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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Chodron believe that the teaching of the three marks of existence can motivate us to do?
(a) "Stop struggling against the nature of reality."
(b) "Accept spiritual teachings."
(c) "Meditate well from the moment we begin."
(d) "Understand the nature of love."

2. What did the nineteenth century yogi Patrul Rinpiche suggest we do to train in compassion?
(a) Actively listen to others, and imagine how they must feel.
(b) Understand that your problems are not the only ones in the world, and try to help those who are less fortunate.
(c) Try not to hurt others, but do not go out of your way to give when there is no hope of them being kind.
(d) Imagine beings in torment, and put yourself in their place.

3. How does Chodron suggest we cultivate bravery?
(a) Through aspirations.
(b) Through affirmations.
(c) Through conversations with spiritual teachers.
(d) By trying new things.

4. What is the fifth step in the formal practice of maitri?
(a) Engendering kindness for our enemies.
(b) Going from a sitting to standing position.
(c) Teaching others about the process.
(d) Breathing deeply.

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

6. What relationship does Chodron claim we are predisposed to have with others?
(a) Relationships always take hard work, and we certainly are not predisposed to live easily with others.
(b) Though relationships are unnatural, and love does not always flow freely, we can nourish these sentiments.
(c) Just as we connect with our caretakers in infancy, we would naturally connect with others if we remained egoless, but this is lost in early childhood.
(d) All beings are predisposed to waking up and reaching out to others.

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

8. How many stages does the formal practice of maitri have?
(a) Three.
(b) Seven.
(c) Two.
(d) Five.

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

10. What is the "foundation" of bodhichitta training?
(a) Love.
(b) Generosity.
(c) Meditation.
(d) Teaching.

11. What does the author claim that sitting meditation cultivates?
(a) Body aches.
(b) Fear.
(c) Freedom from emotion.
(d) Loving-kindness.

12. What is the second of the three lords of materialism?
(a) The lord of competition.
(b) The lord of greed.
(c) The lord of work.
(d) The lord of speech.

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

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

15. What are the four qualities of maitri?
(a) Our innate talents, meditation, generosity, and kindness.
(b) Frivolity, materialism, self-absorption, and disinterest in others.
(c) Steadfastness, clear seeing, experiencing our emotional distress, and attention to the present moment..
(d) Hope, relaxation, aspiration, and generosity.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Who taught that there are three principal characteristics of human existence?

3. Who do we first practice Maitri on?

4. What is Maitri?

5. What does Chodron write we cannot do without loving-kindness for ourselves?

(see the answer keys)

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