing don't last, attachment can lead to what? |
gq: Suffering (Pāli: दुक्ख dukkha; Sanskrit दुःख duḥkha) is also a central concept in Buddhism. The word roughly corresponds to a number of terms in English including suffering, pain, unsatisfactoriness, sorrow, affliction, anxiety, dissatisfaction, discomfort, anguish, stress, misery, and frustration. Although the term is often translated as "suffering", its philosophical meaning is more analogous to "disquietude" as in the condition of being disturbed. As such, "suffering" is too narrow a translation with "negative emotional connotations"[web 9] that can give the impression that the Buddhist view is pessimistic, but Buddhism seeks to be neither pessimistic nor optimistic, but realistic. In English-language Buddhist literature translated from Pāli, "dukkha" is often left untranslated, so as to encompass its full range of meaning.[note 8] | Question: In translation what term is often left untranslated to keep of fuller definition? Question: Suffering is a central concept in what? Question: The term dukkha corresponds to what English terms? Question: Dukkha is often translated as suffering, but the philosophical meaning of dukkha of more closely related to what term? Question: The philosophical meaning of suffering is close what term? Question: The condition of being disturbed is what? Question: Buddhism seeks to be neither pessimistic or optimistic, but what? |
gq: Not-self (Pāli: anatta; Sanskrit: anātman) is the third mark of existence. Upon careful examination, one finds that no phenomenon is really "I" or "mine"; these concepts are in fact constructed by the mind. In the Nikayas anatta is not meant as a metaphysical assertion, but as an approach for gaining release from suffering. In fact, the Buddha rejected both of the metaphysical assertions "I have a Self" and "I have no Self" as ontological views that bind one to suffering.[note 9] When asked if the self was identical with the body, the Buddha refused to answer. By analyzing the constantly changing physical and mental constituents (skandhas) of a person or object, the practitioner comes to the conclusion that neither the respective parts nor the person as a whole comprise a self. | Question: What is the third mark of existence in Buddhism? Question: What is the 3rd mark of existence? Question: In what form is anatta not meant as a metaphysical assertion? Question: The Buddha rejected the metaphysical assertions "I have a Self" and "I have no Self" as views that bind one to what? Question: Buddha rejected the assertion "I have a Self" and what other related assertion? Question: What was the answer given when the Buddha was asked if the body is the same as the self? Question: What is the term for constantly changing physical and mental parts? Question: What is the conclusion that one comes to when analyzing the changing physical and mental components or person or thing? |
gq: The doctrine of pratītyasamutpāda, (Sanskrit; Pali: paticcasamuppāda; Tibetan Wylie: rten cing 'brel bar 'byung ba; Chinese: 緣起) is an important part of Buddhist metaphysics. It states that phenomena arise together in a mutually interdependent web of cause and effect. It is variously rendered into English as "dependent origination", "conditioned genesis", "dependent relationship", "dependent co-arising", "interdependent arising", or "contingency". | Question: What is the name of the Buddhist doctrine that states that phenomena arise together in a mutually interdependent web of cause and effect? Question: The doctrine of pratityasumatupada is a important part of what type of metaphysics? Question: Translated into English, what does pratītyasamutpāda mean? |
gq: The best-known application of the concept of pratītyasamutpāda is the scheme of Twelve Nidānas (from Pāli "nidāna" meaning "cause, foundation, source or origin"), which explain the continuation of the cycle of suffering and rebirth (saṃsāra) in detail.[note 10] | Question: What is the most common application of the concept of pratītyasamutpāda? Question: An application of the idea of pratityasamutpada is the scheme of what? Question: What doe nidana mean? Question: What does the scheme of Twelve Nidānas explain? |
gq: The Twelve Nidānas describe a causal connection between the subsequent characteristics or conditions of cyclic existence, each one giving rise to the next: | Question: What describes the connection between the conditions of cyclic existence? Question: What describes the causal connection between the subsequent conditions of cyclic existance? |
gq: Sentient beings always suffer throughout saṃsāra until they free themselves from this suffering (dukkha) by attaining Nirvana. Then the absence of the first Nidāna—ignorance—leads to the absence of the others. | Question: Who always suffers throughout samsara? Question: What is suffering also called? Question: How are sentient beings freed from suffering? Question: How do you free yourself of dukkha? Question: What is the first Nidāna? Question: What is the first Nidana? Question: The absence of ignorance leads to what? |
gq: Mahayana Buddhism received significant theoretical grounding from Nagarjuna (perhaps c. 150–250 CE), arguably the most influential scholar within the Mahayana tradition. Nagarjuna's primary contribution to Buddhist philosophy was the systematic exposition of the concept of śūnyatā, or "emptiness", widely attested in the Prajñāpāramitā sutras that emerged in his era. The concept of emptiness brings together other key Buddhist doctrines, particularly anatta and dependent origination, to refute the metaphysics of Sarvastivada and Sautrantika (extinct non-Mahayana schools). For Nagarjuna, it is not merely sentient beings that are empty of ātman; all phenomena (dharmas) are without any svabhava (literally "own-nature" or "self-nature"), and thus without any underlying essence; they are "empty" of being independent; thus the heterodox theories of svabhava circulating at the time were refuted on the basis of the doctrines of early Buddhism. Nagarjuna's school of thought is known as the Mādhyamaka. Some of the writings attributed to Nagarjuna made explicit references to Mahayana texts, but his philosophy was argued within the parameters set out by the agamas. He may have arrived at his positions from a desire to achieve a consistent exegesis of the Buddha's doctrine as recorded in the Canon. In the eyes of Nagarjuna the Buddha was not merely a forerunner, but the very founder of the Mādhyamaka system. | Question: Nagarjuna's main contribution was the exposition of the concept of what? Question: What does sunyata mean? Question: Nagarjuna said that sentient beings are empty of what? Question: What does dharmas mean? |
gq: Sarvastivada teachings—which were criticized by Nāgārjuna—were reformulated by scholars such as Vasubandhu and Asanga and were adapted into the Yogacara school. While the Mādhyamaka school held that asserting the existence or non-existence of any ultimately real thing was inappropriate, some exponents of Yogacara asserted that the mind and only the mind is ultimately real (a doctrine known as cittamatra). Not all Yogacarins asserted that mind was truly existent; Vasubandhu and Asanga in particular did not.[web 11] These two schools of thought, in opposition or synthesis, form the basis of subsequent Mahayana metaphysics in the Indo-Tibetan tradition. | Question: What teaching were criticized by Nagarjuna? Question: What scholars reformed Sarvastivada teachings? Question: What Yogacarins asserted that the mind was not truly existent? Question: What is the doctrine that says that the mind and only the mind are real? |
gq: Besides emptiness, Mahayana schools often place emphasis on the notions of perfected spiritual insight (prajñāpāramitā) and Buddha-nature (tathāgatagarbha). There are conflicting interpretations of the tathāgatagarbha in Mahāyāna thought. The idea may be traced to Abhidharma, and ultimately to statements of the Buddha in the Nikāyas. In Tibetan Buddhism, according to the Sakya school, tathāgatagarbha is the inseparability of the clarity and emptiness of one's mind. In Nyingma, tathāgatagarbha also generally refers to inseparability of the clarity and emptiness of one's mind. According to the Gelug school, it is the potential for sentient beings to awaken since they are empty (i.e. dependently originated). According to the Jonang school, it refers to the innate qualities of the mind that expresses themselves as omniscience etc. when adventitious obscurations are removed. The "Tathāgatagarbha Sutras" are a collection of Mahayana sutras that present a unique model of Buddha-nature. Even though this collection was generally ignored in India, East Asian Buddhism provides some significance to these texts. | Question: what does prajnaparamita mean? Question: What does tathagatagarbha mean? Question: What type of sutras were generally ignored in india? Question: According to what school is tathgatagarbha the inseparability of clairty and emptiness of one's mind? Question: According to what school does it refer to the innate qualities of the mind that express themselves as omniscience? |
gq: Nirvana (Sanskrit; Pali: "Nibbāna") means "cessation", "extinction" (of craving and ignorance and therefore suffering and the cycle of involuntary rebirths (saṃsāra)), "extinguished", "quieted", "calmed"; it is also known as "Awakening" or "Enlightenment" in the West. The term for anybody who has achieved nirvana, including the Buddha, is arahant. | Question: What term means cessation? Question: What term means awakening? Question: What is the term for someone who has achieved nirvana? |
gq: Bodhi (Pāli and Sanskrit, in devanagari: बॊधि) is a term applied to the experience of Awakening of arahants. Bodhi literally means "awakening", but it is more commonly translated into English as "enlightenment". In Early Buddhism, bodhi carried a meaning synonymous to nirvana, using only some different metaphors to describe the experience, which implies the extinction of raga (greed, craving),[web 12] dosa (hate, aversion)[web 13] and moha (delusion).[web 14] In the later school of Mahayana Buddhism, the status of nirvana was downgraded in some scriptures, coming to refer only to the extinction of greed and hate, implying that delusion was still present in one who attained nirvana, and that one needed to attain bodhi to eradicate delusion: | Question: What is the term applied to the experience of the awakening of arahants? Question: In early Buddhism Bodhi used a meaning synonymous to what word? Question: What is the term for greed or craving? Question: what is the word for hate or aversion? Question: What does moha mean? |
gq: Therefore, according to Mahayana Buddhism, the arahant has attained only nirvana, thus still being subject to delusion, while the bodhisattva not only achieves nirvana but full liberation from delusion as well. He thus attains bodhi and becomes a buddha. In Theravada Buddhism, bodhi and nirvana carry the same meaning as in the early texts, that of being freed from greed, hate and delusion. | Question: In theravada buddhism, bodhi and what term have the same meaning? Question: What has achieved nirvana and also liberation from delusion? Question: If bodhi is attained what do you become? |
gq: The term parinirvana is also encountered in Buddhism, and this generally refers to the complete nirvana attained by the arahant at the moment of death, when the physical body expires. | Question: What term is used for the complete nirvana attained by the arahant at death? |
gq: According to Buddhist traditions a Buddha is a fully awakened being who has completely purified his mind of the three poisons of desire, aversion and ignorance. A Buddha is no longer bound by Samsara and has ended the suffering which unawakened people experience in life. | Question: Who is a fully awakened being who has purified his mind of the three poisons of desire, aversion, and ignorance? Question: A Buddha is no longer bound by what? Question: What do unawakend people experience? |
gq: Buddhists do not consider Siddhartha Gautama to have been the only Buddha. The Pali Canon refers to many previous ones (see List of the 28 Buddhas), while the Mahayana tradition additionally has many Buddhas of celestial, rather than historical, origin (see Amitabha or Vairocana as examples, for lists of many thousands Buddha names see Taishō Shinshū Daizōkyō numbers 439–448). A common Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist belief is that the next Buddha will be one named Maitreya (Pali: Metteyya). | Question: How many Buddhas are considered to have existed in the Pali Canon? Question: Mahayana has many Buddhas of what origin? Question: A Theravada and Mahayana belief is that the next Buddha will be one named what? |
gq: In Theravada doctrine, a person may awaken from the "sleep of ignorance" by directly realizing the true nature of reality; such people are called arahants and occasionally buddhas. After numerous lifetimes of spiritual striving, they have reached the end of the cycle of rebirth, no longer reincarnating as human, animal, ghost, or other being. The commentaries to the Pali Canon classify these awakened beings into three types: | Question: A person can awaken from the "sleep of ignorance" by acknowledging the true nature of what? Question: At the end of the cycle of rebirth a person is called what? |
gq: Bodhi and nirvana carry the same meaning, that of being freed from craving, hate, and delusion. In attaining bodhi, the arahant has overcome these obstacles. As a further distinction, the extinction of only hatred and greed (in the sensory context) with some residue of delusion, is called anagami. | Question: Nirvana and what term carry the same meaning? Question: What is the term for extinction of only hatred and greed, with residue of delusion? |
gq: In the Mahayana, the Buddha tends not to be viewed as merely human, but as the earthly projection of a beginningless and endless, omnipresent being (see Dharmakaya) beyond the range and reach of thought. Moreover, in certain Mahayana sutras, the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are viewed essentially as One: all three are seen as the eternal Buddha himself. | Question: In what sutras are the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha viewed as One? Question: In the Mahayana, who is thought to be an omnipresent being? Question: Who is thought to be beyond the range and reach of thought? |
gq: The Buddha's death is seen as an illusion, he is living on in other planes of existence, and monks are therefore permitted to offer "new truths" based on his input. Mahayana also differs from Theravada in its concept of śūnyatā (that ultimately nothing has existence), and in its belief in bodhisattvas (enlightened people who vow to continue being reborn until all beings can be enlightened). | Question: Buddha's death is seen as an illusion, as he is living in other planes of what? Question: Who is permitted to offer "new truths" based on Buddhas input? Question: What is the term for the idea of ultimately nothing has existance? Question: Who are enlightened people who vow to continue being reborn? |
gq: The method of self-exertion or "self-power"—without reliance on an external force or being—stands in contrast to another major form of Buddhism, Pure Land, which is characterized by utmost trust in the salvific "other-power" of Amitabha Buddha. Pure Land Buddhism is a very widespread and perhaps the most faith-orientated manifestation of Buddhism and centres upon the conviction that faith in Amitabha Buddha and the chanting of homage to his name liberates one at death into the Blissful (安樂), Pure Land (淨土) of Amitabha Buddha. This Buddhic realm is variously construed as a foretaste of Nirvana, or as essentially Nirvana itself. The great vow of Amitabha Buddha to rescue all beings from samsaric suffering is viewed within Pure Land Buddhism as universally efficacious, if only one has faith in the power of that vow or chants his name. | Question: What is characterized by the deep truts in the "other-power" of Amitabha Buddha Question: What is perhaps the most faith-oriented for of Buddhism? Question: What Buddha vowed to rescue all beings from samsaric suffering? |
gq: Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha was the first to achieve enlightenment in this Buddha era and is therefore credited with the establishment of Buddhism. A Buddha era is the stretch of history during which people remember and practice the teachings of the earliest known Buddha. This Buddha era will end when all the knowledge, evidence and teachings of Gautama Buddha have vanished. This belief therefore maintains that many Buddha eras have started and ended throughout the course of human existence.[web 15][web 16] The Gautama Buddha, therefore, is the Buddha of this era, who taught directly or indirectly to all other Buddhas in it (see types of Buddhas). | Question: Who is believed to have achieved enlightenment first? Question: Who is the Buddha of this Buddha era? Question: Who taught directly or indirectly to all other Buddhas? Question: What is the term for the stretch of history during which people rmember and practice the teachings of the earliest known buddha? |
gq: In addition, Mahayana Buddhists believe there are innumerable other Buddhas in other universes. A Theravada commentary says that Buddhas arise one at a time in this world element, and not at all in others. The understandings of this matter reflect widely differing interpretations of basic terms, such as "world realm", between the various schools of Buddhism. | Question: Who believes there are innumerable other Buddhas in other universes? Question: What buddhist belief says that Buddhas come one at a time and not within other eras? |
gq: The idea of the decline and gradual disappearance of the teaching has been influential in East Asian Buddhism. Pure Land Buddhism holds that it has declined to the point where few are capable of following the path, so it may be best to rely on the power of Amitābha. | Question: What form of Buddhism has declined to the point where few are capable of following the path? |
gq: Bodhisattva means "enlightenment being", and generally refers to one who is on the path to buddhahood. Traditionally, a bodhisattva is anyone who, motivated by great compassion, has generated bodhicitta, which is a spontaneous wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. Theravada Buddhism primarily uses the term in relation to Gautama Buddha's previous existences, but has traditionally acknowledged and respected the bodhisattva path as well.[web 17] | Question: What does Bodhisattva mean? Question: What is the term for the spontaneous wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings? |
gq: According to Jan Nattier, the term Mahāyāna "Great Vehicle" was originally even an honorary synonym for Bodhisattvayāna "Bodhisattva Vehicle." The Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra, an early and important Mahayana text, contains a simple and brief definition for the term bodhisattva: "Because he has enlightenment as his aim, a bodhisattva-mahāsattva is so called." | Question: What term means "great vehicle"? Question: What is an honorary synonym for Bodhisattvayana? Question: The Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra is an important text of what type? |
gq: Mahayana Buddhism encourages everyone to become bodhisattvas and to take the bodhisattva vow, where the practitioner promises to work for the complete enlightenment of all beings by practicing the six pāramitās. According to Mahayana teachings, these perfections are: dāna, śīla, kṣanti, vīrya, dhyāna, and prajñā. | Question: What buddhism encourages everyone to become bodhisattvas? Question: What is the idea there the practitioner promises to work for the complete enlightenment of all beings by practicing the six paramitas? Question: What are the six perfections under Mahayana teachings? |
gq: A famous saying by the 8th-century Indian Buddhist scholar-saint Shantideva, which the 14th Dalai Lama often cites as his favourite verse, summarizes the Bodhisattva's intention (Bodhicitta) as follows: "For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide to dispel the misery of the world."[citation needed] | Question: Which Dalai Lama cites Shantideva's famous saying? |
gq: Devotion is an important part of the practice of most Buddhists. Devotional practices include bowing, offerings, pilgrimage, and chanting. In Pure Land Buddhism, devotion to the Buddha Amitabha is the main practice. In Nichiren Buddhism, devotion to the Lotus Sutra is the main practice. | Question: Devotion is an important part of the practice of most what? Question: What are the devotional practices? |
gq: Buddhism traditionally incorporates states of meditative absorption (Pali: jhāna; Skt: dhyāna). The most ancient sustained expression of yogic ideas is found in the early sermons of the Buddha. One key innovative teaching of the Buddha was that meditative absorption must be combined with liberating cognition. The difference between the Buddha's teaching and the yoga presented in early Brahminic texts is striking. Meditative states alone are not an end, for according to the Buddha, even the highest meditative state is not liberating. Instead of attaining a complete cessation of thought, some sort of mental activity must take place: a liberating cognition, based on the practice of mindful awareness. | Question: Buddhism traditionally incorporates states of what type of absorption? Question: The most acient yogic ideas is found in the early sermons of who? Question: According to the Buddha event he highest meditative state is not what? Question: The difference between the Buddha's teaching and the yoga presented in what what type of texts is significant? |
gq: Meditation was an aspect of the practice of the yogis in the centuries preceding the Buddha. The Buddha built upon the yogis' concern with introspection and developed their meditative techniques, but rejected their theories of liberation. In Buddhism, mindfulness and clear awareness are to be developed at all times; in pre-Buddhist yogic practices there is no such injunction. A yogi in the Brahmanical tradition is not to practice while defecating, for example, while a Buddhist monastic should do so. | Question: Meditation was an aspect of the practice of who? Question: In Buddhism, what must be developed at all times? |
gq: Religious knowledge or "vision" was indicated as a result of practice both within and outside of the Buddhist fold. According to the Samaññaphala Sutta, this sort of vision arose for the Buddhist adept as a result of the perfection of "meditation" coupled with the perfection of "discipline" (Pali sīla; Skt. śīla). Some of the Buddha's meditative techniques were shared with other traditions of his day, but the idea that ethics are causally related to the attainment of "transcendent wisdom" (Pali paññā; Skt. prajñā) was original.[web 18] | Question: Religious knowledge is also known as what? Question: What type of techniques were shared with other traditions of his day? Question: There is an idea where ethics are causally related to the attainment of what? |
gq: The Buddhist texts are probably the earliest describing meditation techniques. They describe meditative practices and states that existed before the Buddha as well as those first developed within Buddhism. Two Upanishads written after the rise of Buddhism do contain full-fledged descriptions of yoga as a means to liberation. | Question: What are probably the earliest texts describing meditation techniques? Question: What describes meditative states exising before the Buddha? Question: What two items were written after the rise of Buddhism? |
gq: While there is no convincing evidence for meditation in pre-Buddhist early Brahminic texts, Wynne argues that formless meditation originated in the Brahminic or Shramanic tradition, based on strong parallels between Upanishadic cosmological statements and the meditative goals of the two teachers of the Buddha as recorded in the early Buddhist texts. He mentions less likely possibilities as well. Having argued that the cosmological statements in the Upanishads also reflect a contemplative tradition, he argues that the Nasadiya Sukta contains evidence for a contemplative tradition, even as early as the late Rig Vedic period. | Question: In pre-buddhist early Brahminic texts there is no evidence for what? Question: The upanishads statements reflect what type of tradition? Question: What contains evidence for a contemplative tradition? |
gq: Traditionally, the first step in most Buddhist schools requires taking refuge in the Three Jewels (Sanskrit: tri-ratna, Pāli: ti-ratana)[web 19] as the foundation of one's religious practice. The practice of taking refuge on behalf of young or even unborn children is mentioned in the Majjhima Nikaya, recognized by most scholars as an early text (cf. Infant baptism). Tibetan Buddhism sometimes adds a fourth refuge, in the lama. In Mahayana, the person who chooses the bodhisattva path makes a vow or pledge, considered the ultimate expression of compassion. In Mahayana, too, the Three Jewels are perceived as possessed of an eternal and unchanging essence and as having an irreversible effect: "The Three Jewels have the quality of excellence. Just as real jewels never change their faculty and goodness, whether praised or reviled, so are the Three Jewels (Refuges), because they have an eternal and immutable essence. These Three Jewels bring a fruition that is changeless, for once one has reached Buddhahood, there is no possibility of falling back to suffering. | Question: What is the first step in a school of Buddhism? Question: What mentions taking refuge on behalf of young or unborn children? Question: What type of Buddhism adds a fourth refuge? Question: What has an irreversable effect? Question: The Three Jewels are preceived as possessed of an eternal and unchanging what? |
gq: According to the scriptures, Gautama Buddha presented himself as a model. The Dharma offers a refuge by providing guidelines for the alleviation of suffering and the attainment of Nirvana. The Sangha is considered to provide a refuge by preserving the authentic teachings of the Buddha and providing further examples that the truth of the Buddha's teachings is attainable. | Question: Who presented himself as a model? Question: What offers a refuge by providing guidelines for the alleviation of suffering? Question: What provides refuge by preserving the authentic teachings of the Buddha? |
gq: Śīla (Sanskrit) or sīla (Pāli) is usually translated into English as "virtuous behavior", "morality", "moral discipline", "ethics" or "precept". It is an action committed through the body, speech, or mind, and involves an intentional effort. It is one of the three practices (sīla, samādhi, and paññā) and the second pāramitā. It refers to moral purity of thought, word, and deed. The four conditions of śīla are chastity, calmness, quiet, and extinguishment. | Question: What is an action committed through the body and involves intentional effort? Question: Sila is the second what? |
gq: Śīla is the foundation of Samādhi/Bhāvana (Meditative cultivation) or mind cultivation. Keeping the precepts promotes not only the peace of mind of the cultivator, which is internal, but also peace in the community, which is external. According to the Law of Karma, keeping the precepts is meritorious and it acts as causes that would bring about peaceful and happy effects. Keeping these precepts keeps the cultivator from rebirth in the four woeful realms of existence. | Question: What is the foundation of Samadhi/Bhavana? Question: What keeps the cultivator from rebirth in the four realms of existance? Question: What promotes not only the peace of mind but also peace in the community? |
gq: Śīla refers to overall principles of ethical behavior. There are several levels of sīla, which correspond to "basic morality" (five precepts), "basic morality with asceticism" (eight precepts), "novice monkhood" (ten precepts) and "monkhood" (Vinaya or Patimokkha). Lay people generally undertake to live by the five precepts, which are common to all Buddhist schools. If they wish, they can choose to undertake the eight precepts, which add basic asceticism. | Question: What does sila refer to? Question: Lay people tend to live by the five what? Question: Schools can undertake eight precepts, which add basic what? |
gq: The precepts are not formulated as imperatives, but as training rules that laypeople undertake voluntarily to facilitate practice. In Buddhist thought, the cultivation of dana and ethical conduct themselves refine consciousness to such a level that rebirth in one of the lower heavens is likely, even if there is no further Buddhist practice. There is nothing improper or un-Buddhist about limiting one's aims to this level of attainment. | Question: Precepts are not created as imperatives, but as what? Question: The cultivation of dana and what kind of conduct refine consciousness? Question: Even if there is no further Buddhist practice, what heavens is still likely? |
gq: In the eight precepts, the third precept on sexual misconduct is made more strict, and becomes a precept of celibacy. The three additional precepts are: | Question: Of the eight precepts which one is on sexual misconduct? Question: What is the third strict precept on sexual misconduct? |
gq: The complete list of ten precepts may be observed by laypeople for short periods. For the complete list, the seventh precept is partitioned into two, and a tenth added: | Question: How many precepts are on the list? Question: In the complete list of precepts, which one is partitioned into two? |
gq: Vinaya is the specific moral code for monks and nuns. It includes the Patimokkha, a set of 227 rules for monks in the Theravadin recension. The precise content of the vinayapitaka (scriptures on Vinaya) differs slightly according to different schools, and different schools or subschools set different standards for the degree of adherence to Vinaya. Novice-monks use the ten precepts, which are the basic precepts for monastics. | Question: How many rules dows the patimokkha have? Question: What is the specific moral code for monks and nuns? Question: What are the scriptures on vinaya called? Question: How many basic precepts are there for monastics? |
gq: Regarding the monastic rules, the Buddha constantly reminds his hearers that it is the spirit that counts. On the other hand, the rules themselves are designed to assure a satisfying life, and provide a perfect springboard for the higher attainments. Monastics are instructed by the Buddha to live as "islands unto themselves". In this sense, living life as the vinaya prescribes it is, as one scholar puts it: "more than merely a means to an end: it is very nearly the end in itself." | Question: Regarding the monastic rules, the Buddha reminds his hearers that it is the spirit that what? Question: The rules themselves are designed to assure a satisfying what? Question: The rules are a perfect springboard for what? Question: Monastics are instructed by the Buddha to live as what? |
gq: In Eastern Buddhism, there is also a distinctive Vinaya and ethics contained within the Mahayana Brahmajala Sutra (not to be confused with the Pali text of that name) for Bodhisattvas, where, for example, the eating of meat is frowned upon and vegetarianism is actively encouraged (see vegetarianism in Buddhism). In Japan, this has almost completely displaced the monastic vinaya, and allows clergy to marry. | Question: Distinctive Vinaya and ethics are contained within what sutra? Question: Bodhisattvas are not encouraged to eat what? Question: Where is the monastic vinaya displaced and clergy is allowed to marry? |
gq: Buddhist meditation is fundamentally concerned with two themes: transforming the mind and using it to explore itself and other phenomena. According to Theravada Buddhism the Buddha taught two types of meditation, samatha meditation (Sanskrit: śamatha) and vipassanā meditation (Sanskrit: vipaśyanā). In Chinese Buddhism, these exist (translated chih kuan), but Chán (Zen) meditation is more popular. According to Peter Harvey, whenever Buddhism has been healthy, not only monks, nuns, and married lamas, but also more committed lay people have practiced meditation. According to Routledge's Encyclopedia of Buddhism, in contrast, throughout most of Buddhist history before modern times, serious meditation by lay people has been unusual. The evidence of the early texts suggests that at the time of the Buddha, many male and female lay practitioners did practice meditation, some even to the point of proficiency in all eight jhānas (see the next section regarding these).[note 11] | Question: In Chinese Buddhism what meditation is more popular? Question: Evidence has shown some lay people got to proficiency in all eight what? |
gq: In the language of the Noble Eightfold Path, samyaksamādhi is "right concentration". The primary means of cultivating samādhi is meditation. Upon development of samādhi, one's mind becomes purified of defilement, calm, tranquil, and luminous. | Question: Meditation is the primary means of cultivating what? Question: What does the word samyaksamadhi mean? Question: Upon development of samadhi, a person gets rid of what? |
gq: Once the meditator achieves a strong and powerful concentration (jhāna, Sanskrit ध्यान dhyāna), his mind is ready to penetrate and gain insight (vipassanā) into the ultimate nature of reality, eventually obtaining release from all suffering. The cultivation of mindfulness is essential to mental concentration, which is needed to achieve insight. | Question: What is powerful concentration called? Question: Mindfulness is essential to concentration, which is neede to achieve what? Question: What is the term when the mind is ready to penetrate and gain insight? |
gq: Samatha meditation starts from being mindful of an object or idea, which is expanded to one's body, mind and entire surroundings, leading to a state of total concentration and tranquility (jhāna). There are many variations in the style of meditation, from sitting cross-legged or kneeling to chanting or walking. The most common method of meditation is to concentrate on one's breath (anapanasati), because this practice can lead to both samatha and vipassana'. | Question: Samatha meditation starts from being mindful of an object or what? Question: What is the term for tranquility? |
gq: In Buddhist practice, it is said that while samatha meditation can calm the mind, only vipassanā meditation can reveal how the mind was disturbed to start with, which is what leads to insight knowledge (jñāna; Pāli ñāṇa) and understanding (prajñā Pāli paññā), and thus can lead to nirvāṇa (Pāli nibbāna). When one is in jhana, all defilements are suppressed temporarily. Only understanding (prajñā or vipassana) eradicates the defilements completely. Jhanas are also states that Arahants abide in order to rest. | Question: In Buddhism, samatha meditation can calm the what? Question: Vipassana meditation can reveal how the mind was what? Question: What is the term for insight knowledge? Question: What eradicates the defilements completely? Question: What is the term for understanding? |
gq: In Theravāda Buddhism, the cause of human existence and suffering is identified as craving, which carries with it the various defilements. These various defilements are traditionally summed up as greed, hatred and delusion. These are believed deeply rooted afflictions of the mind that create suffering and stress. To be free from suffering and stress, these defilements must be permanently uprooted through internal investigation, analyzing, experiencing, and understanding of the true nature of those defilements by using jhāna, a technique of the Noble Eightfold Path. It then leads the meditator to realize the Four Noble Truths, Enlightenment and Nibbāna. Nibbāna is the ultimate goal of Theravadins. | Question: In Theravada Buddhism, what is the cause of human existence and suffering? Question: What does craving carry with it? Question: Deeply rooted afflictions of the mind create what? Question: What is the ultimate goal for Theravadins? |
gq: Prajñā (Sanskrit) or paññā (Pāli) means wisdom that is based on a realization of dependent origination, The Four Noble Truths and the three marks of existence. Prajñā is the wisdom that is able to extinguish afflictions and bring about bodhi. It is spoken of as the principal means of attaining nirvāṇa, through its revelation of the true nature of all things as dukkha (unsatisfactoriness), anicca (impermanence) and anatta (not-self). Prajñā is also listed as the sixth of the six pāramitās of the Mahayana. | Question: What is listed as the sixth of the six paramitas of the mahayana? Question: How many Noble Truths are there? Question: Prajna is the wisom that is able to extinguish afflictions and bring about what? |
gq: Initially, prajñā is attained at a conceptual level by means of listening to sermons (dharma talks), reading, studying, and sometimes reciting Buddhist texts and engaging in discourse. Once the conceptual understanding is attained, it is applied to daily life so that each Buddhist can verify the truth of the Buddha's teaching at a practical level. Notably, one could in theory attain Nirvana at any point of practice, whether deep in meditation, listening to a sermon, conducting the business of one's daily life, or any other activity. | Question: Initially prajna is attained at a conceptual level by means of listening to what? Question: What can be applied to daily life once it is attained? Question: In theory when can one attain Nirvana during practice? |
gq: Zen Buddhism (禅), pronounced Chán in Chinese, seon in Korean or zen in Japanese (derived from the Sanskrit term dhyāna, meaning "meditation") is a form of Buddhism that became popular in China, Korea and Japan and that lays special emphasis on meditation.[note 12] Zen places less emphasis on scriptures than some other forms of Buddhism and prefers to focus on direct spiritual breakthroughs to truth. | Question: What form of buddhism lays special emphasis on meditation? Question: What form of Buddhism places less emphasis on scriptures? Question: Zen Buddhism is known as what in Korea? Question: Zen focuses on what type of breakthroughs? |
gq: Zen Buddhism is divided into two main schools: Rinzai (臨済宗) and Sōtō (曹洞宗), the former greatly favouring the use in meditation on the koan (公案, a meditative riddle or puzzle) as a device for spiritual break-through, and the latter (while certainly employing koans) focusing more on shikantaza or "just sitting".[note 13] | Question: Zen Buddhism is divided into how many main schools? Question: Which schools of Zen likes the use of meditation on the koan for spiritual breakthroughs? |
gq: Zen Buddhist teaching is often full of paradox, in order to loosen the grip of the ego and to facilitate the penetration into the realm of the True Self or Formless Self, which is equated with the Buddha himself.[note 14] According to Zen master Kosho Uchiyama, when thoughts and fixation on the little "I" are transcended, an Awakening to a universal, non-dual Self occurs: "When we let go of thoughts and wake up to the reality of life that is working beyond them, we discover the Self that is living universal non-dual life (before the separation into two) that pervades all living creatures and all existence." Thinking and thought must therefore not be allowed to confine and bind one. | Question: What Buddhist teachings are often full of paradox? Question: What type of self is equated with the Buddha? Question: What is not allowed to confine and bind oneself? |
gq: Though based upon Mahayana, Tibeto-Mongolian Buddhism is one of the schools that practice Vajrayana or "Diamond Vehicle" (also referred to as Mantrayāna, Tantrayāna, Tantric Buddhism, or esoteric Buddhism). It accepts all the basic concepts of Mahāyāna, but also includes a vast array of spiritual and physical techniques designed to enhance Buddhist practice. Tantric Buddhism is largely concerned with ritual and meditative practices. One component of the Vajrayāna is harnessing psycho-physical energy through ritual, visualization, physical exercises, and meditation as a means of developing the mind. Using these techniques, it is claimed that a practitioner can achieve Buddhahood in one lifetime, or even as little as three years. In the Tibetan tradition, these practices can include sexual yoga, though only for some very advanced practitioners. | Question: What type of Buddhism is Tibeto-Mongolian based on? Question: What is the English term for Vajrayana? Question: What type of Buddhism is concerned with ritual and meditative practices? Question: Psycho-physical energy is harnessed through what? |
gq: Historically, the roots of Buddhism lie in the religious thought of ancient India during the second half of the first millennium BCE. That was a period of social and religious turmoil, as there was significant discontent with the sacrifices and rituals of Vedic Brahmanism.[note 15] It was challenged by numerous new ascetic religious and philosophical groups and teachings that broke with the Brahmanic tradition and rejected the authority of the Vedas and the Brahmans.[note 16] These groups, whose members were known as shramanas, were a continuation of a non-Vedic strand of Indian thought distinct from Indo-Aryan Brahmanism.[note 17] Scholars have reasons to believe that ideas such as samsara, karma (in the sense of the influence of morality on rebirth), and moksha originated in the shramanas, and were later adopted by Brahmin orthodoxy.[note 18][note 19][note 20][note 21][note 22][note 23] | Question: What time period was the beginning of Buddhism? Question: What groups broke with Brahmanic tradition? Question: Shramanas were a continuation of what type of trand of Indian thought? Question: Scholars believe that karma originated in what? |
gq: This view is supported by a study of the region where these notions originated. Buddhism arose in Greater Magadha, which stretched from Sravasti, the capital of Kosala in the north-west, to Rajagrha in the south east. This land, to the east of aryavarta, the land of the Aryas, was recognized as non-Vedic. Other Vedic texts reveal a dislike of the people of Magadha, in all probability because the Magadhas at this time were not Brahmanised.[page needed] It was not until the 2nd or 3rd centuries BCE that the eastward spread of Brahmanism into Greater Magadha became significant. Ideas that developed in Greater Magadha prior to this were not subject to Vedic influence. These include rebirth and karmic retribution that appear in a number of movements in Greater Magadha, including Buddhism. These movements inherited notions of rebirth and karmic retribution from an earlier culture[page needed] | Question: Buddhism arose in what area? Question: Greater magadha stretched from Sravasti in the north-west to what area in the south-east? Question: What time period did the eastward spread of Brahmanism start? |
gq: At the same time, these movements were influenced by, and in some respects continued, philosophical thought within the Vedic tradition as reflected e.g. in the Upanishads. These movements included, besides Buddhism, various skeptics (such as Sanjaya Belatthiputta), atomists (such as Pakudha Kaccayana), materialists (such as Ajita Kesakambali), antinomians (such as Purana Kassapa); the most important ones in the 5th century BCE were the Ajivikas, who emphasized the rule of fate, the Lokayata (materialists), the Ajnanas (agnostics) and the Jains, who stressed that the soul must be freed from matter. Many of these new movements shared the same conceptual vocabulary—atman ("Self"), buddha ("awakened one"), dhamma ("rule" or "law"), karma ("action"), nirvana ("extinguishing"), samsara ("eternal recurrence") and yoga ("spiritual practice").[note 24] The shramanas rejected the Veda, and the authority of the brahmans, who claimed they possessed revealed truths not knowable by any ordinary human means. Moreover, they declared that the entire Brahmanical system was fraudulent: a conspiracy of the brahmans to enrich themselves by charging exorbitant fees to perform bogus rites and give useless advice. | Question: Movements were influenced by philosophical thought within the Vedic tradition such as what? Question: The movement included atomists such as what? Question: What is the term for agnostics? Question: What movement focused on the idea that the sould must be freed from matter? |
gq: A particular criticism of the Buddha was Vedic animal sacrifice.[web 18] He also mocked the Vedic "hymn of the cosmic man". However, the Buddha was not anti-Vedic, and declared that the Veda in its true form was declared by "Kashyapa" to certain rishis, who by severe penances had acquired the power to see by divine eyes. He names the Vedic rishis, and declared that the original Veda of the rishis[note 25] was altered by a few Brahmins who introduced animal sacrifices. The Buddha says that it was on this alteration of the true Veda that he refused to pay respect to the Vedas of his time. However, he did not denounce the union with Brahman,[note 26] or the idea of the self uniting with the Self. At the same time, the traditional Hindu itself gradually underwent profound changes, transforming it into what is recognized as early Hinduism. | Question: A criticism the Buddha gave dealing with animals was? Question: The Buddha mocked what hymn of the Vedic? Question: The original Veda of the rishis was altered by a few Brahmins who introduced what? Question: The Buddha refused to pay respect to who, during their time of animal sacrifice? |
gq: Information of the oldest teachings may be obtained by analysis of the oldest texts. One method to obtain information on the oldest core of Buddhism is to compare the oldest extant versions of the Theravadin Pali Canon and other texts.[note 27] The reliability of these sources, and the possibility to draw out a core of oldest teachings, is a matter of dispute.[page needed][page needed][page needed][page needed] According to Vetter, inconsistencies remain, and other methods must be applied to resolve those inconsistencies.[note 28] | Question: What is in dispute regarding the research into the core of the teachings? |
gq: A core problem in the study of early Buddhism is the relation between dhyana and insight. Schmithausen, in his often-cited article On some Aspects of Descriptions or Theories of 'Liberating Insight' and 'Enlightenment' in Early Buddhism notes that the mention of the four noble truths as constituting "liberating insight", which is attained after mastering the Rupa Jhanas, is a later addition to texts such as Majjhima Nikaya 36.[page needed] | Question: A large problem in the study of early Buddhism is the relationship of dhyana and what else? Question: Liberating insight is attained after mastering what? Question: Later edition of texts such as what has the Rupa Jhanas? |
gq: Bruce Matthews notes that there is no cohesive presentation of karma in the Sutta Pitaka, which may mean that the doctrine was incidental to the main perspective of early Buddhist soteriology. Schmithausen is a notable scholar who has questioned whether karma already played a role in the theory of rebirth of earliest Buddhism.[page needed][note 32] According to Vetter, "the Buddha at first sought "the deathless" (amata/amrta), which is concerned with the here and now. According to Vetter, only after this realization did he become acquainted with the doctrine of rebirth." Bronkhorst disagrees, and concludes that the Buddha "introduced a concept of karma that differed considerably from the commonly held views of his time." According to Bronkhorst, not physical and mental activities as such were seen as responsible for rebirth, but intentions and desire. | Question: Bronkhurst says that Buddha had a view of 'what' much different then current day? Question: According the Bronkhorst, intentions and desire are responsible for what? |
gq: According to Tilmann Vetter, the core of earliest Buddhism is the practice of dhyāna. Bronkhorst agrees that dhyana was a Buddhist invention, whereas Norman notes that "the Buddha's way to release [...] was by means of meditative practices." Discriminating insight into transiency as a separate path to liberation was a later development. | Question: What was the earliest Buddhism type? Question: Buddha's way to release was by means of what type of practices? |
gq: According to the Mahāsaccakasutta,[note 33] from the fourth jhana the Buddha gained bodhi. Yet, it is not clear what he was awakened to.[page needed] "Liberating insight" is a later addition to this text, and reflects a later development and understanding in early Buddhism.[page needed][page needed] The mentioning of the four truths as constituting "liberating insight" introduces a logical problem, since the four truths depict a linear path of practice, the knowledge of which is in itself not depicted as being liberating.[note 34] | Question: From which jhana did Buddha gain bodhi? Question: A logic problem arises when noting that the four truths constitute what? Question: The four truths depict what type of path of practice? |
gq: Although "Nibbāna" (Sanskrit: Nirvāna) is the common term for the desired goal of this practice, many other terms can be found throughout the Nikayas, which are not specified.[note 35] | Question: What is the Sanskrit form of Nibbana? Question: The desired goal for buddhism is what? Question: Many terms for Nibbana can be found throughout the what? |
gq: According to Vetter, the description of the Buddhist path may initially have been as simple as the term "the middle way". In time, this short description was elaborated, resulting in the description of the eightfold path. | Question: A description of the Buddhist path may have been as simplistic as what term? Question: The description of buddhism was broadened resulting in what path? |
gq: According to both Bronkhorst and Anderson, the four truths became a substitution for prajna, or "liberating insight", in the suttas in those texts where "liberating insight" was preceded by the four jhanas. According to Bronkhorst, the four truths may not have been formulated in earliest Buddhism, and did not serve in earliest Buddhism as a description of "liberating insight". Gotama's teachings may have been personal, "adjusted to the need of each person." | Question: Authors Bronkhorst and Anderson claim the four truths bacame a substitution for what? Question: What is prajna called in english? Question: Gotamas teachings may have been personal and adjusted to the need of each what? |
gq: The three marks of existence may reflect Upanishadic or other influences. K.R. Norman supposes that the these terms were already in use at the Buddha's time, and were familiair to his hearers. | Question: How many marks of existence reflect Upanishadic influences? |
gq: The history of Indian Buddhism may be divided into five periods: Early Buddhism (occasionally called Pre-sectarian Buddhism), Nikaya Buddhism or Sectarian Buddhism: The period of the Early Buddhist schools, Early Mahayana Buddhism, Later Mahayana Buddhism, and Esoteric Buddhism (also called Vajrayana Buddhism). | Question: The periods of Buddhisma in India is divided into how many periods? Question: What is the first period of Buddhism called? Question: What is another name for Nikaya buddhism? Question: What is the last period of Buddhism? Question: What is Esoteric Buddhism also called? |
gq: Pre-sectarian Buddhism is the earliest phase of Buddhism, recognized by nearly all scholars. Its main scriptures are the Vinaya Pitaka and the four principal Nikayas or Agamas. Certain basic teachings appear in many places throughout the early texts, so most scholars conclude that Gautama Buddha must have taught something similar to the Three marks of existence, the Five Aggregates, dependent origination, karma and rebirth, the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and nirvana. Some scholars disagree, and have proposed many other theories. | Question: Was is the earliest phase of buddhism? Question: Gautama Buddha most likely taught the idea of Karma and what? Question: Gautama buddha taught what Path concept? |
gq: According to the scriptures, soon after the parinirvāṇa (from Sanskrit: "highest extinguishment") of Gautama Buddha, the first Buddhist council was held. As with any ancient Indian tradition, transmission of teaching was done orally. The primary purpose of the assembly was to collectively recite the teachings to ensure that no errors occurred in oral transmission. In the first council, Ānanda, a cousin of the Buddha and his personal attendant, was called upon to recite the discourses (sūtras, Pāli suttas) of the Buddha, and, according to some sources, the abhidhamma. Upāli, another disciple, recited the monastic rules (vinaya). Most scholars regard the traditional accounts of the council as greatly exaggerated if not entirely fictitious.[note 36]Richard Gombrich noted Sariputta led communal recitations of the Buddha's teaching for preservation in the Buddha's lifetime in Sangiti Sutta (Digha Nikaya #33), and something similar to the First Council must have taken place to compose Buddhist scriptures. | Question: Soon after the parinirvana of Gautama Buddha, what type of council was held? Question: Who was cousin of the Buddha? Question: What are the discourses of the Buddha called? Question: Some sources say that discourse of who else were recited along with Buddha's? |
gq: According to most scholars, at some period after the Second Council the Sangha began to break into separate factions.[note 37] The various accounts differ as to when the actual schisms occurred. According to the Dipavamsa of the Pāli tradition, they started immediately after the Second Council, the Puggalavada tradition places it in 137 AN, the Sarvastivada tradition of Vasumitra says it was in the time of Ashoka and the Mahasanghika tradition places it much later, nearly 100 BCE. | Question: The Sangha began to break into separte factions after what council? Question: According to the Dipavamsa they started immediately after what council? Question: The Mahasanghika places the breakup at what time? |
gq: The root schism was between the Sthaviras and the Mahāsāṅghikas. The fortunate survival of accounts from both sides of the dispute reveals disparate traditions. The Sthavira group offers two quite distinct reasons for the schism. The Dipavamsa of the Theravāda says that the losing party in the Second Council dispute broke away in protest and formed the Mahasanghika. This contradicts the Mahasanghikas' own vinaya, which shows them as on the same, winning side. The Mahāsāṅghikas argued that the Sthaviras were trying to expand the vinaya and may also have challenged what they perceived were excessive claims or inhumanly high criteria for arhatship. Both parties, therefore, appealed to tradition. | Question: The Dipavamsa says that the losing party broke away in protest and formed what? Question: The major schism was between the Sthaviras and what other group? Question: The Mahasanghikas argued that the Sthaviras were trying to expand what? |