PREFACE. This booklet Buddhism for Beginners was written by Bhikkhu Narada, a Sri lankan monk.

Transcription

1 PREFACE This booklet Buddhism for Beginners was written by Bhikkhu Narada, a Sri lankan monk. This book is written by collecting particular answers to respond various good questions, which they are often, ask, and also contains different important definitions on the Teaching of the Buddha. By descrying a huge benefit of this book, I decided with the struggle to translate, from English into Khmer language to satisfy needs of Cambodian Buddhists and our generation children. Meanwhile, they can also be able to read and learn English language at the same time. This translation is not totally avoided from any mistakes. So I hope that all the Buddhist followers and the readers may excuse and

2 rectify me by suitable time. I would dedicate the meritorious deeds in translating this book to my parents as they both are the noble birth-giver and to all Buddhist disciples! 12 December 2008 Venerable CHAN SOCHUN Buddhist student of Kelaniya University Sri-Lanka

3 PREFACE Contents Page BUDDHISM FOR BEGINNERS PART I Life of the Buddha... 1 The Birth of Prince Siddhartha... 1 A Sage visits Him... 5 Name-Given Ceremony... 7 Ploughing Festival... 8 His Childhood His Married Life Renunciation Struggle for Enlightenment Seeking the Truth Attainment of Buddhahood THE LIFE OF THE BUDDAH PART II Soon after the Enlightenment The Buddha Teaches the Dhamma The First Sermon The Sixth Arahant... 52

4 The Buddha s Ministry The First Two Chief Disciples The Buddha visits His Birthplace The Buddha s Supporters The Buddha s Parinibbāna THE DHAMMA PART III How One Becomes a Buddhist The Three Refuges The Five Precepts Homage to the Buddha... 86

5 Buddhism For Beginners 1 BUDDHISM FOR BEGINNERS PART I The Life of the Buddha 1.Q. What is your religion? A. My religion is Buddhism. 2.Q. What is Buddhism? A. Buddhism is the Teaching of Buddha. 3.Q. Who is the Buddha? A. The Buddha is the All-knowing One. The Birth of Prince Siddhartha 4.Q. What was the Buddha s name? A. His name was Siddhartha Gotama.

6 Buddhism For Beginners 2 5.Q. Who was he? A. He was a Sakya prince. 6.Q. Who was his father? A. His father was King Suddhodana. 7.Q. Who was his mother? A. His mother was Queen Mahā Māyā. 8.Q. When was he born? A. He was born in 623 B.C. on Vesak full moon day of May. 9.Q. Where was he born? A. He was born in the Lumbini Park at Kapilavatthu on the borders of Nepal.

7 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What happened to the mother after his birth? A. The mother died seven days after his birth. 11. Q. Where was she born? A. She was born in Tusita Heaven. 12. Q. Who brought up the prince? A. His mother s younger sister, Mahā Pajāpati Gotami, brought him up. 13. Q. Was she also married to King Suddhodana? A. Yes, she was also married to King Suddhodana.

8 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Had she any children? A. Yes, she had a son named Nanda and a daughter named Sundari. 15.Q. Were the people happy over the birth of prince Siddhartha? A. Yes, the people were very happy. 16. Q. Did wonderful things on his birthday? A. Yes, many wonderful things happened on his happy birthday. 17. Q. Can you mention any wonderful event? A. The baby prince walked on seven lotuses. 18. Q. Did he say anything? A. He said, Aggo hamasmi lokassa... and so forth.

9 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What is the meaning of those Pali words? A. Their meaning is, Chief am I in this world. 20. Q. Why did he say so? A. Because he would become a Buddha later. 21. Q. Was the prince a simple child? A. No. he was a wonderful child. A Sage visits Him 22.Q. Did any great person come to see this infant prince? A. A great sage named Asita, also called Kāla Devila, came to the palace to see him. 23. Q. What did the king do? A. The king brought the child to pay him due respect.

10 Buddhism For Beginners Q. So, what happened? A. The prince s feet turned and rested on the matted locks of the sage. 25. Q. Was the sage displeased at this? A. No, he at once rose from his seat and saluted him joined hands. 26. Q. Why did he do so? A. Because he knew that the prince would become a Buddha in the future. 27. Q. What did the royal father do? A. He also saluted him in the same way. 28. Q. Was there any change in the sage? A. The sage at first smiled and then wept.

11 Buddhism For Beginners 7 29.Q. Why did he smile? A. He smiled because the prince would become a Buddha. 30. Q. Why did he weep? A. He wept because he would not be able to see the Buddha. Name-Given Ceremony 31. Q. What happened on the fifth day after the birth of the Prince? A. The king invited many learned Brahmins to name the prince. 32.Q. How was he prince named? A. He was named Siddhartha which means wishfulfilled.

12 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did those Brahmins foretell anything? A. Seven of them raised two fingers and said that the prince would either become a Universal Monarch or a Buddha. 34. Q. What did the youngest Kondañña say? A. The youngest Kondañña raised one finger and said that he would surely become a Buddha. 35. Q. Why was he called Gotama? A. Because Gotama was his family name. Ploughing Festival 36. Q. Did anything wonderful take place in his childhood? A. A strange thing took place at a Ploughing Festival.

13 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What was this Ploughing Festival? A. On a festival day, the king with the baby prince and his nurses and many others went to the field to plough. 38. Q. Where was the prince placed? A. He was placed on a couch under a rose apple tree. 39. Q. Who was watching him? A. The nurses were watching him. Later they also went aside to see the Ceremony. 40. Q. What did he the prince do when he was thus left alone? A. The thoughtful prince sat meditating on the couch. 41.Q. Was it a strange thing? A. It was certainly a very strange thing for a little child.

14 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What did the king do, seeing this strange sight? A. The king was so pleased that he saluted him, saying this, dear child, is my second salutation. His Childhood 43. Q. Was the prince happy? A. The prince was very happy as a royal child. 44. Q. Did he receive a good education? A. Yes, he was even better than his teachers. 45. Q. Was he skilled in arts too? A. Being a son of the warrior race, he was specially trained in the art of warfare. 46. Q. Was he an obedient boy? A. He was a very obedient and good boy.

15 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Was he kind? A. He was kind to all, especially to poor animals. 48. Q. Was he sorrowful? A. Never, but he was very thoughtful. His Married Life 49. Q. What happened to the princess at the age of sixteen? A. He married his beautiful cousin princess Yasodharā. 50. Q. Why did he marry at such and early age? A. Because it was the custom in ancient India.

16 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Who was Yasodharā? A. She was the daughter of his father s sister, Pamitā. 52. Q. who was her father? A. Her father was king Suppabuddha. 53. Q. Had she any brothers? A. She had one brother named Devadatta. 54. Q. What was her age when she married? A. She was also sixteen. 55. Q. Mention some others of the same age. A. Kāludāyi, Channa and Kanthaka. 56. Q. What was the tree that sprang up on the prince s birthday? A. The Bodhi Tree at Buddha Gaya.

17 Buddhism For Beginners Q. How did the prince marry Yasodharā? A. By showing his skill in the art of warfare. 58. Q. Did the prince and princess lead a happy married life? A. They led a very happy married life because they agreed with each other in every way. 59. Q. How many palaces had they? A. They had three palaces for the three seasons. 60. Q. What did the prince do after the marriage? A. He was merely enjoying worldly pleasures, living within the palace. 61. Q. What happened as times passed by? A. The prince always used to think alone.

18 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Had he any worries? A. No. he felt pity for all beings. 63. Q. What did he think? A. He thought that he would get old, fall ill and death. 64. Q. What happened one day when he visited the park? A. He saw four strange sights. 65. Q. What are they? A. An old man, a sick person, a corpse, and a noble hermit. 66.Q. Was the prince changed on seeing them? A. The prince was greatly changed and he understood the nature of life.

19 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What did he think? A. He thought of leaving the world in search of Truth and peace. 68. Q. Did he receive any happy news when he was in the park? A. He was informed that a son was born unto him. 69. Q. Was he glad to hear the news? A. He was not. He regarded his first and only son as a fetter. 70. Q. What did he say? A. He said Rāhu jato, a fetter has arisen. 71. Q. Hearing it, how did King Suddhodana name his grandson? A. He named him Rāhula.

20 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What happened on his way home? A. A young lady named Kisa Gotami seeing him uttered: Nibbutā nuna sā mātā Nibbuto nūna so pitā Nibbutā nūna sā nāri Yassā yam idisō pati. 73. Q. What does this verse mean? A. Peaceful is the mother Peaceful is the father Peaceful is the wife Who has such a husband as he. 74. Q. Had this saying any effect on him? A. Yes, he was urged to seek peace.

21 Buddhism For Beginners Q. How did he show his gratitude to the lady? A. By sending his necklace as present to her. Renunciation 76.Q. Returning home, what did he think? A. He thought of leaving the world to seek truth and peace. 77. Q. At midnight what did he do? A. He went to the room of Yasodharā. He opened the door and stood at the threshold. 78. Q. Did he kiss the child? A. No, he gazed at his wife and child who were fast asleep.

22 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did he love them? A. He loved them deeply as he loved all. 80. Q. Why did he want to leave those dear ones? A. Because he pitied them and all others. 81. Q. Out of love for the world what did prince Siddhartha do? A. Without even informing his beloved father, he left the palace at midnight. 82. Q. How did he leave? A. With Channa, his charioteer, he rode into the dark on his favorite horse Kanthaka.

23 Buddhism For Beginners Q. In what year did he renounce the world? A. He renounced the world in his 29 th year. 84. Q. Where did he go? A. He went far, crossing the river Anomā and rested on its bank. 85. Q. What did he do to his garments? A. The prince removed his garment and handed them over to Channa. 86. Q. What did say to Channa? A. He said friend Channa, take these garments and the horse, and go home, I shall ordain myself 87. Q. Did Channa also want to join him? A. Yes, but prince Siddhartha did not allow him to do so.

24 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What happened to the horse? A. The horse died out of grief and was born in Tāvatimsa heaven. 89.Q. How did the prince ordain himself? A. With his sword he shaved his head and beard, and wearing yellow robes. He became a monk. 90.Q. Who gave him to the robes? A. A former friend of his, named Ghatikāra Mahā Brahma. 91.Q. Did he get only the robes? A. No, he received all the eight Requisites of the monk. 92. Q. What is the Pali word for the Requisites? A. Attha Parikkhāra is the Pali word. 93.Q. Mention the eight Requisites? A. They are: the double robe, the upper robe, the under robe, bowl, knife, needle, belt, and the strainer.

25 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Was Siddhartha any more a prince? A. No, he became a penniless wandering ascetic. 95.Q. Was he known by another name? A. He was called Bodhisattva. 96.Q. What is the meaning of Bodhisattva? A. Bodhisattva means a wise-being. It is the name given to one who is trying to become a Buddha. 97. Q. Had the Bodhisattva a place to live? A. He had no fixed abode. He was living in caves or at the foot of trees. 98. Q. How was he supported? A. He lived on alms given by the charitable.

26 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What kind of the life was he leading? A. Alone he was leading a pure simple life seeking truth and peace. Struggle for Enlightenment 100.Q. What did the Bodhisattva do after his ordination? A. He spent fasting a week in the Anupiya Mango Grove enjoying the bliss of solitude. 101.Q. What did he do on the eight day? A. With bowl in hand, eyes cast down; he went from door to door, in the streets of Rājagraha seeking alms. 102.Q. Was it a strange sight to the people? A. The people and the king Bimbisāra were amazed at the sight of such a noble figure seeking alms in the city.

27 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What was the king s order? A. The king ordered the people to go and see who he was. 104.Q. What did the Bodhisattva do after seeking alms? A. After getting enough food to eat he went to the Pandava rock. 105.Q. What did Bodhisattva feel when he saw the food? A. It seems as if his bowels gushed out to the mouth on seeing this mixed food which he had never seen. 106.Q. Did he eat the food? A. He advised himself and ate the food.

28 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What happened when the messengers reported this matter to the king? A.The king hurried to the scene, and offered him his kingdom. 108.Q. Did he accept it? A. No, he refused and said that he was intent on Buddhahood. 109.Q. Was the king displeased? A. The king was pleased to hear his lofty objects. 110.Q. What did the king say? A. He invited him to visit his kingdom first after his Buddhahood.

29 Buddhism For Beginners 25 Seeking the Truth 111.Q. How did he seek truth? A. He went at the first to a well-known ascetic named Ālāra Kālāma and studied his doctrine. 112.Q. Was he pleased with Ālāra Kālāma s system? A. He was not pleased with Ālāra s system because he taught him up to a certain mental stage only. 113.Q. Did he leave him? A. As he did not get what he sought; he went to another famous ascetic named Uddaka Rāmaputta. 114.Q. Was he pleased with the system of his second teacher? A. He was not pleased with Uddaka s system too as he also taught him up to a still higher mental stage.

30 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Why was he not satisfied with their system? A. Because he was seeking Nibbāna, the end of all suffering. 116.Q. Was he therefore discouraged? A. He was not discouraged though he met with disappointment. He made up his mind to find out the truth for himself. 117.Q. Which place did he choose for his meditation? A. He chose Uruvelā, a beautiful quiet spot. 118.Q. Who attended on him during his search for truth? A. Five monks named Kondañña, Bhaddiya, Vappa, Māhānāma and Assaji attended on him.

31 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Who was Kondañña? A. He was the youngest Brahmin who fore-told his future on the name giving day. 120.Q. Who were the others? A. They were the sons of four other Brahmins who were present on that occasion. 121.Q. How long did the Bodhisatta struggle to gain Buddhahood? A. He struggled for six long years. 122.Q. How did he strive to gain Buddhahood? A. He did many penances. He underwent much suffering. He practiced many forms of severe austerity. He tormented his body so much that his body was reduced to almost a skeleton.

32 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What happened to his delicate body? A. His golden colored skin turned pale. His blood dried up. His eyes were sunk. He was almost on the verge of death. 124.Q. Who approached him at this stage? A. Māra, the Evil One, approached him. 125.Q. What did Māra say? A. Māra said: You are lean. Near to you is death. Live, O good sir, life is better. Living you could perform merit. 126.Q. What was the Bodhisattva s reply? A. He replied: O Evil One, you have come for your own sake. I need no merit. I care not for life I am intent on Buddhahood.

33 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did the Bodhisattva tell Mara who his army was? A. He said that Mara s army consisted of ten kinds of passions Q. Did Māra success in tempting the Bodhisattva? A. No, he went away disappointed. Attainment of Buddhahood 129. Q. Did the Bodhisatta change his method? A. He changed his method as his penances proved useless Q. What new path did he adopt? A. He gave up extremes and adopted the Middle Path (Majjhimā Patipadā).

34 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did he think that he could not gain Buddha hood with a weak body? A. He thought that he needed strength to gain Buddhahood. So, he gave up fasting and ate some food Q. Were the five monks pleased at this change of method? A. The five monks were disappointed, and went to Isipatana leaving him alone Q. Was he discouraged? A. No, he had an iron-will. He was happy that he was alone Q. What happened one day as he was seated under a banyan tree? A. A generous lady named Sujātā offered him some milk rice.

35 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did this food give him any strength? A. Yes, he felt strong and made a firm resolve not to rise from his seat until he gained Buddhahood Q. Under which tree was he seated? A. He sat under the famous Bodhi tree at Buddha Gayā Q. Why is it called the Bodhi tree? A. It is called the Bodhi tree because the Bodhisatta gained Buddhahood under that tree Q. What happened in the first watch of the night? A. He gained the knowledge by which he was able to remember past lives Q. What knowledge did he gain in the middle watch? A. He obtained the Divine Eye by which he was able to see the death and rebirth of beings.

36 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What happened in the last watch? A. He destroyed all passion, understood the Four Noble Truths and became Sammā Sambuddha Q. What do you mean by Samma Sambuddha? A. Samma Sambuddha means Fully Enlightened or Awakened One Q. What is the First Noble Truth? A. The First Noble Truth is suffering Q. What is the Second Noble Truth? A. The Second Noble Truth is the cause of suffering Q. What is the cause of suffering? A. The cause of suffering is craving Q. What is the Third Noble Truth? A. The Third Noble Truth is the End of suffering Q. What is the end of suffering? A. The end of suffering is Nibbana.

37 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What is the Fourth Noble Truth? A. The Fourth Noble Truth is the path leading to the End of Suffering Q. On what day did the Bodhisatta gain his Enlightenment? A. On the Vesak Full moon day of May Q. In which year did he become a Buddha? A. He became a Buddha in his 35 th year Q. How was he named after his Enlightenment? A. He was named the Buddha Gotama Q Can you also become a Buddha? A Yes, we all can become Buddhas Q. Were there Buddhas in the past? A. There were many Buddhas in the past?

38 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Will there be Buddhas in the future? A. There will be many Buddhas in the future Q. What will be the name of the future Buddha? A. Metteyya (Maitreya) will be the name of the future Buddha. 3

39 Buddhism For Beginners 35 THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA PART II Soon after the Enlightenment 1.Q. What did the Buddha utter soon after his Enlightenment? A. He uttered an Utter of Joy (Udāna). * 2.Q. Recite his first Paean of Joy? A. Thro many a birth in Samsara wandered I, Seeking, but not finding, the builder of this house. Sorrowful is repeated birth. O housebuilder! Thou art seen. Thou shall build no house again. All thy rafters are broken, thy ridgepole is shattered. The mind attains the unconditioned. Achieved is the end of craving. ** * Udāna in Pali: Anekajāti samsāram saddhāvissam anibbisam Gahakāram gavesanto dukkhā jāti punappunam Gahakāraka dittho si puna geham na kāhasi Sabbā te phāsukā bhaggā gahakotam visamkhitam Visamkhāragatam cittam tanhānam khayam ajjhagāti.

40 Buddhism For Beginners 36 3.Q. How did the Buddha live soon after the Enlightenment? A. The Buddha fasted for seven weeks. ** 4.Q. Did he feel hungry? A. No, he was enjoying Nibbanic bliss. 5.Q. How did he spend the first week? A.Throughout the first week he sat under the Bodhi tree enjoying the Bliss of Freedom. 6.Q. What did he do on the seventh day? A. He meditated on the Wheel of Life 7.Q. How did he spend the second week? A. He stood at a certain distance gazing at the Bodhi tree with motionless eyes. 8.Q. Why did he do so? A. He did so as a mark of gratitude to the tree. ** Christ fasted for forty days.

41 Buddhism For Beginners 37 9.Q. In what way was the Bobbhi tree helpful to the Buddha? A. The tree only gave Him shelter during his struggle for Buddhahood. 10. Q. What was the first lesson the Buddha taught to the world? A. The great lesson of Gratitude. 11. Q. How did he spend the third week? A. He walked up and down a jeweled promenade (Ratana Camkamana). 12. Q. How did he spend the fourth week? A. Sitting in a chamber, he meditated on the higher Dhamma (Abhidhamma). 13. Q. How did he spend the fifth week? A He sat under the Ajapāla Banyan tree.

42 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Who came to tempt him at this time? A. Three daughters of Māra came to tempt him. 15. Q. Mention their names? A. Tanhā, Arati and Rāga. 16. Q. Could they be passions? A. They cannot be passions because this happened after enlightenment. 17. Q. Where did he spend the sixth week? A. Under the Mujalinda tree. 18. Q. What happened during this week? A. It rained heavily and a serpent king sheltered him. 19. Q. What happened on the 50 th day? A. Two merchants named Tapussa and Bhallika offered him dried flour and honey. ** On the spot where the Buddha stood a Cetiya has been erected by King Dharmasoka. This was named Animisalocana Cetiya and is still to be seen.

43 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What did they do after the Dāna? A. They sought refuge in the Buddha and Dhamma. 21. Q. How did they seek refuge? A. By reciting Buddham saranam gacchāmi, Dhammam saranam gacchāmi. 22. Q. Why didn t they seek refuge in the Sangha? A. Because there was no Sangha then. 23. Q. Did they want anything from the Buddha? A. Yes, they wanted something to worship. 24. Q. What did the Buddha give them? A. The Buddha touched his head and gave them some hair relic.

44 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Where are they enshrined now? A. They are enshrined in the Shve Dagon Pagoda in Rangoon. 26. Q. Who were the first Upāsakas of the Buddha? A. Tapassu and Bhallika were the first Upāsakas. 27. Q. Who is an Upāsaka? A. An Upāsaka is a lay follower of the Buddha. The Buddha Teaches the Dhamma 28. Q. What did the Buddha think of his Dhamma? A. He thought how deep his Dhamma was and how hard it would be for people to understand. 29. Q. Who appeared before him then? A. Brahma Sahampati appeared before him and invited him to preach the Dhamma.

45 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did he find people who could understand him? A. With his Divine Eye he looked and saw there were people who could understand the Dhamma. 31.Q. To whom did the Buddha think of teaching the Dhamma first? A. To Ālāra Kālāma who was his first teacher. 32. Q. Did he preach to him? A. No, he understood that he died seven days. 33. Q. Of whom did he think next? A. He thought of Uddaka Rāmaputta who was his second teacher. 34. Q. What had happened to him? A. The Buddha understood that he had also died in the evening before.

46 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Finally of whom did the Buddha think? A. He thought of the five monks who attended on him. 36. Q. Where were they staying then? A. They were staying at Isipatana, in Benares. 37. Q. What were their names? A. Kondañña, Bhaddiya, Vappa, Mahānāma and Assaji. 38. Q. Did the Buddha go to see them? A. Out of compassion the Buddha went to see them. 39. Q. Did he meet any person on the way? A. He met one Upaka, a wandering ascetic. 40. Q. What did Upaka ask the Buddha? A. He asked who the Buddha s teacher was. 41. Q. What was the Buddha s reply? A. The Buddha replied that he had no teacher.

47 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Why were not Ālāra Kālāma and Uddaka Rāmaputta his teacher? A. They were his teachers before his Enlightenment. For Buddha hood he had no teachers. 43. Q. What did the five monks think seeing the Buddha from afar? A. They thought not to give him due respect as he had given up striving. 44. Q. What happened as the Buddha drew near? A. They could not refrain from give him due respect. 45. Q. How did they address the Buddha? A. They addressed him Āvuso Gotama.

48 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What did the Buddha say? A. The Buddha advised them not to call him thus as he was a Buddha. 47. Q. Did they believe his word? A. They did not believe him thought the Buddha said so for the second and third time. 48. Q. What did the Buddha say then? A. The Buddha asked them-do you know, O Bhikkus, that I ever spoke to you thus before. 49. Q. Was the Buddha able to convince them? A. Yes, he was able to convince them.

49 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did they get ready to hear the Dhamma? A. Yes, they sat patiently to hear the Dhamma. The First Sermon 51. Q. What was the name of the Buddha s first sermon? A. Dhammacakka Sutta. 52. Q. What does Dhammacakka mean? A. It means the establishment of wisdom, or the wheel of truth. 53. Q. On what day was this sermon preached? A. On this Asalha (Esala-July) Full moon day. 54. Q. Where did the Buddha preach this sermon? A. At the Deer Park, in Isipatana, near Benares. 55. Q. Who were present to hear the sermon? A. Among human beings the five monks.

50 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Who else were present? A. We are told that there were many Devas and Brahmas. 57. Q. How did the Buddha start the sermon? A. By advising the monks to give up two extremes. 58. Q. What were those two extremes? A. The enjoyment of sensual pleasures, and the torments of the body (Self- indulgence and self mortification). 59. Q. Should all give up pleasures? A. No, this advice was given to those who had given up the world. 60. Q. Why did the Buddha say about the tormenting of the body?

51 Buddhism For Beginners 47 A. Because people believed in useless penances to gain purity. 61. Q. Did these five monks believe in these penances? A. Yes, they had a great faith in them. 62. Q. Did the Buddha also go to these extremes? A. Yes, as a prince he enjoyed sensual pleasures. As an ascetic he practiced many penances. 63. Q. What was the path discovered by the Buddha? A. He discovered the Middle Path. 64. Q. What is the Pali word for Middle Path? A. Majjhima Patipadā. 65 Q. Why did the Buddha give up these extremes? A. Because they were not profitable.

52 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What is this Middle Path? A. It is the Noble eightfold path. 67. Q. To what does this Middle path lead? A. It leads to Nibbana. 68. Q. Mention the first two members of the Eightfold Path? A. Right understanding (Sammā Ditthi) and Right thoughts (Sammā Samkappa). 69. Q. Mention the second three? A. Right speech (Sammā Vācā), Right action (Sammā kammantā), and Right Livelihood (Sammā Ājivo). 70. Q. Mention the last three? A. Right effort (Sammā Vāyāma), Right mindfulness (Sammā Sati) and Right Concentration (Sammā Sammādhi). 71. Q. What else did the Buddha teach in his first discourse? A. He taught the four Noble Truths. 72. Q. What are they? A. Sorrow, its cause, its end, and the way to its end.

53 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What did the Buddha say with regard to them? A. He said that light arose in things which he had not heard before. 74. Q. What is the cause of sorrow? A. Craving is the cause of sorrow. 75. Q. What is the end of sorrow? A. Nibbana is the end of sorrow. 76. Q. When did the Buddha say that he was an Enlightened One? A. Only after he understood these four truths. 77. Q. What happened at the end of the discourse? A. Kondañña understood the Dhamma and became a Sotāpanna.

54 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What do you mean by a Sotāpanna? A. One who has attained the first stage of Sainthood It means a stream-winner, one who has seen Nibbanā for the first time. 79. Q. What did the Devas and Brahmas do? A. They all shouted Sādhu, Sādhu! 80. Q. Did anything strange happen? A. Yes, a very bright light appeared in the world. 81. Q. Why happened to the other four monks? A. They also became Sotāpanna later. 82. Q. Did they become Arahants? A. They became Arahattas after hearing Anattalakkhana Sutta.

55 Buddhism For Beginners Q. With what does this Sutta deal? A. It deals with No-Soul. 84. Q. What do you mean by an Arahant? A. An Arahant means a Worthy One. 3

56 Buddhism For Beginners 52 The Sixth Arahant 85. Q. Who was the sixth disciple of the Buddha? A. Yasa, a rich man s son was his sixth disciple. 86. Q. How was he converted? A. Disliking the world, he ran away from his house at night without informing any. Meeting the Buddha, he heard the Dhamma and became an Arahant. 87. Q. What happened to his father? A. His father became the first lay follower (Upāsaka) who sought refuge in the Triple Gem. 88. Q. What happened to his mother and wife? A. They became the Buddha s first Upāsikā who sought refuge in the Triple Gem.

57 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Had Yasa any friend? A. He had fifty four noble friends. 90. Q. Were they also converted? A. Yes, they too heard the Dhamma and became Arahats. 91. Q. How many Arahats were there in the world then besides the Buddha? A. There were altogether sixty Arahats in the world. 92. Q. Did the Buddha found any new order? A. With these sixty Arahats the Buddha founded the noble order of the Sangha. 93. Q. What was the Buddha s advice to them? A. Go forth, O Bhikkhus, for the good of the many, Preach the Dhamma for the happiness of the many, Proclaim the Holy Life.

58 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What did these first missioners do? A. They went alone in various directions to preach the Dhamma. 95. Q. What did the Buddha do? A. The Buddha also went alone on foot to preach his new Dhamma. The Buddha s Ministry 96. Q. How long did the Buddha s ministry last? A. Forty-five years. 97. Q. Was his ministry a success? A. His ministry was the most successful and longest of all the religious teachers. 98. Q. What was the cause of his success? A. His noble personality, the greatness of the Dhamma, and the methods used to teach the Dhamma.

59 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Had he many supporters? A. Yes, he had many supporters like King Kosala, King Bimbisāra, Anāthapindika, and Visakhā Q. Had he any opponents? A. Yes, Devadatta. His own cousin and pupil, was his chief opponent Q. Had he any opposition? A. Yes, he had opposition from rival sects, but he faced them bravely Q. Whose kingdom did the Buddha visit first? A. The kingdom of King Bimbisāra

60 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What did the Buddha preach there? A. The Buddha preached the Mahā Nārada Kassapa Jātaka Q. Was the king converted? A. Yes, the king became a Sotāpanna Q. Did the king make any offering? A. The king offered the Bamboo Grove (Veluvanarama) to the Buddha and the Sangha. The First Two Chief Disciples 106. Q. Who were the Buddha s first two chief disciples? A. Venerable Sāriputta and Moggallāna Q. Who was sāriputta? A. He was the son of a Brahmin lady named Sāri Q. Had he another name? A. His other name was Upatissa.

61 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Who was Moggallāna? A. He was the son of a Brahmin lady named Moggalli Q. Had he another name? A. His other name was Kolita Q. What did these two friends, Sāriputta and Moggallāna do? A. They realized the vanity of worldly pleasure and wanted to seek peace Q. To whom did they go first? A. They went to a teacher named Sañjaya Q. Were they pleased with his teaching? A. No, dissatisfied with his teaching they left him Q. Whom did Sariputta meet later? A. He met Arahant Assaji.

62 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did he preach the Dhamma to him? A. Yes, he preached on the law of cause and effect Q. Recite the verse he preached. Of things that proceed from a cause. A. Their cause that Tathāgata has told, and also their cessation: thus teaches The Great Ascetic. * 117. Q. Was Sāriputta able to understand the Dhamma? A. On hearing the first two lines, he became a Sotāpanna Q. What happened to Moggallāna? A. When Sāriputta went and repeated the verse to Moggallāna he also became a Sotapanna. * Ye dhammā hetuppabhavā tesam hetum tathāgato Tesañca yo nirodhoca evam vādi mahāsamanoti.

63 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did they go to see the Buddha later? A. Yes, they saw the Buddha and after hearing the Dhamma from him, they attained Arahantship Q. Did they make any request? A. They requested the Buddha to admit them into the Order Q. How were they admitted? A. By the mere words- Ehi Bhikkhave Come O bhikkhus Q. What positions were they given in the order? A. The Buddha made Arahant Sāriputta his first chief disciple, and Arahant Moggallāna his second chief disciple.

64 Buddhism For Beginners 60 The Buddha visits His Birthplace 123. Q. Did the Buddha visit his birthplace? A. The Buddha visited his birthplace as desired by his father Q. Who urged him to do so? A. The Minister Kāludāyi, who was a play-mate of the Buddha Q. How long did the Buddha take to walk to Kapilavatthu? A. As he went preaching the Dhamma on the way it took two months Q. Did the elderly Sakyas give him due respect? A. No, they were proud and they put forward younger ones to salute him.

65 Buddhism For Beginners Q. How did the Buddha overcome their pride? A. By rising into the sky and showing the Twin Wonder (Yamaka Patihāriya) Q. What is the Twin Wonder? A. By his mental powers the Buddha made water and fire issue from the pores of his body at the same time Q. Seeing the wonder, what did the king do? A. He saluted him at once saying that it was his third salutation Q. What did the other Sakyas do then? A. They also paid him due respect.

66 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What was the name of the Jātaka the Buddha preached to his relative? A. Vessantara Jātaka Q. What did the Buddha do on the day after his arrival? A. With bowl in hand he went from house to house seeking alms in the streets of Kapilavatthu Q. Hearing that he was seeking alms, what did the king do? A. The king went up to him and asked him why he was disgracing him thus Q. What was the Buddha s reply? A. The Buddha replied that it was the custom of the Buddhas Q. Did the king see the light of truth? A. The king at first became a Sotāpanna. Then he became a Sakadāgāmi. Hearing the Dhammapāla Jātaka, he became an Anāgami. On his death-bed he became an Arahant.

67 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What do you mean by Sakadāgāmi? A. Sakadāgāmi means once-returner. He who attains this second stage of Sainthood is born in this world only once Q. What do you mean by Anāgāmi? A. Anāgāmi means a Never- returner. He who attains this third stage of Sainthood is no more reborn in this world. After death he is born in the pure Abodes till he attains Arahantaship.* 138. Q. What do you mean by Arahant? A. Arahant means a worthy one. He who attains this fourth stage of Sainthood is no more reborn anywhere. After death he attains Parinibbāna. * Suddhāvās

68 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did princess Yasodharā come to salute the Buddha? A. She thought, surely if there is any virtue in me, the noble Lord himself will come to see me, and then I will pay my respect Q. Did the Buddha go to see her? A. Out of compassion the Buddha went to see her Q. What did she do, seeing the Buddha? A. She clasped his ankles, and placing her head on his feet, respected him as she liked Q. What did king Suddhodana say about her? A. He praised her and told the Buddha about her loyalty.

69 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did she enter order? A. She later entered the order and became an Arahanti Q. What happened to his step-brother Nanda? A. He also entered the Order and became an Arahat Q. Seeing the Buddha. What did prince Rāhula do? A. As advised by the mother, he went up to the Buddha and asked for his inheritance Q. Did Rāhula say anything? A. He said: O ascetic, even your shadow is pleasing to me Q. What was his age then? A. He was only seven years old.

70 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did he enter the Order? A. He was admitted into the order at seven. Later he became an Arahanta Q. Who was Ānanda? A. He was a cousin of the Buddha Q. Did he join the order? A. He joined the order and became a Sotāpanna Q. What position did he hold in the order? A. He became the Treasurer of the Dhamma. He was also the favorite attended of the Buddha Q. When did he attain Arahantship? A. He attained Arahantship after the Death of the Buddha Q. Did he do any important thing? A. He rehearsed the Dhamma at the first Council.

71 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did he do any service to women? A. He pleaded for the establishment of the Order of nuns Q. Who was Devadatta? A. Devadatta was the cousin and brother-in law of the Buddha Q. What can you say of his life? A. He joined the order and was at first a good Bhikkhu. Later he became the greatest enemy of the Buddha Q. What did he do to the Buddha? A. He tried to kill the Buddha Q. What was his end? A. Owing to his evil deeds he was born in a woeful state.

72 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What will be his future state? A. He will become a Pacceka Buddha named Satissarā Q. What happened to Mahā Pajāpati Gotami? A. After the death of king Suddhodana, she joined the order of nuns and became an Arahantī Q. Who requested the Buddha to form the Order of nuns? A. Mahā Pajāpati Gotami Q. Who were the two chief disciples in the order of nuns? A. Khemā and Uppulavannā were the two chief female disciples Q. Who founded the first society for women? A. The Buddha founded the first society for women.

73 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Does the Order of nuns still exist? A. The Order of nuns is extinct now. The Buddha s Supporters 165. Q. Who helped the Buddha to make his mission a success? A. Kings and millionaires helped him Q. Who were his Royal Patrons? A. King Bimbisāra, King Kosala, King Ajātasattu Q. Who was his chief male supporter (dāyaka)? A. Anāthapindika the millionaire Q. Did he offer the Buddha a monastery? A. He offered Jetavanārāma.

74 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Who was his chief female supporter (dāyikā)? A. Visākhā, a very generous lady Q. What was the name of the temple she offered? A. Pubbārāma. 171.Q. In which monasteries did the Buddha spend most of his time? A. In Jetavanārāma and Pubbārāma at Sāvatthī Q. Are their ruins still to be seen? A. Their ruins could still be seen at Sahet- Mahet. The Buddha s Parinibbāna 173. Q. What was the Buddha s last advice? A. Strive with diligence.

75 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Mention it in Pali? A. Appamādena Sampādetha Q. What did the Buddha say with regard to the best form of worship? A. The Buddha said: he honors me best who practices my teaching best Q. Who gave the Buddhas last meal? A. Cunda the smith Q. What were the most meritorious meals given to the Buddha? A. The first meal before he became a Buddha and the last meal before he passed away Q. Who the Buddha s last convert? A. The ascetic Subhadda was the last convert.

76 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Did the Buddha appoint a successor before he passed away? A. No, he advised his disciples to regard his teaching as their teacher. 180.Q. How did the Buddha pass away? A. He attained to the jhāna and passed away without any sorrow. 181.Q. Where did the Buddha pass away? A. The Buddha passed away at Kusinārā. 182.Q. In which year did he pass away? A. In his 80 th year Q. On what full moon day? A. On the Vesak full moon day. 184.Q. How many years before Christ did the Buddha pass away? A. 543 years before Christ.

77 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Can we see the Buddha today? A. Yes, the Buddha said: he who sees the Dhamma sees me Q. What was done to his sacred body? A. His sacred body was cremated one week after his death Q. What happened to his relics? A. They were distributed among his distinguished followers Q. Are these relics still to be seen? A. Yes, the Tooth Relic is still to be seen at the Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka Q. Did any important even take place after the cremation? A. Three months after the cremation the first Council was held to recite the Dhamma and the Vinaya of the Buddha.

78 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Where was this Council held? A. This Council was held at Rājagraha Q. Who presided at the first Council? A. Arahant Kassapa Q. Who were chosen to recite the Vinaya and the Dhamma? A. Arahant Upāli for Vinaya and Arahant Ānanda for Dhamma Q. Why was this Council held? A. In order that the Teaching of the Buddha may last long in all its purity Q. What is the Pali word for the whole Teaching of the Buddha? A. Tipitaka, which means three Baskets.

79 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Does this Tipitaka still exist? A. Yes, the Tipitaka still exists in its purity Q. When was the Tipitaka first written? A. The Tipitaka was first written in Sri Lanka about 80 B.C Q. What is the first Pitaka? A. The first is the Vinaya Pitaka the Basket of Discipline Q. What is the second Pitaka? A. The second is the Sutta Pitaka- the Basket of Discourses Q. What is the third Pitaka? A. The third is the Basket of Ultimate things- Abhidhamma Pitaka Q. How big is the Tipitaka? A. It is about eleven times the size of the Bible.

80 Buddhism For Beginners 76 THE DHAMMA PART III How One Becomes a Buddhist 1.Q. How does one become a Buddhist? A. One becomes a Buddhist by taking the Three Refuges. 2.Q What are the Tree Refuges? A.Tree Refuges are Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha 3.Q. What is the Pali word of the Three Refuges? A. Tisarana is the Pali word of the Three Refuges. 4.Q. Who is the Buddha? A. The Buddha is the All-Knowing One. 5.Q. Why do you seek refuge in the Buddha? A. I seek refuge in the Buddha because He taught us the way to end suffering.

81 Buddhism For Beginners 77 6.Q. Is Buddha your teacher? A. Yes, the Buddha is our greatest teacher. 7.Q. What is the Dhamma? A. The Dhamma is the Doctrine taught by the Buddha. 8.Q. Why do you seek refuge in the Dhamma? A. I seek refuge in the Dhamma because it is the only path to end all suffering. 9.Q. Who is the Sangha? A. The Sangha is the holy order founded by the Buddha. 10.Q. Why do you seek refuge in the Sangha? A. I seek refuge in the Sangha because they are holy disciples who have understood the Dhamma.

82 Buddhism For Beginners 78 The Three Refuges 11.Q. How do you recite the first refuge in Pali? A. Buddham saranam gacchāmi. 12.Q. What does it mean? A. To the Buddha I go for refuge. 13.Q. How do you recite the second refuge Pali? A. Dhammam saranam gacchāmi. 14.Q. What is does it mean? A. To the Dhamma I go for refuge. 15.Q. How do you recite the third refuge in Pali? A. Sangham saranam gacchāmi.

83 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What does it mean? A. To the Sangha I go for refuge. 17. Q. How do you recite the refuges for the second time? A. We add Dutiyam pi, which means secondly. 18. Q. How do you recite the Refuge for the third time? A. We add Tatiyam pi, which means thirdly. 19.Q. Recite the Tisarana formula three times? A. Buddham saranam gacchāmi Dhammam saranam gacchāmi Sangham saranam gacchāmi Dutiyam pi Buddham saranam gacchāmi Dutiyam pi Dhammam saranam gacchāmi Dutiyam pi Sangham saranam gacchāmi Tatiyam pi Buddham saranam gacchāmi Tatiyam pi Dhammam saranam gacchāmi Tatiyam pi Sangham saranam gacchāmi

84 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What do you recite before taking the refuges? A. We recite thrice: Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa! 21. Q. What does it mean? A. It means: Homage to him, the holy one, the pure one, the fully enlightened one! 22. Q. Why do you recite this formula? A. We recite this Pali formula as a mark of respect to the Buddha 23. Q. Is there a shorter form also? A. Yes, Namo Buddhāya. 24. Q. What does it mean? A. Homage or honor to the Buddha.

85 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Can any one become a Buddhist? A. Anyone who believes in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and Sangha can become a Buddhist. 26. Q. Are there any rites to observe? A. No, there are no special rites to observe. 27. Q. What is the name given to a Buddhist? A. Upāsaka to males, and Upāsikā to females. 28. Q. What does the Pali term mean? A. It means one who associates with the Triple Gems or the three refuges. The Five Precepts 29. Q. Are there any commandments for a Buddhist to observe? A. There are no commandments but precepts to observe.

86 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What is the Pali word for precepts? A. Sikkhāpada. 31. Q. What does it denote? A. It denotes- means of disciples, or good behavior. 32. Q. What is the first precept? A. The first precept is not to kill. 33. Q. What is the second precept? A. The second precept is not to steal. 34. Q. What is the third precept? A. The third precept is not to be unchaste, or not to be a bad child. 35. Q. What is the fourth precept? A. The fourth precept is not to lie. 36. Q. What is the fifth precept? A. The fifth precept is not to drink liquor. 37. Q. Give the first precept in Pali? A. Pānātipātā veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi.

87 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What does it mean? A. I take the precept to give up killing. 39. Q. Give the second precept in Pali? A. Adinnādānā veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi. 40. Q. What does it mean? A. I take the precept to give up stealing. 41. Q. Give the third precept in Pali? A. Kāmesu micchācārā veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi. 42. Q. What does it mean? A. I take the precept to give up misconduct. 43. Q. Give the fourth precept in Pali? A. Musāvādā veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi.

88 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What does it mean? A. I take the precept to give up lying. 45. Q. Give the fifth precept in Pali? A. Surāmeraya majjappamādatthānā veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi. 46. Q. What does it mean? A. I take the precept to give up liquor that tends to infatuation and carelessness. 47. Q. How does one become a good Buddhist? A. By observing these five precepts well. 48. Q. Why do you not kill? A. I do not kill out of the pity for others. 49. Q. What is the good of giving up killing? A. I become kind and full of pity.

89 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Why do you not steal? A. I do not steal because I have no right to take what is not given. 51. Q. What is the good of giving up stealing? A. I become honest. 52. Q. Why do you not become unchaste? A. I do not become unchaste because I do not wish to be a child of bad character. 53. Q. What is the good of giving up unchasteness? A. I become pure and good. 54. Q. Why do you not lie? A. I do not lie because nobody would then believe me. 55. Q. What is the good of giving up lying? A. I become truthful and trustful. 56. Q. Why do you not drink liquor? A. I do not drink because it leads to carelessness and loss of all senses.

90 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What is the good of giving up drinking? A. I become very careful and my senses become very clear. Homage to the Buddha 58. Q. Do you regard the Buddha as god? A. No! He is even greater than gods. 59. Q. Do you believe in a god-creator? A. There is no reason to believe in a god-creator. 60. Q. Do you worship images and trees? A. We do not worship images and trees. 61. Q. Why do you then worship the images of the Buddha? A. We only pay our respect to what that image stands for.

91 Buddhism For Beginners Q.Why do you worship the Bodhi tree? A. By respecting the Bodhi tree we pay respect to Buddhahood. 63.Q. Do you pray to the Buddha? A. We do not pray to anyone. When we pray we become a prey. 64.Q. What do you say before the Buddha s image? A. An recite his virtues. 65.Q. What is the use of an image? A. An image helps us to think of the Buddha easily. 66.Q. Can anyone think of the Buddha without an image? A. An intelligent person can do so.

92 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Why do you offer flowers and incense to the Buddha? A. We do so as an outward of respect to the Buddha. 68. Q. What do you think when you are offering flowers? A. We think that as those flowers fade we also fade and die. 69. Q. What do you mean by Sadha? A. Sadha means excellent. 70. Q. What is the best way to respect the Buddha? A. By following his advice. 71. Q. What is the advice of the all the Buddha? A. Sabba pāpassa akaranam Kusalassupasampadā Sacittapariyodapanam Etam Buddhāna sāsanam.

93 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What does that mean? A. Not to do evil, to do good, to purify one s mind, this is the advice of all the Buddha. 73. Q. What is the Pali word for evil? A. Pāpa or Akusala is the Pali word for evil. 74. Q. What is evil? A. Evil is that which soils our mind. 75. Q. Why is anything evil? A. Because it causes suffering to oneself and others. 76. Q. What are the roots of evil? A. The roots of evil are lust, hatred and ignorance.

94 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What are their Pali terms? A. Lobha, Dosa, and Moha. 78. Q. How many kinds of evil are there? A. There are ten kinds of evil. 79. Q. How are they caused? A. They are caused by deeds, words, and thoughts. 80. Q. How many kinds of evil are caused by deeds? A. Three are kinds of evil are caused by deeds. 81. Q. What are they? A. There are killing, stealing, and misconduct. 82. Q. How many kinds of evil are caused by words? A. Four kinds of evil are caused by words.

95 Buddhism For Beginners Q. What are they? A. Lying, slandering, harsh speech, and vain talk. 84. Q. How many kinds of evil are caused by thought? A. Three kinds of evil are caused by thought. 85. Q. Mention them? A. Greediness, anger, and wrong views. 86. Q. What is the Pali word for good? A. Kusala or Puñña is the Pali word for good. 87. Q. What is good? A. That which cleanses one s mind is good. 88. Q. Why is anything good? A. Because it gives happiness to oneself and others.

96 Buddhism For Beginners Q. Is there another term for good? A. Merit it another term for good. 90. Q. How many kinds of merit are there? A. There are three kinds of merit. 91. Q. Mention them? A. They are Dāna, Sila and Bhāvanā. 92. Q. What is Dāna? A. Dāna is charitable giving or generosity. 93. Q. What is Sila? A. Sila is morality or virtuous conduct. 94. Q. What is Bhāvanā? A. Bhāvana is meditation. 95. Q. What do you give up by generosity? A. Selfishness.