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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Buddhist scripture, what is the name of the braggart who challenged The Buddha's notions of not-self?
(a) Ngo Din Diem.
(b) Bhikkhu Bodhi.
(c) Aggivessana.
(d) Thich Quang Duc.

2. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with what element?
(a) Sleep.
(b) Pleasure and the anticipation of pleasure.
(c) Satiation.
(d) Hunger and the relief of hunger.

3. The word vipassana is generally translated to what English word?
(a) Insight.
(b) Pleasure.
(c) Peace.
(d) Tranquility.

4. What is the meaning of the term metta?
(a) Extraordinary.
(b) Saturation.
(c) Loving kindness.
(d) Mantra.

5. The Buddah lived and taught how many years ago?
(a) 700.
(b) 1,200.
(c) 3,500.
(d) 2,500.

6. Western Buddhism eliminates all but which of the following traditional Buddhist traditions?
(a) Meditation on the pus within one's own body.
(b) Meditation on feces within one's body.
(c) The use of gongs.
(d) Meditation on one's own rotting corpse.

7. When scientists conducted an experiment asking people to choose one of four identical pairs of pantyhose, which one did they most often choose?
(a) The second from far right pair.
(b) The far right pair.
(c) The second from far left pair.
(d) The far left pair.

8. What kind of benefits does the author describe self-delusion as harboring?
(a) Darwinian.
(b) Evolutionary.
(c) Intellectual.
(d) Personal.

9. What ratio does the author say he usually experiences throughout a meditation retreat when he mentions that part is bliss and part is difficult?
(a) 2 to 3.
(b) 4 to 1.
(c) 1 to 2.
(d) 1 to 4.

10. The author states that when the Buddhist techniques work, a person receives not just happiness, but what other element?
(a) Clarity of vision.
(b) A youthful smile.
(c) Tranquility.
(d) Improved health.

11. How did the author feel when his meditation teacher told him that his frustration with meditation was a good sign?
(a) Patronized.
(b) Assured.
(c) Proud.
(d) Ashamed.

12. With what Buddhist tradition is Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche associated?
(a) The school of tranquility and serenity.
(b) The Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
(c) The Vippassana Buddhist tradition.
(d) The Zen Buddhist tradition.

13. Though the author admits that there are paradoxes within Buddhism, he says that there are also paradoxes within which branch of science?
(a) Forensics.
(b) Physics.
(c) Geology.
(d) Biology.

14. What happened when the author analyzed closely his feelings before his speech at Poptech?
(a) The shame increased.
(b) The fear stayed within practicable limits.
(c) The fear went away.
(d) The anxiety seemed to ebb.

15. Who is the author of the book called What the Buddah Taught?
(a) Ajahn Chah.
(b) Judson Brewer.
(c) Hadley Cantril.
(d) Walpola Rahula.

Short Answer Questions

1. The author explains that the book Buddhism is True is an attempt to do all but which of the following things?

2. What is NOT one of the five aggregates named by The Buddha when he first split the self into five aggregates?

3. When ancient Buddhist writings mention the term sati, what does the word mean in English?

4. Whom does the author name as the two people who would be on the highest end of the spectrum as far as ease of meditation goes?

5. The author states that natural selection does not want people to be happy, but instead wants them to be what?

(see the answer keys)

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