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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What would Chodron like us to see about being in a raft that has disintegrated?
(a) It can be liberating.
(b) We never needed a raft.
(c) It could never happen.
(d) Our innermost self finds a way in an emergency.

2. What will happen if we "stay with" sorrow or pain?
(a) We will have strengthened personal relationships.
(b) We will understand why we have so many psychological issues.
(c) We will feel lighter and more courageous.
(d) We will feel worse.

3. What happened to the woman who gave a panhandler a bill outside of a store?
(a) He told her she may have given him too much.
(b) He came to her aid when she had a heart attack.
(c) He fell down and she had to care for him.
(d) Her husband was passing by and saw this.

4. How many near enemies of compassion are there?
(a) Five.
(b) One.
(c) Three.
(d) None.

5. What did the mother who wanted to help her heroin addicted son feel during her aspiration?
(a) Frustrated.
(b) Overwhelmed.
(c) Hopeful.
(d) Fearful.

6. How does Chodron view strength from a historical perspective?
(a) She argues that there has not been a change over time.
(b) She writes that strength came more naturally to spiritual teachers in other time periods.
(c) She does not touch on this theme.
(d) Chodron writes that it is easier to access strength in the modern world.

7. What does Chodron write about "shoulds" and "should nots"?
(a) We should not see things in these categories.
(b) We should focus on the "shoulds," while avoiding "should nots."
(c) These are helpful.
(d) These are used by the weak, who have not trained as warriors.

8. What is prajnaparamita?
(a) Happiness.
(b) The source of maitri.
(c) Unconditional bodhichitta.
(d) Goodness.

9. What is "sharing the heart"?
(a) A prayer.
(b) A simple practice.
(c) A Buddhist rule for all serious warriors.
(d) An old Zen idea about how to improve our quality of life.

10. What is the gentlest method of reproach?
(a) To ask, "Why am I here?"
(b) To ask, "What do I want in my life?"
(c) To ask, "Have I ever done this before?"
(d) To ask, "Who really supports me?"

11. What does Chodron write that a woman she knew did in traffic?
(a) A daily negativity "detox."
(b) A consistent 45 minute formal aspiration practice.
(c) "Sitting commute meditation."
(d) "Traffic of tonglen."

12. Which of the following is one of the three kinds of laziness?
(a) Depression.
(b) Hearing loss.
(c) Problems with family.
(d) Loss of heart.

13. Which of the following qualities is one of the five strengths?
(a) Hard work.
(b) Love.
(c) Strong determination.
(d) Hope.

14. Why does Chodron write that rejoicing in things takes courage?
(a) Because we have to create a new story of our lives.
(b) Because we have to imagine more possibilities for ourselves.
(c) Because we have to think consistently about one thing for longer than we are used to.
(d) Because we have to drop our complaining.

15. What upset the woman who was always late in Chodron's story?
(a) She wanted a raise, but her boss said she never arrived on time.
(b) Her food spoiled.
(c) Her daughter fell.
(d) When someone else was late.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who are the best teachers in teaching us to rejoice in the good fortune of others?

2. What is lhenchak?

3. What is the far enemy of joy?

4. How does Chodron define bravery?

5. How does Chodron argue that our diet and health affect our strength?

(see the answer keys)

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