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. One of a monk's four basic resources is lodging _____.

2. The word bodhi means _____.

3. The public concern of Buddhism was living by _____, not doctrinal conformity.

4. The Sangha is a community of _____.

5. According to the author, Buddhism is typically seen as a history of _____ Theravada Buddhism.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How was the Rig Veda communicated orally?

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

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

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

6. What is a bhiksu and how is this different from an upasampada?

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

8. Who are the four great authorities in Buddhism? Why would a monk go to them?

9. Why does the author believe that there is some basis in history for the existence of the Buddha?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the life of the Buddha. What sort of family did he come from? How did he become the Buddha?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Describe the written tradition of Buddhism. How did it come about? Compare it to the oral tradition.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 712 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample