Exam Topics: REL 440/540 Buddhist Scriptures,
Spring 2007
1. Who are: King Suddhodana, Queen Maya, Siddharta Gautama, Princess
Yasodhara, Rahula, Sakyamuni Buddha?
2. Who are: King Bimbisara, Queen Vaidehi, Prince Ajatasatru,
Devadatta, Ananda, Maugalyayana (Moggalana), and Sariputra?
3. What are: The Four Noble Truths, The Three Marks of Existence, The
Three Jewels, The Three Baskets?
4. There is a subtle relation between emptiness theory and the
bodhisattva ideal in Mahðyðna Buddhism. Emptiness/oneness
implies that the true self of the Buddhist seeker is none other than
the cosmos itself, and by implication all beings in the universe. The
appearance of Vimalakirti and the Goddess
5. What is the social significance of Vimalakirti as the protagonist
and of the Goddess as a key character in the Holy Teaching of
Vimalakirti?
6. Why isnt Vimalakirti able to cure himself if he is such
a powerful bodisattva?
What is the relation between the bodhisattva ideal and emptiness
theory?
7. What is the relation between Vaidehi, Bimbisara, and Amida
(Amitabha) Buddha in the Sutra on Contemplation of Amitayus
(Amida Buddha)?
8. Based upon the Sutra on Contemplation of Amitayus, what is
the relation between Sakyamuni, Queen Vaidehi, and the status of
sacred scripture?
9. What is the parable of the White Path in Shan-tao? What is
Shan-taos view of nien-fo, literally "thinking of the
Buddha, but which is in fact the practice of saying or chanting
the Name of Amida Buddha (Na-mo-a-mi-to-fo in Chinese; Namu Amida
Butsu in Japanese).