Buddhism — Practices
What's covered
Key facts
Avalokiteshvara is the Buddha (or bodhisattva) of compassion in Mahayana.
Tibetan tradition observes a 49-day period of bardo prayers after death.
Good kamma is produced by skilful, compassionate action free of greed and hate.
Anapanasati is mindfulness of breathing meditation.
The largest UK Buddhist temple (Theravada) is Amaravati in Hertfordshire.
The Buddhist greeting of folded hands is called anjali (Añjali Mudrā).
The fifth precept forbids intoxicants that cloud the mind.
The Six Perfections are practised by bodhisattvas.
Releasing caged birds symbolises freedom and metta (loving-kindness).
Metta is one of the four Brahma Viharas (divine abodes).
Sample questions
A taste of the 90 questions in this topic — answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
How is metta typically cultivated?
- •Buying merit from a senior monk
- •Performing animal sacrifice at dawn
- •Reciting a curse on one's enemies
- ✓Wishing happiness for self, then all beings
How are Buddhist bodies usually treated?
- •Always buried in consecrated ground
- ✓Cremated, sometimes buried
- •Preserved and enshrined in stupas
- •Returned to nature unembalmed
What does kamma mean?
- ✓Action and its moral results
- •Intentional meditation practice
- •The Buddha's teaching on right intention
- •The cycle of death and rebirth
What is vipassana meditation?
- •Calming the mind through breath focus
- •Chanting mantras to accumulate merit
- ✓Insight into reality's nature
- •Visualising the Buddha to develop devotion
What is a vihara?
- •A meditation hall reserved for ordained monks only
- •A sacred relic mound containing the Buddha's remains
- ✓Buddhist monastery or temple
- •The central scripture library of a Buddhist community
What is commonly offered in Buddhist puja?
- •Bells, drums, statues, and prayer flags
- ✓Flowers, candles, incense, food
- •Oil lamps, coins, cloth, and rice
- •Salt, water, grain, and sacred thread
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