Merit Quiz

1. Merit Quiz

2. What is the Pali for merit? A. puṇya B. puñña C. paññā

3. Wrong! • The correct answer was puñña. • Puṇya is the Sanskrit term for merit. • Paññāis the Pali word for ‘wisdom’. • Puggala is the Pali word for ‘person’. Next Question

4. Correct! • Puñña is the Pali term for merit. • Puṇya is the Sanskrit term for merit. • Paññāis the Pali word for ‘wisdom’. • Puggala is the Pali word for ‘person’. Next Question

5. Karma was originally understood in terms of ritual action… True False

6. Wrong! • In brahmanical society it was initially understood in terms of ritual behaviour. If one performed a certain ritual action it would have a specific result. • Notions about the nature of karma evolved with the progression of brahmanicaland Buddhist thought. The association of karma with all intentional acts occurred later in time. Next Question

7. Correct! • In brahmanical society it was initially understood in terms of ritual behaviour. If one performed a certain ritual action it would have a specific result. • Notions about the nature of karma evolved with the progression of brahmanicaland Buddhist thought. The association of karma with all intentional acts occurred later in time. Next Question

8. What are the bases of merit? A. dāna, sīla, bhāvana B. paññā, sīla, samādhi C. lobha, dosa, moha

9. Wrong! • Dāna, sīla, bhāvana or generosity, ethical conduct and meditation are the 3 Bases of Merit. • Paññā, sīla, samādhi are three aspects of the Eightfold Path. • Lobha, dosa, mohaorgreed, hatred and delusion are known as the three fires- the roots of unwholesome actions. Next Question

10. Correct! • Dāna, sīla, bhāvana or generosity, ethical conduct and meditation are the 3 Bases of Merit. • Paññā, sīla, samādhi are three aspects of the Eightfold Path. • Lobha, dosa, mohaorgreed, hatred and delusion are known as the three fires- the roots of unwholesome actions. Next Question

11. Dāna forms the basis of the relationship between the laity and Saṅgha… True False

12. Wrong! • Dāna can be seen as a basis for the relationship between the laity and Saṅgha. • The laity supports the Saṅgha by providing material support such as giving monks food on their alms round, donations of robes and the eight requisites, and money to support the monastery. • The Saṅgha support the laity by providing a field of merit and teaching the Dhamma. Next Question

13. Correct! • Dāna can be seen as a basis for the relationship between the laity and Saṅgha. • The laity supports the Saṅgha by providing material support such as giving monks food on their alms round, donations of robes and the eight requisites, and money to support the monastery. • The Saṅgha support the laity by providing a field of merit and teaching the Dhamma. Next Question

14. What makes a monk a field of merit? A. Being a man B. Being the Abbot of a monastery C. Living by the rules of the vinaya

15. Wrong! • In order to be a ‘field of merit’ a monk (or nun) must live by the rules set out in the vinaya. • Higher standing monks/nun with many accomplishments, such as being skilled at meditation or being the abbot, will make them a greater field of merit. • For some it is believed that monks have a higher field of merit than nuns. Next Question

16. Correct! • In order to be a ‘field of merit’ a monk (or nun) must live by the rules set out in the vinaya. • Higher standing monks/nun with many accomplishments, such as being skilled at meditation or being the abbot, will make them a greater field of merit. • For some it is believed that monks have a higher field of merit than nuns. Next Question

17. What is NOT one of the Five Precepts? A. Refrain from taking what is not given B. Refrain from eating meat C. Refrain from false speech

18. Wrong! • The Five Precepts are: • Refrain from harming living creatures • Refrain from taking what is not given • Refrain from sexual misconduct • Refrain from false speech • Refrain from intoxicants that cause heedlessness. Although one should not harm living creatures the five precepts do not prohibit the eating of meat. Next Question

19. Correct! • The Five Precepts are: • Refrain from harming living creatures • Refrain from taking what is not given • Refrain from sexual misconduct • Refrain from false speech • Refrain from intoxicants that cause heedlessness. Although one should not harm living creatures the five precepts do not prohibit the eating of meat. Next Question

20. Which of the following are categorised in the Eight-Fold Path as being Sīla A. Right view, right intention, right livelihood B. Right speech, right action, right livelihood C. Right speech, right view, right action

21. Wrong! • The steps of the Eight-fold path considered to be sīla are right speech, right action, right livelihood. • Right view and right intention fall under the category of wisdom (prajña/pañña). • Right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration fall under the category of concentration (samādhi) Next Question

22. Correct! • The steps of the Eight-fold path considered to be sīla are right speech, right action, right livelihood. • Right view and right intention fall under the category of wisdom (prajña/pañña). • Right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration fall under the category of concentration (samādhi) Next Question

23. What forms of bhāvana can the laity perform A. Pilgrimage B. Give offerings of flowers C. Prostrations

24. Correct! • All of the answers are correct. • This is because for the laity acts of cultivation focus on devotion. This is because they create religious states of mind. • The acts mentioned could also be performed by monks in order to generate merit.

25. There are four rules which result in expulsion from the Saṅgha? True False

26. Wrong! • There are four rules that if broken result in the immediate dismissal of a monk or nun: • Engaging in sexual intercourse • Taking what is not given • Taking human life , or persuading someone else to take human life • False claims of spiritual attainments. Next Question

27. Correct! • There are four rules that if broken result in the immediate dismissal of a monk or nun: • Engaging in sexual intercourse • Taking what is not given • Taking human life , or persuading someone else to take human life • False claims of spiritual attainments. Next Question

28. What is pattanumodāna? A. Generosity B. Rejoicing in the merit of others C. Despairing in the merit of others

29. Wrong! • Pattanumodāna is rejoicing in the merit of others. • Merit can be gained through witnessing the meritorious deeds of others. If an individual witnesses a good deed and is pleasantly struck by the generosity of the act they too will receive merit. • It is customary at the end of Buddhist ceremonies or donations to see merit transferred to others. This act allows all present to rejoice in the merit and therefore become recipients of merit.

30. Correct! • Pattanumodāna is rejoicing in the merit of others. • Merit can be gained through witnessing the meritorious deeds of others. If an individual witnesses a good deed and is pleasantly struck by the generosity of the act they too will receive merit. • It is customary at the end of Buddhist ceremonies or donations to see merit transferred to others. This act allows all present to rejoice in the merit and therefore become recipients of merit.