View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. The aspect of change that makes the world a place of suffering is _____.

2. The Theravading Vinaya specifies that the candidate for pravrajya must be old enough to _____.

3. The matrkas are a summary of _____ lists of significant points of Buddha's teaching.

4. What does the word duhkha mean?

5. The river that flows through the area where the Buddha gathered a following is called _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the author say that he wrote this book on Buddhism?

2. What are the Nikayas/Agamas?

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

4. How is bodhi characterized?

5. How did the Buddha respond when Malunkya said he would stop training with him if he didn't answer the ten undetermined questions?

6. What is the psychological relationship of aversion to craving?

7. How were the first Buddhist nuns acknowledged? What was the reaction of the Buddha to this?

8. What is the responsibility of a Buddha regarding teaching?

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

10. Why is stealing not permitted by a monk?

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

Describe the role of nuns in Buddhism. How did women come to be a part of this tradition?

Essay Topic 3

Explain nirvana in Buddhism. What is this? How is it reached?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 667 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample