Buddhism

Why did Siddhartha Gautama leave home at age 30?

• to find answers to his questions about human life

• to establish a religion that was better than Hinduism

• to help those who felt pain and suffering in life

• to spread his new religious ideas to other people

Which of the following concerns was of greatest importance to Siddhartha Gautama?

• meditating under a tree to gain more wisdom

• encouraging followers to give away their money

• helping people worship God on a daily basis

• finding ways to eliminate human suffering

With which of the following statements would the Buddha likely disagree?

• Suffering comes from not having what one wants

• Contentment springs from gaining what one wants

• Nirvana is achieved by overcoming ignorance and desire

• Unhappiness is caused by wanting to keep what one likes

Teh Buddha believed that people should overcome their desire for material goods. However, they should be reasonable.

Which of the following actions best illustrates this belief?

• A woman gives away all of her money to poor people

• A man in a store buys every item that he sees or wants

• A woman keeps some of her dresses but gives some away

• A man throws away all of the possessions in his home

The guiding principles at the heart of Buddhism are called

• the Four Noble Truths

• the Truths of Life

• the Rules for Living

• the Enlightened Path

What caused many people from lower social classes to support the Buddha's teachings?

• The Buddha opposed the caste system

• The Buddha agreed with the Brahmin rituals

• The Buddha supported animal sacrifice

• The Buddha worked with Hindu priests

Make a prediction: What would have likely happened if the Buddha's followers did not gather shortly after his death to review his teachings?

• The Buddha's followers would have embraced another religion

• Buddhism would probably not have spread to other lands

• The caste system in India probably would have ended

• Brahmin priests probably would have changed the teachings

People who work to spread religious beliefs are called

• artisans

• missionaries

• monks

• followers

Which of the following best describes the difference between Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism?

• Followers of Theravada Buddhism follow the Buddha's teaching exactly

• Followers of Theravada Buddhism have rejected the Buddha's teachings

• Followers of Mahayana buddhism follow the Buddha's teaching exactly

• Followers of Mahayana Buddhism have rejected the Buddha's teachings

Siddhartha Gautama searched for the meaning of human life by

• teaching the Vedas

• fasting and meditation

• studying with missionaries

• acquiring wealth