Example questions for the exam “Buddhism”
- Please shortly discuss some key concepts of the Upaniṣad.
The Upanishad is a part of de Sruti, they are commentaries and extra informations on the
Veda’s. Upanishad means ‘to sit at someone’s feet and listen’, these texts were meant for
teachers and masters, they are religious-philosophical. the most important concepts are:
atman, brahman, karman, rebirth.
Atman: the ‘self’. Brahman manifests in Atman, everyone has the power to know the truth. It’s
the highest principle, but it is also the same as brahman.
Brahman: the origin, everything exists out of and comes back to brahman. Knowledge of the
outside world is unnecessary and everything outside of atman and brahman is an illusion. Your
greatest goal is to let brahman and atman merge together.
Karman: every personal action has a consequence. Rebirth is dependable on karman.
Rebirth: your goal is to stop rebirth, this is possible is you stop your actions. That way you will
not have karma and will stop rebirth.
- What is meant by “reactions against the Vedic traditions”? Who reacted, and against what?
Provide some examples.
In northern and central India around the 1st millennium BC there were economic changes, a lot
of small empires existed. Because of political, economic and social advancements, these small
empires were merged into big empires. the ideas of the Upanishad became known by the elite
of these empires. Because of that the Sramana movement started, which included Jainism,
Buddhism and Ajivika. They reacted because the Vedic tradition did not say everyone could
attain enlightenment, this movement says everyone Is able to attain it. They also taught their
teachings in the native language of the students, in Vedic traditions it wasn’t like that.
- Discuss aspects of the early spread of Buddhism.
the Buddhist places of origin were Kosala, Vaisali, Magadha, Sri Lanka.
Kosala because it is the land of the Sakya, the clan of Buddha.
Vaisali because of the confederation of the Vriji. The most important or the Vriji were the
Licchavi. The king of Maghada married someone of the Licchavi. King Bimbisara took over Vesali
and went to war against the Vriji’s.
Magadha because king Bimbisara placed the capital there. This is the start of the Maurya-
dynasty. The famous king Asoka played a big part in the spread of Buddhism. He turned to
Buddhism to compensate for all the suffering he caused. Everywhere he put Buddhist
architecture and supported Buddhism.
He sent out missionaries to spread Buddhism, like his son that he sent to Sri Lanka and he
made the Theravada school (southern tradition).
- Comment on this image of Sanchi, Stūpa 1. More generally, what is the significance of stūpas?
Relic’s of the Buddha’s body are stored in the Stupa’s. originally there were only 8 relics, but
under the expansion of king Asoka there were 84k relics, because everyone who converted to
Buddhism wanted one. They are important because on the surface we can see stories of
Buddha inscribed into it. The ones inscribed on the Stupa of Sanchi is about the Jataka’s, the
earlier lives of the Buddha. Buddhist art is important for the spread of Buddhism, not everyone
can read, so art and a visual representation of the religion can attract more followers.
, - Shortly explain the impact of King Ashoka on the early development of Buddhism.
King Asoka of the Maurya dynasty was very important for the spread of Buddhism. He turned to
Buddhism to compensate for the misery he caused. He accepted other religions, but supported
Buddhism a lot. He sent missionaries all over the country and further, to spread Buddhism. The
Maurya-dyansty had a great expansion under his leadership, so other regions also came in
contact with Buddhism. He even sent his son to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism. His son was the
start of the Southern tradition of Buddhism, or Theraveda.
- In class we discussed “Southern” and “Northern” traditions of Buddhism. Can you elaborate
on this?
- Shortly discuss the Kuṣāṇa Empire and the significance of the Gandhāra region for the spread
of Buddhism.
- Explain the terms Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Where would you geographically
locate these types of Buddhism?
- Please discuss the terms “Śākyamuni Buddha”, “Pratyekabuddha”, and “arhat”. What can
“bodhisattva” refer to?
- Can you remember some sites / locations important in the life of the Buddha?
park Lumbini: the place where Buddha was born.
Kapilavastu: where his palace was and lived until he was 29 years old. Here he also encountered
the 4 encounters that changed his life.
Bodh Gaya: the place where he sat under the Bodi tree and the attack of Mara. He stayed there
until he found enlightenment.
Varanasi: the place where Buddha had his first sermon, with his 5 monks.
Kusinagara: the place where Buddha died.
- Please explain the term “jātaka”. Can you give some examples?
The Jataka are the tales of the former lives of the Buddha. These are very important because
they discuss the reason why Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha. The stage of becoming a
Buddha is so high, they have to go trough different lives to attain Buddhaship. When going
trough these lives a future Buddha will encounter a living Buddha, that will give the future
Buddha his word that he will become a Buddha. When one has received that word, one
becomes a bodhisattva = someone who searches for enlightenment. So the last life of the
Buddha is a result of karmic effect and the prediction of the former Buddha’s.
The most famous Jataka is the Vessantra jataka. A man who searches enlightenment has a clash
with his father because he gives everything away, even his wife and kids. He wants to break
away from the thirst to material things and this way wants to attain enlightenment.
- Recognize / explain images concerning Buddha’ life (those discussed in class)
- Discuss approaches to the “absence of the Buddha”.
- We have encountered the term “dharma” in various contexts. Please explain!
