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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. What does the author claim that sitting meditation cultivates?

2. What relationship does a Buddhist teaching claim that we have had with all others?

3. Where does the title of the book come from?

4. What is the main point of the formal practice of maitri?

5. What insight did the woman give whom the author mentions is constantly on a diet?

Short Essay Questions

1. What ways does Chodron write that meditation can be misused?

2. Under what conditions does the author claim that people can "train" to be a warrior?

3. Why does Chodron mention a walled, protected community in Florida?

4. What are the three lords of materialism?

5. What does Chodron write is the "foundation" of bodhichitta training?

6. What are the four limitless qualities?

7. According to Chodron, what is our relationship with enlightenment?

8. What is tonglen?

9. What do the vajrayana Buddhists believe about emotions?

10. Why does the author include an anecdote about finding her boyfriend "passionately embracing another woman"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Chodron define suffering? Where does she claim it comes from? How does she recommend avoiding it?

Essay Topic 2

According to Chodron, what are the four limitless qualities? Why are they important? How are they cultivated? Does the author suggest which ones are most important?

Essay Topic 3

How does Chodron define joy? How does she suggest we cultivate it?

(see the answer keys)

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