Book 1 Unit 15
The Spread of Buddhism and its Influence
1
Why did Gautama leave his family though he had a good life as an Indian prince?
One
day he left the palace and saw many people suffering and dying. He could not
understand why people should suffer and die. so he left his family to try to
fing the answer to their problems.
2
People called him the Buddha. Why?
People
called him Buddha , which means the' enlightened one'.
3
What do Buddhists believe about life?
The
buddhists believed that life is a cycle. People move round from birth through
life to death and then back to birth again. When people are free from the wheel
of life, they will not suffer any more.
4 What should people follow to be free from the cycle of death and
rebirth?
People
should follow the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
5 What are the Four Noble Truths that the Buddha discovered?
Lifes
is full of pain and suffering. Pain and suffering are caused by selfish desires.
People should give up their selfish desires. The way to end suffering is to
follow the Eightfold Path.
6 What is the Eightfold Path for?
The
Eightfold Path consists of eight rules for the Buddhists to follow. In the end,
if they follow the eight rules, they will reach a state of Nirvana.
7
How did the Indian ruler Asoka spread Buddhism?
He
sent Buddhist teachers to visit different parts of India. He built temples,
stupas and stone pillars carved with Buddha' s teaching in many parts of his
empire.
8 What is the difference between Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana
Buddhism?
Hinayana
Buddhism believed that wisdom was a way to Nirvana. Mahayana Buddhism thought
kindness was important.
9 Why is Hinayana Buddhism also called Southern Buddhism?
Hinayana
Buddhism spread southward to Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia
and Cambodia. So it is also called Southern Buddhism.
10
What is Mahayana Buddhism also called? Why?
Mahayana
Buddhism also called Northern Buddhism. It was because Mahayana Buddhism spreadnorthward
to Korea, Japan, Tibet and other parts of China.
11
What influences do you think Buddhism had on people? Find and give some examples.
New
ideas
- The way to live
a meaningful life
- Love and respect
for other people.
- All people are
equal. People are not born into a caste or group.
Buildings
- Budhist temples
and monasteries.
Social
services
- Buddhist hospitals
- Buddhist schools