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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What insight did the woman give whom the author mentions is constantly on a diet?
(a) Some addictions are widely considered healthy.
(b) Addictions are divided along gender lines.
(c) All addictions address the same emotional needs.
(d) Addictions temporarily relieve suffering.

2. What is the traditional aspiration used in formal maitri training?
(a) "May I create joy in my own life, and rejoice in the happiness that I see in the lives of others."
(b) "There are no problems that I must solve."
(c) "May I and others enjoy happiness and the root of happiness."
(d) "My life and my joy is my responsibility."

3. What is the third lord of materialism?
(a) The lord of ambition.
(b) The lord of convenience.
(c) The lord of applause.
(d) The lord of mind.

4. What made Geshe Chekawa interested in publicizing the lojong slogans?
(a) Hearing that it cured a man from an incurable illness.
(b) The urging of his own spiritual teacher.
(c) Seeing their effect on his brother.
(d) Learning how much money he could make from students.

5. What are the three lords of materialism?
(a) Sins.
(b) An attachment to status and material goods.
(c) Ways we maintain an "illusion of security."
(d) Obstacles to achieving Nirvana.

6. What does the author compare to an elderly couple living in a protected community in Florida?
(a) Reincarnation.
(b) Love.
(c) The relationship between a student and teacher.
(d) The workings of the ego.

7. Why does the author encourage readers to question the "strategies of the ego"?
(a) To increase the hope in our lives.
(b) To eventually change our behavior.
(c) To let our guard down and better understand others.
(d) To connect to the Superego.

8. How does Chitta translate?
(a) As mind or thought.
(b) As mind, heart, or attitude.
(c) As love, heart, and affection.
(d) As relaxation.

9. What does the author compare with the rawness of a broken heart?
(a) Bodhichitta.
(b) Nirvana.
(c) Meditation.
(d) Yoga.

10. Which of the following does Chodron recommend?
(a) Relax slowly into meditation, and it will be less strenuous on your body.
(b) Do not eat food that will make your mind race.
(c) Remember only positive moments from the past.
(d) Do not expect applause.

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

12. What relationship does Chodron claim we are predisposed to have with others?
(a) Though relationships are unnatural, and love does not always flow freely, we can nourish these sentiments.
(b) All beings are predisposed to waking up and reaching out to others.
(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) Relationships always take hard work, and we certainly are not predisposed to live easily with others.

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

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

15. What does Chodron write we cannot do without loving-kindness for ourselves?
(a) We cannot give up control, or "truly understand" that the world is full of love.
(b) It is difficult, "if not impossible," to love others.
(c) We cannot achieve our optimum physical health.
(d) We cannot be happy, and enjoy our own good fortune.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does tonglen literally mean?

3. What is the compassionate aspiration that the author begins with as she begins to teach?

4. How does Chondron describe our "fundamental energy"?

5. What does the author claim that bodhichitta training unlocks?

(see the answer keys)

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