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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. Though the precise form of the earliest Buddhist devotions is unclear, it is know that they revolved around the worship of _____.

2. As a system of thought, Abhidharma is to be contrasted with the system of _____ of the Buddha.

3. _____ is the beginning of the Buddhist path.

4. All Buddhism knows the story of the ascetic, _____.

5. The repository manuals related to the sutras are called the _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the term 'self' considered meaningless in Buddhism?

2. What attitudes do the Mahayana sutras display toward the bodhisattva?

3. Why does the boddhisattva turn away from samsara and yet turn back to the world?

4. What does Nagasena tell the king about the self?

5. How is world contraction described according to the Abhidharma?

6. What is access concentration in meditation?

7. What is the legend of Megha?

8. What is causal connectedness?

9. How are the lower and higher realms of existence different from each other in Buddhism?

10. How is the nature of bad action illustrated in Buddhism?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of merit or karma in Buddhism. How does this affect the conduct of the Buddhist? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of Mara in Buddhism. What did he do? Whom does he compare to in Christianity? Why?

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