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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. Where did the Buddha teach groundlessness?

2. Which of the following qualities is one of the five strengths?

3. Which of the following is one of the three kinds of laziness?

4. How does equanimity compare with our usual perspective?

5. What is another term for the six strengths?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the author write about self-deception?

2. Why does the author claim that with bodhichitta practices, we eventually feel more joy?

3. What is a traditional aspiration for awakening joy and appreciation?

4. How does Chodron describe laziness characterized by wanting to avoid inconvenience?

5. How does Chodron argue that we should react to our good fortune?

6. What are the three near enemies of compassion?

7. How do lhenchak and loving-kindness compare?

8. How was Shariputra an example for students during the Buddha's teaching at Vulture Peak Mountain (in his teachings known as The Heart Sutra)?

9. What is equanimity?

10. How does the author believe we cultivate the conditions for joy to expand?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does Chodron mean by aspirations? How do these differ from affirmations? In the formal practice of aspirations, is there a difference in the aspirations for different qualities?

Essay Topic 2

In The Places That Scare You, what do the terms maitri and tonglen mean? How does Chodron write that these are these cultivated?

Essay Topic 3

What does the author compare our fears in life to? What analogy does she make? Do you think this is an effective analogy? Why or why not?

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