View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How many parts belong to the Path that "deeply committed Buddhists are supposed to tread" (48)?
(a) Eight.
(b) Four.
(c) Three.
(d) Six.

2. What do psychologists call the condition of "being stuck" in the natural human cycle of ultimately futile pleasure-seeking?
(a) The never-ending spiral.
(b) The hedonic treadmill.
(c) The hamster wheel.
(d) The great illusion.

3. The author states that natural selection does not want people to be happy, but instead wants them to be what?
(a) Healthy.
(b) Productive.
(c) Compassionate.
(d) Tenacious.

4. What adverb is used to describe briefly exposing someone to a word or an image, but not long enough for conscious awareness to set in?
(a) Subliminally.
(b) Subdermally.
(c) Undertemporally.
(d) Multilingually.

5. The author states that "coherence of motivation, though a desirable quality in a friend or collaborator, isn't by itself" (82) what?
(a) Decisive.
(b) True.
(c) Effective.
(d) Satisfying.

6. The author suggests that the reader check out the enlightenment scene in which film in order to get an idea of the vibrancy of the experience?
(a) Holy Smoke.
(b) Kundun.
(c) Little Buddha.
(d) Shaolin.

7. What is the one thing that the author says natural selection "cares about" (3)?
(a) Survival.
(b) Procreation.
(c) Sustenance.
(d) Evolution.

8. In what year did the author of the book What the Buddah Taught write the work?
(a) 1983.
(b) 1959.
(c) 1973.
(d) 2001.

9. The author presents a scenario wherein someone imagines his or her speech is going to go badly, but it goes fine. What term does the author give to this phenomenon?
(a) A metta experience.
(b) A conundrum.
(c) A triumph.
(d) A false positive.

10. The first time the author attended a week-long meditation retreat, he was allowed to speak how many times?
(a) Once.
(b) Never.
(c) Three times.
(d) Twice.

11. On what body process should first-timers focus when meditating?
(a) Bile.
(b) Phlegm.
(c) Blood.
(d) Breath.

12. When ancient Buddhist writings mention the term sati, what does the word mean in English?
(a) Mindfulness.
(b) Stillness.
(c) Tranquility.
(d) Peace.

13. Whom does the author name as being on the lowest end of the spectrum in relation to how easy it will be for a person to pick up meditation?
(a) Russell Westbrook.
(b) John McEnroe.
(c) Bobby Knight.
(d) Nate Diaz.

14. What emotion does the author say he feels when he is getting ready for a public speaking engagement?
(a) Anxiety.
(b) Pride.
(c) Shame.
(d) Weakness.

15. What is NOT an element the author lists as being said by Jesus Christ?
(a) I am the truth.
(b) I am the love.
(c) I am the life.
(d) I am the way.

Short Answer Questions

1. The author states that when the Buddhist techniques work, a person receives not just happiness, but what other element?

2. Who is the author of the book called What the Buddah Taught?

3. The Buddah lived and taught how many years ago?

4. In what state did the author attend his very first silent meditation retreat?

5. Western Buddhism eliminates all but which of the following traditional Buddhist traditions?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 485 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample