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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. How many senses are involved in the Tao concept of power?

2. What was the conflicting idea of Mohism during Confucius' time?

3. What did the Buddha see as the downfall of men?

4. Why did Confucius earn the title of First Teacher?

5. What is the most popular form of yoga and has the most followers?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way is Buddhism a religion of introspection?

2. What warning is given about the practice of raja yoga?

3. How does Sri Ramakrishna explain the Hindu tolerance of other religions?

4. What is the symbolism of the rafts in Buddhism?

5. What is the irony of Buddhist practice today?

6. In what way does Taoism seem to have fragmented?

7. Describe the last stage of spiritual awareness in Hinduism called sannyasin.

8. What is the inherent problem with perceiving the natural world according to Hinduism?

9. Explain how Huston Smith made his arbitrary decisions about what to include in his book.

10. Describe in one sentence the basic tenet of Hinduism.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a critique of Huston Smith's book, The World's Religions. In your critique discuss such things as how well the topics were covered, how easy or difficult the points were to understand, and whether you would recommend the book for others to read.

Essay Topic 2

All of the world's historical religions have undergone schisms. Write an essay in which you point out the divisions that arose in three or four major religions. Then state your opinion as to why this seems to happen to all religions.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about what you got out of studying Huston Smith's book. Has it changed your mindset on different religions? Do you agree with Smith that there is little point in trying to compare religions to see which one is best?

(see the answer keys)

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