Write whether true or false:
(a) The Buddha encouraged animal sacrifices.
(b) Samath is important because it was the place where the Buddha taught for the first time.
(c) The Buddha taught that karma has no effect on our lives.
(d) The Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
(e) Upanishadic thinkers believed that the atman and brahman were ultimately one.
Make a list of at least five ideas and questions mentioned in this lesson. Choose three from the list and discuss why you think they are important even today.
Find out more about men and women who renounce the world today. Where do they live, what kinds of clothes do they wear, what do they eat? Why do they renounce the world?
In what way was the system of ashramas different from life in the sangha? What are the varnas mentioned here? Were all four varnas allowed to participate in the system of ashramas?