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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. At the writing of the book, the author taught introductory courses on Buddhism at a _____.

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

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

4. Sthaviras is a Buddhist term that refers to ______________.

5. Buddhism does not involve the belief in a _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. How was the Rig Veda communicated orally?

2. Why has the prominence of the ancient oral traditions concerning Buddhism changed?

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

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

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. Why does the Buddhist saint not harm living creatures?

7. According to the author, what does the term 'Buddhism' refer to?

8. Why was the oral tradition of communicating the concept of dharma considered to be more accurate than the written tradition by some people?

9. What are the Nikayas/Agamas?

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

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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

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