What's covered
Key facts
Avalokiteshvara is the bodhisattva (or "buddha") of compassion in Mahayana Buddhism.
The Eightfold Path is the step-by-step framework for Buddhist ethical action.
The first precept reflects ahimsa — the principle of non-violence shared with Hindu and Jain teaching.
The four Brahma Viharas (metta, karuna, mudita, upekkha) extend metta widely.
Gossip counts as wrong speech in the Buddhist tradition.
The fifth precept is to avoid intoxicants (alcohol, drugs).
Compassion in Buddhism extends to all living beings, not only humans.
Right action is ethical conduct of body — not killing, stealing or doing harm.
The first precept means refraining from harming any living being.
Karuna means compassion.
Sample questions
A taste of the 30 questions in this topic — answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
Who should compassion extend to?
- ✓All living beings
- •Family and close friends
- •Only fellow Buddhists
- •Only humans who are suffering
What does 'right action' mean in the Eightfold Path?
- ✓Ethical conduct of body
- •Ethical conduct of speech
- •Right effort in practice
- •Right intention in mind
What does the first Buddhist precept teach?
- •Do not eat meat
- •Do not harm yourself
- •Do not hunt animals
- ✓Do not kill living beings
Why is karuna so important?
- •Avoids any responsibility
- •Brings instant rewards
- •Earns prizes in life
- ✓Sees suffering and seeks to help
What is right speech?
- •Chanting sacred mantras
- •Reciting the Buddha's teachings
- •Silence during meditation
- ✓Truthful and kind words
What does the second Buddhist precept teach?
- •Do not envy
- •Do not gamble
- •Do not lie
- ✓Do not steal
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