Chapter 6: Buddhism in Its First Phase
Fill in the Blank
1. One thing that makes it difficult to differentiate between historical truth and tradition is that
_________ was the principal method of preserving literature and learning for many centuries.
2. What famous legend _________ provides Buddhists with an explanation of why Gautama
renounced his life under the same roof with his wife and young son?
3. The first religious philosophy tested and rejected by Gautama was _________.
4. An arahat is _________.
5. After his enlightenment the Buddha referred to himself as the Tathagata, or _________.
6. Some scholars belief that Buddhism is an atheistic philosophy because _________.
7. _________ were ordained monks authorized by the Buddha to ordain converts into the order.
8. The Buddhist monastic order is known as the __________.
9. The founder of the order of Buddhist nuns was _________.
10. Lay Buddhists must adhere to __________ of the Ten Precepts of Buddhism.
Multiple Choice
11. What did Gautama do after his enlightenment that delayed his entrance to Nirvana?
a. He accepted a bowl of rice and milk from a kind woman.
b. He became a teaching Buddha.
c. He created a written record of his quest for enlightenment.
d. He fathered another child with his wife.
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12. Who had hoped that Gautama would become emperor of India?
a. his father
b. his followers
c. his wife
d. his son
13. How did Guatama test extreme asceticism?
a. by depending on others for sustenance
b. by diligently pursing meditation in a rigorously disciplined body
c. by studying the sacred texts
d. by wandering with other ascetics
14. Gautama was without desire after his _________.
a. Great Enlightenment
b. rejection of Brahmanism
c. severe illness
d. study of Jainic legends
15. While meditating under a fig tree, Gautama came to realize that ________ was what blocked
his release from suffering.
a. coveting the possessions of others
b. desire
c. failure to worship the Hindu gods
d. humility
16. According to the Buddhist philosophy, what entity produces no new karma?
a. a Buddhist monk
b. an altered ego
c. an arahat
d. a conscious soul
17. The Buddha inducted several family members into the order. Which of the following was not
inducted into the order?
a. Buddha’s aunt
b. Buddha’s father
c. Buddha’s stepmother
d. Buddha’s son
18. Followers of Buddhism and Jainism shared this belief.
a. Acceptance of the Law of Karma would lead to liberation of the soul.
b. Liberation of self from suffering was dependent on caste or station in life.
c. The Brahmin priesthood alone could show the way to salvation.
d. The ritual observances of the Vedas could curry the favor of the gods.
19. The whole body of beliefs and practices of the Buddhist faith is referred to as __________.
a. Dharma
b. Pali
c. Sasana
d. Vinaya
20. Gautama used _________ to test the Brahmin philosophy during his six year quest.
a. communal ritual
b. prayer
c. scriptural study
d. yoga
21. The philosophy of _________ purports that human personality in one existence is the direct
cause of the type of individuality that appears in the next existence.
a. causal continuity
b. karmic inevitability
c. the ananda
d. the ethical framework
22. The Buddha taught that all composite beings able to reason suffer from three great flaws.
One of these flaws is __________ which refers to the ultimate unreality of the self or atman.
a. anatta
b. anicca
c. dharma
d. dukkha
23. The Buddhist literature includes lists of things to be avoided. Which of the following is one
of the Three Intoxications?
a. ignorance
b. restlessness
c. self-rightousness
d. sloth
24. According to the Buddhist literature, what is the name of the list of things by which beings
are bound to the wheel of existence?
a. the Eightfold Path
b. the Five Hindrances
c. the Ten Fetters
d. the Three Intoxications
25. Among Buddhists of today, what is presumed once a monk conquers the first three of the ten
fetters?
a. he has become enlightened and is in perinirvana
b. he will not be reborn again before he enters Nirvana
c. he cannot be reborn more than seven additional times before entering Nirvana
d. he will be reborn only once more on the human level
26. What is the fourth of the Four Noble Truths?
a. the Eightfold Path
b. the Five Hindrances
c. the Ten Fetters
d. the Three Intoxications
27. The Buddha _________ philosophical speculation as a way of liberation.
a. accepted
b. rejected
c. taught
d. was ambivalent about
28. Which attachment did the Buddhist philosophy allow?
a. attachment to the Buddha
b. attachment to the family
c. attachment to the monks
d. no attachments were allowed
29. The Buddhist teachings suggest that freedom from fetters can be achieved only by ________
means.
a. educational
b. both positive and negative
c. negative
d. postitive
30. What is the first step in the Eightfold Path?
a. right aspiration or purpose
b. right belief
c. right conduct
d. right effort
31. The seventh step on the Eightfold Path is made possible by _________.
a. non-indulgence in loose or hurtful talk
b. the belief in the Four Noble Truths
c. the love of all creatures with the right sort of love in word and deed
d. well-disciplined thought habits during long hours spent in attention to helpful topics
32. Which of the following is NOT part of an initiate’s vows upon entering the Sangha?
a. I take refuge in the Ananda.
b. I take refuge in the Buddha.
c. I take refuge in the Dharma.
d. I take refuge in the Sangha
33. In the Buddhist teachings, “Tanha” or thirst refers to desire or craving, the impetus for
clinging and becoming. This is the impetus for _________.
a. asceticism
b. Buddhism
c. rebirth
d. truth telling
34. Among contemporary Burmese Buddhists, Spiro found three points of view concerning the
meaning of nirvana. Which of the following is not one of those?
a. Although we cannot say what nirvana is, it is not extinction or annihilation.
b. Nirvana means total extinction.
c. Only the Buddha knew the true nature of nirvana.
d. Short of experiencing nirvana, nothing can be said about it.
35. The clan name of Prince Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism was _________.
a. Ganges
b. Gautama
c. Pali
d. Shakamuni