Title- Basic Concepts of Buddhism In Q&A Presentation For Beginners

Title- How Does One Becomes A Buddhist?

(1)Q: How does one become a Buddhist?

(1)A: One becomes a Buddhist by taking the Three Refuges.

(2)Q: What are the Three Refuges?

(2)A: The Three Refuges are the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.

(3)Q: What is the Pali word for the Three Refuges?

(3)A: Tisarana is the Pali word for the Three Refuges.

(4)Q: Who is the Buddha?

(4)A: The Buddha is the All-Knowing One.

(5)Q: Why do you seek refuge in the Buddha?

(5)A: I seek refuge in the Buddha because He taught way to end all sufferings.

(6)Q: Is Buddha your teacher?

(6)A: Yes,the Buddha is our greatest Teacher.

(7)Q: What is the Dhamma?

(7)A: The Dhamma is the Doctrine taught by the Buddha.

(8)Q: Why do you seek refuge in the Dhamma?

(8)A: I seek refuge in the Dhamma because it is the only path to end all sufferings.

(9)Q: Who is the Sangha?

(9)A: The Sangha is the Holy Order founded by the Buddha.

(10)Q: Why do you seek refuge in the Sangha?

(10)A: I seek refuge in the Sangha because they are the Holy Diciples who have understood the Dhamma.

Title- The Three Refuges

(1)Q: How do you recite the first refuge in Pali?

(1)A: Buddham saranam gacchami.

(2)Q: What does it mean?

(2) A: To the Buddha I go for refuge.

 

(3)Q: How do you recite the second refuge in Pali?

(3)A: Dhammam saranam gacchami.

(4)Q: What does it mean?

(4)A: To the Dhamma I go for refuge.

(5)Q: How do you recite the third refuge in Pali?

(5)A: Sangham saranam gacchami.

(6)Q: What does it mean?

(6)A: To the Sangha I go for refuge.

(7)Q: How do you recite the Refuges for the second time?

(7)A: We add-Dutiyam’pi,which means secondly.

(8)Q: How do you recite the Refuges for the third time?

(8)A: We add-Tatiyam’pi,which means thirdly.

(9)Q: Recite the Tisarana formula three times?

(9)A: Buddham saranam gacchami Dhammam saranam gacchami Sangham saranam gacchami!!!

Dutiyam’pi Buddham saranam gacchami Dutiyam’pi Dhammam saranam gacchami Dutiyam’pi Sangham saranam gacchami!!!

Tatiyam’pi Buddham saranam gacchami Tatiyam’pi Dhammam saranam gacchami Tatiyam’pi Sangham saranam gacchami!!!

(10)Q: What do you recite before taking the Refuges?

(10)A: We recite thrice:-Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa.

(11)Q: What does it mean?

(11)A: It means:-Homage to Him,the Holy One,the Pure One,the Fully Enlightened One.

(12)Q: Why do you recite this formula?

(12)A: We recite this Pali formula as a mark of respect to the Buddha.

(13)Q: Is there a shorter form else?

(13)A: Yes,Namo Buddhaya.

(14)Q: What does it mean?

(14)A: It means:-Homage or honour to the Buddha.

(15)Q: Can any one become a Buddhist?

(15)A: Anyone who believes in the Buddha,the Dhamma,and the Sangha can become a Buddhist.

(16)Q: Are there any rites to observe?

(16)A: No,there is no special rites to observe.

(17)Q: What is the name given to a Buddhist?

(17)A: Upasaka to males and Upasika to females.

(18)Q: What does the Pali term mean?

(18)A: It means one who associates with the Triple Gems or the Three Refuges.

Title- The Five Precepts

(1)Q: Are there any commandments for a Buddhist to observe?

(1)A: There are no commandments but precepts to observe.

(2)Q: What is the Pali word for precept?

(2)A: Sikkhapada or Sila.

(3)Q: What does it denote?

(3)A: It denotes-Means of discipline,or good behaviour.

(4)Q: What is the first precept?

(4)A: The first precept is not to kill.

(5)Q: What is the second precept?

(5)A: The second precept is not to steal.

(6)Q: What is the third precept?

(6)A: The third precept is not to be unchaste,or not to be a bad child.

(7)Q: What is the fourth precept?

(7)A: The fourth precept is not to lie.

(8)Q: What is the fifth precept?

(8)A: The fifth precept is not to drink liquor.

(9)Q: Give the first precept in Pali?

(9)A: Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.

(10)Q: What does it mean?

(10)A: I take the precept to give up killing.

(11)Q: Give the second precept in Pali?

(11)A: Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.

(12)Q: What does it mean?

(12)A: I take the precept to give up stealing.

(13)Q: Give the third precept in Pali?

(13)A: Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.

(14)Q: What does it mean?

(14)A: I take the precept to give up misconduct.

(15)Q: Give the fourth precept in Pali?

(15)A: Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.

(16)Q: What does it mean?

(16)A: I take the precept to give up lying.

(17)Q: Give the fifth precept in Pali?

(17)A: Surameraya majjapamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.

(18)Q: What does it mean?

(18)A: I take the precept to give up drinking liquor that tends to infatuation and carelessness.

(19)Q: How does one become a good Buddhist?

(19)A: By observing these five precepts well.

(20)Q: Why do you not kill?

(20)A: I do not kill out of pity for others.

(21)Q: What is the good of giving up killing?

(21)A: I become kind and full of pity.

(22)Q: Why do you not steal?

(22)A: I do not steal because because I have no right to take what is not given.

(23)Q: What is the good of giving up stealing?

(23)A: I become honest.

(24)Q: Why do you not become unchaste?

(24)A: I do not become unchaste because I do not wish to be a child of bad character.

(25)Q: What is the good of giving up unchastity?

(25)A: I become pure and good.

(26)Q: Why do you not lie?

(26)A: I do not lie because nobody would then believe me.

(27)Q: What is the good of giving up lying?

(27)A: I become truthful and trustful.

(28)Q: Why do you not drink liquor?

(28)A: I do not drink liquor because it leads to carelessness and loss,of all senses.

(29)Q: What is the good of giving up drinking?

(29)A: I become very careful and my senses become very clear.

Title- Homage to the Buddha

(1)Q: Do you regard the Buddha as a God?

(1)A: No,He is even greater than Gods.

(2)Q: Do you believe in a God-Creator?

(2)A: There is no reason to believe in a God-Creator.

(3)Q: Do you worship images and trees?

(3)A: We do not worship images and trees.

(4)Q: Why do you then worship the image of the Buddha?

(4)A: We only pay our respect to what that image stands for.

(5)Q: Why do you worship the Bodhi Tree?

(5)A: Bodhi Tree stands for Enlightenment.By saluting the Bodhi Tree we pay respect to Buddhahood.

(6)Q: Do you pray to the Buddha?

(6)A: We do not pray to anyone.When we pray we become a prey.

(7)Q: What do you say in front of the Buddha’s image?

(7)A: We recite His virtues.

(8)Q: What is the use of an image?

(8)A: An image helps us to think of the Buddha easily.

(9)Q: Can anyone think of the Buddha without an image?

(9)A: An intelligent person can do so.

(10)Q: Why do you offer flowers and incense to the Buddha?

(10)A: We do so as an outward form of respect to the Buddha.

(11)Q: What do you think when you are offering flowers?

(11)A: We think that as those flowers fade we also fade and die.

(12)Q: What do you mean by Sadhu?

(12)A: Sadhu means excellent.

(13)Q: What is the best way to respect the Buddha?

(13)A: By following His advice.

(14)Q: What is the advice of all the Buddhas?

(14)A: Sabba papassa akaranam Kusalassa upasampada Sacitta pariyodapanam Etam Buddhana sasanam.

(15)Q: What does that mean?

(15)A: Not to do evil,To do good,To purify one’s mind,This is the advice of all the Buddhas.

(16)Q: What is the Pali word for evil?

(16)A: Papa or Akusala is the Pali word for evil.

(17)Q: What is evil?

(17)A: Evil is that which soils our mind.

(18)Q: Why is anything evil?

(18)A: Because it causes suffering to oneself and others.

(19)Q: What are the roots of evils?

(19)A: The roots of evil are lust,hatred and ignorance.

(20)Q: What are their Pali terms?

(20)A: Lobha,Dosa and Moha.

(21)Q: How many kinds of evil are there?

(21)A: There are ten kinds of evil.

(22)Q: How are they caused?

(22)A: They are caused by deeds,words,and thoughts.

(23)Q: How many kinds of evil are caused by Deeds?

(23)A: Three kinds of evil are caused by Deeds.

(24)Q: What are they?

(24)A: They are killing,stealing,and misconduct.

(25)Q: How many kinds of evil are caused by Words?

(25)A: Four kinds of evil are caused by Words.

(26)Q: What are they?

(26)A: Lying,slandering,harsh speech and vain talk.

(27)Q: How many kinds of evil are caused by Thoughts?

(27)A: Three kinds of evil are caused by Thoughts.

(28)Q: What are they?

(28)A: Greediness,anger and wrong views.

(29)Q: What is the Pali word for good?

(29)A: Kusala or Punnya is the Pali word for good.

(30)Q: What is good?

(30)A: That which cleanses one’s mind is good.

(31)Q: What is anything good?

(31)A: Because it gives happiness to oneself and others.

(32)Q: Is there another term for good?

(32)A: Merit is another term for good.

(33)Q: How many kinds of merit are there?

(33)A: There are three kinds of merit.

(34)Q: What are they?

(34)A: They are Dana,Sila and Bhavana.

(35)Q: What is Dana?

(35)A: Dana is charitable giving or generosity.

(36)Q: What is Sila?

(36)A: Sila is morality or virtuous conduct.

(37)Q: What is Bhavana?

(37)A: Bhavana is meditation.

(38)Q: What do you give up by generosity?

(38)A: Selfishness.

(39)Q: What do you give up by morality?

(39)A: Ill-will or Hatred.

(40)Q: What do you give up by meditation?

(40)A: Ignorance.

(41)Q: Can children practise charitable giving?

(41)A: Yes,by helping the needy and the poor and by helping those who are worthy of honour.

(42)Q: Who are those worthy of honour?

(42)A: They are parents,teachers,elders and Holy Ones.

(43)Q: Can children practise morality?

(43)A: Yes,by observing the precepts.

(44)Q: Can children practise meditation?

(44)A: Yes,they can practise some kinds of meditation.

(45)Q: What is the best meditation for children?

(45)A: Loving-kindness.

(46)Q: How should one practise loving-kindness?

(46)A: By repeating every morning and night ten times:-May all beings be well and happy!

(47)Q: Is there any other form?

(47)A: “Creatures all beneath the sun,Two-feet,four-feet,more or none,How I love you everyone”.

(48)Q: Recite another verse?

(48)A: “All the creatures that are alive….Breathe and move upon the earth;Happy be the one and all…Never into mischief fall”.

Doc Versions Here In My Group:

How Does One Become A Buddhist? (Q&A)
https://web.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/how-does-one-become-a-buddhist-qa/626950400695085

The Three Refuges (Q&A)
https://web.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/the-three-refuges-qa/626959507360841

The Five Precepts (Q&A)
https://web.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/the-five-precepts-qa/626966410693484

Homage to the Buddha (Q&A)
https://web.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/homage-to-the-buddha-qa/626981350691990

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