Background of Buddhism - Webquest

Directions: Click through the following websites and search for answers to the questions below.
Please turn it in on Google Classroom when it’s complete.

Precursor: Before you start, watch this video explaining the history of Buddhism and Hinduism:
Hinduism and Buddhism in India

PART 1: Visit this site: An Introduction to Buddhism

➢ Click on "Life of Siddhartha Guatama" and answer these questions:

a. Describe Siddhartha Guatama's birth.

Before his birth, his mother had a dream about an elephant blessing her with his trunk,
which served as a favorable sign. When it came time for the woman the give birth, she began
traveling to her father’s kingdom, but she went into labor during the journey and ended up giving
birth in a grove of trees in Lumbini. The boy could immediately talk and walk short distances in
all directions.

b. What happens to Siddhartha at age 29?

He left the luxurious life because he decided it wasn’t enough for him, and he wanted to
discover how to overcome suffering. For a while, he studied with two famous spiritual teachers,
but he later switched paths and austerities and self-mortification.

c. The image on the left represents Siddhartha. What does it show about him?
 Siddhartha is portrayed as extremely thin, which shows how he left his life of riches and
might not have the same luxuries as before.

d. Describe his experience under the bodhi tree.

Siddhartha decided to concentrate on his goal to overcome suffering while meditating by
a fig tree. He is said to have been able to recall past lives and explore the entire universe.
Finally, he understood the answer, and he became Buddha, meaning “he who is awake.” He
was successful despite Mara attempting to prevent this understanding from occurring.

e. How did he feel about the status or background of people?

At the time, women were ranked far below men, but Buddha did not agree with this and
wanted the two genders to be seen more equally. He also believed that neither race, nationality,
wealth, nor background should matter. They were all capable of enlightenment, and so they
were all welcome in Buddha’s mind.

f. What significance did he give to women?

His wife and aunt were given the privilege of being the first Buddhist nuns, and the same
significance was given to women following them.

g. To what did he devote his life?

He devoted his life towards ensuring that people were not judged on background or
race, but that each person would have the opportunity to be enlightened.

h. List the significant happening of his life at age 35 and 80.

At age 35, Buddha achieved enlightenment. For the next 45 years, he taught throughout
northeastern India. At age 80, he went into a deep meditation and passed away.

➢ Click on "The Basics of Buddhist Wisdom."

a. List the Four Noble Truths

a. Life is suffering
b. Suffering is due to attachment
c. Attachment can be overcome
d. There is a path for accomplishing this

b. What is an attachment? Give an example of one.

a. Attachment is “desire, craving, greed, clinging, or lust.” This means that because
we are imperfect humans, we continue to “cling” to things in an attempt for
permanence.

c. Do you have attachments? Explain.

a. Attachment can also be translated to “avoidance, hatred, or ignorance.” As I am
an imperfect human, there are things that I refuse to admit to or cling to in an
 effort to have a feeling of consistency or permanence. We have strong
attachments to our parents because we have never been without them and feel
that they are a necessary part of our lives.

➢ Click on "The Basics of Buddhist Meditation."

a. Describe Basic Meditation.

i. The most basic form involves concentrating on your breathing. Count to
ten while breathing naturally, and focus on the slow inhale and exhale.

b. Can you meditate while walking?

i. Yes! You can meditate while standing, walking slowly, or even lying
down.

c. What are the Five Hindrances (obstacles) to concentration or meditating?

i. Sensual desire
ii. Ill will, hatred, or anger
iii. Laziness and sluggishness
iv. Restlessness and worry
v. Doubt

PART 2: Visit this site: Basics of Buddhism

➢ Scroll down to "The Cycle of Rebirth."

a. Read this section and list the planes.

a. Realm of gods
b. Realm of men
c. Realm of demigods
d. Realm of animals
e. Realm of ghosts
f. Realm of hell

b. What is different about the plane of men?

a. People are free from relentless conflict and untold suffering. They also lack the
extravagances of being a god, but the positives outweigh the negatives.

PART 3: Visit this site: BBC Buddhism

a. How many people practice Buddhism?

a. 376 million people practice Buddhism.
b. How old is Buddhism?
a. Buddhism is 2,500 years old.

c. What are the two main forms of Buddhism?

a. The two main forms are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism.

d. And what is the difference between them?

a. In Theravada Buddhism, you seek enlightenment in yourself, while Mahayana
Buddhism makes you seek enlightenment in others. The two types are also
practices in different places.

e. Give the countries where they are practiced.

a. Theravada Buddhism is popular in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and
Burma, while Mahayana Buddhism is popular in Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan,
Korea, and Mongolia.

PART 4: Visit this site: Eightfold Path

a. What is the Eightfold Path?

1. It is a path to liberation and enlightenment divided into 8 steps.

b. What three categories are the eight parts sorted into?

1. Moral conduct
2. Mental discipline
3. Wisdom

c. What are the eight parts? Briefly describe each part with a few words or a sentence.
1. Right understanding - understanding things as they are (four noble truths)
2. Right thought - have selfless thoughts of love and non-violence
3. Right speech - use kind words, not lies or hurtful or rude statements
4. Right action - promoting moral, honorable, and peaceful conduct
5. Right livelihood - work a good job, not one that brings harm to others
6. Right effort - energetic will to prevent evil
7. Right mindfulness - be attentive to the state of one’s body, feelings, and mind
8. Right concentration - concentrating on feelings of joy and happiness

PART 5: Visit this site: Symbols

a. Click on "Eight Auspicious Symbols." After you look at them, list them.
1. Conch shell
2. Dharma wheel
 3. Endless knot
4. Golden fishes
5. Lotus
6. Parasol
7. Treasure vase
8. Victory banner

b. Click on "The Swastika." What does this symbol mean to the Buddhists? How is this
controversial? Why might the Nazi Party have taken and used this symbol from such a
peaceful religion?
1. To the Buddhists, it means good fortune, luck, and well-being. It is controversial
because the original meaning of swastika is very negative due to its Western
association. The Nazis used the symbol because it was understood as an Aryan
symbol indicating racial purity and superiority.

PART 6: Find short definitions of these terms (start Here):

1. Middle Path: the eightfold path between self-indulgence and self-mortification

2. Sutra: a part of the massive collection of Mahayana texts

3. Om: a sacred sound of Hinduism that signifies the essence of ultimate reality

4. Dharma: the teachings of Buddha

5. Karma: intentional or ill-willed acts

6. Samsara: the wheel of cyclic existence

7. Nirvana: liberation and enlightenment

8. Reincarnation: rebirth

9. Dependent Origination: one thing leads to another, all is connected