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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. There are _____ Nikayas.

2. What form of ritual was carried out at the death of the Buddha?

3. Some three months after the death of the Buddha, 500 arhats took part in a _____.

4. One of the ten rules of training for a monk involves refraining from using _____.

5. According the the author, what lies at the heart of Buddhism is _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. Which offenses can result in a probationary period involving loss of full status as a member of the Sangha by a monk?

2. What is the significance of celibacy in the life of a monk?

3. What effect did the meeting of Buddha Dipamkara have on Sumedha?

4. What does the author say about satya in relation to a Buddhist creed?

5. What does the author say about the nature of Buddhism's influence on the world?

6. Why did the Buddha possibly refuse to give categorical answers to the ten undetermined questions?

7. Why does the Buddhist saint not harm living creatures?

8. What language did the Buddha use to communicate his ideas and why?

9. How is food addressed in the Vinaya?

10. What are the Nikayas/Agamas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the Theraveda tradition of Buddhism. Where is it practiced? How does it relate in doctrine and practice to ancient Buddhism?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the brahmanical tradition. Where did the people who founded this tradition in India come from? What effect did they have on Indian society?

Essay Topic 3

Explain Abhidharma. What does this word mean? How does it appear in texts? What is its significance in Buddhism?

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