The Beginnings of Buddhism: The Life of the Buddha

1. Describe the social context of India in Siddhartha Gautama's day.
2. Give a brief outline of the Buddha's life, according to the legends.
3. Describe the Buddha's death and his last advice to his disciples.

The Basic Teachings of Buddhism

1. What is meant by the Buddha's "noble silence"?
2. What were the two most important questions about existence on which the Buddha concentrated?

The Three Marks of Reality

1. Explain the dimensions of change that the Buddha saw in the world.
2. How does Buddhism explain the concept of no permanent identity?
3. Discuss the meaning and scope of suffering in Buddhism.

The Four Noble Truths

1. Explain in your own words the phrase "to live is to suffer."
2. Discuss dimensions of desire found in the Second Noble Truth.
3. How does individualism contribute to suffering?
4. What degree of enlightenment might a layperson hope to attain in this life?

The Noble Eightfold Path
Relate the eight steps of the path to its three main goals.

The Influence of Indian Thought on Early Buddhist Teachings
What facets of Indian Vedic practice did early Buddhist literature reject?

Ahimsa: "Do No Harm"
Discuss the reasons that Buddhists embrace an ethic of non-harm.

The Soul and Karma
How does Buddhism explain karma and rebirth without a soul?

Nirvana
Discuss your understanding of nirvana in Buddhism.

"Who am I?" (Box Feature)
Review how different cultures and religions would answer this question, then focus on the Buddhist response and the reasons for it.

The Early Development of Buddhism

1. Discuss Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism.
2. What actions are attributed to Ashoka that aided the spread of Buddhism?

Theravada Buddhism: The Way of the Elders

1. What has been the goal of Theravada regarding Buddha's teachings?
2. Describe the importance of the community of monks for Theravada.
3. What countries have been influenced by Theravada Buddhism?
4. How do monks and laity serve each other?
5. Discuss some of the unique features of Buddhism in Thailand (Box Feature).

Theravada Teachings and Literature
Briefly describe the topics covered in the "three baskets."

Theravada Art and Architecture

1. Describe some of the symbols used in the early centuries to represent Buddhism.
2. What were some of the common poses of the Buddha when images of him began to be used?

Mahayana Buddhism: The "Big Vehicle"

1. What have been some of the criticisms within Buddhism of the Mahayana branch?
2. How have the criticisms of Mahayana Buddhism been answered?

New Ideals: Compassion and the Bodhisattva

1. Explain the logic behind the compassion in the Mahayana perspective.
2. What is a bodhisattva?
3. Discuss the concept of "skillful means" in Mahayana.

Mahayana Thought and Worldview

1. Briefly explain the trikaya, or "three-body" doctrine.
2. What is the role of Maitreya, the future Buddha, and how has he been pictured or envisioned?
3. Who are the heavenly bodhisattvas and what do they do?
4. Explain the doctrine of shunyata, or emptiness.
5. Explain what is meant by tathata, or "suchness," and how it is experienced.

Mahayana Literature
What are some of the key ideas in the Mahayana texts?

The Spread of Mahayana in East Asia

1. Discuss Mahayana features that appealed to the Chinese.
2. Discuss the Buddhist values and practices that conflicted with Chinese ideals.
3. Explore the development of Buddhism in Korea or Japan.

Some Major Schools of Mahayana

1. Why do Mahayana sects show such a wide variety in attitudes toward uses of art, ritual, and the pursuit of worldly success?
2. What were the goals and practices of Shingon?
3. How did the Tendai School deal with the profusion of Buddhist texts and teachings?
4. Describe the beliefs and practices of Pure Land Buddhism and name the Buddha of their devotion.
5. Who is Nichiren and what did he proclaim?

Zen

1. Describe the Daoist values that paved the way for Chan, or Meditation school, Buddhism in China.
2. Describe the content of the satori experience.
3. Describe the practice of zazen, or sitting meditation.
4. What is the purpose of a koan?
5. Explain the value of manual labor as a Zen technique.

Buddhism and Japanese Arts
Discuss how one of the arts such as haiku, tea ceremony, ceramics, ikebana, garden design, or calligraphy reflects Zen values.

Buddhist Festivals (Box Feature)
Relate aspects of a Buddhist festival of your choice.

Vajrayana Buddhism: The "Diamond Vehicle"
Discuss meanings of the name "diamond" or "lightning bolt" vehicle.

Origins, Practice, and Literature of Tibetan Buddhism

1. How did Padmasambhava reconcile the native Bon religion with that of Buddhism?
2. Describe some of the basic features that were blended together to form Tibetan Buddhism.
3. How did the "Yellow Hat" sect begin?
4. How does the transmission of leadership occur in Tibetan Buddhism?

Ritual and the Arts

1. Discuss the symbolism of the ritual objects of the vajra and bell.
2. What is the purpose of a prayer wheel or prayer flag?
3. Briefly define mudras and mandalas.
4. Who is the Dalai Lama and how has his influence spread outside Tibet?

Buddhism and the Modern World

1. What are some of the qualities of Buddhism that are attractive to people in the West and practices or views less attractive?
2. How has Buddhism influenced Western painting, poetry, and literature?
3. Briefly outline the four historical waves of interest in Buddhism in the West.
4. What is the origin and focus of the so-called fourth vehicle of Buddhism?
5. What challenges or attacks has Buddhism faced in its traditional home countries?
6. In what ways is Buddhism experiencing a resurgence in the East?
7. What reasons support the idea of a 4th branch of Buddhism emerging in the West?