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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What are the three characteristics of human existence?
(a) Mediocrity, disinterest, and distraction.
(b) Impermanence, egolessness, and suffering.
(c) Change, adaptation, and unsatisfied expectations.
(d) Love, hope, and peace.

2. What does the author claim Martin Luther King is an example of?
(a) A truly centered person.
(b) A master warrior.
(c) A true teacher.
(d) A person who put love first.

3. What does the author recommend that we do with our sorrow?
(a) Master it in order to eliminate it.
(b) Sit with it.
(c) Try to change it.
(d) Fully focus on it in order to verbalize it.

4. What does the author claim that bodhichitta training unlocks?
(a) Our innate ability to relax.
(b) Our own deepest needs.
(c) Our feeling of happiness.
(d) The four limitless qualities.

5. Where does the title of the book come from?
(a) A quote between a teacher and student.
(b) A quote from Ghandi.
(c) Buddha.
(d) A sacred scripture.

6. What does the author claim is the gift of understanding that uncertainty is part of life?
(a) Understanding that certainty is not necessary to find happiness.
(b) Knowing that nothing can be counted on saves us from disappointment.
(c) Knowing that even Nirvana is uncertain makes it all the more exciting for believers.
(d) Not believing that others can avioid uncertainty.

7. What does Chodron claim we cultivate through making aspirations?
(a) Bravery.
(b) Worldly ambition.
(c) Good health.
(d) Hope.

8. What did the Buddha say about our relationship to enlightenment?
(a) We can all achieve enlightenment through the same method.
(b) Only by releasing the goal of achieving enlightenment is it achieved.
(c) We are never separated from enlightenment.
(d) Enlightenment can be achieved by everyone.

9. What is the first stage of the formal practice of maitri?
(a) Engendering loving-kindness for ourselves.
(b) Standing in the first yoga position.
(c) Closing our eyes, and taking a deep breath to relax the body.
(d) Decide that we will do no harm.

10. What is the first lord of materialism?
(a) Form.
(b) Personal style.
(c) Function.
(d) Sensuality.

11. How does the author claim that aspirations and affirmations differ?
(a) Chodron claims that aspirations have long been used by Buddhists, but affiirmations have been scientifically studied and documented more.
(b) Chodron argues that affirmations and aspirations can be used interchangeably in meditation.
(c) Chodron claims that they are not different.
(d) Chodron writes that in one we try to convince ourselves of something, and in the other we aim to open our hearts.

12. What did Albert Einstein claim was an illusion?
(a) The idea of hate.
(b) Our separateness from others.
(c) Our fears.
(d) The universe.

13. What does the author call "those who train wholeheartedly in awakening unconditional and relative bodhichitta"?
(a) True yogis.
(b) Warriors.
(c) Winners.
(d) Saints.

14. What is Maitri?
(a) Full relaxation.
(b) A Tibetan term for hope.
(c) Acceptance of ourselves.
(d) Deep breath.

15. Which of the following does the author warn that meditation can become when meditation practitioners do not pay attention to their negative emotions?
(a) Repression.
(b) Wasted time.
(c) Selfish.
(d) Hurtful.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following does Chodron recommend?

2. Who are the two witnesses that Chodron writes about?

3. What do vajrayana Buddhists claim is inherent in emotion?

4. How many stages does the formal practice of maitri have?

5. Who do we first practice Maitri on?

(see the answer keys)

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